What To Do When Youre Not Okay
Life can be pretty stressful. Between work, relationships, and other obligations, the pressure builds, and we lose sight of who we are. Counselor Debra Fileta helps you better understand your emotions, assess your mental, physical, and spiritual health, and intentionally pursue a path to wellbeing. In dealing with anxiety, depression, and panic attacks, Debra understands the importance of self-examination as well as the benefits of seeking professional help. She offers biblically-based advice, tools, and encouragement to help you get on a path toward healing and wholeness.
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The 6 Bible Verses On Homosexuality And Differing Interpretations
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There are six direct references to homosexuality in the Bible three in the Old Testament and three in the New Testament.
Some Biblical scholars say the passages needs to be taken at face value. Other theologians say its much more complicated.
Here are the references and what scholars say, based on Kalamazoo Gazette interviews with theologians from Notre Dame, Western Michigan and Central Michigan universities, Kalamazoo and Calvin colleges.
Genesis 19: The story of Sodom and Gomorrah
This has been held up as a cautionary tale about the sinfulness of homosexuality. However, many scholars point to Ekezial 16:49 as indicating that the cities were destroyed by God for not helping the poor and needy. Some also say the sinful sex occurring in Sodom and Gomorrah was rape, which means it doesnt apply to teachings on consensual same-sex relationships.
Leviticus 18:22 and Leviticus 20:13
The Book of Leviticus in the Old Testament has two references condemning homosexuality: Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman that is detestable and If a man lies with a man as one lies with woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death their blood will be on their own heads .
While condemnations of gay sex are unequivocal in Leviticus, it also is part of a long list of Jewish laws, some of which are not followed by Christians today.
Leviticus also advocates the death penalty for adultery.
Manny Pacquiao Posts Bible Verse That States Gay People Should Be Killed
Manny Pacquiao speaks during a news conference at the Beverly Hills Hotel on Jan. 19.
Manny Pacquiao is not backing down from his stance against homosexuality.
Less than a day after the Filipino boxer and politician lost his sponsorship deal with Nike because he compared gay people to animals, Pacquiao took to Instagram early Thursday morning and posted some Bible verses that support his views.
One of them, Leviticus 20:13, states in no uncertain terms that homosexuals should be killed:
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.
Pacquiaos post was up for about two hours and got more than 18,000 likes before being deleted. The Filipino news agency ABS-CBN captured a screenshot of the post before it was removed.
Pacquiao, a member of the Philippines House of Representatives, included other Bible verses in his post, including Luke 6:22-23, an apparent reference to his current situation:
Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.
Its common sense. Will you see any animals where male is to male and female is to female? Pacquiao answered.
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Old Testament And Jewish Context
A New Testament perspective on homosexuality is anchored in the Old Testament and Jewish tradition. The indispensable framework for interpreting the NT teaching on homosexuality is Genesis 12, the creation narrative. We read in Genesis 1:2627 that God made man in his own image, but the image of God is reflected in two distinct genders, male and female. The distinction between man and woman is underlined in the fuller account of their creation in Genesis 2:1825. The physical differentiation of the man and the woman, and yet the amazing complementarity of such for bearing children indicates that marriage consists of the union of one woman and one man. The creation narrative, then, functions as the paradigm for males and females, and how they are to relate to one another sexually.2 The two different genders signify that marriage and sexual relations are restricted to the opposite sex, and that same sex relations are contrary to the created order.3
Gods Moral Law And Homosexuality
In the law of Moses, there are very explicit statements about the immorality and sinfulness of homosexuality. For example, we read:
You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female it is an abomination, .
This is not simply one of the distinctive holiness commands by which Israel was to set themselves apart from other nations as a special people, like dietary laws and such. This is a moral law by which all nations are judged before God. The list of primarily sexual sins in Leviticus 18 that contains this command ends with the statement:
Do not defile yourselves by any of these things for by all these the nations which I am casting out before you have become defiled. For the land has become defiled, therefore I have brought its punishment upon it, so the land has spewed out its inhabitants, .
The nations were not punished for eating pork, wearing mixed fabric, or even working on the Sabbath. Such commands were distinctive to maintaining Israel as a sacred people. The nations were judged, however, for breaking universal moral laws of God like sexual immorality, including homosexuality. Now, some have suggested that this is meant specifically to address ancient homosexual temple prostitution as it related to the worship of false gods, but that is not how Leviticus treats it. Note in chapter 20 we read again:
But this is not in a section about cultic practices. Note the verses just before:
And just after:
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Moms Raising Sons To Be Men
Mothers of boys have the special calling to shape future men of God. Popular speaker Rhonda Stoppe, mom to two sons, knows this opportunity is a challenge, a joy, and probably the most important work of a womans life. Drawing from years of experience, this inspirational resource will revive the faithfulness and fortitude a woman needs to partner with God as they shape the character and heart of a future godly man.
How To Please God Despite Having Same
The Bible says: Dont be controlled by your body. Kill every desire for the wrong kind of sex. To kill wrong desires, which lead to wrong actions, you need to control your thinking. If you regularly fill your mind with wholesome thoughts, you can more readily dismiss wrong desires. While you may struggle greatly at first, it can become easier. God promises to help you to be made new in the force actuating your mind.Ephesians 4:22-24.
The same struggle is faced by millions with heterosexual desires who wish to conform to the Bibles standards. For example, those who are single with little prospect of marriage or who are married to a partner who is unable to function sexually choose to control their sexual urges despite any temptations they might face. They are able to live happily, and those with same-sex urges can do so as well if they truly want to please God.Deuteronomy 30:19.
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Bible Verses About Backsliders
Backsliders are people who have chosen to turn their back on God. They know the right thing to do, but they choose to do wrong instead. This can be a difficult thing to deal with, both for the person who is struggling with sin and for those around them. If you are wondering what the Bible has to say about backsliders, or if you need help dealing with someone who has backslidden, read on! In this blog post, we will explore 10 Bible verses about backsliders and offer advice on how to handle this difficult situation.
Whats Gods Purpose For Man And Woman
At the beginning of the world, God created all things according to His likeness and then thought it necessary to create man after his image.
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them male and female he created them.God blessed them and said to them, Be fruitful and increase in number fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground. Genesis 1: 27, 28
Gods purpose was to create a resemblance of himself that will worship him and do his will.
The LORD God said, It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him. Genesis 2:18
So, God caused Adam to fall into a deep sleep, collected one of his ribs, and created the woman
So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep and while he was sleeping, he took one of the mans ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Genesis 2: 21
And then, Adam had a companion and a helper on earth. Then, in verse 24, he said
That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh
This is the marriage covenant of God. God has a purpose for man and never wanted same-sex marriage or relationships to happen. Adam and Eve were the first human creatures and did not have parents. Yet, because of Gods covenant, they knew it was Gods purpose for a man and woman to be in a union.
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Bible Verses About Homosexuality
Or 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 effeminate, nor homosexuals,nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.
realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderersand immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching,according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.
Before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, surrounded the house, both young and old, all the people from every quarter and they called to Lot and said to him, Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may have relations with them.But Lot went out to them at the doorway, and shut the door behind him,read more.and said, Please, my brothers, do not act wickedly.Now behold, I have two daughters who have not had relations with man please let me bring them out to you, and do to them whatever you like only do nothing to these men, inasmuch as they have come under the shelter of my roof.
But Isnt It Possible That Paul Used Malakoi And Arsenokoitai Together To Condemn Both The Active And Passive Partners In Male Same
- There were many word pairs in common use in ancient literature to describe both the active and passive partners in male same-sex relationswords like erastes and eromenos, for example. Malakoi and arsenokoitai, however, were not used as a pair by other ancient writers.
- Moreover, even if Paul had intended to condemn both partners in male same-sex relations, its critical to remember the major gap between same-sex behavior as it was practiced in ancient societieswhere it was based on status, power, and lustand committed same-sex unions today.
- Some Bible translations render malakoi and arsenokoitai as homosexuals, but that term wasnt even coined until 1869 in German and 1892 in English. Not only that, the concept that the term describes didnt exist in the ancient world either.
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You Have Been Part Of A Research Team That Is Seeking To Understand How The Decision Was Made To Put The Word Homosexual In The Bible Is That True
Ed: Yes. It first showed up in the RSV translation. So before figuring out why they decided to use that word in the RSV translation I wanted to see how other cultures and translations treated the same verses when they were translated during the Reformation 500 years ago. So I started collecting old Bibles in French, German, Irish, Gaelic, Czechoslovakian, Polish you name it. Now Ive got most European major languages that Ive collected over time. Anyway, I had a German friend come back to town and I asked if he could help me with some passages in one of my German Bibles from the 1800s. So we went to Leviticus 18:22 and hes translating it for me word for word. In the English where it says Man shall not lie with man, for it is an abomination, the German version says Man shall not lie with young boys as he does with a woman, for it is an abomination. I said, What?! Are you sure? He said, Yes! Then we went to Leviticus 20:13 same thing, Young boys. So we went to 1 Corinthians to see how they translated arsenokoitai and instead of homosexuals it said, Boy molesters will not inherit the kingdom of God.
So then I started thinking that of 4 of the 6 clobber passages, all these nations and translations were referring to pederasty, and not what we would call homosexuality today.
Faq About Backsliders In The Bible
Who is a backslider according to the Bible?
First, let me say that Im glad youre asking this question. Its an important one, and one that often gets misunderstood. So lets take a look at what the Bible has to say about backsliders. In general, a backslider is someone who has turned away from God. This can be seen in their actions and/or their beliefs. They may have once been active in their faith, but now theyve rejected it .
Whats the difference between backsliding and falling away?
The main difference between backsliding and falling away is that backsliding refers to a sinning Christian who repents and returns to the Lord, while falling away refers to a Christian who completely rejects God and dies in their sins. Backsliding typically happens when someone is weak and doesnt resist the temptation to sin. They may know that theyre sinning, but they rationalize it by telling themselves that theyll repent later. Falling away, on the other hand, generally happens when someone has known the Lord for a while and has had plenty of opportunities to repent, but they deliberately choose to reject Him.
How do you deal with a backslider?Where in the Bible does it talk about backsliding?
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Q: Isnt The Church Supposed To Be A Place For Broken People
A: Yes and amen. We all need to be forgiven. We all need grace. The church is supposed to be full of sinners. Butand heres the rubthe communicant membership of the church, like the membership of heaven, is made up of born again, repentant sinners. If we preach a gospel with no call to repentance, we are preaching something other than the apostolic gospel. If we knowingly allow unconcerned, impenitent sinners into the membership and ministry of the church, we are deceiving their souls and putting ours at risk as well. If we think people can find a Savior without forsaking their sin, we do not know what sort of Savior Jesus Christ is. Such were some of you is the hope-filled call to holiness for the sexual sinner and for every other kind of sinner .
Few things are more important in life than repentance. It is so important that the Gospels and the Epistles and the Old Testament make clear that you dont go to heaven without it. Ezekiel said, Repent and turn from your transgressions . John the Baptist said, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand . Jesus said, Repent and believe in the gospel . Peter said, Repent and be baptized .
The communicant membership of the church, like the membership of heaven, is made up of born again, repentant sinners.
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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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