090614 The Homosexuality Dialogue

My goal in teaching on the subject of homosexuality is to help you enter a dialogue that has been ongoing for centuries, and has been a particularly publicized issue in recent political seasons. As a pastor in the Baptist tradition which champions the cause of the individual’s right to read and apply the Bible personally, without having to blindly accept and obey the view of the Church authorities, I want to equip you in your understanding of the parts of the conversation. So, I’m not going to tell you what to think (as if you’d adopt it anyway!). But I do hope to help you think. Also, know up front that my core passion on this issue has more to do with our ethos, our mode of handling ourselves in this complex world of complicated issues. How we present our attitude and how we behave embody the message of Christ as much as the content of our argument, whichever position you take.

By way of definitions, I want to be clear up front. Fornication (sex before marriage) and promiscuity (sex outside of marriage) are clearly forbidden throughout scripture. Prostitution, casual sex – these have no place in healthy human relationships no matter what one’s sexual orientation. The scope of this teaching is focused on caring, life-long, monogamous partnerships.

So, I intend to give you just a primer, a beginning point, an introduction to a conversation that isn’t finished yet. Here we go…

In the creation story, God created Adam and Eve as the first soul-mates on the planet. They fit each other, literally. They were created for companionship and procreation. Being the original blueprint for humanity, many point to this as the first proof text against homosexuality – God didn’t create human beings with homosexual activity in mind.

The story of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 18-19 has been used to support God’s apparent disdain of homosexual practices, as the men of these towns wanted to have sex with the visiting men who were staying in Lot’s home – making the case for God that the town had gone completely corrupt and were worthy of destruction. Both towns were burned to a crisp the next day.In Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13, the law condemns homosexual practices, calling them an abomination to the Lord. In 1 Kings 14:24, 15:12, and 22:46 one can see that worship practices involving homosexuality existed, and were wiped out several times.

That’s all the Old Testament has to say, directly, about the issue.

In the New Testament, the only voice in the discussion is Paul, in three places: Romans 1:23-32, 1 Corinthians 6:9, and 1 Timothy 1:9. In these contexts, Paul condemns homosexual behavior, in some cases tying it back to the original blueprint of humanity in the creation event.

For some in Christianity, the above settles the issue. This is called the literalist perspective – “the Bible says it, I believe it, and that settles it.”

The other side of the conversation goes beyond a literalist approach and focuses on interpretive considerations as it investigates the subject.

Most scholars agree, for instance, that the Sodom and Gomorrah story is not so much about homosexuality as it is about violence – the men of the towns wanted to rape the visitors. Rape uses sex, but it’s not about sex – it’s about domination. Homosexual rape is the same – not about sex, but about power and domination expressed through violence. In other words, the Sodom and Gomorrah account is not a good proof text against homosexual relationships being discussed today, because it’s not about sex –it’s about violence (rape).

The Leviticus texts provide an interesting word – abomination. To the unstudied eye, this simply implies God’s disdain. But, in fact, conservative scholars recognize that that word, abomination, indicates a particular kind of homosexual activity – that involved with worship rituals. In other words, the scope of those verses deals with worshipping God through the use of temple prostitutes, including male temple prostitutes. We know this was an issue because of the accounts recorded later in 1 Kings 14:24, 15:12, and 22:46.

Some scholars argue that Paul’s references were alluding to the same thing – cultic worship practices – and not the definition of homosexuality defined for this teaching. Therefore, some argue that the Bible says nothing directly about the type of homosexuality in today’s discussion. At that point, the focus shifts away from the bedroom and onto the qualities to be pursued in a healthy covenant relationship. Mutual servanthood, loving each other selflessly as equals – these are the pillars of a healthy relationship, regardless of sexual orientation.

Other scholars, however, point to Paul’s larger argument against homosexual practices. Even if Paul’s scope was idol worship, he pointed back to the creation event as his foundation for his instruction against homosexual behavior, naming them as unnatural in light of the original blueprint for procreation.

This argument points out that within the Bible, as people understood reality differently, they applied the scriptures appropriately. Modifications were made to the interpretation of the law as those distant scholars became aware of inhumane abuses, particularly toward women, orphans, and foreigners. The premise for making new interpretations today is based on this same principle, which has been the way it’s always been done. Everybody does this every day – there are a number of biblical mandates that people don’t take seriously, because we’ve collectively deduced that such strictness doesn’t fit anymore as times and our understanding of things have changed. Slavery was abolished. Women were given equal rights as men. These are good, wise changes.

Specifically with regards to the creation event, some scholars point out that Paul would agree that we no longer live in Eden, where everything was exactly as it should be. We live in a world that has been affected by generations upon generations of passed-down DNA chains that predispose people toward all sorts of things. It can be assumed, then, that a segment of the population may therefore be born with a homosexual orientation. The question raised then, is: how do we understand these references if a person was born with a homosexual orientation? If it’s the same as the color of their skin, how can they be condemned? What if what is unnatural for procreative purposes is natural for intimate expression of love for those so oriented?
As this is only a primer, you can safely assume that there are deeper levels to this conversation. But I hope this has given you some tools to help you first think through to your own conclusions, and help you talk meaningfully with others about this very high profile issue.

Beyond the issue, however, I must emphasize the importance of approach regarding all sensitive issues. We claim to be Jesus followers. CrossWalk’s goal in helping you walk with God and walk with others is to help you to go be Jesus everywhere you go.

Jesus never said anything about this issue, so we have to look at how he treated people in his day who were identified by others as outsiders. Some were born with their situation: they had no choice in being born to their non-Israelite parents, being born blind or lame, or in contracting some sort of skin disease. Some chose their situation: tax collectors, prostitutes, adulterers, etc. Jesus handled each the same – with love, respect, and grace.

Jesus himself told us that we are not the moral police of the universe. That job has been filled by the only one qualified to handle such delicate issues appropriately: the Holy Spirit. Good thing, too, because in my experience, the Holy Spirit has had the best track record helping me get my life together, even though many have tried very hard to play that role.

So, what to do… My encouragement to you is to go be Jesus to everybody, indiscriminately. Love people. If you’re concerned about something in a friend’s life, pray for them, listen to them, but don’t judge them – it’s not your job. Join them as a fellow human being who is trying to grow in relationship with God.

When you and I choose to listen and pray, we discover that our heart beats a little differently – more in rhythm with the heartbeat of God.

May you think deeply, pray carefully, and walk gracefully, that all would know God’s love for all, forever.

Go Be Jesus