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By Denver Cheddie
This is a topic which took me a very long time to decide to write about and put on this website. The reason for this is that I don't really think this is a controversial bible issue. The Bible is so clear in what it says about homosexuality. It calls it an abomination (Lev. 18:22). Incidents of homosexuality in Sodom and Gomorrah stirred up God's wrath against the twin cities (Gen 19:5-13; Jude 7). Even the New Testament speaks against homosexuality (Romans 1:26,27) and homosexual tendencies (1 Cor. 6:9). There really is no controversy.
A few years ago I heard a "preacher" on Oprah claim that the Bible never condemned homosexuality and that it actually endorsed that lifestyle. Unfortunately no one had the audacity to ask him exactly where in the Bible it did any such thing. It is very difficult for anyone to use the Bible to justify homosexuality. In fact it cannot be done. There is not one single scripture which directly or indirectly justifies homosexuality.
Homosexuals also claim that they were born that way and that they have a gay gene, such that they cannot be otherwise. I just find it hard to figure out how someone with two straight parents could end up with a gay gene. Besides, this is based on very specious science. This certainly has not been scientifically proven. Further, if people have a gay gene, why stop there? Why not champion the cause of a polygamous gene, or a mass-murderous gene? These are choices people make. If you want to be gay, then be gay. Don’t try to make it look like you had no choice. Take responsibility for your choice and deal with it.
However I have heard an argument for homosexuality which have some merit. This position agrees and concedes that homosexuality is wrong. But it goes on to say that Christians are wrong to condemn homosexuals in the church. They accuse heterosexual Christians of employing double standards. Why are they so conservative against homosexuality, but so liberal concerning divorce and remarriage. The argument goes on to state the most remarriages (after divorce) are adulterous relationships (see my article on Divorce and Remarriage for more), yet most Christians have no problem with that. But they have a problem with homosexuality. Why are they so vehemently opposed to homosexual fornication, while at the same time tolerant of certain brands of heterosexual fornication?
It's something to think about, isn't it? Needless to say that homosexuality is still a sin, whether or not Christians employ double standards. There is absolutely no doubt that homosexuals are in the wrong. But are we in the right? And by "we", I really mean "you", because I also believe that most remarriages after divorce are adulterous.
And what about gay rights? Many Christians are strongly opposed to gay rights, such that this has been a major political factor in the last two US presidential elections. But we need to understand that being opposed to homosexuality and being opposed to the rights of homosexuals are two entirely different things. Is there are biblical precedent that homosexuals should not be offered jobs in the public service etc solely on the basis that they are gay? What about people who commit heterosexual fornication? Should they also be debarred from becoming school teachers?
The purpose of the church is not to rescue the ship from sinking. The ship has already been declared sea unworthy and is already condemned to sink. Our job is to rescue the perishing. We do not accomplish that by legislating righteousness. Righteousness by definition can not be legislated. It can only be imputed by God through faith in Jesus Christ. It would be more advisory for the church to focus on its job of winning the lost and proclaiming Christ than launching political crusades against select groups of sinners.