“Against Nature” What the Bible Teaches About Homosexuality

Definition of Terms “Homosexual” (Gr. homos) = the same (homogenize, homonym, homophone, etc.), and “sexual” = sexual intercourse; sexual desire for those of the same sex (Webster, 696) “Lesbian” = from the homosexuality of the Greek poetess Sappho and her followers in Lesbos, c. 600 B.C. (Webster, 839)

Definition of Terms “Sodomy” = from Sodom, Genesis 18-19; any sexual intercourse regarded as abnormal, as between persons of the same sex, especially males… (Webster, 1385)

Current State of “Affairs” Homosexuality is accept by many in society  It is promoted in some school curriculum  It is promoted in children’s books: “Heather Has Two Mommies,” or “Daddy’s Roommate”  It is promoted in the mainstream media and entertainment industry: “Will and Grace,” “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,” Ellen Degeneres, Rosie O’Donnell, etc.

Current State of “Affairs” Homosexuality is accept by many in society  Top leaders of our nation and Hollywood stars are homosexual  Homosexuality is claimed as a “civil right”  Many states have “same sex marriage”; more will follow with the recent Supreme Court ruling

Current State of “Affairs” Homosexuality is accept by many in religion  Numerous denominations condone homosexual activity (Metropolitan Community Church, etc.)  Many in the United Methodist Church ignore their own teaching against homosexuality in The Book of Discipline

Current State of “Affairs” Homosexuality is accept by many in religion  On March 7, 2004, homosexual Gene Robinson was ordained bishop of New Hampshire for the Episcopal Church  Some associated with Churches of Christ, such as “A Cappella Chorus” (1979) and Leroy Garrett, condone homosexual activity

Current State of “Affairs” Homosexuality is described as …  “Alternative lifestyle” or “Gay lifestyle”  “Loving relationship”  “Different sexual orientation”  “Mental illness”

Current State of “Affairs” Homosexual activist agenda is nothing less than “complete and total acceptance!” Those who do not condone homosexuality use “hate speech;” they are “insensitive,” “intolerant,” “bigoted,” “mean spirited,” “hate- mongers,” “gay bashers,” “homophobic” or “judgmental” (see Gen. 19:9)

What Does the Bible Teach? Homosexuality in the Patriarchal Period  Homosexuality in Sodom “and they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men that came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them. And Lot went out unto them to the door, and shut the door after him. And he said, I pray you, my brethren, do not so wickedly” (Gen. 19:5-7)

What Does the Bible Teach? Homosexuality in the Mosaic Period  Homosexuality in the Law of Moses “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination” (Lev. 18:22) “And if a man lie with mankind, as with womankind, both of them have committed abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them” (Lev. 20:13)

What Does the Bible Teach? Homosexuality in the Mosaic Period  Homosexuality in Gibeah “As they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, certain base fellows, beset the house round about, beating at the door; and they spake to the master of the house, the old man, saying, Bring forth the man that came into thy house, that we may know him” (Judg. 19:22)

What Does the Bible Teach? Homosexuality in the Mosaic Period  Homosexuality in Israel “And the remnant of the sodomites, that remained in the days of his father Asa, he put away out of the land” (1 Kings 22:46; see also Deut. 23:17; 1 K. 14:24; 15:12; 2 K. 23:7; Job 36:14) “Sodomite” (Heb. qadesh) = male temple prostitute for males and females

What Does the Bible Teach? Homosexuality in the New Testament Period  Homosexuality in Paul’s letters “For this cause God gave them up unto vile passions: for their women changed the natural use into that which is against nature: and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another, men with men working unseemliness, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was due” (Rom. 1:26-27) “Nature” (Gr. phusis) = the natural order of things Note the verbs: “changed,” “leaving,” “burned,” “working,” and “receiving.” Homosexuality is conditioned (learned, acquired behavior), not congenital (from birth) – Eccl. 7:29; Jas. 1:14-15

What Does the Bible Teach? Homosexuality in the New Testament Period  Homosexuality in Paul’s letters “Or 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 men, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Cor. 6:9-10) 1. “Effeminate” (Gr. malakos) = soft to the touch; a male who submits his body to another male (in a passive role) 2. “Abusers of themselves with men” (Gr. arsenokoites) = lit. male bed; sexual intercourse with a male (in an active role)

What Does the Bible Teach? Homosexuality in the New Testament Period  Homosexuality in Paul’s letters “for fornicators, for abusers of themselves with men, for menstealers, for liars, for false swearers, and if there be any other thing contrary to the sound doctrine” (1 Tim. 1:10)

Homosexuality Today Homosexuality is not viewed by God as merely a “sickness”, but as…  “Wickedness,” “iniquity” (Gen. 19:7,15)  “Abomination” (Lev. 18:22; 20:13)  “Wickedness,” “folly,” “vile,” “lewdness,” “evil” (Judg. 19:23-24; 20:6,13)

Homosexuality Today Homosexuality is not viewed by God as merely a “sickness”, but as…  “Vile passion,” “against nature,” “unseemliness,” “error” (Rom. 1:26-27)  “Unrighteous” (1 Cor. 6:9)  “Contrary to sound doctrine” (1 Tim. 1:10)

Homosexuality Today Homosexuality is not viewed by God as merely a “sickness”, but as…  “Ungodly,” “lascivious life,” “wicked,” “lawless deeds,” “unrighteous” (2 Pet. 2:6-9)  “fornication,” “strange flesh” (Jude 7)

Homosexuality Today Homosexuals should be treated with “love” (Mk. 10:21; 1 Cor. 13:5-6; Eph. 4:15; Rev. 3:19) Homosexuals can cease their sinful activity and be forgiven (1 Cor. 6:11) Homosexuality should not be…  Ignored (Judges 19:30)  Condoned (Judges 20:12-13)