Articles
Attitudes Toward Homosexuality
The attitude within American society toward homosexuality has changed radically within the last 30 years. Homosexuality has gone from something very few people talked openly about to something which is promoted by our government, educational institutions, and media. Fascination exists among some with finding characters in history who were homosexual and portraying them and their contributions in a positive light. Sadly, attitudes toward homosexuality are not only changing among non-religious individuals but even religious individuals and religious leaders are changing their attitudes toward such practices. In an article I read this month Pope Francis, the Archbishop of Canterbury (Justin Welby), and a Presbyterian moderator from the Church of Scotland (Iain Greenshields) were discussing the topic of anti-gay laws in various countries. I want to examine some of the statements the article quotes these individuals as making and see what the Bible says on this topic.
- Statements were made about criminalizing people with homosexual tendencies as an injustice and to condemn someone like this is a sin. The Bible does not specifically address whether governments today ought to forbid the practice of homosexuality or not. The Bible teaches, “righteousness exalts a nation” (Proverbs 14:34, NKJV), homosexuality is unrighteousness (1 Corinthians 6:9-11), and governments exist to punish the evildoer and to praise those who do good (Romans 13:3-4; 1 Peter 2:13-14) though. One concerning thing is what appears to be an unwillingness to condemn people who are engaged in this action. There are differences among these three leaders exact positions but all want to be more welcoming of people who are part of the LGBTQ movement into their respective religious bodies it appears.
- Another statement said something regarding homosexuals being children of God, God loves them, and God accompanies them. A child of God according to the Bible will not continue to engage in unrighteousness (1 John 3:4-10). People who live in sin are not the children of God but rather are evidencing they are children of the devil! God loves people even while they are in sin (Romans 5:6-8) and yet God’s love for such people does not accept them in their sin. God’s love makes it possible for such individuals to have the opportunity to repent (Romans 2:4-5) and obtain forgiveness of the sin they have committed (Titus 2:11-12; Acts 2:38; 1 John 1:9). I am not entirely sure about what is meant by the statement regarding God accompanying such individuals. If such is intended to say God is in fellowship with such people, such is clearly false doctrine because one must walk in the light in order to have fellowship with God (1 John 1:5-7).
- One of the leaders talked about how he did not observe in his reading of the four gospels Jesus ever turning anyone away but rather expressing love to everyone He met. Jesus wants all men to come unto Him and be saved (2 Peter 3:9) yet Jesus did not compromise the truth in order not have people turn away. Jesus taught things which offended people and did not change His message because it offended them (Matthew 15:12-14). In Matthew 16:23, Jesus told Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan!” (NKJV). Sounds like turning someone away to me! Jesus speaks about coming to bring division (Luke 12:51). How is Jesus going to bring division if He accepts everyone regardless of their acceptance or rejection of God’s word? Jesus taught certain people cannot be His disciples (Luke 14:26-27, 33). Sounds like Jesus is turning away people who are unwilling to do what it takes to be His disciple. Jesus’ teaching led people to walk with Him no more and He did not compromise His teaching (John 6:60-68). Love is not expressed toward an individual by accepting them in their sinful behavior rather love, “does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth” (1 Corinthians 13:6, NKJV).
Homosexuality is condemned throughout the Bible (Genesis 19; Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1:26-28; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 1 Timothy 1:9-11; Jude 7). A person cannot be pleasing to God and continue to live in this sin just as a person can please God and continue to live in any other sin. God’s word teaches a person can cease engaging in this sin just like any other sin (1 Corinthians 6:9-11) and can be forgiven of it. However, we must not approve of those who are engaging in sin (Romans 1:32) but rather expose their wickedness (Ephesians 5:11). It seems many in the religious world are becoming accepting of people continuing to live in this sin rather than focusing on teaching people they need to repent so they can be saved! Let’s love homosexuals enough to teach them they need to repent and be saved!
