A Response to Pride Month
Welcome to one of the most polarizing topics in the modern day Church: the support or opposition of homosexuality. The world has gotten so enthralled with this issue that we devote an entire month (the month of June) to celebrating and taking pride in people’s decisions within the LGBTQ community. As Bible-believing Christians, where should our allegiance fall?
How Could a Christian Support Homosexuality?
Although not a popular belief among Christians, 36% of Evangelical Protestants believe that homosexuality should be accepted according the Pew Research Center’s study from 2024. This position aligns well with the direction the world is heading outside of Christian circles, but is there any Biblical basis for this point of view? Let’s explore together.
Christian supporters of homosexual acceptance mainly put their emphasis on one or both of the following ideas. Firstly, they falsely argue that homosexuality is only addressed in Jewish law which has no authority to those in Christ. Secondly, it is argued that when homosexuality is addressed in scripture, it is falsely addressed and never explicitly stated.
In Leviticus, the Israelites are instructed not in engage in homosexual relations (Leviticus 18:22). This command is so severe that the punishment required for homosexuality was death (Leviticus 20:13). However, with the belief that Jesus fulfilled the law, making it obsolete and outdated, those under Christ’s lordship are no longer bound by the Jewish law (Hebrews 8:13). This would mean that unless homosexuality is condemned outside of the mosaic law, then Christians would be free to engage in homosexual behavior. However, homosexuality is addressed quite a bit in the New Testament as well.
“By calling this covenant ‘new,’ he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.”
Paul writes about how the gentiles, through their rejection of God’s path, had been given over to their lusts of homosexuality (Romans 1:26-27). He also shares to the church in Corinth that people in engaging in homosexual behavior will not inherit the Kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). The general argument toward passages like these is that there is some meaning that is lost in translation, usually inferring that Paul is referring to pedophilia or something separate completely. Unfortunately for proponents of this position, their arguments for a false translation are unfounded.
“Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”
What is the Biblical Position?
The first argument that can be made is found in the creation story at the very beginning of scripture. When God creates humans, they are created male and female for the purposes of procreation (Genesis 1:27). It is clear that God did not make other men or other women for Adam and Eve to engage with. This shows the intention of human sexual relationships was for them to be heterosexual. Although many cultures may normalize homosexual behavior in modern times, God’s perfect garden was void of its existence.
To address the argument stated above about the Mosaic law being obsolete after Jesus, we need to look at what Jesus said about the law. Jesus said of Himself…
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them”
Unless Jesus specifically clarified the meaning of a law, such as the dietary restrictions He revised to Peter in Acts 10:15, the law remains true to God’s perfect morality. Although we are no longer bound to the law to atone for our sins, we are still held to the standard of the law in an attempt to glorify our Heavenly Father. The prohibition of homosexuality is included in that law.
When it comes to the idea that every verse forbidding homosexuality in the New Testament is mistranslated, it is a dangerous road to take. Not only is there no evidence of mistranslation, but it also opens the door for any other sin to find justification. The Bible is inerrant and supersedes all human ideas of right and wrong. It is the vessel by which God has chosen to reveal Himself to humanity.
“The minute we start invalidating the Word of God is the minute we destroy our best understanding of who God is.”
Where Should We Stand?
The sin of homosexuality can be difficult to address with people, especially those who have personal connections to the temptation. We must remember that, as Jesus did, we are to come into every conversation with grace and truth (John 1:14). Every person, regardless of sexual orientation, is a person for whom Jesus died. The same grace that is sufficient for the saint is sufficient for the sinner. However, we can never concede the Biblical truth that homosexuality is a sinful lifestyle choice. Our personal beliefs can never stray from our Biblical understanding, and thus we must lovingly oppose the issue. We cannot condemn a person for their sin, for there is always opportunity for redemption through Christ. We can, though, condemn actions that the Bible clearly explains are against the morality of the God we serve. In all circumstances, remember the exhortation of Paul to the Colossians…
“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
