Homo Christianity: A Biblical Response (Lev 18:22, 20:13)

Over the past 20 years (or so) there has been substantial movement within the so-called Christian community to support homosexuality (or versions of it) as something God will accept. There now exists even among a chain of churches considered to be evangelical (by those in its membership) that are not only open to gays but openly gay within their clergy. (e.g. Metropolitan Community Churches)

The “biblical arguments” used by them to defend their position are now used by many to support being gay as an acceptable Christian alternative:

1. “Science shows that people are born gay.”

Biblical Response: The Bible teaches that people are born sinners. (Psa 51:5) Hence why we need to be born again. In other words, that people are born gay is neither surprising nor reason to consider it acceptable.

2. “The version of homosexuality condemned is different than the holy, monogamous relationships that can exist today and the writers of the Bible were unaware of.

Biblical Response: Scripture is inspired and sufficient. (2Ti 3:16; 2Pe 1:20-21)

3. (Mat 19:4-12) “Jesus makes it clear that those born gay (“born eunuchs”) do no not need to conform to heterosexual marriage or lifestyle – opening the door to alternative lifestyles.”

Biblical Response: In reality, a eunuch refers to those withholding themselves from sexual relations (through castration). If one cannot abide with heterosexual marriage, they become a eunuch to alleviate the sexual temptation.

4. Those passages which seem to condemn homosexuality are not (in reality) condemning it (but something else):

4.1. (Gen 19:1-13) Sodom and Gomorrah:

4.1.1. Sodom and Gomorrah’s men were not homosexual but rather doing what was customary in ancient times as a means to humiliating those you believe to be foreign spies (i.e. rape).

Biblical Response: Whether those in Sodom and Gomorrah intended to commit homosexual acts because they enjoyed it or as a means of punishment is irrelevant as it is the act which is always considered sinful (motives mean nothing).

4.1.2. The sin God condemns Sodom and Gomorrah for is not homosexuality but rather pride and neglect of the poor. (Eze 16:49)

Biblical Response: Sodom and Gomorrah is referred to several times throughout the Old Testament (e.g. Jeremiah and Isaiah) as a means of humiliating Israel for her own wickedness. In Ezekiel 16, it is referring to Judah’s guilt, not Sodom and Gomorrah’s. (Eze 16:1-8 w/ 15-17 w/ 32-50) God’s reference to them in this way bears a connection to original Sodom and Gomorrah only in the sense that they too 1) will experience God’s awful wrath (Eze 16:36-42)[1] and 2) their idolatry is seen as sexual sin. When speaking about the specific sins that brought God’s destruction upon historical/original Sodom and Gomorrah, Scripture identifies it as homosexuality. (2Pe 1:6-10 w/ Jud 1:5-7)

4.2. (Rom 1:18-27) For someone who is born gay, the desire for same sex activity is natural (not unnatural). Therefore, those Paul is addressing are heterosexuals acting as though they are homosexual.

Biblical Response: Verses 26-27 are an allusion back to the commands in Leviticus 18 and 20 where the word “nature” or natural never appears since the issue is the action (not one’s “sexual orientation”). Also, the reference to “nature” means according to God’s perfect design which is always heterosexual. In other words, it is in respect to what God intended, not what feels right (or natural) to sinful human depravity.

4.3. (1Co 6:9, 1Ti 1:9-11) The words translated “homosexuality” refer to men who were (or had) male prostitutes. It does not refer to monogamous, committed gay relationships.

Biblical Response: Once more, the Bible condemns the act. No context within the Bible is ever given where homosexuality is right. Additionally, why would we ever understand these words differently here than their meaning in Leviticus 18 and 20.

[1] For another example of this, see Edom in Jeremiah 49:17-21.

For the other topic from this Sunday, listen here: Taking Loans Out for College.