Homosexuality

2021-12-29

Many people wonder what the Bible has to say about homosexuality. I will do my best to answer this question.

Please understand that there is no favorable thing the Bible says about homosexuality. I want to put it in a way that is respectful, but truthful. I do not see anyone as a second-class citizen. I am not morally superior to anyone, and I do not want to give the vibe that I think I am at all. I am just as much the sinner as anyone else. Please patiently hear what the Bible says.

God Gives People Over to Their Desires

Romans 1 is a passage that discusses humanity’s plight before God.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; (19) Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. (20) For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: (21) 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. (22) Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, (23) And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. (Romans 1:18-23)

People are under God’s wrath because they have rebelled against God (Romans 1:18). We clearly know there is a God; the creation shows that something greater than it created it. However, people do not want to submit to God; left to ourselves, we create “gods” we can control that are in the likeness of ourselves.

Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: (25) Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. (Romans 1:24-25)

God often gives us what we want, even if it is not best for us. When we reject Him, He gives us over to what we want. Here, he gives people over to sexual immortality (Romans 1:24). He “gave them up to uncleanness.”

For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: (27) 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 recompence of their error which was meet. (Romans 1:26-27)

The more people reject Him, the more God gives them up. Here, it is clear homosexual acts are being described.

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; (29) Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, (30) Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, (31) Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: (32) Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. (Romans 1:28-32)

The terms change here from “gave them up” to “gave them over” (Romans 1:28). The list of things that He gives people over to at this juncture are horrifying. People become unreasonable and are anti-God in everything. There is a finality here not present in the previous “gave them up” verses.

Clearly, there is a progression here. The more people reject God, the more God gives them up to uncleanness, vile affections, and a reprobate mind. We know this gradual giving over is true because we have seen this in western society for the past many decades. God is patient in order that some may turn to Him to be saved (2 Peter 3:9). Once a society is completely given over to a reprobate mind, and there is no hope for anyone else to turn to Him, He destroys that society. “...for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full” (Genesis 15:16). “And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes” (Genesis 18:26).

Narrative Examples of Homosexuality

There are two examples of narratives that contain homosexuality, with the possibility of a third: The Sodomites (Genesis 19), the Benjamites (Judges 19), and possibly the man Ham, son of Noah (Genesis 9:20-25).

In at least the first two cases, we see that these men were completely given over to the reprobate mind. They would not have been satisfied until they had harmed the visitors in their towns. These are not perfect examples for most of our society. However, understand that these narratives reflect the end game for our society if we do not turn to the Lord.

In all three cases, we see that each case ends in judgment from God. Ham’s firstborn son’s descendants were cursed by his father Noah (Genesis 9:25-27). Sodom and the surrounding cities were all burnt with fire (Genesis 19:24-29). God decreed for Israel to go to war against the tribe of Benjamin, and Israel nearly destroyed the tribe (Judges 20:28; 21:3).

New Testament References

Here are three examples of New Testament passages that refer to homosexual acts as sins, in addition to Romans 1:26-27:

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 covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine (1 Timothy 1:10)

Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. (Jude 1:7)

Objections

Here are some common objections to Biblical teaching on this subject.

First, people will point out that Christians do not follow Old Testament dietary laws; therefore, Christians are declared hypocritical bigots, and are worthy of being dismissed on being inconsistent with the Scriptures. It is a copout so people can dismiss the Scriptures without looking at them reasonably. I discuss the matter of dietary laws in two essays: here and here. There was a reason for these laws, in which I explain in those essays. In short, the New Testament replaces the carnal ordinances of the Old Testament, but as we have seen, the New Testament still upholds morality concerning sexuality.

Others correctly argue that homosexuality is in the animal kingdom. However, marriage was given to humankind, who were created in the image of God, to reflect Christ and the church. God is zealous in protecting Biblical marriage because of what it represents.

Others incorrectly assume that some Biblical personages were homosexuals, such as David and Jonathan, because of things like this: “I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women” (2 Samuel 1:26). However, this assumption falsely equates love with sex. Just because David loved Jonathan doesn’t mean that he wanted to have a sexual relationship with him.

Others have asserted that Sodom’s sin was pride, not its sexuality. “Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good” (Ezekiel 16:49-50). However, this makes sense given the “giving up” series in Romans 1. Pride starts with rejection of God and devolves slowly into a reprobate mind. However, I do not think it a coincidence that events regarding gays and lesbians are called pride events, such as Pride Parades, Pride month, etc.

Still yet others say that it is not anyone’s business what people do in their private lives. I partially agree. However, if God judges societies because of rejection of Him, and the escalating sin that ensues, and I live in such a society that is going to be judged, then it is of interest to me to at least tell you the truth on the matter.

And again, others say that heterosexuals have ruined marriage with all their divorces and the like, implying that homosexuality does not ruin the marriage institution. I do not argue with you. Divorce and remarriage is called adultery by Jesus Himself (Matthew 19:9). Few Christians believe this or preach this anymore, but I do.

Lastly, people say that Jesus did not teach anything about homosexuality. This is false:

And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. (Matthew 19:4-6)

Jesus quoted and affirmed what marriage was from the Old Testament. By quoting this, He denies all deviations from this: fornication, adultery, divorce, remarriage, and homosexuality.

Appeal

Having said all of that, what is most important is not any of this, but salvation that is found in Jesus Christ. The rest of Romans following the portions discussed above talks about how we are all condemned before God. We do not need homosexuality to condemn us as sinners. Everyone sins, and everyone has the capacity to do any sin. Don’t think us-vs.-them, but rather that we are all in the same boat as people who need a Savior.

My only appeal for anyone is to look at Jesus Christ and His claims. “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Trusting Christ wipes away the record of sins away, and we have hope of eternal life in Him.

You do not agree with me that homosexuality is a sin? Put that aside and look to Jesus Christ for now. I did not “clean up” my life first before I came to Christ, and far be it from me to say that I am anywhere near close to perfect now. The source of life and forgiveness of sin is in Christ.

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:26).