Now more to the point…is homosexuality a sin?
If one reads the Bible from cover to cover, one will see that one aspect of the story of God is that there are things we are to do and things we are not to do. The things we are not to do are labeled as sin and God takes these things very seriously. While His heart is bent towards mercy and forgiveness He is also just. Even if He rewards obedience greatly and lavishes forgiveness on His children who confess their sins, He does punish disobedience. At times He punishes disobedience severely.
All followers of Jesus are counted as righteous and included into the family of God by their faith in Jesus Christ. I would talk about this as our positional righteousness. Yet there are still things we, the followers of Jesus, are to do and not to do and we are exhorted to live holy lives worthy of the God who has adopted us and put His Spirit inside of us. I would talk about this as our practical righteousness. While we will not be cast out of the family of God if we fail, we are to live differently and are enabled to do so by the very power of God.
Throughout the Bible it is clear that what we do with our bodies, including what we do with our bodies sexually, is important to God. Sexual sin does exist and it is something that should be avoided by followers of Jesus. The problem is that the Bible is inconsistent and vague as to what, exactly, is sexual sin. For example, prostitution is clearly condemned in the New Testament but Judah is never rebuked for engaging in prostitution with Tamar. Additionally while monogamy appears to be the clear ideal in some cases, many of the Patriarchs had multiple wives and the kings of Israel maintained harems, and likewise were never rebuked.
“Is homosexuality a sin?” is then a fair question to ask. Followers of Jesus are to take sexual sin seriously, and we should search out if there is a clear and consistent prohibition or affirmation of homosexuality in scripture.
Re-reading the entire Bible with this in mind it is clear the vast majority of the Bible is unconcerned with homosexuality. God is far more concerned with the worship of Him alone, justice, taking care of the marginalized in our society, how we handle money, the use of violence, and a host of other issues. While Jesus spoke and taught regarding many things, including sexual sin, He Himself never commented on the issue. (The exception may be Matthew 19 if you consider His words on “eunuchs” to actually be referring to homosexuals.)
In my previous post I have pointed out how the handful of verses that have traditionally been connected to the issue of homosexuality are actually problematic and not as clear-cut as they are made out to be. We are still left with many questions. Do the stories and prohibitions in the Bible refer to sexual abuse, child abuse, rape, pederasty or homosexuality (as we would understand it today)? Would Paul condemn a celibate homosexual? Would Paul suggest that a homosexual would need to experience sexual reorientation to be a good follower of Jesus? Does the Bible condemn two homosexuals who were in a monogamous relationship? Do malakos and arsenokoites actually apply to homosexuals?
From my own research into these matters I do not believe the Bible clearly addresses homosexuality as it is understood today. I do not think it is fair to use the ancient Greek and Hebrew words and ancient prohibitions of same-gender sexual relations, that probably referred to a variety of sexual practices that we do not understand, and apply them to people who are homosexual in orientation today, least of all a celibate homosexual or a monogamous couple.
But let us, for argument’s sake, suggest that new documents surfaced that clearly showed the Bible condemned homosexuality as we understand it today. Does this mean that Christians cannot be homosexuals and homosexuality is always a sin? Some Christians would slam their fist on the table and say, “Absolutely! Of course! Kevin what are you doing! The Bible is the basis for how Christians define sin! If it clearly condemns homosexuality, then homosexuality stands forever condemned and is inappropriate for Christians!”
This is not necessarily the case. There are many things in the Bible that we no longer obey. Whether we understand it or not, we take a large number of commandments in the Bible (commandments that are crystal clear) as descriptive of the cultures that the story of God came to us through, not prescriptive commandments for all time. There are 618 commandments in the Old Testament that few Christians are obeying today. Because of this, it is possible to view the condemnation of homosexuality (if in fact it could be proved to exist in the Bible) as a cultural value not a timeless law of God. This means that (just like slavery, racism, and sexism) it is possible for homophobia and the condemnation of homosexuality to be dropped and even become something Christians will come to see as immoral or unjust.
In Conclusion…
These questions are not easily answered and there seem to be room for people to argue different ways. Because there is not one clear answer from scripture to these or other questions, I think it is impossible to say with absolute certainty that without a doubt, all of the time, through time and space, across cultures, that homosexuality is a sin or is not a sin. This is an area that requires discernment, the leading of the Holy Spirit and should probably be best approached at the personal level.
I personally think that the question “Is homosexuality a sin?” makes no sense. This would be like asking, “Is heterosexuality a sin?” The answer would be “no” as having a sexual orientation is not a sin and is not the issue.
However, while I believe people will not be judged by their orientation I think we will all be judged by our behavior. Sexual sin does exist and people can experience dysfunction or self-destructive patterns in their sexuality. Both homosexuals and heterosexuals can commit sexual sin. Both homosexuals and heterosexuals can honor God with their sexuality. Both homosexuals and heterosexuals can experience issues with their sexuality that should be healed and sorted out.
Everyone is accountable to God and followers of Jesus should take sexual sin seriously and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit, wise counsel, and the words of friends on these issues.
Because of all of this I echo the words of Rev. Ken Fong who said, “If you are a homosexual and it is destructive to you and you want out, I will walk that road with you. If you are a homosexual and want to practice celibacy or monogamy, I will walk that road with you.”
While I do think I am correct in my stance I must candidly admit that my position on this issue has certainly changed from where I was at even a year ago. That means I have had to admit that I was wrong in the past and this means that I may very well be wrong in the future and even wrong on my current stance on this issue. And that is okay. My heart is to spark open conversation on this issue. If I am incorrect I would rather be corrected than wrongly vindicated. If anything, I hope my words convince some to think through this issue more, re-read some of the passages I have brought up, think more about the issues surround homosexuality and faith and consider how we read our Bible. These are all important issues most people do not talk or think about.
The question I ask to my readers is what do you believe about everything I have written and why? Are my conclusions wrong? Is my way of approaching scripture wrong? Is the Truth-Mine approach right on this issue? Can you answer some of the problems I have brought up with the verses traditionally used to condemn homosexuality? Where are you at with all of this and why?
Speakfaithfully 
Please receive this response as not argumentative, but additive in the context of a wee hours of the morning sighs too deep for words prompting. I endorse the spirit and character with which you argue a biblical approach to sexuality. You add some light into the darkness of our distortions and preoccupations with sex and sin (why do these get put together so much?). Here is another approach I feel nudged to share:
How much like small children we are, wanting desperately to have our way; craving freedom from the anxiety of disapproval and shame, we take a popular vote (safety in numbers), or engage in endless debate with self-determined authority, to ameliorate our guilt. We justify our behaviors enslaved by an obsession with the knowledge of good and evil, right wrong fruit of the tree, and then endeavor to hide from the Creator of the universe and the author of life, the truth of our self-addiction; we are ashamed that we pursue our own distorted self-centered divinity, when God comes walking though the garden and asks, “Where are you? Have I been with you this long and you still do not know me?”
Daddy, can I do this? Can I have that? Daddy says, come up here into my lap, be with me. Let’s sit together for a while and talk about the things that last, what has been, what is and what will be. What can be created from nothing and shared with everything, all at once, for all time, and includes a special place for you? What reproduces itself without being diminished? Love and light. I place you in a garden wherein comes forth life, and every imaginable joy if you would but abide in me, yet to satisfy divine desire to co-create in my image, you turn away and distort my gift. You take unto yourself more of what you think you need and call it what I want for you. You are deceived!
Consider these words:
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and spirit, and love your neighbor as yourself. From these, comes everything. Get it? If not, turn all your mind and heart and spirit toward contemplating this truth. I promise you, though you may be born again, you will not understand these things until I come again in the fullness of time and reveal myself to you. I am the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end. I have taught you all you need to know about the law, it has been fulfilled. Consider the example and teachings of my son. I give you life, and you ask for rules!
Abide, abide in me. Walk with me in the sacrament of every present moment. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant will also be. My father will honor the one who serves me. If they ask what is sin, tell them what you have seen of me, and tell them what I have told you to tell them. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever, the spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him or knows him. But you know God, for the Spirit dwells with you now and will be with you always.
As for you, the anointing you received from God remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as God’s anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit — just as it has taught you, remain in the Spirit.
To me it is so interesting that the stories of the old testament are not fables with a clear moral conclusion but are revelations of how God relates to his creation. You mentioned how Judah was never punished for prostitution or how the kings were never censured for multiple wives. I think of when Abraham lied about Sarah being his wife and God punished the king for taking her because he almost committed adultery! God never punishes Abraham for lying (and it happens again!) but punishes the king for almost committing adultery on accident (though God is gracious and gives the king a way out). The point of this story is not “Do not lie” but I think it is that God is with his people. Abraham was a prophet of God and therefore God is with him. And everyone knows it. Now in Exodus, in Proverbs, and in the New Testament, the Bible states many times that God HATES lying. He hates liars, he hates dishonesty, and he is the Truth. However, I believe that God’s mercy is even more generous and abundant than we imagine and his actions prove that he is not a God who keeps tallies on our sins because if he were, who could live? And if Abraham is not bad enough, what about Samson? Any person looking at Samson’s life would judge him a sinner condemned to Hell Im sure. And yet in Hebrews he is counted among the righteous!? What!?
I would say that just because God says something is a sin does not mean everyone who commits that sin is judged the same way (lying, adultery), and conversely, just because someone does something without punishment does not mean that God condones the actions (slavery, polygamy). And finally, just because someone does something that IS sinful and that DOES displease God does not mean that God ultimately condemns him (Samson, David, you and me). God promises faith for all who believe. “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” I liked the conclusion that the vast majority of the Bible is unconcerned with homosexuality. The Bible was not intended to start a revolution against one particular evil but to reveal God to us in Jesus.
My guess is that each culture has its “unforgivable sin” and that the Bible humbles us all in showing that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Undoubtably it is not just God’s condemnation of sin that has been revealed to mankind, but His mercy that genuinely washes us white as snow and makes all things new. And which of those truths is harder to believe?
I think Christians can use this discussion as an opportunity to humble themselves and their own hearts (just as evolution gave us that opportunity). The reverse side is that bigots or slave-owners or colonialists or homophobics or those that hold to geocentrism are not beyond salvation either. “God, I know nothing, you know everything. I know I am not counted righteous based on my own merit but because of your Son Jesus. Lead me in the path of righteousness and teach me your ways. Empower me by the Holy Spirit to live a life worthy of the gospel. And give me the love of Christ.” Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
But ah, here is my critique if I am permitted one. While I agree that the “truth mine” approach is not helpful in answering questions like these and causes us to miss much of the biblical story, I believe that, viewing the Bible as a story, you have dismissed Gen 1-3 a bit too quickly. Maybe where my opinion diverges from yours is that I believe Gen 1-3 is not Only an explanation of why things are, but it has much symbolic meaning for what God would do later in the world through Christ. Part of that symbolism is that, biblically, Eden is seen as the place we all want to return to. This is how Paul can speak of a “new creation” because of the symbolism of the first creation. This symbolism is also used in 2 Corinthians to explain how just as God called light into the darkness, he also made light shine into our hearts through Christ. Further, we understand Jesus to be the Word that God used to speak everything into existence with. This story is a treasure trove for understanding many new testament themes. It is also cited repeatedly by new testament writers as a moral reference for God’s intentions and design. I am afraid that if we leave these chapters in the Ancient etiological genre, we could miss many fundamental truths revealed here.
For instance, in Genesis 1 God says, “Let us make man in our image.” If this is only taken as a rudimentary explanation for why humans exist, we will miss the force of James’ rebuke to tame our tongue. “With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.” James uses this principle to explain why it is so evil to curse men—they bear God’s likeness, as learned from Genesis 1. Our distorted way of degrading people’s origins is plainly inaccurate and causes us to do them wrong. In fact, by reminding us of this, James suggests that we tend to Forget humans’ image-bearing-status in our daily lives, which is why it makes it so easy to curse people.
Multiple times this Genesis account is referred to in the New Testament as a reminder of how God purposed the world and as a symbol of what he would later reveal. Often the symbols in Genesis teach us something about Jesus—such as he is the Word of God, he is the Light, he is the New Adam, and it also teaches us something about Jesus in regards to marriage: He is the Bridegroom of the Church. The best way that God has given us to understand how Jesus loves, relates to, and shares intimacy with the Church is through how a husband unites with his wife. Paul explains this in Eph 5 and actually quotes the verse, “‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ This mystery is profound, and I am saying it refers to Christ and the church.” Paul directly applies this ancient origins story to Christ and the Church. Here, Paul is assuming that this story has relevance for the truth of how Christ relates to his people, and ALSO how husbands should treat their wives. “Because the verse in Genesis describes man and wife as one flesh, and Christ is one flesh with the Church, you husbands should treat your wives as your own flesh—by loving them” is how I see Paul’s logic. The symbol points to Christ which is then reflected back onto his people.
I agree that the “Truth-mine” version of interpreting the Bible does not hold up so I would like to see someone treat this section of Scripture with care in light of homosexuality and how Paul interprets marriage from Gen 1-3 because I believe that it is pertinent.
As to the comment “While these stories have a purpose and convey truth, these stories were never meant to function like this,” in reference to using the Genesis paradigm as a directly transferable model for contemporary life, in a way I agree, but I also ask this question: why does Paul get away with it? In 1 Timothy 2:12, Paul uses the creation order (Adam was created first then Eve) and the story line (Eve was deceived, not Adam) to justify his assertion that women should remain quiet! Isnt he referring to the ancient model and applying it to his contemporary model for how the church should function? Why can he do that? Is it just because he is an apostle? Or maybe it is because there really is an ideal in the Creation account.
What I would like dealt with here is NOT patriarchy, or whatever else these verses say on the surface. Rather I am looking at the assumptions that Paul makes by referring to Genesis: Paul thinks the Genesis model directly applies to men’s and women’s roles. Paul thinks that men and women in marriage symbolize Christ’s union with the church. So then the questions become how does homosexuality impact this symbolism?
Adultery, polygamy, and fornication are all distortions of the symbolism because Jesus is faithful to his one and only Bride the church. We Christians, as reflections of God, and further, image-bearers of Christ, are to bear his image in everything, including our relationships with people. Now what about homosexuality?
NOTE: This has NOTHING to do with what God can or can’t forgive, who is and who is not a Christian if they do certain things etc. Like I said in my last post, if follower of God had actually been judged according to the biblical model instead of Christ’s righteousness we would all perish. But the question I am dealing with is actually just a small piece of this original post, which overall I learned from and enjoyed. My question is simply this: From Genesis 1-3, is there a model?