The biblical view of homosexuality is multifaceted. This often leads to polarizing public debates on the subject. As a result, I will be breaking from my normal expository style in an effort to accurately share truth in both a loving but uncompromising manner. In doing so, I will unpack a series of facts and fallacies.
FACT – Homosexuality Is a Tendency not an Inevitability
First, let me state that I don’t think people freely choose the homosexual path. Let me be clear, I also don’t believe that people are born gay. The slew of scientific data on this is overwhelming and the American Psychological Association (APA) has reversed it’s opinion on the matter.
There is no consensus among scientists about the exact reasons that an individual develops a heterosexual, bisexual, gay, or lesbian orientation. Although much research has examined the possible genetic, hormonal, developmental, social, and cultural influences on sexual orientation, no findings have emerged that permit scientists to conclude that sexual orientation is determined by any particular factor or factors.
https://www.apa.org/topics/lgbt/orientation.pdf
No two people struggle with the same temptations. One person struggles with anger and profanity while another struggles to stay sober. In this way, I suggest that those with a bent toward homosexuality chose no more freely than the person who fights their own brand of temptation. I would highly recommend everyone listen to the testimony of a former transgender man and his insights into the LGBTQ mindset.
FALLACY – God Made Me This Way So It Must Be Okay
This argument a causal fallacy. It starts with the premise that God is good. If you have a bent toward homosexuality it’s because God placed it there. Therefore, God cannot hold you accountable for how you respond to homosexual temptation. He accepts you as you are.
Like any good causal fallacy, the first and last set of premises are sound. However, the content between the bookends is faulty. If you believe that God is both all-powerful and all-knowing then it takes but a couple of examples to expose the faults.
- God created Adam and Eve in His likeness (Geneses 1:26). He also created the forbidden tree (Genesis 2:17) and declared it all good (Genesis 1:31). He did all of this with perfect foreknowledge that Adam and Eve would be disobedient. Nevertheless, He would hold them accountable (Genesis 3:14-19).
- God created Satan and the demons (1 John 1:3). He did so with perfect foreknowledge that they would oppose Him at every opportunity. He could have created them without their rebellious streak–but He did not. Nevertheless, God has prepared a lake of fire for their judgement (Matthew 25:41).
FACT – Temptation Is Not Sin
Just because a person is tempted to act on their urges (whether homosexual or otherwise) does not constitute sin. Jesus himself was “tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). The distinction between temptation and and sin is well defined in James 1.
But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin.
James 1:14-15
FALLACY – Love is Love Even If It’s With the Same Sex
This argument is an equivocation fallacy. It comes many varieties but the heart of the argument is always the same. Love is the greatest of expressed virtues (1 Corinthians 13:13) and we are commanded to love one another (Matthew 22:39). Therefore, love toward another, even of the same sex is good.
An equivocation fallacy is like a shell game of words. The word “love” is nonspecific and can be used in a wide variety of contexts. However, the Greek language is not so poor in this regard. The Bible identifies four kinds of love:
Agapao – Unconditional love
Phileo – Brotherly love, friendship
Stergo – Familial love
Eros – Carnal love
The first three kinds of love can be expressed toward others regardless of gender. They are not only permissible, but we are commanded to love in these ways. Only carnal relations with the same sex are forbidden in scripture.
FACT – Homosexual Behavior Is Sin
The scriptures clearly condemn homosexual behavior (Leviticus 18:22, Leviticus 20:13, Romans 1:26-27, and 1 Corinthians 6:9-10). I have read several scholarly works that attempt to invalidate these passages. The arguments against them are both flawed and unconvincing. The linguistic gymnastics involved in avoiding the plain meaning of these scriptures would earn a gold medal. This is easy to demonstrate with just one verse.
Although, the immediate context of Leviticus 18:22 is for the people of Isreael to abstain from cultic practices of Egyptians, the command is doubly qualified. This pattern is observed in other verses of the same chapter. God decrees the command and secondarily the rationale. In this case, the rationale is God’s disdain for the behavior.
You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination.
Leviticus 18:22
Any argument otherwise is an uphill battle.
FALLACY – Homosexual Behavior Is Worse Than Other Sins
It’s tempting to treat some sins as worse than others–especially those we spot in others. This relativistic thinking is precisely why salvation “is the gift of God”, “not of yourselves”, “not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). That being said, I think Christians often view the practice of homosexuality as far more egregious for a few reasons:
- Some have construed 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 as saying that homosexuals will not enter the kingdom. Close examination of the text shows that they will not inherit the kingdom. For the sake of brevity, let it suffice to say that we all understand the difference between entering someone’s home and inheriting someone’s home.
- Far to often, we find homosexual believers living together. It is a high-handed sin of open rebellion (Numbers 15:28-31 cf 1 Corinthians 5:1-2). As far as the scriptures are concerned, this is a true and just perspective. In application, I often wonder if we are equally critical of the man or woman that is engaged in an adulterous relationship?
- The increase of homosexuality in a culture serves as a moral barometer. Romans 1 seems to draw a connection between the rejection of God and the prevalence of same-sex carnality.
Final Thoughts
Jesus spent His ministry focused on the tax collectors, sinners, and the despised (Matthew 11:19, 1 Corinthians 1:28). The religious elite looked upon them with piety and disdain but Jesus looked upon them with compassion. As stewards of God’s mercy, let us share the gospel indiscriminately, remain unwavering in truth, and firmly resolved toward compassionate correction.
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