The Bible Clearly Condemns Homosexuality
Mar 17, 2007
The issue of homosexuality is becoming more and more prevalent in our society today. It is seemingly supported by popular media such as movies and television shows, which promote it and more and more. Also, celebrities continue to admit to homosexual lifestyles themselves. On the other hand, gay marriage has been banned in several states, including Wisconsin. While there is a great deal of division on this issue in America, there is no ambiguity about it in the Bible. The Bible clearly condemns homosexuality. Even though the Bible condemns homosexuality, in no way does it support hate crimes committed against those guilty of this transgression. It is unbiblical and often inconsistent for Christians to act maliciously toward homosexuals.
During Old Testament times, homosexuality was wrong. Leviticus 18:22 states: “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination.” Those guilty of this abomination were to be put to death (Leviticus 20:13). The term “Sodomite” is sometimes used to refer to homosexuals (1st Corinthians 6:9). This term comes from the men of Sodom who tried to engage and probably often did engage in such activities (Genesis 19:4+5). The city of Sodom was destroyed by God with fire and brimstone (Genesis 19:24+25). Jude 7 summarizes this situation when it says, “as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.”
We are not in Old Testament times any more and, when Jesus came, He brought about many changes. However, homosexuality is still wrong. The New Testament condemns it just as clearly as the Old Testament does. Romans 1:26 calls this behavior vile when it says, “For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.” The very next verse calls it shameful: “Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due” (Romans 1:27). Homosexual activity is called vile and shameful. In addition, it is listed among several other transgressions of which the guilty “will not inherit the kingdom of God” (1st Corinthians 6:9+10). It is simply unreasonable to claim both belief in the Bible and acceptance of homosexuality.
The Bible condemns homosexuality, but that certainly does not mean that we should hate or persecute homosexuals. First, it is inconsistent to attack those who are guilty of one particular sin and ignore all the rest. The same passage that lists homosexuals among those who “will not inherit the kingdom of God” also lists “drunkards” (1st Corinthians 6:9+10). Drunkenness is just as much a sin as homosexuality, so why not persecute those as well? Also, practicing hate and physical violence is not the way Jesus wants us to behave. He went so far as to say, “But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also” (Matthew 5:39). Christians are supposed to “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15) and “be gentle to all” (2nd Timothy 2:24). Sins such as homosexuality must not be condoned, but should be corrected only with gentleness and love.
During Old Testament times, homosexuality was wrong. Leviticus 18:22 states: “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination.” Those guilty of this abomination were to be put to death (Leviticus 20:13). The term “Sodomite” is sometimes used to refer to homosexuals (1st Corinthians 6:9). This term comes from the men of Sodom who tried to engage and probably often did engage in such activities (Genesis 19:4+5). The city of Sodom was destroyed by God with fire and brimstone (Genesis 19:24+25). Jude 7 summarizes this situation when it says, “as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.”
We are not in Old Testament times any more and, when Jesus came, He brought about many changes. However, homosexuality is still wrong. The New Testament condemns it just as clearly as the Old Testament does. Romans 1:26 calls this behavior vile when it says, “For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.” The very next verse calls it shameful: “Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due” (Romans 1:27). Homosexual activity is called vile and shameful. In addition, it is listed among several other transgressions of which the guilty “will not inherit the kingdom of God” (1st Corinthians 6:9+10). It is simply unreasonable to claim both belief in the Bible and acceptance of homosexuality.
The Bible condemns homosexuality, but that certainly does not mean that we should hate or persecute homosexuals. First, it is inconsistent to attack those who are guilty of one particular sin and ignore all the rest. The same passage that lists homosexuals among those who “will not inherit the kingdom of God” also lists “drunkards” (1st Corinthians 6:9+10). Drunkenness is just as much a sin as homosexuality, so why not persecute those as well? Also, practicing hate and physical violence is not the way Jesus wants us to behave. He went so far as to say, “But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also” (Matthew 5:39). Christians are supposed to “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15) and “be gentle to all” (2nd Timothy 2:24). Sins such as homosexuality must not be condoned, but should be corrected only with gentleness and love.