Hlootoo's Art

bransrath:

thescienceofapologetics:

I have seen this phrase an awful lot lately. Can homosexuality and Christianity actually co-exist? Let’s see what the Bible has to say regarding some common views on the LGBTQ movement.

“The Bible never mentions homosexuality.”
The Bible mentions homosexuality multiplies times. Leviticus 18:22, 20:13; Romans 1:26-28; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; and 1 Timothy 1:9-10 are just a few of the passages that deal with homosexuality and plainly depict it as vile, sinful behavior.

“The New Testament never mentions homosexuality.”
As per the previous answer, you’ll note that the majority listed (those from Romans, 1 Corinthians, and 1 Timothy) are in the New Testament.

“If you say homosexuality is a sin, then you can’t eat pork either.”
Certain laws applied specifically to the Jews, as they were set apart as God’s chosen people. He had a special purpose for them. Homosexuality, on the other hand, is a sin to all. Additionally, it is mentioned in the New Testament after Christ had already come and fulfilled the requirements of the law, meaning it is still completely applicable. There are a LOT of instances similar to this, and truly we could spend a good long while refuting them all, but the short of it is that context is key. You cannot overlook the context in which these instructions were given or it will lead to misinterpretation, and that is exactly what has occurred when people use such passages in an attempt to justify sin.

“The Bible was mistranslated.”
The Bible is the most authenticated ancient text we have by an enormous margin. If you discredit the authenticity of the Bible, you must then disregard the credibility of every other ancient text. [x]

“The Bible was written by biased men.”
2 Timothy 2:15 says, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” The word “inspiration” literally means “God-breathed”. Every word of scripture came directly from God, men were simply the instruments He used to record those words.

“Jesus never mentions homosexuality.”
Jesus says, in John 10:30, “I and my Father are one.” Jesus, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit exist as the trinity – three persons in one. Jesus IS God, and since every word of scripture is directly from God, Jesus has indeed said that homosexuality is a sin.

“Times change, it wasn’t culturally acceptable back then like it is now.”
The ideals of men change, but God’s Word does not. His character does not change and His statutes remain. Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

“Christianity is about love. God is love.”
God is love, but He is also just. A good judge does not let wrong go unpunished. God is so completely holy and perfect that even the smallest sin is abhorrent to Him and He cannot abide by it. Lying, stealing, hate (which God calls murder of the heart), lust (which God calls adultery of the heart), are just some of the sins that separate us from God. “But God demonstrates His own love towards us in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8). God’s love is shown by the fact that He, in His justice, sent His son to take the punishment for sins we committed. Christianity is about how I am a sinner, damned to Hell by my own actions, incapable of saving myself, but Christ died so that, by putting my trust in Him, I am saved from an eternity in Hell.

“Homosexuals can’t help the way they were born.”
Guess what, we are ALL born that way. The Bible says that we are ALL born sinners, but through Christ we are born anew. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

“I can change the Bible to fit my lifestyle.”
By deciding what God is and is not based on your own desires, you are making a god of your own choosing. You are creating a god that is not Christ. That breaks the very first commandment where God says, “You shall have no other gods before me”. Additionally, Proverbs 30:5-6 says, “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.”

“I don’t believe God would say that’s a sin.”
The Bible clearly says that sexual perversion of any kind, especially homosexuality, is a sin. Just because you don’t understand, or you don’t like it, doesn’t mean it is not true. God says it’s a sin, so it is. The question then becomes do you trust that God knows best? God has never failed before, He has never let you down, He has never stopped offering His hand to guide and help you. In every imaginable way, throughout the entirety of history, He has offered His love and mercy right alongside His justice and righteousness. The Bible is proof of that. If you say, “I don’t believe God would say homosexuality is a sin,” then you have said, “I don’t believe God.” The Bible says that there is ONLY one way to Heaven, only one way we can be saved from the punishment we deserve for our sins: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). If you choose not to believe God, it is your rejection of His Word that will lead you to Hell because we are completely and depravedly incapable of atoning for our sins by our own merits. Salvation comes by grace through faith in Christ alone.

You cannot reconcile homosexuality and Christ.

You can still support basic human rights though.

I remember someone sent me a message a long time ago asking how I claimed to support LGBT people’s rights despite condemning homosexuality as a Christian. And I was just puzzled by that. We are all sinners of some kind, and while we can condemn it, that doesn’t mean we suddenly stop caring for those in sin. On the contrary, we’re supposed to love them.