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A concerted effort has been made in recent years to cloak the practice of homosexuality with respectability. One means of doing so has been the adoption of the term “gay” to cover the practice. A major ploy has been made by the “gay liberation” forces to push for favorable legislation for themselves, eventually removing all sanctions against them. Mayors and college presidents have allowed themselves to be pressured into proclaiming “gay liberation” days. “Gay” churches have sprung up all across the country, welcoming homosexuals of both sexes and attempting to gain acceptance as reputable religious societies. Some liberal denominations have officially accepted homosexuals as members and are urging others to do so. The Episcopal Church has ordained an admitted lesbian as a priest. Radio and TV talk shows are cluttered with homosexuals who have come out into the open.
A practice which decent people never discussed just a few years ago has now been forced into the headlines. To much of the world it is no longer a sin, only a sickness at worst. It is not even considered a sickness or an abnormality by some. What attitude should a Christian have toward this? Is the homosexual a sinner in need of a savior, a patient in need of a doctor or merely a “different” person who needs understanding and acceptance by society?
If the Bible teaches anything, it teaches homosexuality to be a sin. In the law of Moses, it is: 1) forbidden; 2) called an “abomination”; 3) to be punished by death (Lev. 18:22; 20:13). It was because of this sin that Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed by God, the term “sodomy” (a synonym for homosexuality) forever commemorating the infamy of that place (Gen. 19:1–13). The New Testament labels it as: 1) a “vile passion” which is “against nature” and is “unseemly and erroneous” (Rom. 1:26–27); 2) condemned by the ordinance of God and worthy of death (Rom. 1:32); 3) a practice that will keep one out of heaven (1 Cor. 6:9); 4) contrary to sound doctrine (1 Tim. 1:10). However much one might pity the homosexual or reject the Bible, it cannot be denied that in the Bible homosexuality is a detestable sin.
Some say they can’t help what they are. This is merely an evasion of personal responsibility. In the New Testament, homosexuality is always in lists of voluntary behavior that is sinful. A murderer or thief may as well argue, “I can’t help what I am.” Homosexuality is sin if God is still God.
[Note: I wrote this article for and it was published in The Edifier, weekly bulletin of Pearl Street Church of Christ, Denton, TX, February 12, 1987, of which I was editor.]
Attribution: From thescripturecache.com; Dub McClish, owner and administrator.
