Keep it Gay: Christianity and Homosexuality

(There is good news at the end)

There are some (seemingly) in the body of Christ that are a little more left leaning when it comes to societal issues. This is certainly a good thing when it comes to war and justice issues. But the problem comes from when we take this sort of stance on what are clearly moral issues, like homosexuality. While i have addressed this issue before as it relates to gay clergy, an online chat i had with someone has led me to revisit the general issue from a Biblical viewpoint.

Those who claim to be Christians, yet support homosexuality and gay rights often cite that Jesus never said anything about homosexuality, so therefore it must be OK. What they neglect to notice is that the Old Testament and even parts of the New Testament are quite clear on the matter. That is, homosexuality is a sin.

BUT, this does not give us the right to protest pride parades and tell them that God hates them and they are going to Hell. Without Jesus Christ, we'd be headed there too.

The problem with Christians saying homosexuality is OK is that God's Word is clear that it's not. That's what I'll focus on here. As i have heard Derek Gilbert say: "You can't pick and choose what parts of the Bible you want to follow. It's either God's inerrant Word, or it isn't. If you pick and choose, you can't in any meaningful sense call yourself a Christian."

Those that argue that Jesus did not explicitly say anything about homosexuality in His time incarnated are absolutely correct. He didn't address it. But he also did not address witchcraft, child sacrifice or selling your daughter into prostitution - all forbidden by the Law. In short, He did not mention alot of stuff, because He came to save, not condemn and judge at that time.

Just because Jesus was silent on an issue does not mean it's OK for us to do it when the Law clearly forbids it. That's how i ended up backsliding into some New Age stuff years ago.

Though Jesus was silent on gay-ness in His ministry, He did address it as the Word of God in the Old Testament and He did not invalidate the OT, but in Matthew 5:18 emphasized that the Law was valid.

About Homosexuality, the Law says:

Leviticus 18:22

Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.


The argument i saw the other day mentioned that near this was the commandment not to eat shellfish, so people that do are sinners in need of repentance. However, Acts 10, Jesus told Peter that all animals were basically OK to eat. (At least that's my understanding.

So if we want to cast aside the rest of the Law because Christ didn't mention a specific piece of it, or that we now disregard some of it due to dietary considerations we had better be careful. After all, immediately preceding Leviticus 18:22 is verse 21 (obviously). But verse 21 forbids child sacrifice to Molech (or via Molech if you see my star of David article). If you want to throw out one, then what about the other?

No, we can't throw out the Law, even though none of us can keep the Law, and even missing but one part of the Law, makes us a sinner. You can exchange homosexuality for any other sin listed in the Law from petty theft to child sacrifice, sin is sin. You do one sin in the Law, you are guilty of them all.

I've stolen before, i've looked at women with lust in my heart, i have broken God's Law. All of it, and thus need a savior.

James 2:10

For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.


Notice, it doesn't tell us to take out the parts of the Law that we don't like or can't attain. Though we can't keep the Law tells us where we have sinned, and what we need to repent of. The entire book of Galatians is about not being able to meet the Law, yet that it is still valid. If the Law doesn't convict us of sin, what will?

Romans 3:20

Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.


1 John 1:8

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.


Jesus condemned sin, but He met the sinner where they were and helped them. That's what He's done in my life. That's what He did in the Bible. The Samaritan woman at the well, He pointed out her sin, yet at the end of that encounter my suspicion is that she repented and became a believer. In the event where another woman was caught in adultery, Jesus saved her from being stoned. Jesus said to the adulteress:


John 8:10 - 11

10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.


We also can't throw out the Law, because Paul (who was commissioned by Jesus Christ Himself!) said we can't. If you throw out Paul, you throw out the one who chose Him to spread the Gospel - Jesus Christ


2 Timothy 3:16

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:


And Paul also said:


1 Corinthians 6:9 - 11

Don't you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don't fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality,

or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God.

Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

(Blueletter Bible, NLT)


Homosexuality is no worse than any other sin. To God (a Holy God), ALL sin is disgusting. From the time i look at a woman with lust in my heart, to theft to homosexuality. All sin must be dealt with by Jesus Christ. His Word, the OT tells us what sin is so we know what to repent of.

If you are a homosexual, and want out of that lifestyle, if you feel shame or feel it's wrong. There is hope. Jesus Christ loves you, He died for you. Ask Him into your life, turn from your sin and follow Him. He can and will set you free!

Here is the testimony of an ex-homosexual who came to Jesus. Please share more if you know of good ones.

The same one

http://vimeo.com/10554921

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEzSoGroPxA&feature=youtube_gdata_player