Evangelicals and Discussions About Homosexuality
Homosexuality has been a controversial subject for as long as the Church has existed. Changes in the definitions of marriage have only exasperated that situation. The Church does have something to say about homosexuality but it has not always very productive in its articulation.
Here are some things that may be helpful for Christians to reflect on when discussing homosexuality either publicly or privately.
- Homosexuality is not necessarily a choice. People with same-sex attraction do not choose that. It is not as simple as either being born gay or choosing to be gay. The actual situation is much more complicated.
- While the Bible has something to say about homosexual activity, the Bible does not have anything to say about same-sex attraction.
- There is no role for the Church to judge the lifestyle of those outside the church. (1 Corinthians 5:12)
- Homosexual sin is not worse than heterosexual sin.
- Evangelicals should speak according to knowledge and not just emotion.
- Homosexuality is not just an issue, it is about people.
- The Church does need to address the problem of suicide among LGBTQ youth.
None of these things are an argument against the traditional view of homosexuality. They are just things to be considering when speaking about homosexuality.
Hey Steve, how’s it going? It’s been great to read your posts. Yeah, you and I agree all these points. I’ve been telling people in the church that as Christians and as a church we are not ready to deal with this IF a person with same-sex attraction were to walk into our church, or come out and disclose the challenge they’re dealing with.
Stephen,
Thanks for this, please permit me to poke a bit at this:
– While the Bible has something to say about homosexual activity, the Bible does not have anything to say about same-sex attraction.
What about Romans 1 “In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another.” ?
My take on this would be that temptation is not a sin, so being tempted, as you put it “same-sex attraction” is no more of an issue than me being tempted to overeat, or under-pray. I would feel that this is the bible speaking on same sex attraction, in the same way as it speaks of heterosexual attraction.
I heartily agree with everything else you’ve said, and it grieves me to see the church take a huge stance on this and drop all sorts of other issues that we should deal with, and be in the middle of.
Blessings Steve. I just recently stumbled upon your Podcast “History of Christianity” on my iPhone, and have enjoyed it so much that I decided to read your posts here on your Blog. Thank you for your Podcast and your Blog.
If I may, I want to comment on a few points you make in this particular post but also comment on a recurring theme in your other posts.
Pertaining to this particular post, I both agree and disagree with you. Although it seems homosexuals cannot choose whom (gender) they feel attraction for, I think to a degree they can. There are many stories out there about those who did. I think that heterosexuals have sexual attractions that are displeasing in the eyes of God, and we could easily say that we cannot help ourselves as an excuse.
Look, I know what you are trying to do. You are trying to be loving and understanding, and I commend you for that, but something just doesn’t feel right. I can’t approach an educated man on a high level such as yourself, being a layman myself, with a specific Bible verse but 1 Thessalonians 5:21 does come to mind. There is something in the air that just doesn’t seem quite right and we need to discern.
Lastly, (sorry to bore you),…I know the recurring theme you touch upon again and again in your posts is that as long as someone follows Christ they are Christian, but I believe that we still need to walk right, Philippians 1:27-30 comes to mind.
My apologies if I was all over the place.
I appreciate your comments. I do not claim to have the final word. And please, do not think that I have more to say because of some education. Sometimes we use education to make up for common sense and natural wisdom.