Few subjects are more controversial today within the church than this: What does the Bible say about homosexuality?
If one regards the Bible as God-breathed and authoritative, then one must respect regardless of the Lord says about every topic.
What we are saying and think concerning the LGBQT+ community needs to be derived from Scripture, including the ways through which we’re to treat each other.
Homosexuality within the Bible: Table of Contents
Bible Verses about Homosexuality
Christians should always start with the Bible as a way to hear God’s Word on any subject. His commands are usually not optional, and he states clearly, “You shall not lie with a male as with a girl; it’s an abomination” (Leviticus 18:22).
Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the dominion of God (1 Corinthians 6:11th of September).
For this reason God gave them as much as dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those which are contrary to nature; and the lads likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for each other, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for his or her error (Romans 1:26).
Some Christians suggest that a progressive God would overturn his own commands in a certain social climate, but God doesn’t progress in his considering; his thoughts and commandments are all the time right.
We know that God doesn’t change his mind, that he’s all the time the identical, and that is foundational to our hope and our faith in his Kingdom purposes.
God was, is, and all the time might be against sexual sin in all of its forms, which include lust for a one who just isn’t one’s spouse, sexual affairs, and even emotional affairs.
One must not single out someone who identifies as gay or transgender as a “sinner” but as an alternative look inward. Ignoring one’s own sin by the use of deflection doesn’t idiot God.
Interpretations of the Word ‘Homosexuality’ within the Bible
There is an argument that Scripture doesn’t contain the word “homosexuality” and that God just isn’t against men or women having sex with consenting members of the identical sex. The word “zakar” in Hebrew can discuss with any male, including human and animal, but in addition to boys.
But Strong’s concordance indicates that “zakar,” as utilized in Leviticus 18:22 above, refers to sodomy, a term not reserved for acts of kid sexual abuse or rape but in addition consensual acts between adults.
“Arsenokoitai” is Greek for “men having sex with other men. And there isn’t any real other interpretation that makes the most effective sense of the evidence each within the early Christian literature and particularly within the Old Testament.”
Kevin DeYoung explains that Paul, a scholar and former Pharisee, coined the term. If Paul had been referring to men forcing boys to have sex, then he could have used the word “biazó” for “violent force” to indicate a difference between consensual and non-consensual sex. He didn’t.
Does the Bible Say Anything Positive about Homosexual Relationships?
Sex is a present. “Before the autumn — before sin — sex was a part of the created order. It was good — VERY GOOD,” wrote Paul Carter. “In fact, contrary to cultural ideas about sex propounded throughout the first century AD, “Christianity taught that sex inside a wedding needs to be free, generous and reciprocal.”
But God never depicted coital relationships between two men or two women in a positive way. When God made Eve, Adam said “this finally is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman” (Genesis 23).
Marriage is represented often in Scripture. We have the examples of Abraham and Sarah, Isaac, and Rebekah, Ruth and Boaz; Mary and Joseph; and a number of other more. None of those couples was perfect, but each is an example of heterosexual marriage.
What Did Jesus Say about Homosexuality?
While Jesus didn’t explicitly address homosexuality, in the case of how society treats individuals who engage in homosexual relationships, Jesus’ attitude is the benchmark. The gospels illustrate how Jesus wants us to treat a one who has been marginalized by society by highlighting several encounters Jesus had with women.
He called out their sin but offered something higher. He allowed Mary Magdalene to serve him by washing his feet along with her hair. The Messiah saved an adulterous woman from stoning. The Samaritan woman depicted in John 4 had been married five times and was with a sixth man.
He sat and talked along with her when the remaining of her community shunned the lady. Each of those women was guilty, but so were the Pharisees and other members of society who scorned or condemned them, and the lads who used them.
Instead of judging these women, Jesus invited them to be a part of his mission. The Samaritan woman was one in all his first apostles. Mary was amongst his devoted followers.
Jesus gave these women a latest identity in order that they may freely decide to follow him, relieved of shame, and make him the main focus of their lives. Everyone needs God’s mercy, but 1 Corinthians 6:11th of September is commonly taken out of context in order that the emphasis lands on homosexuality.
This narrow-mindedness overlooks thievery, greed, drunkenness, abuse, and fraud that are also listed. Paul doesn’t exclude anyone, even classifying himself because the chief of sinners. (1 Timothy 1:15)
Intimacy, Identity, and Culture
Sam Allberry, a same-sex pastor from England, confronts the pain of being alone, even by alternative, on the grounds of obedience to God. Celibacy is made harder by the elevation of marital intimacy to a lofty position above all other forms, including friendship.
Allberry’s fear is that “if someone’s only alternative in life appears to be either unbiblical intimacy or no intimacy, they’re going to find yourself selecting unbiblical intimacy. And if that’s the case, I believe the broader church shares responsibility for that.”
As Allberry asserts, people throughout the LGBQT+ community are being denied access to this sort of intimacy, so even those that are keen to follow God’s commands and to please him by their faithful obedience are drawn to other sources for belonging and acceptance.
Jesus never taught his disciples to disclaim friendship and familial like to anyone. “Whoever does the need of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother” (Matthew 12:50).
He also promoted mutually uplifting, godly friendship. “Greater love has nobody than this, that somebody lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). The word friend, philos within the Greek, means “beloved” or “dear.” “I even have called you friends,” Jesus said to his disciples (John 15:15).
Not everyone accepts forgiveness through Jesus; but he offers dignity, love, and truth to everyone. When a gospel-believing person highlights sin in an individual’s life, the aim should all the time be to point that person to Jesus and his saving mercies.
Admitting and repenting of sin, turning to Christ for salvation, restores an individual to peace and wholeness with God. Many so-called Christians, nevertheless, point fingers and exalt themselves by pulling down anyone whose lifestyle doesn’t line up with their very own.
Is Homosexuality a Sin?
It just isn’t appropriate to label someone who identifies as gay or transgender as a “sinner” while overlooking one’s own faults. Deflecting attention from one’s sins doesn’t deceive God. Homosexuality just isn’t some type of “special sin” that God can never forgive. All sins separate people from God. Christ died to free everyone from sin.
“Judge not, that you just be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you might be judged, and with the measure you utilize it’s going to be measured to you” (Matthew 7:1-2).
A giant problem within the church at once is the attitude that because someone identifies as gay, lesbian, transgender, etc., that they mustn’t be welcomed into the church. This is improper for a couple of reasons.
1. We are all sinners. To suggest otherwise is to disregard the plank protruding of 1’s eye while examining the speck in another person’s (Matthew 7:3-5).
2. We are commanded not to evaluate others. If we treat other people as if they are usually not as helpful to God as we’re, then we risk incurring his judgment on ourselves (Matthew 7:1-2).
3. Jesus frolicked with everyone. He ate with sinners. That’s why the Pharisees were so scandalized. He offered the gift of his presence and the offer of salvation without prejudice.
4. Jesus says, “come to me all you who’re weary.” This just isn’t an invite to particular individuals who qualify on the idea of their behavior or lifestyle but to anyone who’s drained (Matthew 11:28).
Given the obstacles and even dangers the LGBQT+ community faces, added to the unusual strains of life basically, one may think they’re very weary, indeed.
What’s Next for the Church and Homosexuality?
Everyone was made in God’s image, but not all people embrace Christ’s message of hope, peace, love, mercy, and justice. One reason for that is religious arrogance — Christians who act as if they’re able to sentence or pardon.
But if churches shut their doors to those that defy God’s commands about sexual intimacy, the doors can be shut to everyone. The duty and privilege of Christ’s disciples are to supply all who will hearken to the message of salvation and the promise of a love greater than anything.
His love and justice go together, but all who call on Christ’s name for salvation are covered by his blood. Each of us is a piece in progress. We can teach his inerrant Word but should always achieve this without judging or persecuting anyone.
For further reading:
Is it True ‘What God Has Joined Let No One Separate’?
Old Understanding, New Understanding
Why Do We Forget to Hate the Sin and Love the Sinner?
What Does the ‘Husband of One Wife’ Mean in 1 Timothy 3:2?
How Can Sex be a Sin and a Gift?
Does God See All Sins as Equal to One Another?
What Did Jesus Really Mean by ‘Judge Not, That You Be Not Judged’?
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Markus Spiske
