THEO 330 Homosexuality and the Bible ESSAY 2021.pdf

LIBERTY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DIVINITY

Research Paper:

Homosexuality and the Bible

Submitted to Professor Lisa Rasberry

,

in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of

THEO 330-B01 LUO

B. 1 Corinthians (6:9-11)

C. 1 Timothy (1:8-11)

It is so hard to understand what is true and un-true in our world today. Homosexuality has

turned more into an acceptable way of life, and even morphed into its own culture. It has brought

with it so many different ways to identify one’s self, and a huge community of followers that

have pride for their choices. 1 John 2:16 NIV tells us that “For everything in the world—the lust

of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the

world.” This verse is one of the examples being used in this paper, that pride and lust are of this

world, and are hugely apart of this growing lifestyle. The Bible not only discusses

homosexuality, but expresses it as a sin, and that it is against God’s design. “For the wages of sin

is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23, NIV). This

The Old Testament has many references and stories that can still be relatable for us today.

Even in the beginning. Genesis 19:5 says, “They called to Lot, "Where are the men who came to

you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them." (NIV). This is the first

instance in the Bible where homosexual acts are referenced. This comes from the passage

regarding the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. These cities were vastly known for their

hellish ways, and these included acts of homosexuality. It stemmed from lust and pride, which

we know are also great sins. Lot was spared by God though, because he was righteous, and God

remembered Abraham (v29). In verse 6 Lot comes out of his house, pleading with the men that

were making such a vile request, and pleaded with them not to. He even tried to give his

daughters to the group of men, knowing that it would be better for them to have intercourse with

females, rather than males. In many Mediterranean cultures, however, it is of note that

homosexual rape was used as a part of exercising dominance over other men.1 They of course

refused, and attempted to come inside. The men with Lot, were no men but angels, and struck the

group outside with blindness. The angels instantly knew that this place was wicked, and that it

needed to be destroyed for the Lord. Lot spoke up against the men who wanted to have their way

with the men, the angels. He was ridiculed as a judger, but was saved by the angels before the

destruction.

can happen to many Christians too. We can become so involved in the sinful culture, that we lose

ourselves, and people begin to doubt if we are living the truth of the Word. God’s mercy toward

Abraham extended to Lot and his family. Abraham had pleaded for Lot, so God was merciful and

saved Lot from the destruction. This shows us that a righteous person can often affect others for

good. James says that, “the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and affective” (James 5:16,

NIV). All Christians should continue to follow Abraham’s example, and pray for those that are

lost.

1 Carden, Michael. 1999. “Homophobia and Rape in Sodom and Gibeah: A Response to Ken Stone.” Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, no. 82

After Moses lead the Israelites out of Egypt, they were now living in Canaan. Canaan had

similarities to Egypt, as both were idol-infested, and both with a society that appealed to worldly

desires, especially sexual immorality and drunkenness. God wanted the Israelites to be set apart

from those, and to remain pure for God. Just as we struggle today conforming to the patterns of

the world, so did the Israelites struggle to be a part of a society of pagan culture. They were

pressured, and yielding to that pressure caused confusion to what side they were to be on, and

eliminated their effectiveness in serving God. This is the same that happens to us today, and a

lesson that we should learn from the Israelites. Christians need to continue to follow God by

obeying His Word, and to not let the culture around us mold our thoughts and actions.

harshly with those that involved themselves with them. These types of relations were common in

pagan cultures, and not of God. These practices lead to disease, deformity, and death. They

disrupt family life and society had a low regard for the value of oneself and others. Society today

takes some of these practices lightly, even trying to make them acceptable. They are still sinning

in Gods eyes. If we choose to consider them acceptable, then we are not judging by Gods

standards.

In Leviticus 19, Moses is going over more various laws. Then in chapter 20, he begins to

remind the Israelites of the punishments for sin. This chapter is filled with the various

punishments that the Israelites would face if they involved themselves in the detestable sexual

relations. In verse 13 it says, “If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a

woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be put to death; their blood will

homosexuality, but it is a sin. We are reminded that the wages of sin are death. The only path for

people who life this lifestyle, is a path that leads to death.

Both these passages in Leviticus clearly condemn homosexuality. They are noted as

detestable and undesirable. To be able to understand more of the laws that Moses set out for the

Israelites, we have to understand what their types of laws were. There were civil, ceremonial, and

be able to not conform to the patterns of the world. “One day God will do away with all diseases

and all suffering. He will also get rid of the devil who is the author of all wickedness. That day

will surely come. But remember that He will also judge all those who indulged in all forms of

wicked acts such as homosexuality.”3

Although the Old Testament was written long ago, there are still laws that are applicable

today. As mentioned above, moral laws, such as the Ten Commandments, were written for the

Israelites back then, as well as for Christians today. More of the moral laws connect us to the

New Testament, which is where most Christians go to today for their searches on application. We

are still called to follow the Word as a whole, and that includes some of the laws that were put in

place during the time of Moses. The New Testament also reiterates several of those that Moses

had spoken. Even though Jesus came to fulfill the Law (Matthew 5:17), and was the last

sacrifice, He spoke of still several things that we are to follow. Such as murder, adultery, and

divorce. If these sins are still considered detestable, then so is homosexuality.

Stepping into the New Testament, Romans gives us the largest stance against

homosexuality. Paul also refers to lesbianism, which is the only reference to it in the Bible. Paul

writes about God’s wrath against the sinfulness of humanity. “Because of this, God gave them

the way in which we are made. Sexual sins hurt people, families, and societies. Sex is such a

powerful and important part of what it means to be human, that it needs to be treated with the

utmost Biblical respect. The Bible gives special attention to sexual desires, and counsels more

careful restraint and self-control.

Homosexuality was a widespread problem in Paul’s world, just as it is in our world today.

Roman laws had allowed it, and many pagan religions used it in their practices. We know that

homosexual acts are strictly forbidden (Leviticus 18:22), because it goes against God’s design for

marriage, a union between a man and a woman. Sexual relations are for the marriage bed only.

Many in our world today though, even some churches, teach that homosexuality is considered a

matter of personal choice. Society does not set their standards in God’s laws though. Many

people who are same-sex attracted believe that their desires are good and that they have the right

to express them. T.R. Schreiner suggests that there is no evidence within the text that there is an

exclusive reference to certain homosexual actions versus monogamous homosexual

relationships.4 God does not encourage us to fulfill all our desires however, but to show self-

control, so that we do not violate His plan.

Paul continues his words in 1 Corinthians, and is speaking about getting involved in

lawsuits among believers. However, he jumps right back into speaking about sexual sins, in verse

God is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins, if we confess. Even as Christians we still sin,

but we know to come to God and ask forgiveness, so that we may still continue to try and imitate

Christ in our lives. Paul doesn’t mean that all those who have indulged in sexual sins, or other

sins, will be automatically excluded from Heaven. Christians come out of all sorts of

backgrounds, including homosexuality. They may still struggle with these ungodly desires, but

they should not continue with them. People though who are constantly living out their desires

and sin, aren’t living the Christian life. Only God knows what is inside of our hearts, but we can

see who is walking in the faith by seeing if they are following the fruits as noted in Galatians.

4Thomas Robert Schreiner, Romans, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2000), 96-97.

5Leon Morris, The First Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, (Leicester, England: Inter-Varsity

Press, 1987), 96.

Sinning has been prohibited throughout the Bible, and by Jesus himself (Matthew 5:27-28, NIV).

We will be forgiven, and our lives changed by Christ, but those who say they are Christians but

persist in these practices with no sign of remorse, will truly not inherit the kingdom of God. In

our society, Christians can be tempted to overlook or even tolerate sinful behaviors like cheating,

greed, homosexuality, and even drunkenness. Yet prostitution, theft, and violent abuse somehow

outrages us. We must not participate in sin or condone it in any way, and not be selective of what

we excuse. We might find it difficult to avoid the more acceptable forms of sin, but as Paul

noted, the Corinthians had the same struggles as we do today. Yet God expects his follows to in

any time period to have high standards.

people are made in the image of God. We all are in need of the transformation and forgiveness

that Christ brings. The church today needs to be a haven of forgiveness and healing for all who

realize their need for Jesus and who desire to learn what it looks like to follow Him with all your

heart. We must love those who are gay without compromising the biblical stance against

homosexual behavior.

We tend to emphasize sexual sin as worse than other sins, such as pride or lying. Paul

however lists that liars are on the same level as the sexually immoral. He shows us that according

to the law, we are all in need of forgiveness. Christians should not selectively condemn one form