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What Does The Bible Say About Lgbtq

Look For Their Deeper Issues

What the Bible says about homosexuality | Kristin Saylor & Jim O’Hanlon | TEDxEdgemontSchool

Ultimately homosexuality is not the main problem, it is only a symptom of deeper problems. All unbelievers are seeking some sort of fulfillment, purpose, and satisfaction in life. In addition to this many struggle with issues like depression, anxiety, and anger.

These are the things of the heart! This is where we need to be speaking the truth of the gospel into their lives.

We need to show them that only Jesus can give them the ultimate satisfaction they are looking for. We need to help them understand that Jesus alone is the answer to their depression, anger, and anxiety. We can Let them see the Jesus as a Good Shepherd and the only

Two Steps Forward One Step Back

Our research found that biblical faith can also lead to broad civic acceptance.

Lerone Martin

Since taking office, President Joe Biden has reversed bans on transgender peoples participation in the military and has reaffirmed protection for LGBTQ federal employees. He also made historic appointments, including Pete Buttigieg as the first openly gay secretary in the presidential Cabinet and Rachel Levine, the first openly transgender federal official. In Delaware, Sarah McBride also made history as the first openly transgender state senator in U.S. history.

Applauded by LGBTQ people and advocates, these momentous changes have sparked outrage by opponents. They argue that the growing acceptance of LGBTQ individuals impedes the ability of Christians to practice their faith as if gains for one group necessarily involved losses for the other. For example, then-Sen. Jeff Sessions described the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court ruling as an effort to secularize the country by force and intimidation.

That outrage has political implications. While the number of white evangelical Christians has decreased significantly in recent years from 23% in 2006 to 14% in 2020, according to a Public Religion Research Institute survey their political influence continues to grow.

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Homosexuality Was Added To The Bible In 1946

In Ethics, New Testament, Old Testament

It is becoming more and more popular to argue that the Bible speaking against homosexuality is a recent innovation that was added to the Bible to make Scripture anti-gay. One very common iteration of the argument is that the word homosexual was not in any Bible prior to 1946. The implication of such argumentation is that the Bible does not speak against homosexuality, and that the church should therefore accept a gay lifestyle as being compatible with biblical teaching.

Those who put forward such argumentation typically point to Luthers German translation of 1 Corinthians 6:9, which uses the word Knabenschänder, or boy molester rather than the typical idea of homosexual found in modern translations. Additionally, proponents point to the KJV translation, done in 1611, which translated 1 Corinthians 6:9 as, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind. It was not until 1946 with the translation of the RSV that the term homosexual came to be utilized in Bible translations.

How should Christians respond to such argumentation? Is it true that the Bible is accepting of homosexual behavior, and that it was only recently when the Bible was twisted to be anti-gay?

There are multiple arguments which are important to work through in order to think accurately about this issue.

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The Old Testament And New Testament Exclusively Speak Of Sex Within A Heterosexual Marriage

  • Sex before marriage is condemned 1 Cor 7:89
  • Sex with some elses spouse is condemned Exo 20:14, 1 Cor 7:2
  • Sex with animals is condemned Exo 22:19
  • Sex with close family relations is condemned Deut 27:2023
  • Homosexual sex is condemned Lev 18:22, 20:13, Rom 1:2627, 1 Cor 6:9, 1 Tim 1:10
  • Leviticus 18:22 Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman that is detestable.

    1 Corinthians 6:9 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

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    Meditations On Religious Meanings

    In order to justify their narrow-minded views on LGBTQ identity and sexuality, Evangelical Christians would have us believe that the Bible is utterly clear on the matter of Gay Liberation, as we used to call it. Im not just talking about gay marriage here. Most Evangelical Christians say that God himself clearly and unconditionally condemned all

    God Is The Highest Authority

    Our personalities, inclinations, reactions, orientations, viewpoints, opinions etc. are complex. Some of these are hardwired in our genes, whereas others are influenced by our environment, circumstances, education, upbringing, and other factors.

    Societies, cultures and norms are continuously changing and evolving, but God and His Word and the Spirit in the Word remain unchanged. When God specifically forbade homosexual activity and other sexual immorality, it wasnt because He was unenlightened, naïve, or intolerant. The law was given because people had strayed from His original purpose and blessing. What was immoral by Gods standards then has not become moral today just because the majority tolerates and accepts it.

    We are fortunate in this day and age that human rights and freedoms have been in focus, clamping down on oppression, abuse and injustice. Every person has the right to choose their own faith, outlook on life and way of life, and that must be respected. However, if we want to live as believing Christians, Gods Word cannot be ignored. The Bible gives us many promises, but also conditions, for a good and happy life. God is our Creator, and it is only His will, as expressed in the Bible, that is unchanging and perfect in time and eternity.

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    What Does The Bible Say About Homosexuality

    This article is an exploration of the specific passages that mention homosexual behaviour, but its important to remember that Gods blueprint for sexuality is interwoven throughout Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation. The passages below need to be set in the wider biblical framework of teaching on sex.

    It is a surprise to many people to discover that there are only a handful of passages in the Bible that directly mention same-sex relationships. Yet despite its infrequent mention, where the subject does come up, the Bible has some very important things to say about it. We need to understand them if were to avoid the twin mistakes of homophobia and thinking God is indifferent about how we use our sexuality.

    The first two passages that directly mention homosexuality come from the Old Testament, the other three are from the New Testament.

    Why Talking About Homosexuality Is Misleading

    What Does the Bible Say About LGBT?

    This shows how misleading using terms like homosexuality is when talking of the New Testament.

  • The ancient world was generally uninterested in questions of orientation , but much more concerned with questions of power and action.
  • There was no term for homosexual. Terms used defined who was the active, dominant person and who was classed as the passive, submissive participant.
  • If anyone referred to an adult man having intercourse with males, everyone would assume that the males were boys. Other assumptions would include that no equal relationship was involved, and that the boy would be humiliated.
  • But what would not be assumed is that the adult male only had intercourse with boys or was only attracted to males the listener would expect the man also to sleep with his wife and also have intercourse with female slaves and prostitutes.

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    Genesis 19 And Leviticus

    The story of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19 is well known. This is where the terms “sodomite” and “sodomy” originate, and it has long been associated with biblical condemnation of male homosexual sex. It is, however, actually about gang-rape.

    In this story, the men of Sodom seek to rape two visitors . Their host, Lot, defends them and offers them protection in his house, but offers his virgin daughters to be raped in their place.

    It is a deeply problematic and complex story that warrants an article of its own, but what is clear is that sexual violence and rape is harshly condemned, and so God destroys the town with sulphur and fire.

    Despite the linguistic history of the word “sodomite”, Genesis 19 has nothing to say about homosexuality or mutually consenting adults of the same gender expressing their desire and love.

    Two of the laws of Leviticus seem more pertinent. They call a man lying with another man instead of his wife an “abomination”.

    We should note first that the imagined scenario is a married man committing adultery with another male. It is not describing what we would understand to be a sexual orientation.

    We might also note the inherent sexism here: women apparently don’t have the same desire or their sexuality is deemed too insignificant to be worthy of comment.

    Banned likewise is wearing mixed-fabric clothing, interbreeding animals of different species, tattoos, mocking the blind by putting obstacles in their way, and trimming your beard.

    Those Who Consider Themselves To Be Homosexual By Sexual Orientation Should Practice Sexual Celibacy

    Many will counter that I have no idea how difficult such a lifestyle decision would be. Theyre right.

    But given that I understand the Bible to teach clearly that homosexuality is an unbiblical lifestyle, the only conclusion I can draw is that the practice of this lifestyle will lead the person out of the will of God and into harmful behavior.

    Abstinence is, by this logic, the option that is in that persons best personal interest. I can only hope that my heart is clear in offering this suggestion. My desire is not to condemn but to offer biblical truth as I understand it.

    This article is offered with the prayer that the Lord of Scripture will use his word to bring healing, hope, and help to hearts and homes troubled by the issue of homosexuality. To the degree that these thoughts have shed more light than heat, my prayer will be answered.

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    What About The Argument That Homosexuality Is Inherited

    If this is true, at least for some, how can such activity be wrong?

    God made me this way is a typical testimony. A very brief response would be that the connection between genetics and homosexuality is tenuous at best.

    Where research has seemed to indicate some physical propensity toward homosexual orientation, others in the field have refuted such a conclusion. It is widely believed that alcoholism can be an inherited genetic propensity, but no one would therefore endorse its practice. While this is a very unfortunate analogy regarding homosexuals, it perhaps illustrates the fact that not every genetic tendency should be endorsed .

    Prepared By The Friends Of Jesus Community For Dialog With Our Christian Friends In September 1994

    What Does the Bible Say About LGBTQ+ People?

    Come, let us reason together, says the Lord. Isaiah 1:18

    • Sodoms sin was probably inhospitality, not homosexuality. Even if Sodoms men did threaten homosexual rape, the story has nothing to do with loving sexual relationships.
    • It is clear that male homosexual activity is condemned in Leviticus, but equally clear that followers of Jesus do not take most of the levitical laws literally.
    • Jesus addressed many issues, but according to the New Testament he never talked about homosexuality.
    • It seems likely that Pauls references to homosexual behavior are about heterosexuals who choose it or about prostitution. No New Testament passage is primarily concerned with the question of homosexuality in general.
    • It is hard to see how faithful, loving homosexual relationships violate the teachings of Jesus or biblical principles.
    • It is a good idea to be suspicious when culturally powerful interpreters use scripture against the less powerful. The Bible has been misused to resist scientific discoveries, democracy, separation of church and state, the anti-slavery movement, womens rights and ministry, labor laws, the civil rights movement, and the peace movement.
    • Celibacy is a calling for some Christians, both homosexual and heterosexual, but should not be demanded of all homosexuals.
    • Homosexual Christians today should be viewed in the same way the earliest Jewish Christians approached the issue of including non-abstaining gentile
    • Heterosexism is in many ways like racism.

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    Here A Few Things The Bible Says:

    That the Earth was covered in water when created until God formed land but also that the Earth was completely dry until God brought streams up and watered the planet .

    That God created animals first and then humans but also that God created Adam first, then animals, then Eve .

    Thats right, the Bible contradicts itself in the first two chapters!

    The Bible says in Exodus and Deuteronomy that if a woman is raped her rapist must either marry her or pay her father .

    Paul says in 1 Thessalonians that Jesus will return in his own lifetime .

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    Does The Bible Forbid Homosexuality

    Gay-friendly clergy tend to use the terms love and acceptance interchangeably, claiming that we must love everyone, because we are all children of God.

    It is certainly true that Jesus commanded us to love everyone, but it is not true that we are all children of God. And it certainly is not true that we must tolerate and accept evil behavior.

    Scripture repeatedly refers to children of the Devil:

    No one born of God commits sin for Gods nature abides in him, and he cannot sin because he is born of God. By this it may be seen who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not do right is not of God, nor he who does not love his brother .

    You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your fathers desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies .

    Anyone who has seen cursing, blaspheming homosexuals simulating sex at a Gay Pride parade, or has read their hate-filled screeds against the Catholic Church, should have no problem discerning whether they are children of God or spawn of the Devil.

    Of course, homosexual persons are to be loved and respected, and homosexual tendencies are not sinful if they are not wanted. But homosexual activity is immoral and absolutely anti-biblical.

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    Does The Sin Of Sodom Condemn Homosexuality

    The Supreme Court made history on June 27, 2003, when it struck down the sodomy laws of the state of Texas. In a 6-3 decision, the justices reversed course from a ruling seventeen years ago that states could punish homosexuals for private consensual sex. Such activity is typically called sodomy because of the text well study today.

    In a survey of passages typically cited on the divisive issue of homosexuality, Genesis 19 and the sin of Sodom is usually listed first. Lot entertained two angels who came to the city to investigate its sins. These angels appeared as men. Before they went to bed, all the men from every part of the city of Sodomboth young and oldsurrounded the 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 . For such sin, the Lord rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah , destroying them.

    Is this text a condemnation of homosexuality?

    Dr. Walter Wink believes not: That was a case of ostensibly heterosexual males intent on humiliating strangers by treating them like women, thus demasculinizing them . However, Dr. Wink offers no textual evidence that the men were ostensibly heterosexual. His view is only conjectural and stands against the vast majority of interpretation across the centuries.

    Jesuss Discussion Of Marriage

    LGBTQ Relationships and the Bible: A Progressive and Evangelical Dialogue

    In Matthew 19 and parallel in Mark 10, Jesus is asked if a man can divorce his wife. In that context, Jesus replies:

    He answered, Have you not read that the one who made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.

    Matthew 19:46

    Robert A. J. Gagnon, a theologian, argues that Jesuss back-to-back references to Genesis 1 and Genesis 2 show that he presupposed a two-sex requirement for marriage. On the other hand, Bart Ehrman, Professor of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina, states of Jesuss references to Genesis 1 and 2, not actually defining marriage. Hes answering a specific question. Ehrman notes further And here the conversation is quite easy. In our surviving records Jesus says nothing about same-sex acts or sexual orientation. Nothing. Nada.

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    What Does The Bible Say About Being Gay

    In general, Christians have done a poor job of talking about sexuality, especially when it comes to same-sex orientation. For many, itâs a taboo topic to avoid at all costs. Others speak about it plenty, but they focus solely on truth without any love or grace. What does the Bible really say about being gay? And how should we respond to people who experience same-sex orientation? This study draws on three articlestwo from Christianity Today and one from Her.meneuticsto address these questions in truth and love.

    Session 1

    What Does the Bible Say About Sexuality?Godâs Word has a high view of sexuality, and it affects everyoneregardless of orientation.

    Thereâs no question that we live in changing times. Many Christians are looking for ways to uphold Godâs truth with love and grace. This is especially true as many of us have friends or relatives who are gay. What does the Bible really say about being gay? In this study, weâll look at what the Bible says about sexuality and what that means for people who experience same-sex orientation. Plus, weâll explore better ways to talk about sexuality as a whole.

    Session 2

    Is Same-Sex Orientation a Sin?How should the church respond to believers who experience same-sex attraction?

    Session 3

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