Rev. David Holwick
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
November 29, 1992 (Bible study)
HOMOSEXUALITY AND THE BIBLE
I. Old Testament.
A. Sodom and Gomorrah. Genesis 18:17 - 19:30
1) As angels rescue Lot and his family, the inhabitants of
the city threaten them with rape.
a) Related passages: Judges 19 (Gibeah) and Jude 1:7.
2) Modern gay interpretation says the sin was inhospitality,
not homosexuality. (Bailey)
a) The inhabitants want to "know" the visitors. Usually
this means to get acquainted.
b) The Old Testament nowhere condemns Sodom for homosexuality.
c) Even if "know" is meant sexually, rape is in view, not
normal sex.
3) Traditional response:
a) Jude 1:7 explicitly mentions sexual perversion in Sodom.
b) "Know" is a euphemism for sexual intimacy. Gen 4:1 (KJV)
c) Offer of daughters is meaningless if hospitality in view.
d) It is agreed that homosexuality was one sin among many
in these cities, and that the form it took is not
relevant to the modern debate.
B. Sexual code of Leviticus. Leviticus 18:22; 20:13
1) Homosexuality is described, and condemned.
a) "Detestable" is a very strong term of rejection.
2) Homosexuals argue code does not apply to modern times.
a) Eating of lobster & shrimp must be condemned as well.
b) Homosexuality is only condemned when it is tied with
idolatry (male prostitutes in temples). Deut 23:18; Job 36:14
3) Evangelicals argue the code of Leviticus is still valid.
a) The actual practice of homosexuality is condemned in
section on relationships (Lev 18) and not just in
regard to idolatry.
b) Jesus declared all foods clean (Mark 7); he did not
declare homosexuality to be clean. He still upheld
the other sexual standards in Leviticus like adultery.
II. New Testament.
A. Romans 1:24-27.
1) In a section condemning the depravity of the Gentiles, Paul
describes homosexuality as the final result of idolatry.
a) Both male and female homosexuality are described as
unnatural, and the sin itself is its penalty from God.
b) Paul refers back to Genesis to make his point, so it is
not just a Jew's rejection of Gentile morality.
c) It should be noted that in Romans 2, Paul turns the tables -
even religious people are sinful.
2) Homosexuals argue "unnatural" refers to heterosexuals who
act like homosexuals but are not; those who are "naturally"
homosexuals because they are born that way are not condemned.
B. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10.
1) Those who practice homosexuality and other sins do not inherit
the Kingdom of God. Some of those who used to practice
these lifestyles are said to be members of the Corinthian
church, but now they are different. Homosexuals CAN change.
2) Homosexuals usually argue about the exact meaning of each
term, and also say that homosexuality is no worse than
adultery or even greed, which everyone is guilty of.
C. 1 Timothy 1:10.
1) In a list of the ungodly, "perverts" (= effeminate) are
among those condemned.
2) Once again, homosexuals debate the exact meaning of the terms,
though modern researchers have made a very strong case.
III. Summary of Biblical data.
A. The Bible consistently, in both Old and New Testaments, condemns
the practice of homosexuality as sinful.
B. Homosexuality is often tied with idolatry, but is also condemned
in and of itself.
C. Homosexuality is not a unique sin - it is often listed with sins
we ourselves have committed.
D. Homosexuality bears the ultimate penalty: in the Old Testament,
they are cut off from God's people (death); in the New
Testament, they are cut off from God's kingdom (damnation).
E. Homosexuality is not the unpardonable sin. They can repent and
be cleansed by the blood of Jesus, just like any one else.
Once they are saved, they would be expected to change their
behavior, either becoming heterosexuals or celibate. This is
a complex and difficult road and they need encouragement and
love from other Christians.
IV. How should Christians treat homosexuals?
A. Homosexuals are everywhere and many are in churches. They
often feel rejection and lack of love from Christians.
B. Christians should never abuse or hate gays, or tolerate those
who do. This includes jokes. (Ephesians 5:4)
C. Christians should love homosexuals as people created in the
image of God, no matter how marred it may be in them.
D. At the same time, Christians must never condone the practice
of homosexuality. We love the sinner but hate the sin.
V. Biological considerations.
A. What makes someone homosexual? Choice or constitution?
B. Medical opinion is divided. Recent studies show that brains
of homosexuals are different; it is unknown if this is a
cause or a result of homosexuality. If one identical twin
is gay, the other is more likely than average to be gay.
Other studies show no differences in hormones, etc, between
gays and others. Many psychiatrists believe it is due to
influences from an early age - strong mother, weak father
and so on.
C. Even if gays are born with some differences, these would be
"predispositions" and not predestination. In other words,
someone may have leanings but they are not forced to act
upon them. All humans have a bent toward sin but we are
obligated to resist them.
VI. Political considerations.
A. All societies encourage, tolerate or condemn certain behaviors.
1) Some societies (like Ireland) are still very strict in sexual
matters.
2) Our society is drifting away from legislating sexual matters,
but still legislates violent behavior, drug use, etc.
B. The farther a society deviates from the moral principles of the
Bible, the less blessing it will receive from God. (Deut 28)
1) Laws are not the only way to enforce behavior, and may not
be the best way, but they are one way.
2) Increasingly Christians will find that society (which is
rejecting divine revelation and moral absolutes) is drifting
away from our standards, and even becoming antagonistic to
them.
C. In the end, laws cannot change behavior. Romans 8:3
1) People must change from within, with God's help.
2) A more wide-open society should make Christians more visible,
and our opportunities for witness more evident.
