SBC Info & Articles

What Does The Bible Teach About Homosexuality?

With the exception of the abortion issue, the issue of homosexuality has, in the past few years created more controversy, and heated controversy at that, than any other issue. Emotions surrounding this issue usually are uncontrolled, and discussion of it has often become violent in nature. Once again, as with our other studies on ethical issues, we will attempt to survey the issue from a philosophical standpoint, a medical standpoint, and most importantly, a biblical standpoint.

A PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE

From a philosophical perspective, there are a number of questions that must be asked an answered. The first question that we ask is, Is sexuality a matter of "personal preference". The homosexual community would have us to believe that their homosexuality is a result of the way they were made, and therefore is a natural acceptable way of expressing their sexuality. Since they are made this way, and can do nothing to alter it, they should be classified as a legal minority, such as African-Americans or Hispanics, and granted the same rights as such. Specific rights such as the right to be in the military are demanded. The reasoning is that when soldiers get on the front lines of battle, there will be little or no concern as to one's sexual orientation. I suggest however, that this reasoning is invalid.

First, it has never been a right of anyone to be a part of the U.S. military. Regardless of sexual orientation, no one can march down to the local recruitment office and demand to join. There are certain tests, both physical and emotional that a recruit must pass before being accepted into the service. Secondly, from an economic standpoint, there are certain things that our military has determined that they will do and certain things that are not cost-effective, and therefore, will not do. It is particularly interesting that one of the major intents of those who are liberals in our government is to drastically decrease the amount of money spent on our national defense. And yet a study was recently done which indicated that it cost about twenty times as much to provide for the medical and health needs of the homosexual soldier as it does the heterosexual soldier. The reason being that the homosexual soldier is far more likely to need treatment for hepatitis-B and other venereal diseases that the heterosexual soldier will not deal with. Now how can we justify opening the military to the homosexual community, knowing that it will increase the budget and yet desire to cut its spending? Thirdly, the issue of morale must be addressed. It is suggested that sexual preference disappears on the front lines, but there is a flaw to this reasoning. It has been rightly said that some wars are not won on the battlefield, but in the training that comes before the battlefield. In order for there to be comradery on the battlefield there must first exist comradery in the training field. Unfortunately in many cases, it is safer in the foxholes of the battlefields than it is in the showers of the barracks. Morale that is necessary for victory on the battlefield can never be developed on the training field where a perverse lifestyle is permitted.

The homosexual community argues that they should also be afforded the same health care that the heterosexual community is afforded. The reasoning is that since the government spends big bucks on diseases that know no social or cultural barriers, such as cancer, they also should be providing the same benefits for those who are stricken with AIDS. A big point is made that AIDS is spreading in both the homosexual community as well as, if not at an even greater rate, in the heterosexual community. Years ago, when an epidemic disease broke out, the reasonable thing to do by those in authority, was to quarantine those who were infected to limit the spread of the disease. If such an attempt was made today, to quarantine those infected with AIDS, there would be a massive outcry from the homosexual community of the medical authorities being "homophobic". But if AIDS is not a "gay disease", then how can anyone be homophobic who desires to control the spread of the disease through the means of quarantine? Should there be laws regulating what the homosexual community can and can't do? In the regards to the interest of our national health, I believe that it is mandatory that certain restrictions apply.

One final philosophical question that needs to be addressed is the area of teaching homosexuality as an acceptable, if not natural, lifestyle in our public school system. Let me share briefly with you some of the agenda of the homosexual community in instituting this concept in our schools.

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, a lobbying group in the nation's capital, demands that sex education courses that present homosexuality as "a healthy alternative lifestyle" be taught by gays and lesbians.

The National Association for the Education of Young Children, the largest accreditation agency for preschool education, had the gay and lesbian caucus make a presentation on the subject, "Sexual Preference Pride in the Early Childhood Educator" in their 1990 conference.

A radical group known as LAMBDA, whose slogan is "Sex by eight or else it's too late" recently addressed national educators on gay and homosexual education.

In Miami, despite a statute mandating that schools teach abstinence outside of the marriage relationship, and the benefits of the heterosexual marriage, the school board has officially approved a call-in phone line for children in which a recorded message tells them that homosexuals are, "a non-ethnic, non-racial minority group." Furthermore, students who dial the automated call-in system are assured that sexual orientation is not a choice, it is a given; it can be compared to being left-handed. The number to this educational service is given out by the teachers to the public school students and the phone line is partly funded by the Florida state government.

The Federal government is also involved in promoting homosexuality. The 13th National Gay and Lesbian Health Conference, which took place in July of 1991, was supported with $25,000 from the Center For Disease Control, which is funded with your tax dollars. Topics at the conference included, "Creating Mythologies and Rituals for Queer People", "The Lesbian Erotic Dance", "Sexsessful Teen Outreach", and "Eroticizing Safer Sex For Women". As people who pay taxes, you and I have the right and the responsibility of determining how those tax funds are spent. Personally, I do not find this an acceptable way of spending taxes and a vast majority of Americans agree with me. This country is founded upon the principle of majority rule. Philosophically, the demands of the homosexual community are without grounds.

A MEDICAL PERSPECTIVE

Vast research has been done in recent years trying to determine that homosexuality is something that you are born with. Scientists are looking for genes, chromosomes, and different cells in the body that originally were called, "defective", now they are called by a different name. Years ago, homosexuality was put on a list of mental illnesses, but the homosexual community objected to that designation, and through their own political pressure, had that designation rescinded, and it is now accepted as an alternative lifestyle. Nonetheless, they are still looking for a way to justify their existence medically. More than likely, you have heard that technicians have found certain genes or cells that are different in homosexuals than in heterosexuals. Is there a testimony of medical research that justifies homosexuality medically? The answer is no. With every test that has been conducted, there has not yet been one definitive answer to the question, at best, only a suggestion. On top of that, as technicians discover these aberrant genes or cells, they have no idea of whether they are viewing a cause or effect of homosexuality. For example, not too long ago there was a report on the program "Nightline" which told of a man who had done "extensive research" into the subject. The fact of the matter is that he had never studied a group of people that could be accurately considered a legitimate group for study. His research group was merely a handful of people. In this select group that he studied, there was a brain cell that he found that was different from everybody else. His conclusion was that this abnormal brain cell was the cause of these people being homosexuals. But where is the proof that this is the cause and not the effect of homosexuality? There simply is none. The only way possible to prove this would be to examine these cells at birth and see if they were that way then, but no one has ever done such studies. Simply, there is no conclusive proof in existence today that declares homosexuals are the way they are because they were made that way. In fact, there is just as much evidence suggesting that homosexuals are homosexuals because of their own choice, as there is to the opposite. A man by the name of Arno Carlin has said that, "The evidence is overwhelming that genes do not cause homosexuality." Another man by the name of Goldstein said that, "Genetic, hormonal, and body-build hypotheses clearly have altogether been discredited." Medically, the homosexuals do not have a leg to stand upon, and I might add that I am confident that they never will for the testimony of Scripture will not allow a medical excuse for their behavior.

A BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE

What does God say about the creation of you and I? Why are we the way we are? Was the homosexual community born that way, or did they evolve that way, or did they become homosexuals by some other means? In Genesis 1 beginning at verse 26, we find the answers to these questions. At this point in the narrative, God has created all things but mankind. We read, "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them."

What does Moses mean when he writes that God created man in the image of God? We must understand that this word doesn't not mean a physical likeness for God is a spirit being, He does not have flesh and bone. God however, is a personal being, and as such there exists a personal likeness between man and God. By this we mean that a person is one who has the ability to exercise intellect, emotion, and volition. There also exists a moral likeness to God. All the moral qualities of God, His goodness, righteousness, His justice and so on are reflected in mankind, although marred in us by sin. So when we say that man is created in the image and likeness of God, we have reference to these two characteristics. But what is most important to our subject is the last part of this passage. When it came to a physical manifestation of this likeness, God chose to create mankind with two different genders, male and female. Could God have created mankind with one gender? Certainly it was possible. Could God have created mankind with three or more genders? Once again, with God all things are possible. But why did God create mankind with two genders? What was the creative intent of God in making mankind with two genders. I suggest to you that there are three purposes to be found in Scripture.

The first is found in Genesis 1:28. This is the reproductive purpose of God. The verse reads,

"And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth."

Immediately upon his creation, man is blessed by God and then given a positive command, be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. We particularly note that God blessed them. The "them" here is male and female. Because God created male and female, He said that out of that unique relationship, you two can come together and be fruitful and multiply, reproducing yourselves and filling the earth. But the accomplishment of this directive was reliant upon the first part of the verse, the blessing of God. Had God desired male to come together with male or female with female, then those relationships could have filled the earth. But the fact of the matter is that it is only by the physical union of male and female that mankind can multiply. It also becomes apparent that the blessing of God rests upon that relationship alone. God has never blessed the male-male or female-female relationship!

A second purpose of God in creating mankind with two genders is found in Genesis 2. Here Moses gives a little more detail to the creation plan of God. Beginning at verse 18 we read,

"And the LORD God said, It is not good that man be alone; I will make him a help meet for him."

At this point Adam had been created but not Eve. By the divine declaration of God, we find that man, by himself, was incomplete. Man needed someone who would complete his character emotionally. Adam needed a companion. The animal creation was paraded by Adam, but within the animal creation there was not found a suitable help for him. So God caused a deep sleep to come over Adam, and as he slept, God took of his side and created one who would be that perfect help, the one who would round Adam out emotionally. Now the Bible does not read that God made Evan, but Eve. God could have created another man for Adam, but two incomplete males cannot be put together to make one complete couple. According to the omniscience of God, God sovereignly made a female for Adam. Man will never find fulfillment with another man, neither woman with another woman.

The third reason is found in Ephesians 5:25.

"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself; that he might sanctify it and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word. That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself."

From this passage we find what I call the representative purpose of God in creation. Men are to love their wives in the same manner that Christ loved the church. As men love their wives, a representation is made of Jesus' love for His bride, the church. However, if we change the relationship from husband and wife to man and man, or woman and woman, then what do we do with the relationship with Christ and the church? It then must become Savior and what? The homosexual relationship is clearly antagonistic to the way Christ relates to His church.

HOW THEN, DID THE HOMOSEXUAL BECOME A HOMOSEXUAL?

The biblical answer to this question is found in Romans 1. Beginning at verse 18 and then continuing at verse 21 we read,

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness...Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds and four-footed beasts, and creeping things.”

What Paul is describing is unsaved mankind looking around to find the purpose and source of their existence and concluding that God does not exist, that the source of their existence was through a process of evolution or some other "natural process" but certainly not as the direct creation of God. Man is born with the realization that God exists, but man can deny that to himself, and with God out of the picture, anything goes. Rather than worshiping God for who He is, man worshiped his own god for who man created god to be. What was God's response to this? We continue in Romans 1:24,

"Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lust of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves. Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever, Amen. For this cause God gave them up to vile affections: for even their own women did change the natural use into that which against nature; and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which is meet."

Paul conclusively states with these verses, that the cause of homosexuality is not medical, but spiritual. It is because man would not retain the knowledge of God, that is, the understanding that life originates from God and that the purpose of life then is to glorify the God who created him. Because man fails to recognize the right of God to be worshiped, God gives man over to do whatever he seems best, in this case, sin is allowed to run rampant in the area of homosexuality.

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR THE HOMOSEXUAL?

This question needs to be addressed in two specific areas: the temporal consequences of homosexuality, and the eternal consequences. First, let it be clearly understood that the highest group of people at risk to contract AIDS are the homosexuals. While AIDS may be spreading at a faster rate among heterosexuals, the homosexual is nonetheless the most at risk group. As of now, there is no known cure for the disease. It is my opinion that more than likely there never will be one due to the nature of the disease. Even if there is ever developed a cure for or a vaccine against AIDS, the homosexual is not out of danger from catastrophe. A brief look at the account of Genesis chapters 18 and 19, quickly reveal that God is able to completely destroy those who continually practice homosexuality as He did in Sodom and Gomorrah. Some might say that the story of Sodom and Gomorrah is not an actual account of a literal city, but an allegory of God's hatred of violence. There are two major flaws to this argument. First, the account in Genesis is stated as a historical fact of a literal event and there is no reason to interpret it otherwise. Secondly, Moses later in Deuteronomy, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Amos, Zephaniah, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Peter, and Jude all refer to Sodom and Gomorrah in their writings and their reference to Sodom and Gomorrah must be understood as a literal event or these other writers messages would make little to no sense at all. The sin of homosexuality is called a grievous sin in the Bible, and one need only to look at these consequences to understand the accuracy of that statement.

As great as the temporal consequences of homosexuality are, the eternal consequences are far greater, and obviously they must be. The Apostle Paul, in agreement with John's statement in Revelation 21:8 and 22:15 makes an interesting statement in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. He writes,

"Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God."

Of particular interest to this study are the terms "effeminate", and, "abusers of themselves with mankind". The first term has reference to, "a passive partner in homosexual relations" while the second term has reference to, "a male who has sexual relations with a male" (Linguistic Key To The Greek New Testament, p. 402). It must be understood that these terms speak of one who is actively engaged in these activities, not one is repentant about having experienced these sins. Nonetheless, the Scripture is quite clear that the homosexual is not a Christian, not matter what church he or she may belong to, and should they die in this condition, would spend eternity in hell.

IS THERE HOPE FOR THE HOMOSEXUAL?

As discouraging as the above passage may seem for the homosexual, one need only read one more verse of Paul writing in 1 Corinthians 6 to find great hope. Paul continues,

"And such were some of you; but you are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."

Particularly notice the third word of this verse. It is the English verb "to be" but of great importance is the fact that it is in the past tense. Within the Corinthian assembly were those who formerly were homosexuals, but now they are washed, cleansed from the guilt of their sins, they are sanctified, set apart unto holiness and God, and they are justified, declared righteous with the very righteousness of Jesus Christ. What brought about this change. Simple, they trusted in the finished work of Christ on Calvary. You may be tempted to say, "That sounds great, but this is the real world we live in..." Let me share with you the testimony of a man who conducted much research into the subject of the homosexual and attempts to change his or her behavior.

Dr. E. Mansell Pattison, former Professor and Vice Chairman of the department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at the University of Southern California wrote an article which was recorded in the Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation in 1977. This man, apparently writing from the perspective of a non-Christian person makes an interesting observation. Listen to what Dr. Pattison says,

"Based on my intensive interviews, I am convinced that these persons were of a classic homosexual orientation, and there has been a profound and fundamental change in their sexual orientation. In all persons I have observed, they first became Christians, began to develop a pattern of spiritual growth, within which they came to view homosexuality as non-accepted and sinful, and as a result of their spiritual growth, they changed their sexual orientation. In all instances, the growth of their personal identity and selfhood preceded and produced a change in their sexual orientation. In all instances these persons were intimately involved in guiding, sustaining and disciplining Christian communities which was critical to their growth into a new being."

Without realizing it, Dr. Patterson has in effect said, "I have seen the results of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and it works!"

HOW SHOULD CHRISTIANS RESPOND TO HOMOSEXUALS?

Let me suggest two appropriate ways for Christians to minister to the homosexual.
1. Christians need to make a stand for righteousness. In years gone by, it has always been the Christian community, or at least those who have stood for Christian morals who have stood their ground and have caused society as a whole to prosper. But lately, many who call themselves Christians have begun to waver on their stand on homosexuality. For example, the Disciples of Christ or the Christian Church, the Presbyterian Church, The United Methodist Church, the Lutheran Church, and the United Church of Christ all have debated the issue of accepting the homosexual as a regular member of the church and even ordaining them to ministry. Most of these churches recognize the homosexual as no different in regards to membership. As to the issue of ordination, more and more as time passes the homosexual is being accepted for ordination. Even the Roman Catholic Church, who for centuries has stood against homosexuality, has now found that there are groups within its ranks pushing for full acceptance of the homosexual. And ashamedly I write that even those who might be considered within Bible-believing, evangelical Christianity are now beginning to abdicate their positions of integrity. Tony Campolo, a well-known Baptist minister, and former professor of sociology at Eastern College, recently wrote this regarding the homosexual issue, "People with homosexual orientations are not necessarily perverting their original nature. Paul in Romans 1 condemned one kind of homosexual behavior which is a perversion resulting from an insatiable sexual appetite yielded to the demonic." He went on to suggest that homosexual lovers ought to live together in a life-long covenant without having sexual relations. In the same manner is Steven Haner, former president of Inter-Varsity Fellowship, who says, "Committed relationships between homosexuals might be a gray area. The Biblical view of what a sexual relationship should be is one man with one woman, united in marriage." But he also claimed that, "God seems to allow committed homosexual relationships permissively, even though it might not be part of His perfect plan." It is absolutely necessary that Christians take a stand against such nonsense, for if the homosexual will ever find the help that they need, someone must be willing to tell them that they are living in sin. How can the church fulfill its obligation if it is divided on the issue? Some might say that such an action is unloving. Actually it is the most loving thing that a Christian can do for the homosexual. Medically there is no cure for homosexuality. But when we identify the activity as sin, there is hope in the blood of Jesus Christ.

2. Not only must Christians be willing to take a stand, but we also must be willing to stoop. God is not willing to justify any sin, but He is willing to justify every sinner who will come to Him in faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. We dare not be like the priest and the Levite who coming across the man who had fallen into the hands of thieves and lay helpless at the side of the road, passed by on the other side. We cannot hold the homosexual out at arm’s length and tell them to stay away. The reason is found in Genesis 18:20. Notice how God describes the situation in Sodom and Gomorrah,

"And God said, the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great: and because their sin is very grievous."

Do you realize that most of the homosexual community today is like those of that day, they are still crying. And people who are crying need an arm put around them, not an arm put in front of them. They are still looking for some purpose and meaning to life, and Christians are the only ones who will be able to share with them just what that is. If you who are reading this paper today, know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, please, plant your feet firmly in the solid ground of God's Word and stand against this grievous sin, but at the same time, be flexible at the hips and the knees to be able to stoop to meet the needs of the homosexual.

If today, you are one who has never come by faith to the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, why not right now, right where you are, ask Christ to come into your life and make you His child, to wash you from your sins, and give to you His righteousness, and then to make your life anew and cause you to walk in righteousness. Remember the Corinthians..."and such were some of you..."