“Homosexual And Christian?”

Biblegems #203

Question: How do those who practice homosexuality and who also consider themselves to be Christian defend their position biblically, especially in light of such straightforward passages as Leviticus 18:22 and 1Corinthians 6:9-10?

Here are the verses in question. Note the underlined words.

         Lev. 18:22 Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.

         1Cor. 6:9-10 Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

Those who claim they belong to Christ while defending their homosexual lifestyle typically justify their position as follows:

• The Bible is not to be understood literally.

• God values diversity.

• God values unity in Christ, therefore nothing should divide believers.

• Those who judge people because of homosexuality are guilty of other equally condemned behaviors.

• Condemning homosexuality is legalism; and the law has nothing to do with faith.

• Love, not behavior, marks a true disciple of Christ.

Are these arguments valid? No. Here’s why—

The Bible is God’s inspired Word and our final authority in doctrine and behavior:

2Pet. 1:20-21 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

2Tim. 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Therefore, when Scripture states that certain lifestyle behaviors are “detestable,” “wicked,” “immoral” and descriptive of people who will not “inherit the Kingdom of God,” it is to be understood literally. As Jesus clearly affirmed:

         Matt. 5:18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.

Therefore, Christians are not being judgmental or legalistic in denouncing homosexuality; they are simply pointing out what God has already judged as “wicked” in His Word.

When a car passes you on the highway at 100 mph and you say, “he’s going 30 mph over the speed limit,” you are not being judgmental. You’re just stating the facts—the driver is breaking the law and you hope, for everyone’s benefit, he gets caught before he causes serious injury.

In the same way, God does not encourage “wicked,” “detestable” and “immoral” behavior in the Body of Christ in the name of love, unity and diversity. If that were the case, why not condone incest or prostitution? Yet the Scriptures clearly identify all such behavior as sexually immoral and to be zealously avoided by God’s people, just as we are to avoid all other sinful behavior:

Eph. 5:3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.

Note: For further discussion related to this topic please see Bible Gems #102, 103, 104 (Sept - Oct, 2012).

Homosexuality 2: Right, Wrong Or Genetics?

Biblegems # 103

Question: I don't want to believe in an "interventionist" God who could find fault with someone for loving someone of the same sex, and who has a strong faith in God as well. How do I deal with this?

In order to discuss this honestly, it is important that we understand and agree upon the terms we use (sexual orientation, homosexuality, etc.). According to the American Psychological Society: “Sexual orientation refers to an enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attractions to men, women, or both sexes.”¹

In discussing homosexuality then, it is important to understand that we are talking about an “attraction,” not a genetic inevitability like blond hair or blue eyes. According to the APA: “There is no consensus among scientists about the exact reasons that an individual develops a heterosexual, bisexual, gay, or lesbian orientation.”²

In fact, the psychological community understands sexual orientation to be principally a matter of choice: “Mental health professional organizations call on their members to respect a person’s (client’s) right to self-determination…”³ (italics, mine).

Both the Bible and the APA agree on this: Homosexuality is a choice, not a question of genetics. 

The disagreement comes at the issue of “self-determination.”

As we saw in the previous post, “Homosexuality And The Love of God,” God designed human sexuality as a union between male and female (Gen. 1:27; 2:18). Men and woman are not designed for same sex intimacy. It is not a choice that has been given to us by God, anymore than robbing a bank. “Self-determination” in the area of sexual orientation was never part of God’s plan for us. To break from His design and purpose is to disobey God, which is what the Scripture calls sin.

So when God gives us this clear instruction—Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable (Lev. 18:22)—He is, like a good and loving parent, telling us to stay away from a practice for which we were not designed. For those who claim no loyalty or love for God, this is a non-issue. But for those who claim to be followers of Jesus Christ, disobedience becomes a real problem:

         John 14:15 If you love me, you will obey what I command.

God in His infinite love for us has given us many areas in life in which we are free to choose. We can choose a spouse (of the opposite sex); we can choose which store we buy our groceries from; we can choose public, private or home-school for our children.

But equally in His infinite love for us He puts a fence around our freedom of choice for our own good, whether we think it’s good or not. We do not get to choose our own birth date, who our children will be, or where or when in the world we will be born. Self-determination is a very precious gift God has given to humanity to be exercised within the limits of His purpose and design for us, not for our own self-centered pleasure.

         Jer. 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

1. American Psychological Association. (2008). Answers to your questions: For a better understanding of sexual orientation and homosexuality. Washington, DC: Author. [Retrieved from www.apa.org/topics/sorientation.pdf.] This material may be reproduced and distributed in whole or in part without permission provided that the reproduced content includes the original bibliographic citation and the following statement is included: Copyright © 2008 American Psychological Association.

2. ibid.

3. ibid.