the homosexual question Are we seeking to CONVERT or CONDEMN

KEY QUESTIONS What are we truly concerned with regarding homosexuals? 9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind… 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. (1Corinthians 6:9-11) What are we truly concerned with regarding homosexuals? Why have we chosen this sin to be so disgusting to us? What is the core issue that must be dealt with to convert a homosexual to the Lord?

SORTING THROUGH THE DISCUSSION Faithful Christians are already embracing LGBT brothers and sisters. Mainstream denominations like Presbyterians and Episcopalians now ordain openly gay clergy, and there are seeds of change in evangelical churches as well. This November, the Reformation Project will host a training conference for up to 900 LGBT-affirming Christians in Washington, D.C.—and the movement for change in conservative churches is just getting started.

“As we see, the Bible really does not fully address the topic of homosexuality. Jesus never talked about it. The prophets never talked about it. In Sodom homosexual activity is mentioned within the context of rape (raping angels nonetheless), and in Romans 1:24-27 we find it mentioned within the context of idolatry (Baal worship) involving lust and dishonorable passions. 1 Corinthians 6:9 and 1 Timothy 1:10 talk about homosexual activity in the context of prostitution and possibly pederasty. Nowhere does the Bible talk about a loving and committed homosexual relationship. The only thing the authors of the Bible knew about homosexuality was that which they saw expressed in the pagan worship of Baal, the temple prostitution, et cetera. To use the Bible to condemn homosexuality, as we see, involves a projection of ones own bias and a stretching of the Biblical text beyond that of which the scriptures speak.” http://www.gaychurch.org/homosexuality-and-the-bible/the-bible- christianity-and-homosexuality/

HOMOSEXUAL?? We are told that: immoral men, homosexuals, and kidnappers are syntactically linked as prostitution The term “arsenokoites” was not used prior to Paul and rarely after so we cannot be sure of its meaning 8 But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, 9 realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers 10 and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, 1 Timothy 1:8–10 (NASB95)

HOMOSEXUAL?? The context deals with the Old Law and its intended purpose Some had turned away from “faith unfeigned” or rooted in the Gospel They turned to the Law “desiring to be teachers” Paul emphasizes that the Law was intended to condemn sin, not free the sinner 8 But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, 9 realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers 10 and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, 1 Timothy 1:8–10 (NASB95)

HOMOSEXUAL?? Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 1 Corinthians 6:9 (NASB95) This “catalog of vices” was used to describe what is unrighteous or unholy Paul turned to the Scriptures for a foundation of his argument The lists appeals to the Old Law (Deut 28; Lev 18-20; Ex 20)

HOMOSEXUAL?? The term literally means “male-bedder” and closely reflects the language of Leviticus 20:13 The term is only unclear if the biblical foundations of his argument are ignored The term allowed Paul to address his subject precisely and effeciently Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 1 Corinthians 6:9 (NASB95)

THE ABOMINATION 22 ‘You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination. Leviticus 18:22 (NASB95) This section of Leviticus is referred to as the “holiness code” Chapter 18 describes sinful relationships Vs. 29-30 indicate all of these “unnatural” relationships are an abomination

What is “natural”? 24 For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these who are the natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree? Romans 11:24 (NASB95) “nature” - phusis (G5449) - condition or circumstance as determined by birth, natural endowment/condition, nature…the regular or established order of things, nature (BDAG)

“Looking at the men first will help to clarify the passage: “The men likewise gave up natural relations with women…” Stop. Did you see that? They gave up natural relations with women, which implies that these men were heterosexuals by nature. The phrase translated as “gave up” is the Greek word aphente (afenteV) meaning to leave behind, forsake, neglect, or divorce. These men, therefore, divorced themselves from their own nature, that of heterosexuality, and were consumed with passion for one another. Women did likewise. As we see, Paul is talking about heterosexual individuals engaging in homosexual sex, which is contrary to their nature.”

What is “natural”? The Jew was a “natural branch” by the design of God 24 For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these who are the natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree? Romans 11:24 (NASB95) The Jew was a “natural branch” by the design of God The Gentile was a “wild olive tree” because God turned His back on them “natural” - God’s long established practice

What is “natural”? Romans 1 THE GENTILE WORLD Suppressed the truth - vs. 18 Exchanged the glory of God for the image of man - vs. 23 Dishonored their own bodies - vs. 24 GOD GAVE THEM UP To moral impurity - vs. 24 To vile affections - vs. 26 To a reprobate mind - vs. 28 BECAUSE He had revealed His will - vs. 19-20 They exchanged the natural use for… - vs. 26,27 Did those things which were not proper - vs. 28

WHICH SIN IS NATURAL? 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; Romans 1:29–31 (NASB95)