The Homosexuality Debate

“I’m a homosexual and there’s nothing wrong with that!”

“If a ‘God’ does exist, then surely you would say it must be God who has lovingly and purposefully made people gay, and so surely homosexuality is part of God’s plan?”

Arguments such as these are commonly made in the press and on the web. The presupposition is that one’s drives are uncontrollable and are possibly genetically induced and therefore the individual is not responsible for either the way they think or the way they act. Yet we all know that if someone gets a fixation on some lifestyle, such as pornography, promiscuity, anger, smoking or drugs, these can become driving addictions in our minds that are very hard to eradicate. What we think about becomes what we are.

Promiscuity, whether heterosexual or homosexual is rife. The National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyle found that the mean number of sexual partners British men have is 11.3 and women 7.7. If that is the average, it means many are far more promiscuous.

The Data

In the United kingdom National survey younger people (aged 16 to 24 years) were most likely to identify as LGB in 2019 (6.6% of all 16 to 24 year olds, an increase from 4.4% in 2018); older people (aged 65 years and over) also showed an increase in those identifying as LGB, from 0.7% to 1.0% of this age category. An estimated 1.4 million people aged 16 years and over (2.7% of the UK population) identified as lesbian, gay or bisexual (LGB) in 2019, an increase from 1.2 million (2.2%) in 2018. The LGB population comprised 1.6% identifying as gay or lesbian and 1.1% as bisexual. The change in outlook is rapid. The following graph shows the change in outlook in just one year.

What is striking is the increase in those describing themselves as bisexual, especially among women. Gallup's latest update on lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender identification finds 5.6% of U.S. adults identifying as LGBT. The current estimate is up from 4.5% in Gallup's previous update based on 2017 data. This change is also being seen in the UK.

Americans' Self-Identified Sexual Orientation

The American report concluded,

“One of the main reasons LGBT identification has been increasing over time is that younger generations are far more likely to consider themselves to be something other than heterosexual. This includes about one in six adult members of Generation Z (those aged 18 to 23 in 2020).”

What is the explanation for this rapid change? It cannot be a genetic cause because there is a marked generational difference. The following table from American data is reflected in English surveys. LGBT identification is lower in each older generation, including 2% or less of Americans born before 1965 (aged 56 and older in 2020).

Americans' Self-Identification as LGBT, by Generation

The vast majority of Generation Z adults who identify as LGBT (72 per cent) say they are bisexual. Thus, 11.5% of all Gen Z adults in the U.S. say they are bisexual, with about 2% each identifying as gay, lesbian or transgender. This strongly suggests that it is a predilection to sexual activity that is being recorded and not true homosexuality. Yet they are all being lumped together.

This is reflected in the data from the UK showing the percentage of men and women of different generations seeing themselves as being in the LGBQ+ community.

The generational and regional differences and the increase in those describing themselves as bisexual strongly support the idea that what is being seen is a sexual revolution where the norms of traditional society are being rejected.

Childhood sexual development

It is clear that the development of a person’s sexuality changes as they mature through childhood and adolescence.. Young children naturally feel more comfortable with others of the same sex and they tend to go around in same sex groups. As they go through adolescence there is often a phase of shyness which can be exacerbated by their social and family situation. It is not uncommon for young adolescents to be attracted to senior people of the same sex in their school. The great majority then develop heterosexual attractions. Problems can develop if during this process the child positions themself as being homosexual. Similar problems can occur if an adolescent gets involved early in sexual practices. Those who become active in heterosexual relationships early, tend to be more promiscuous than others and have higher divorce rates. Those who are active in homosexual relationships also tend to remain promiscuous. It seems as if early sexual activity is addictive.

Facts about homosexuals lifestyles (1)

There has been much pressure in the media to present gay relationships as the equivalent of heterosexual marriages. In reality however many advocates of homosexual relationships are trying to undermine the established norms of stable societies. They want to ‘radically alter an archaic institution.’ 2

The average gay is promiscuous, having ‘an average several dozen partners a year.’ The following diagram from the USA demonstrates this. Very few restrict their sexual activity to just one partner.

Make it stand out

In 1948 Kinsey observed that long-term monogamous homosexual relationships were very uncommon. A study of gay male couples found that 41.3% had open sexual relationships with some restrictions and 10% had no restrictions on sexual relationships with others. 21.9% admitted breaking their agreement in the previous 12 months and 13.2% had had unprotected anal intercourse with an outside partner without knowing their HIV status.3

An earlier study on ‘The Male Couple’ written by a homosexual couple, found that no male couple was able to remain faithful to their relationship for more than five years. They said, ‘The single most important factor that keeps couples together past the ten year mark is the lack of possessiveness they feel. They investigated one hundred and fifty six homosexual couples and found only seven had maintained sexual fidelity and, of those, seven none had been together more than five years. They reported,

“The expectation for outside sexual activity was the rule for male couples and the exception for heterosexuals. Heterosexual couples lived with some expectation that their relationships were to last ‘Until death us do part,’ whereas gay couples wondered if their relationships could survive.’ (4)

One study noted that although there is often a longing for relationships with stability, sexual continuity, intimacy, love and affection, only one couple in the study had maintained a monogamous relationship for ten years. This study commented, ‘For many homosexuals, one night stands or short term relationships are typical.’ (5)

In an autobiographical study one homosexual wrote, ‘Gay life is most typical and works best when sexual contacts are impersonal and even anonymous. As a group the homosexuals I have known seem far more preoccupied with sex than heterosexuals are, and far more likely to think of a good sex life as many partners under many exciting circumstances.’ (6)

Current Issues

One of the great misunderstandings over the current debate about sexuality is that some Christians can appear priggish and ‘holier than thou’. This is most unhelpful as all people have all fallen far short of God’s standards in so many areas. In a recent radio interview the rather blunt Instagram published by the Australian rugby star Israel Folau was read out.

WARNING. Drunks Homosexuals Adulterers Liars Fornicators thieves Atheists Idolators HELL AWAITS YOU REPENT! ONLY JESUS SAVES

This resulted in a storm of abuse and hatred, much of which does seem to be orchestrated by people associated with the very active LGBT movements and has a political aspect. However what many people do dislike strongly is arrogance. Presentation matters so much. This Instagram comes across as if this is the view of Israel Folau but he has failed to acknowledge that all he is doing is passing on what the Bible teaches and what Jesus taught to his disciples. What he has said is very similar to what Paul wrote,

“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.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-10

If Folau had learned to say more clearly that the Bible warns all people that godless behaviour results in separation from God then perhaps the debate would not be about Israel Folau but about who Jesus is and what he says. Jesus was clear about what makes us unclean and unfit for God’s presence, and surely no-one can say they are blameless of having these thoughts – unbeliever or believer.

“What comes out of a man is what makes him unclean. For from within, out of men’s hearts come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside a man and make him unclean.” Mark 7:20

In a recent radio interview a man was asked whether he had committed the sins mentioned in Folau’s Instagram and he admitted to succumbing to many, including being an atheist. ’Who hasn’t?’ the interviewer commented. What was needed was for someone to say clearly that the reason the Bible talks so openly about our sins is to remind us that everyone is, or has been, guilty of living without God.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23

T.here does appear to be an anti-Christian bias in some parts of the media. Tim Farron was hounded out of being leader of the Liberal Democrats because he did not know how the answer the constant press questioning about whether homosexua acts were sinful. Similarly Kate Forbes has been demonised in the press because she is a Christian and does not believe in homosexual marriage or sexual; activities outside marriage. Such politicians should learn from Jacob Rees-Mogg who is known as a Roman Catholic Christian. When he was under pressure over the homosexual issue he wisely blamed the church by expressing the idea, ‘I am a Roman Catholic and the church teaches that such acts are wrong.’

A young christian got into a discussion in a sauna and expressed his view that homosexual acts were wrong. The next day he had a visit to his home by two policemen who said, ‘We have heard that you a re homophobic’. Wisely he blamed Jesus by saying ‘I have become a Christian and the Bible teaches that such acts are wrong. the police then left saying, ‘If you had not said that we would have had to charge you with a hate crime.’

The bible is clear that God’s ideal is a marriage between one man and one woman and that sexual activity should be restricted to such a marriage. He wants all his people to live according to his wishes. Christians cannot impose their views on others in a democratic society but we have a responsibility to remind fellow christians what the bible teaches. A society that prevents people expressing their opinions about what is right and wrong is becoming totalitarian and there is a limit to the longevity of such governments.

We must keep stressing that in God’s eyes we all fall far short of God’s standards and God will judge each of us by the standards with which we judge others.

God wants this realisation to move us on to find the forgiveness that God longs to give us all. The Christian message is not finger pointing at the wrongs of others but good news that we sinners can become right with God. The church is not here to direct the morals of a godless society, it is here to tell people how they can be forgiven and become one of God’s people. The Bible is clear, every sin we commit can be forgiven except for one. That fatal sin is to reject the one means that we have of being forgiven, the Son of God, Jesus Christ.

“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.” John 3:36

All who have found this forgiveness of their sin through faith in Christ are then committed to living as God wants, as His representatives. The whole Bible emphasises that God’s people must live in obedience to him, whatever the cost. Jesus repeatedly stressed,

“If you love me, you will obey what I command.” John 14:15

“If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching.” John 14:23

The Bible stresses that if we do not take seriously what God’s word teaches, we are rejecting God and the salvation he offers. God longs for his people to be a holy people, enjoying life now until we experience it to the full in the next real life. This is what he created us for.

Ethical Foundations

It is no coincidence that the opening story in the Bible is about Adam and Eve who were living in a blissful situation in Eden. However they faced a dilemma, would they eat of “the tree of the knowledge of good and evil” that God had forbidden to them? In other words, although they were free to act as they wished in a wide variety of ways, decisions about right and wrong belonged to God alone. It is remarkable that this profound issue is the opener to the Bible although it was written so long ago. Adam and Eve decided to go their own way and make decisions about moral issues with awful consequences. They were evicted from God’s presence.

On this basis for morality, the vital question is, “If a ‘God’ exists, what does he think about our actions?” If God’s opinion is omitted from moral questions we are left with deciding between the shifting sands of utilitarianism, “What is the greatest good for the greatest number?” The current opinion of the majority is a fickle basis for deciding what is right or wrong, just as the opinion of a powerful ruler is: both can change.

There are therefore two fundamental questions all people must face, ‘Is the Bible the reliable Word of God?’ and ‘What does the Bible teach about sex?’

Is the Bible reliable - Is the Bible the Word of God?

This is clearly a key question. If there is no authoritative word from God then who is to say how we should behave. Nietzsche recognised that society would kill off God, not that God could actually die, but that society would live as if he was dead. Moral rules would then be made by the most powerful man, the ‘uber-meister’ or dictator. We have seen the consequences of this with Hitler, Stalin, Mao Tse Tung and Pol Pot all of whom took on this role.

The great lesson of the opening chapter of Genesis is that everything began when ‘God said’. Repeatedly throughout the Old Testament phrases appear such as,“God said to him . .”

“The Word of the Lord came to . .”

A great summary of the Bible’s claim is found in Psalm 19:7-11

“The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul.

The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart.

The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.

The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring for ever.

The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.

They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold;

they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.

By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.”

Jesus’ view of Scripture

Jesus regarded the Old Jewish Scriptures to be authoritative because they have come from God. Examples of occasions where Jesus recognised that these Scriptures had God’s authority include,

“It is written: ‘Man shall not live by bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4

“It is also written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Matthew 4:7

“Away from me Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’” Matthew 4:10

“Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down.” Matthew7:13

“Jesus replied, ‘And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?’” Matthew 15:3

“Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.” Matthew 15:6

“You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.” Matthew 22:29

“But about the resurrection of the dead - have you not read what God said to you, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’”? Matthew 22:31-32

“Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures”. Luke 24:45

“If he called them ‘gods’, to whom the word of God came - and Scripture cannot be set aside - what about the one that the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world?” John 10:35-36

There is no doubt that Jesus believed the words of the Old Testament were the ‘very words of God’. The question then moves onto the authority of Jesus. If he is God’s Messiah who has fulfilled the 330 prophecies in the Old Testament, who rose from the dead as foretold in the Scriptures, who convinced his disciples that he was God and who gave the Holy Spirit to help establish his church in spite of great opposition, then we must take heed both of him and of the Scriptures he ratified. The Scriptures tell us God’s opinion about ethical issues as well as the means of salvation.

What do the Scriptures teach about sex?

Genesis 1-2

Eve was created to complement Adam. Matthew Henry, in his commentary, makes the following astute suggestion,

“That the woman was made of a rib out of the side of Adam; not made out of his head to rule over him, nor out of his feet to be trampled upon by him, but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be beloved.”

She is created with anatomical and emotional differences to her man; these enhance the relationship and enable them to have children. God wants families with a father and a mother.

“That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.” Genesis 2:24

It is clear that God’s intention was to create families composing one man and one woman and their children. They become ‘one flesh’ which suggests a sexual intimacy that God designed and thoroughly approves of. Paul later uses this phrase, ‘one flesh,’ when referring critically to a man having sex with a prostitute (1 Corinthians 6:15-16).

Genesis 9

This account is only occasionally referred to in the homosexual debate but it is relevant. Noah became drunk and his youngest son, Canaan, ‘saw his father naked’. When Noah awoke ‘and found what his youngest son had done to him’ he cursed Canaan and his offspring. The expression “see the nakedness of” appears in Leviticus 20:17 as a metaphor for sexual intercourse. When associated with the phrase ‘had done to him’ and the severity of the penalty which extends to his seed, this suggests that something more than just glancing at his naked father happened. Canaan’s descendants became the Canaanites. It is likely that the offences involved were rape and a homosexual act.

Genesis 19

The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, Canaanite cities, were destroyed by fire and ‘burning sulphur’ because of their brazen wickedness. Lot invited two visiting angelic men to stay the night in his house. However that evening men from every part of the city, both young and old, surrounded Lot’s house:

“They called to Lot, ‘Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them.’” Genesis 19:5

These cities became notorious for their sexual profligacy, the word ‘sodomy’ being derived from the city of Sodom. Sodomy means anal or oral copulation between two persons of the same sex or between a human and a non-human. Clearly multiple offences are involved in this story, coercive sex, homosexual sex and riot.

Leviticus 18

This chapter details the sexual prohibitions ordered by God on his people. It begins by the Lord prohibiting them from behaving like the Egyptians and the Canaanites and then describes the sexual practices that are forbidden.

“Do not follow their practices. You must obey my laws and be careful to follow my decrees.” Leviticus 18:3-4

The list of prohibitions is not just coercive sex - they also cover compliant sex. One prohibition is clear,

“Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable. Do not have sexual relations with an animal and defile yourself with it.” Leviticus 18:22

God saw that this was how the nations, including the Canaanites, were behaving and it was for these reasons his judgment was coming on them.

“Do not defile yourselves in any of these ways, because that is how the nations that I am going to drive out before you became defiled.” Leviticus 18:24

These passages state clearly that God sees the sexual deviations away from the sanctity of marriage as abhorrent. It is important to remember that Moses was the author behind all these books of the Pentateuch so a unity of outlook would be expected.

The prophet Ezekiel criticises Israel’s sins and compares them to those of Sodom. In Ezekiel 16:50 he uses the same Hebrew word that has been translated ‘detestable thing’ or ‘an abomination’, as that used in Leviticus 18:22 referring to a homosexual act.

“Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom . . . They were haughty and did detestable things before me.” Ezekiel 16:49-50

Leviticus 20

This chapter lists the penalties for crimes against God’s wishes. One verse seems to refer to compliant homosexual acts.

“If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.” Leviticus 20:13

The book of Leviticus is all about what it means to be a ‘holy people’ The word or its root occurs eighty-seven times in the book. Moses was told by the Lord to say to his people,

“Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.” Leviticus 19:2

It is surely significant that much of chapters 18 and 20 refer to sexual deviations that are abhorrent to God. It is very difficult to argue that God does not mean what the text says. Sexual relationships between men are clearly stated to be abhorrent to God.

Malachi

The prophet Malachi describes God’s anger at the abuse of marriage that was occurring at his time.

“You ask, ‘Why?’ It is because the LORD is witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have been unfaithful to her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant.” Malachi 2:14

He continues,

“Has not the one God made you? You belong to him in body and spirit. And what does the one God seek? Godly offspring. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful to the wife of your youth.” Malachi 2:15

God clearly regards a marriage as being between a man and a woman with the intention that they should have children. The Anglican Book of Common Prayer states that holy Matrimony was ‘ordained for the procreation of children.”

It is significant that both Genesis and Malachi’s accounts refer to one man and one wife. This has always been the norm in most societies throughout the world with the exception of where widows needed to be cared for. It is difficult to argue clearly against polygamy and other sexual deviations if the authority of God has been rejected.

Jewish writings from the time between the end of the Old Testament and the New regularly refer to the homosexual sin that was rife in Sodom and Gomorrah. It is interesting that some graffiti found in the ruins of Pompeii, which had a strong homosexual culture until destroyed in 79 AD, refers to ‘Sodom and Gomorrah.’

New Testament Teaching

Some have tried to argue that the Old Testament Scriptures have to be understood in terms of the culture of the day and can therefore be disregarded. As the passages quoted above emphasise, Jesus did not hold to such a view. He gave the Scriptures the highest authority, they ‘cannot be broken’, they are ‘the Word of God’, they show us how the unchanging God thinks. Although the sacrificial system has been made obsolete with its fulfilment in the sacrifice of God’s Messiah, the mind of God about ‘the knowledge of good and evil’ cannot change. Jesus quotes Leviticus 19:18, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself,’ more than any other verse. The apostles quote this verse ten times so this section of Scripture clearly is recognised as authoritative, using the word agape, selfless altruistic love, and not eros, the word for sensual erotic love.

Romans 1

In this chapter Paul confirms the Old Testament teaching about sexual sin as being abhorrent to God. He contrasts the gospel where God’s righteousness has been revealed in Christ, to the consequences of the rebellion of mankind against God.

18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. Romans 1:18-23

Humanity has turned its back on what can be clearly known about God both in nature and in our consciences. The consequences of our rejection of God will be seen in the way God takes the breaks off his safeguarding of society and will let it destroy itself. This is to be most clearly seen in terms of sexual behaviour.

24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error. Romans 1:24-27

The Greek phrase ‘for unnatural ones’ used in verse 26 is widely used in ancient literature for homosexual acts. A popular philosopher, Musonius Rufus who lived at the time of Paul, wrote,

“But of most sexual relations those involving adultery are most unlawful, and no more tolerable are those of men with men, because it is a monstrous thing and contrary to nature.”7

This passage from Romans teaches that homosexual acts by both men and women are a sign of God’s judgment against us. They are therefore, according to Paul, both the cause and the result of his judgment. God’s judgement doesn’t just stop with sexual deviation, moral chaos will extend to all areas of society because we have forgotten God.

28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them. Romans 1:28-32

Homosexual acts are, on this basis, sinful in God’s eyes, it does not matter who is involved or what their motives are. It is striking that Paul emphasises sexual immorality and especially homosexual acts before mentioning all the other problems of godless life. These problems will only worsen as public opinion supports such immoral acts.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 and 1 Timothy 1:10

These two passages contain lists of the sins that God will judge severely.

“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.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-10

In the Greek two words, ‘malakoi' and ‘arsenokoitai' are used here to refer to ‘those who have sex with men’. These probably refer to both the active and passive roles that those involved in these homosexual acts play. This warning is clear, those uncommitted to Christ’s Lordship, claiming to be Christians, who are involved in these acts will not inherit God’s kingdom. These warnings are given to bring us back to our senses so we can also warn others about the extremely serious consequences of willfully turning our backs on what God teaches.

The list in 1 Timothy associates those involved in homosexual activity with murderers and slave traders.

9 We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality (Gk ‘arsenokoitai), for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me. 1 Timothy 1:9-11

Jude

Jude also refers to homosexual acts as being immoral when he talks about the future judgment of people in the church:

“They are ungodly people who pervert the grace of our God into a licence for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.” Jude 4

He then compares their sin to that of Sodom and Gomorrah.

“In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion.” Jude 7

The apostles regarded all sexual acts outside of marriage as immoral but the Greek word used here for perversion probably refers to homosexual acts.

A reading of these Bible passages, when put together, make it abundantly clear that God regards homosexual acts as being repugnant to God and are condemned unconditionally. The only way for societies to accept homosexual acts as being acceptable is to reject the Bible as authoritative, and that means to reject both Jesus and his apostles. Yet these are the very foundation stones of God’s church.

However the gospel is good news for all, especially for those who know they have sinned and this includes those who have acted on homosexual inclinations. How important it is for all people to know how much God loves them. Those who recognise that they have fallen short of God’s standards can feel especially loved. Those who think they are fine are the people in trouble. Both Jesus and his church must therefore be welcoming to all people, recognising that we have all fallen in all sorts of areas.

Jesus said to some religious people who were critical of his mixing with ‘tax-collectors and sinners’,

“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but those who are ill. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners.” Mark 2:17

It is very common in young teenagers to strongly admire older youths who can become their heroes. This has been described as a homosexual phase that many youngsters pass through. Thankfully this only occasionally progresses to sexual activity and is usually outgrown, so long as they are not cornered. To have feelings of admiration itself cannot be wrong. To act sexually on these feelings can lead to people becoming trapped in that lifestyle and an associated guilt which may not be recognised.

The problem we all experience is that sin is addictive. Sexual promiscuity, whether heterosexual or homosexual, once embarked on is very hard to stop. It is no different to other addictions such as pornography, alcohol, giving in to anger, and drugs. These addictions are very difficult to stop once started, and are very often associated with a deep sense of guilt. For this reason most people want to keep their addictions private.

When a person comes to Christ they not only receive forgiveness for all that they have done that is against God’s clear commands but they are given the resurrection power of the Holy Spirit to live a new life. The Holy Spirit is not a theoretical concept, he is actively involved in helping all God’s people to turn to Christ and then live as he wants. God wants his people to be holy. I have just listened to a podcast given by a Christian pilot who admits to having same sex attractions. It was so encouraging to hear a Christian being honest and hearing how his church is supporting him in remaining godly.

It is clear from the Bible and from our consciences that any addiction is contrary to the will of God for his people. ‘Once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic’ is a valid dictum but similar dictums can be applied to other addictions. Sexual addicts will always find that a temptation but if they remain close to Christ, His Spirit will help them overcome. Such victory over temptation is the road to great peace and joy.

One difficulty many now face is the widespread advertising in the media saying that promiscuous sexual behaviour, including homosexual acts, are not only normal but fun. Once people go down the road of acting on their temptations, they do become increasingly trapped and will then try to justify their actions. This change is strongly supported by the media and organisations such as Stonewall. The Bible is abundantly clear - promiscuous sexual activity of all types is not acceptable to our creator - he made sex for marriage, where there is commitment, a deep loving friendship, security and the optimal environment for the nurturing of children.

There have been many senior Christian men who, in recent years, have acknowledged that they have homosexual inclinations but refuse to act on them and have remained celibate. Such single people have focused their energies on gospel work and become exemplary Christian leaders and teachers. In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul emphasises the urgent need for evangelism that can be hampered by having a spouse and family and having to make their needs a priority.

What can be done?

Although instinctively the majority of people in society reject this acceptance of promiscuity and homesexuality, the problem is how it can be opposed when so many of the usual channels, such as the media, seem to have been taken over by the modernisers. Surveys about happiness and contentment do show that those in stable heterosexual relationships appear to do better but these will not persuade those who are now conditioned. The greatest argument is to persuade people that there is a God who has created us, who knows where satisfaction lies, and longs to give this to all his people.

It is not that sexual desires of themselves are wrong, God had these inbuilt into us. It is how we control them that matters. God ordained that sexual activity should be within a heterosexual marriage. However we have nearly all failed in lusting after people outside of this arrangement.. It is because we have forsaken God’s way that we need the forgiveness that only Jesus can give us.

Some evangelists, such as Franklin Graham, are trying to fight on two fronts. They are trying to change the thinking of society about both the truth of the Christian gospel and also about its morality. Opposition to his stance on promiscuity and homosexuality certainly interferes with his effectiveness in proclaiming the gospel. Surely the church must primarily emphasise that living God’s way is essential for his own privileged people, the Christians. Only when people are convinced about who Jesus is will they take seriously what God has taught us in Scripture. Being ethical saves nobody! Should the news about Jesus not be the prime battle ground in the public arena?

We are what we allow ourselves to be. With God’s help we can be made into Christ-like people. Isn’t that preferable to being worldly? Which path does God want us to go down? The eternal rewards for traveling on Christ’s narrow road are clearly described in God’s Scripture – it leads to ‘life’ – ‘life eternal’ (Matthew 7:13-14).

BVP

September 2021

I am very grateful to Kevin DeYoung for his helpful book ‘What does the Bible Really Teach about Homosexuality?’ 2015 InterVarsity Press, Nottingham

1 I acknowledge using the extensive summary produced by Dr Joseph Nicolosi found in ‘An Open Secret: The Truth About Gay Male Couples’, http://www.josephnicolosi.com/an-open-secret-the-truth-about/

2 Signorile M, ‘Bridal Wave’ in ‘Out’ December 1994

3 Neilands, Torsten B, et al, ‘Development and Validation of the Sexual Agreement Investment Scale’ Journal of Sex Research, 47:1, 24-37 April 2009

4 McWhirter D and Mattison A 1984 ‘The Male Couple: How Relationships Develop’, Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall p. 3

5 Hooker E, ‘An empirical study of some relations between sexual patterns and gender identity in male homosexuals’ in ‘Sex Research, New Developments’ ed J Money New York: Holt Reinhart and Winston p 24-52

6 Aaron W 1972 ‘Straight’, New York: Bantam Books p 209

7 T. E. Schmidt ‘Straight and Narrow? Compassion and Clarity in the Homosexual Debate’, Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1995 p. 79-80