Posted on 06/13/2009 6:33:15 AM PDT by daniel1212
The interpretive conflict regarding homosexuality and the Bible is a relatively recent phenomenon, between two fundamentally different positions and interpretive foundations. Historical/traditional scholarship evidences that the Bible contains laws which prohibit homosex (same gender sexual relations; also referred to as homoeroticism or homogenital relations), and which are as universal and immutable as laws against illicit heterosexual partners are shown to be (or even more so), as belonging in the same class. In addition, the necessary positive sanction of marriage, which is provided explicitly for opposite gender sexual unions, is nowhere established for homosexual unions.
Pro-homosex polemicists have responded to this problem by asserting all the injunctions against homosex are culture or contextually bound or for other reasons cannot not universally apply today, and or that the Bible is not wholly inspired of God and provides no transcendent universal sexual ethic. In addition, advocates of homosexual relations often propose or assert that homoeroticism and even same-sex marriage can be seen in many close relationships between persons in the Bible.
(Excerpt) Read more at peacebyjesus.witnesstoday.org ...
Seeing the way the Bible was being manipulated, which grieves me in any critical area, and seeing little by way of comprehensive refutations of homosexual attempts, i worked on my own, which began as a Conservapadia page.
I thought it was timely to post this at this time of year, when this sin is celebrated. May God grant repentance and salvation to those who do so.
I just noticed that the link was to the Jude 1:7 section. Just scroll up.
Our government is having homosexual relations with the peasants.
Ya know..., the scholars and proponents of homosexuality can yak, yak, yak all they want to, but you can’t get around what the Bible says about it.
In this section of the Bible, it’s pretty clear that homosexuality is a *judgment* (from God) in and of itself, for trying to *suppress* the knowledge about God...
—
Romans 1:16-32
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,
23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,
25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.
27 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.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;
29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers,
30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful;
32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
—
In other words, this is what happens, from God, when one suppresses the truth of God in unrighteouness...
24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,
25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.
27 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.
Bookmarked. Thanks for posting.
I’ve found a better approach on the topic is to refocus our attention, 1st upon God, then by confessing any known sin and unknown sin or missing His mark, then approaching God by His Word and allowing Him to grow our spirit and understanding, rather than attempting to reading Scripture by our own understanding independent of faith in Christ.
To avoid being distracted by legalism or our own understanding independent of God, which may have been formed from worldly attempts to perform good, instead of focusing on homosexuality, our focus might be better directed simply at the topic of sexual immorality, which has the same consequence and grouped with homosexuality in its discussions throughout Scripture.
After turning back to Him, we might look at His Word in the following verses.
Lev 18:22-24 You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination. Nor shall you mate with any animal, to defile yourself with it. Nor shall any woman stand before an animal to mate with it. It is perversion. Do not defile yourselves with any of these things; for by all these the nations are defiled, which I am casting out before you.
Lev 20:10,13,15-16 The man who commits adultery with another man’s wife, he who commits adultery with his neighbor’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress, shall surely be put to death. If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them. If a man mates with an animal, he shall surely be put to death, and you shall kill the animal. If a woman approaches any animal and mates with it, you shall kill the woman and the animal. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood is upon them.
Mark 10:19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
Gal 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, {20} Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, {21} Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like; of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
2 Pet 2:9-19 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: {10} But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. {11} Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. {12} But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; {13} And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; {14} Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: {15} Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; {16} But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet. {17} These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. {18} For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. {19} While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
Jude 1:7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
Eph 5:3-12 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; {4} Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
{5} For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. {6} Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. {7} Be not ye therefore partakers with them. {8} For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: {9} (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) {10} Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. {11} And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. {12} For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
Col 3:5-6 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: {6} For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
1 Th 4:3-5 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: {4} That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; {5} Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
1 Cor 6:9-10 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, {10} nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
Heb 13:4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
Rev 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Prov 2:16-19 To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words; {17} Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God. {18} For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead. {19} None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.
Prov 5:3-4 For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil: {4} But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword.
Prov 6:24-29 To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman. {25} Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids. {26} For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life. {27} Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? {28} Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned? {29} So he that goeth in to his neighbour’s wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.
Prov 6:32 But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.
Prov 9:13-18 A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing. {14} For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city, {15} To call passengers who go right on their ways: {16} Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, {17} Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. {18} But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.
Prov 22:14 The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.
Prov 23:27 For a whore is a deep ditch; and a strange woman is a narrow pit.
Prov 30:20 Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.
Jer 7:9-10 Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not; {10} And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations?
This summer homosexuals will force the ELCA to endorse churches calling active sodomites for pastors, and will allow (which inevitably will morph into "require") homosexual marriage rites be performed on demand. Many faithful will leave this shrinking remnant of the once robust lutheran confession.
What's left of the Episcopal church will finish its schism this summer also, by requiring the blessing of sodomy and driving large numbers of the faithful away to form new organizations within the Anglican communion.
Jeremiah Wright's UCC, which is already apostate, will continue further down the road to ruin, as its numbers dwindle to splinter-sized proportions.
Interestingly all these fractions of the church are permissive on abortion as well, which seems to go hand in hand with homosexual pressure groups.
The folks pro-same sex sex act crowd are so intellectually dishonest in their arguments. There is no way the original hearers of the books that constitute Sacred Scripture would ever have thought it taught that homosexual behavior was acceptable. I have more respect for atheists who have the intellectual integrity to admit the Bible condemns homosexual behavior yet disagree with it than I do for these folks.
“Interestingly all these fractions of the church are permissive on abortion as well, which seems to go hand in hand with homosexual pressure groups.”
That’s because abortion and homosexual sex both support the same result, i.e., sex totally divorced from God’s means of bringing new human life into His world.
The radical left believes that God creating humans as male and female is one of the most unjust crimes against humanity ever committed and to correct that “error” all differences and distinctions between the sexes must be obliterated. Abortions and homosexual sex are “sacraments” in this leftist pagan religion.
Homosexual marriage,
What does God say?
Read Leviticus 20.
The Bible is clear on this issue, as well as those involved in adultery, the fornicators, thieves, drunkards, covetous, revilers, extortioners, etc. It is not only homosexuality that needs to be recognized as sin and repented of but all sins.
Jesus took the same stand when He said, “not one jot or tittle will pass away.” Jesus said, “AMEN” to everything that was written in the Law, Prophets, and Poetry. He was not silent but agreed with the earlier writings.
‘You must be born again.’
I do think there is a cultural divide between how the Bible age viewed this and the way moderns do so. In olden times people were not identified as homosexuals—the focus was on the illicit actions. The Bible age people probably couldn’t have even wrapped their minds around today’s definitions and usages. I recall reading about Queen Victoria being told something about what today we would call lesbianism. She refused to even believe such a thing existed, she just couldn’t comprehend it. It was just so completely foreign to her.
The apostle Paul focused on it as a particular perverse manifestation of idolatry, though other sins are included.
But the reason for the focus on my part is because of the inordinate amount of labor that pro homosex polemicists have put into distorting Scripture for there ends, and thus it requires a respond. Heroin use is also bad, as is adultery, but i find few who write 500 page books seeking to justify it, while working to foist it upon all, from kindergarten up. It is because of such efforts that it attract more attention than “normal” sins.
Certainly must seek to obey Heb. 12:1,2, and all that is manifest as sin is to be avoided. However, you seem to have the idea this precludes focusing on homosexuality, which would be hypocritical.
But it is not necessarily hypocritical to judge sin, if one is repentant and seeking holiness, but it is one thing to seek to live up to Biblical holiness while confessing you come short it, as i do in its fullness, and another thing to manifestly alter the Bible so that it conforms to your standard of holiness.
Both abortion and homosexuality are products of the 60’s+ sexual revolution, which i was part of, and which, like most revolutions, was bloody, with 49 mil dead infants and half a million dead of AIDS in the USA, and millions more worldwide. For which America will give an account.
Train up a child in the way he should NOT go, is a priority of the devil, and his apostles are in the universities, the MSM (which come from them) and much of the government, which are the graduation class of that revolution. And which they hail as a success.
And if i may so so, i think much of the work of the evang. church is driven by the hope that we will get back to a nice comfort zone, “seeking first Mayberry RFD,” when in realty i believe the USA headed for great calamities, as needed, in judgment, and to save those who can be.
And while we must seek to deter the anti-Christ liberal agenda, the priority of the church in this area is not so much to save the country, but to save the church form becoming like the country, and instead become an alternative society.
When the Roman Empire dissolved, the church was holy enough to be a stable institution, but it took on the form and mean of the former empire, which gave the enemy occasion to reproach Christ. May God forgive us for what we have added to it.
The Bible does focus on actions as regards sexual sin (though Rm. 1:27 deplores the affections also), as proper affections do not justify adultery or homosex, etc. The reason “orientations” do not justify sin is because we are all “oriented” toward sin, and to justify sin on account of affection would open up a Pandora’s box of perversity.
While the Bible recognizes we have an Adamic nature with its propensity to sin, it also shows that man can repent, and resist and overcome sin. by God’s grace,
(Gen 4:7) “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.”
(Acts 17:30) “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:”
>Abortions and homosexual sex are sacraments in this leftist pagan religion.<
Tragically true, and zealously protected as monuments of the revolution.
Political pederasty
Like that lesbian feminazi Episopal(Episcopagan is a better description) “priestess” Ragsdale who chants “Abortion is a blessing and our work is not done.”
Yup, a woman after Jezebel’s own heart.
>There is no way the original hearers of the books that constitute Sacred Scripture would ever have thought it taught that homosexual behavior was acceptable.<
As is noted in the page, pro homosexual polemics work in tow areas, that of “Hath God said” and “God hath not said.”
In examining their attempts, one realizes that very very few actually hold the Bible to be wholly inspired, and thus authoritative, yet they spend inordinate efforts to negate its laws, which testify to an acknowledgment of its Divinely inspired authority, which manifests an unholy Theophobia.
“in the year of our Lord two thousand nine” no less.
Did he wait till it was half over as in giving a proclamation for the Day of prayer?
A nation that legalizes abomination is under condemnation and headed for damnation.
(Rev 18:2-4) “And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. {3} For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. {4} And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.”
(! am not asserting America is for sure Babylon, but the type fits. Let us seek to obey v. 4)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.