More and more I’m hearing the argument that the Bible “only condemns homosexual acts outside of marriage” and I’ve even read several articles lately that homosexual activities have become a fad for teenagers. I think it’s very important that we understand the problems inherent in this worldview. American culture has begun to embrace active homosexuality as a valid lifestyle, which it isn’t. Why? We will examine that in this article.
We must first understand that some may have homosexual tendencies through no fault of their own. In itself, these tendencies are not sinful. It is only in mentally and physically acting upon these tendencies that man falls to the level of sin (as is true with many other human tendencies). Therefore those with these tendencies must take up this cross and follow Christ by living chastely.
God created marriage to imitate the Trinity. A man and a woman come together in marriage and their love for each other is so strong that it creates a child (with an eternal soul). We understand through natural law that heterosexual sex between married spouses is intrinsically good. Homosexual sex mocks the designs of God: it uses sex to satisfy lusts in an inherently sterile way that misuses the functions for which our bodies are designed. This is an “intrinsically disordered” act (CC 2357). Here, I’d like to analyze the Bible’s viewpoint on homosexual acts so we can discern for ourselves whether it is a legitimate choice or not.
There are basically four key passages we can examine to understand the Bible’s view of homosexual acts.
The first passage occurs in Genesis 19:4-11 and following. To sum up, two angels visit Sodom and stay with Lot. The men of the city come and demand Lot bring him the visitors that they “might know them.” Biblically speaking, this involves sexual acts with the two angels (who appear to be men). The angels immediately strike the men of the city blind and ask Lot to leave since God is going to destroy the city. This story ties in with the Jewish tradition that any society that embraces homosexuality is in the last stages of decline (something for us Americans to consider). Specifically, the city was destroyed “because the outcry against its people has become great before the Lord, and the Lord sent [the angels] out to destroy it” (Gen 19:13). Genesis also mentions that “their sin is very grave” (Gen 18:20). I point this out because the only clear sin we see in Sodom is the desire to essentially rape the angels in a homosexual way. This view of why Sodom was destroyed is reinforced by 1 Timothy 1:10, when the word “Sodomites” is used. This is the first indication of how the Scriptures view homosexual acts.
The next key Scripture regarding homosexuality doesn’t occur until the New Testament. In Romans 1:26-27, God “gave” some up to “the lusts of their hearts” (Rom 1:24) to “dishonorable passions,” and clearly cites homosexual acts as the dishonorable passion. Romans continues by calling the acts “shameless” and noting that those who commit them receive “in their own persons the due penalty for their error.” This is a clear and straightforward condemnation of homosexual acts – and a grave viewpoint for those who commit them. This straightforward, New Covenant condemnation is continued by Paul in 1 Corinthians 6:10 and 1 Timothy 1:10. In Corinthians, those committing homosexual acts are labeled as unworthy of heaven
In our times morality has been compromised. More and more people refuse to “judge” or “condemn” others for sinful acts including abortion and homosexual acts. But we as Christians must understand what we support and why. If we believe the Bible, then we cannot allow homosexual acts to be an accepted part of our society – this means homosexual marriage is impossible in reality, it should not be possible legally, either. By condemning these acts, we do not deny two people who are in love, as some would say, rather we stand up for that which is Truth, the Word of God. And only through following God can we truly be happy and free.
God bless,
Jay
I also read that when theologians and philosophers were debating contraception earlier in the 20th century, something people on BOTH sides of the issue could agree on was that the arguments in favor and against contraception apply equally to homosexual practices.
The acceptance of contraception in religious communities and in countries almost always leads to an increase in divorce, the perceived necessity of abortion, and eventually acceptance of homosexuality. Pope Paul the VI predicted such a turn of events should the world embrace the contraceptive philsophies. His opponents ridiculed such predictions but history has shown his words as prophetic.