Instead of simply giving my thoughts or sharing what I believe about Homosexuality and it's relationship with Christianity, I decided this time to answer some of your questions on the subject. Here are some of the ones I've decided to answer for the present time as I introduce the topic and begin the discussion. Stay tuned for more, as I couldn’t answer every question in detail in one post!
WHAT'S THE PROBLEM?/WHY IS THIS TOPIC SO CONTROVERSIAL?
I figure this is a good first question to explain the problem and begin the discussion. Why is it such a big deal in the first place?
Across the globe (but perhaps more so in the West) homosexuality is a hot button topic, and the question of the legality of same-sex marriage is still being discussed (or not). I could talk about homosexuality in general but I think for my purposes I’ll focus on the topic as it relates to Christianity.
One of the reasons for the high level of controversy with regards to homosexuality is a lack of proper understanding of how the Bible understands and treats it by much of the professing Christian church. Homosexuality for no real biblical reason is and has been treated with a relatively higher degree of harshness (or at least sharpness) whereas other sexual sins are allowed to pass by the wayside and never really talked about or addressed. It perhaps doesn’t help that homosexuality is perhaps more obvious and easy to point out, but the failures of the church in addressing this sin appropriately has nonetheless fanned the flames of strife and has even given non-Christians or cultural christians justification for negative treatment of those who live the homosexual lifestyle. Thus, something that maybe shouldn't itself be a particularly big and stand alone issue has become one. These, I think, are actually failures of the Christian Church on the whole, but thankfully I see more and more desire on behalf of many believing communities to mend the situation whilst holding true to their values. Which leads us to another part of why this is even a problem in the first place…
WHY IS HOMOSEXUALITY SEEN TO BE A SIN? (MORE THAN “BECAUSE GOD SAYS IT IS…”)
This question rightfully assumes that the Bible sees homosexuality as a sin. Obviously, there will then be controversy, so we’ll discuss that here.
The simple answer is because the Bible is very clear: like sex before marriage, like adultery, like lustful intentions with people who are not your spouse, like whatever else that is not sexual activity with one’s spouse of the opposite sex, homosexuality is not considered morally acceptable by the Bible, and therefore by the God whom Christians believe to be revealed in the Bible. It is clear in both the Old and New Testaments.
I'd like to elabourate and expand this answer, however (and not simply because I was asked to - which I was!), because only saying "God says it is" isn't really helpful to those who do not believe in the God that I believe in. A vital part of any discussion is not only seeking to understand but being willing to be clearly understood, and to give the other side the respect of clear thoughts and explanations. Here's my attempt at that, without writing a whole book on it:
Real Christians believe that God is a loving father who knows everything and created everything. He designed this world with beautiful purpose and with intention - and violation of this purpose and intention is to go against a loving father's will. More than mere disobedience though, it is to go against that which is actually for our very benefit and deeper purpose! Like the child who wanders to the dangerous place his father warned against, we put ourselves (and others) in harms way when we disobey the father who desires our good and benefit. Thus when Christians stand for their own moral view of things, it is (read: should be) out of concern for the benefit of the individual, of society, and out of a love for the Grand Designer, who's design is seen to be the pinnacle of beauty and fulfillment of the designed.
Thus, homosexuality, which is revealed to be the violation of design and purpose in the Bible (and, as I will contend, in the apparent world around us) is a sin, and part of a fallen world which is in need of God's restoration.
I’d also like to make note here that a homosexual is not deserving of unique treatment here… Which is why much of the professing church’s response to homosexuality is quite sad in my opinion. The Bible does NOT say that a homosexual is any more in sin than I am when I have lustful intentions or when I watch pornography. Someone living a homosexual lifestyle is no more in sin than unmarried couples having sex (something almost norm in our culture by now). All these things are considered sexual sin in the Bible, violations of God’s good intentions, and so forth. So if you’re reading this and you’ve had trouble in the past because you thought the Bible hated the sin of homosexuals in a particularly harsh or mean way, please know that this trouble is unwarranted. All have sinned and are guilty - and those of homosexual orientation are no more guilty than the rest of us who also sin (or at least have sinned) sexually.
In this way, I hope you can see the Christian's perspective. God is not some evil totalitarian dictator intent on making you submit to his every will just for the heck of it. He loves you, he loves his creation, and he desires to see it live as it was meant to. Creation is broken and in need of fixing - and it starts with the human heart being changed and living a life honouring to its Creator, which is what the true Christian church seeks.
WHAT IS THE BIBLICAL CONTEXT WHEN HOMOSEXUALITY IS DISCUSSED? WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THAT?
For those who've requested a deeper look into the Bible, I offer the following look at a key passage that discusses homosexuality:
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools,23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature;27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. Romans 1:18-27
The passage in Romans chapter 1 is especially key, and very relevant to this question I was asked:
What is the context of the NT teaching on homosexuality? Does it ever actually address 2 people who desire a loving, committed relationship or is the primary context idolatry (pagan worship, older men dominating younger men, etc)? Was the concept of 2 men or 2 women being in a loving/romantic relationship even something they had conceived of in the first century AD? Good luck!
Sure enough, the context of this passage which talks about homosexuality is not focusing in on "romantic relationships", but rather idolatry and sin of a fallen world who has betrayed it's Creator and His creative design. This is helpful and consistent with what I've been saying already. We often miss the point in the discussion on homosexuality and think that God is condemning or forbidding love, when he is actually loving us by desiring us to live in accordance with his will and design.
However, in asking and answering this question, we can't miss the reality that still stands: homosexuality is still forbidden by the Scriptures here. It is clear that the Apostle Paul (writing this letter) sees homosexuality and the other things he mentions are fruits of the bigger problem - the fallen and broken nature of mankind. Also, the words used in the original language (Greek) are literally "the natural sexual use" (keyword: natural) of men or women, implied to be heterosexual intercourse, the "giving up" (verse 27) of which is violation of God's natural law, deemed here to be "dishonourable" and "shameless" (26, 27), just like many other sexual sins (1 Timothy 1:8-10; 1 Corinthians 6:12-18).
The same is true for other key passages that discuss homosexuality. The sin itself is not seen as the focus but it is no less seen as one of the many manifestations of the sin and broken nature of mankind. It is not "good", like God said his creation was at first, and when his first heterosexual couple were created by his own hands (Genesis 1, 2).
So let me summarize…
Sin, you might say, is in essence the violation of purpose, which any sexual activity outside heterosexual marriage qualifies as.
Thus the Bible indeed sees homosexuality as a sin, but it is no better or worse than any other sexual sins that even the best of us have committed. Before God, we’re all on an even playing field, and I hope that humbles you if you’ve ever caught yourself thinking you’re better than someone else.
I also hope I'm being tactful and yet clear, and that you're finding this helpful! Please, if you have any questions you want answered, personal or in the blog, feel free to message me or comment on Facebook or below.
Now I know we’re not finished. Answers to other burning questions are on their way!!
Until then,
Corey
No comments:
Post a Comment