Homosexuality and the Bible.
Homosexuality and the Bible. The Holiness Code in Leviticus makes it clear that male homosexuality is detestable (Lev. 18:22) and punishable by death (20:13). In the former context it is grouped together with adultery, child sacrifice, and bestiality. In the New Testament the treatment is no less harsh. Homosexuality is clearly not one of the practices that Christian liberty or the age of grace made more acceptable. For Paul it represents the epitome of depraved conduct (Rom. 1:24–32). His inclusion of homosexuals in the list of the unrighteous who will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:9), as well as in the list of those for whom the law serves a necessary and continuing function (1 Tim. 1:10), shows us that his disapproval cannot in any way be viewed as limited to his particular time, culture, or situation.
The Bible is clear that homosexual practice is wrong and sinful. It is not just wrong insofar as it is promiscuous. Rather, as with adultery, incest, and bestiality, it is wrong because of the nature of the sexual partner. An illicit sexual partner may be married to someone else (adultery), may be a close relative (incest), may be an animal (bestiality), and may be someone of the same gender (homosexuality). Monogamous homosexual relationships are no more acceptable than only committing adultery with one person.
This does not mean that a homosexual inclination is sinful, though it may be a reflection of the fallenness of the race. Sexual desires often provide an arena of temptation to sin, whatever one’s sexual orientation may be. As believers, we are called upon to resist those temptations both in thought and in deed. In this sense, the plight of the homosexual is similar to that of the heterosexual. Sexual fantasizing only worsens the situation, makes resistance more difficult, and may lead to sin even though no sexual act is committed (Matt. 5:28). The only biblical solution to homosexual inclination is disciplined purity of thought and a celibate lifestyle. What is true for all Christians is also true for homosexuals—behavior must transcend feelings. What the Bible calls evil, the church must not deem excusable under the pressures of society.
Walton, J. H. (2001). Genesis. The NIV Application Commentary (p. 490). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
The Bible is clear that homosexual practice is wrong and sinful. It is not just wrong insofar as it is promiscuous. Rather, as with adultery, incest, and bestiality, it is wrong because of the nature of the sexual partner. An illicit sexual partner may be married to someone else (adultery), may be a close relative (incest), may be an animal (bestiality), and may be someone of the same gender (homosexuality). Monogamous homosexual relationships are no more acceptable than only committing adultery with one person.
This does not mean that a homosexual inclination is sinful, though it may be a reflection of the fallenness of the race. Sexual desires often provide an arena of temptation to sin, whatever one’s sexual orientation may be. As believers, we are called upon to resist those temptations both in thought and in deed. In this sense, the plight of the homosexual is similar to that of the heterosexual. Sexual fantasizing only worsens the situation, makes resistance more difficult, and may lead to sin even though no sexual act is committed (Matt. 5:28). The only biblical solution to homosexual inclination is disciplined purity of thought and a celibate lifestyle. What is true for all Christians is also true for homosexuals—behavior must transcend feelings. What the Bible calls evil, the church must not deem excusable under the pressures of society.
Walton, J. H. (2001). Genesis. The NIV Application Commentary (p. 490). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
