Post by bcool on Jul 24, 2015 8:28:10 GMT -6
The word “gay” seems to have its origins around the 12th century in England, derived from the Old French word ‘gai’, which in turn was probably derived from a Germanic word, though that is not entirely clear. The word’s original meaning meant something to the effect of “joyful”, “carefree”, “full of mirth”, or “bright and showy.” However, around the early parts of the 17th century, the word began to be associated with various practices and practitioners of immorality (not homosexuality quite yet as far as I can tell). The original meanings of “carefree”, “joyful”, and “bright and showy” were still popular; so the word did not carry heavy connotations of immorality. The newer definitions were just understood as salacious variations on the original meanings.
I suppose by the mid 20th century or so homosexual men slowly began to thrust upon the American scene this new label for the homosexual male, “gay.” They felt (and many still do), that the word “homosexual” was much too clinical, more appropriate for a disorder than anything. As such, “gay” was the preferred term in the homosexual community even before the new meaning had taken hold of the vernacular. During this time, homosexual women were referred to as lesbian or other names, but not gay per se. Although women were still called “gay” in some quarters if they were prostitutes, a callback to an older generation.
While the word “gay” with its new meaning was used, it was by far not the most common term in use for a homosexual male prior to about 1970. In the aftermath of the Stonewall Riots in 1969, “gay” became the politically correct term instead of the more common terms in use before then. Since that period, “gay,” for the homosexual male primarily, has steadily driven out the older meanings of the word and of course is gradually replacing even the word ‘lesbian’ for women who are homosexual.
Western society, especially those who advocate for the homosexual cause today (i.e., the cause to get homosexuality accepted as “normal” and as a “valid” variation on human sexuality laid down irreversibly ab ovo), are conspiring to destroy the truth, in order to perpetuate an invalid identity for personhood (i.e. “sexual attraction” being the totality of one's self-construal), and to create legacies through historical and religious revisionism for the acceptance of 'homosexuality' where none exist. In the process, the homosexuals have managed to change the meaning of one word so extensively, that today every sense of the word “gay” relates in some way to the homosexual experience and in its basic sense signifies the sexual desire or behavior directed toward a person or persons of one's own sex. This is the convention of “gay” today in American vernacular and culture.
The closed canon of Holy Scripture is the sole inerrant, verbal revelation of God available to the Church today and it provides a sure footing for the Christian life and correct Bible doctrine. This revelation to man is complete in sixty-six books of the Bible. Liberal and progressive Christians have alternate interpretations of Scripture that present a morally neutral or positive view towards same-sex attraction and sexual behavior. You may find it disconcerting to hear that oftentimes they use the same beloved King James Bible that so many revere to cloak their arguments in “love” and “tolerance” for what is really the accepting and promoting of homosexuality in sheep's clothing.
Now of homosexuality the Scripture instructs us unambiguously in places like Leviticus 18:22; Leviticus 20:13; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Romans 1:26-28. In the Romans passage the original Greek leaves little to the imagination in its graphic verbal picture of “their error,” to wit, “receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.” “Their error” in Romans 1:27 is from the Greek word PLANES (wandering like our “planet”) adding to the evil idea of what is commonly a grossly promiscuous practice (cf. Matthew 27:64; Ephesians 4:14; 1 Thessalonians 2:3; 2 Thessalonians 2:11; James 5:20; 2 Peter 2:18; 3:17; etc.).
The pride of gay is what fuels the homosexual agenda. Romans 1:28 explains it this way: “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient.” And listen, I think the Authorized Version got it right: “those things...are not convenient.” Not convenient (if you understand what they are doing in the dark), and certainly not proper!
And in Ephesians 4:19: “Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness” (KJV). Here the vicious cycle of this sin is depicted. With callous conscience they give themselves over to licentiousness--- ASELGEIA is the word in the original Greek which carries connotation of the male homosexual sex act (cf. Mark 7:22; Romans 13:13; 2 Corinthians 12:21; Galatians 5:19; 1 Peter 4:3; 2 Peter 2:2, 2 Peter 2:7, 2 Peter 2:18; Jude 1:4). “Greediness” refers to an increasing desire for more and more. The point is that sinful passions and desires are never satisfied. The more you act on them, the more you want to do them again.
Theology is basically the study of God and how He relates to the world. Everything is theological. Everything. There is no separating theological correctness from moral responsibility. Calling the practice of homosexuality a sin is theologically correct and morally responsible. Speaking truth is one of the highest virtues we can emulate in our lives, right up there with love. If we love, we speak the truth.
Here is an abiding principle which should keep us out of trouble: “The man judges falsely and goes astray when, without regard to God and His word, he follows only his own opinions.” I am not sure where I got the quote but the upshot of it is that we ought obey God, even if we do not always understand, and yes, dare I say it, even when we are tempted to disagree with Him. We cannot say, because it feels right, it sounds right. It must be: Does God say it is right? For instance, you and I know God has clearly stated what marriage is. Marriage is divinely ordained as the union of one man (male of the species) with one woman (female of the species). Marriage is structured to form the basic stability in a society. It is the foundation of the Family. It totally rejects any concept which contributes to anarchy, such as promiscuity, homosexuality, communal living, polygamy or wanton divorce. Marriage is of a unique, sublime, ineffable nature. It is a God-breathed mystery. It is among His greatest gifts to mankind, the nexus of His eternal plan and all true, lasting, earthly riches. It is the foundational building block of all decent civic, governmental institutions. It is the basis of all true economics. It breeds peace and prosperity. It is the great stabilizer of civilizations. It is the well-spring and nursery of posterity.
And yet, just because marriage between a man and his vintage '69 Camero is not explicitly prohibited by chapter and verse in Scripture, does not mean we are to assume that a passive consent exists for such a ridiculous idea. Of course not! After stating what marriage is, God hardly needs to list all the things marriage is not. Bonafide marriage must be protected, or America will fail and fall. If we do not turn from our evil ways, the wrath of God is going to be poured out upon us, and it will be severe I am afraid.
What a tough topic this is today! We see that there is a strong moral component to the discussion as well as a vital social one. This is such a tough topic but speaking truth, I feel, is always the utmost goal. And yet I hasten to add that our Christian approach to this real human condition should be to befriend the homosexual in order to witness the Gospel with such love, compassion, and wisdom that he might respond to the grace of God and get saved or in the case of the erring saint, be restored to fellowship with God. Too often our compassion is mere affect, lip service, and thus our calls for civilized discussion based on truth ring utterly hollow. That is because just beneath our veneer of compassion lies a certain demonizing and loathing of another human being who actually needs our help, not our sanctimony.
Here are few things, in my view, we ought to keep in mind when dealing with the homosexual problem.
(1.) So when you think about or talk about a homosexual person, you are thinking about or talking about another living human person created by the very same Creator-God in Heaven that created you.
God has bestowed on human beings an immaterial, invisible essence. We are endowed with certain rational, moral, and relational capacities, which God empowers with the spark of life. Mankind is not created as a duplication of God, a blasphemous thought, but in His shadow image. Shadow image describes something invisible but real. God has essence which is real but invisible. As the shadow image of God our essence is real but invisible. The real person is located in the soul (Genesis 2:7). The human body, the culminating point of God's biological design in creation, is your covering while on earth. What is inside that body is what really counts! The body contains a soul. Every individual has an identical essence of soul, but each person has a different personality reflecting the combination of the facets in the soul.
God's creation of soul life in your soul is the determinating factor of personhood. The physical body without a PSUCHE (Gr. word for soul) has no life. You are a human person because you have a soul with invisible essence made up of self-consciousness, mentality with mind and heart, volition, emotion, and conscience (Luke 1:46; Song of Solomon 3:3; Matthew 10:28; Ephesians 4:17-19; Psalm 143; Luke 12:19; Acts 24:16; etc.). It is interesting to note that neither the physical body nor for that matter, the issue of sexual attraction are listed among the distinguishing characteristics of what makes you a living person created “in...image, after...likeness” (Genesis 1:26) of the Creator God. Now God created male and female for a vitally important function. But your personhood is not in your privy parts. You are not a “person” because of your gender or because you are white, black, tall, short, straight or gay. Your personhood is in your soul. You are a “person” first because you have a soul which was created in the shadow image of the Creator-God.
God's imputation of Adam's condemnation to us and His simultaneous creation of our soul life make Him responsible for the spark of human life, but not for the sin Adam committed. There can be no compromise to the holiness of God. Adam is the one who sinned and we with him because as his progeny, we were seminally in Adam. God's provision of mentality and volition to Adam's progeny does not make God responsible for our depravity any more than it makes Him responsible for Adam's original disobedience. Therefore, God is not the perpetrator or perpetuator of sin, even indirectly. The originator of sin and depravity has always been Adam's volition.
The corrupted nature of man (the sin nature) is passed genetically through biological life and orthodox conservative theologians suggest that the sinful nature, after being passed down from the male in procreation, resides in the human body. Perhaps that is why this inherent corrupter of humanity is called the “flesh” (Romans 7:7-18; 8:3-5), the “body of sin” (Romans 6:6), and the “sin” that “reign (s) in your mortal body” (Romans 6:12 KJV). And it should be noted that God must condemn what His perfect righteousness cannot condone. The Justice of God demands that anything related to sin, including the sin nature be judged.
(2.) I am convinced that we all are born sinners because of Adam. I am not convinced at all that anyone is born homosexual.
I think sexual orientation, you should pardon the expression, is developed in the early years and that sexual feelings of attraction toward one gender or the other is not something the adolescent or adult capriciously picks out for himself one day like he might choose between Johnny Cash or Judy Garland at the music store. I believe that intrinsically sexual attraction is something that develops --- not in the abstract but in the nurturing (or lack thereof) environment of childhood and becomes rather more of an emerging awareness an individual identifies at some point. Now I am careful not to put too fine a point on this assertion because, frankly, it is complicated. Not that ‘sin is sin’ is complicated. Certainly not! But examining the intricacies of how sin corrupts God's original design can get complicated sometimes.
(3.) One thing is obvious to me. I believe acting on sexual impulses is a choice, the exercise of your volition, which sometimes comes with deleterious consequences.
We may very well ask what influence does being a victim of sexual abuse during the “formative” years have on “forming” sexual attraction? Or, what impact does acting on one own's sexual desires during emerging adolescence have on forming a healthy, God-oriented perspective on sex? While I am not professionally qualified to elaborate of course, I can say that these things cannot be good for they conspicuously violate God's design and purpose of sex for the “male and female” marital relationship (Genesis 1:27;cf. 2:24). Whenever man violates God's design and purpose, he ends up with a whole lot of trouble. That is how Adam messed things up in the first place.
Now while trying to discuss this human condition with compassion, we ought to be careful not to develop a laissez-faire attitude toward behavior that the Bible teaches is aberrant and dangerous for mankind. We must continue to tell the truth when called upon to speak. Homosexual “sexual” activity is sin and prohibited by God. Period. Every time somebody sins in this way, he exercises his own volition to commit the sin. There are no excuses like “The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. So for the record, it is blasphemous to even think that God would create anyone “gay.” It does not matter if 1% or 10% of the population self-identify as "gay." The cause of our imperfection is never God but our position of spiritual death in Adam. Will members of the homosexual illuminati at least get that much straight?
(4.) Homosexuality is not a valid variation on human sexuality in the garden.
Yet we must concede that just like all manifestation of sin, it is a part of the fallen human condition which has been around for millennia. The Mosaic Law would probably not have mentioned the homosexual act, if man had not already thought of it. As we study our Bibles we learn that homosexuality has been with us almost since the beginning, and through all that time God has never changed His mind on the subject. Not once!
While the homosexual sexual act is in and of itself no more sin than murder is sin, the “homosexual agenda” is, in particular, an insidious, vicious evil, satanically inspired to contradict God's plan and purpose for humankind. That is why it matters what you believe about homosexuality. It is true that the sinful behavior of homosexuality is no greater sin than lying or stealing. But as a rule, liars and thieves do not try to force their agenda of lying and thievery on us as a normal lifestyle, with the exception of some politicians of course. We are not being asked to accept any other sin as “normal” with such emotional intensity and self-righteousness than this one particular sexual sin. The satanic agenda is to legitimize homosexuality throughout the entire world. His evil influence is all over this project. “Hath God said...?” (Genesis 3:1 KJV). Has God really said 'no'?
Homosexual activists believe that if they can accomplish their goal of worldwide acceptance then they will have peace within themselves. You see inwardly, deep down in some uncallous modicum of his conscience, the homosexual must have more than an inkling that the lifestyle of sin he has chosen to participate in is wrong; whether or not he is willing to admit it. Right now homosexuals are playing right into the hands of the enemy.
(5.) Brethren, what part of ‘no!’ do we not understand on this matter?
“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12 KJV). It is the way of estrangement from God, of fleshly security; the way of sin, in which the blinded thinks to spend his life, to set himself to fulfill his purposes; but the end thereof are the ways of death, failure and self-induced misery. Whether you like it or not, whether you admit or not: God is in control; He holds a distinct advantage over you: He is God and you are not! And only those who let God direct their ways will be truly blessed and happy (cf. Proverbs 3:5-6; 16:9; 20:24).
The born-from-above Christian possesses the indwelling Holy Spirit for empowerment and mentorship which enables him to overcome the lust and power of the Sin Nature (Read Paul's epistles to the Romans and the Galatians). By the Spirit we have illumination and understanding of the Word of God. Without benefit of the Spirit's illumination, it is indeed possible for the average Christian to read the same passages in Scripture prohibiting same-sex sexual behavior and “see” ambiguity or wiggle room. Other Christians who are walking by faith and trust in God, will gaze upon the same Scriptures and see the wonderment of God's matchless grace and His loving care for the pinnacle of His creation which includes provision of Salvation and protection from that which is detrimental to human society.
(6.) The real issue before us today is whether sexual attraction ever validates sinful behavior?
If one accepts the basic gay premise that sexual desire defines a person and must be obeyed, the matter is settled and Christians then are to be marginalized as intolerant bigots and their Book as irrelevant. But the first two human beings were from the beginning the pattern of bonafide humanity and any deviations to that pattern contradict God's intent and purpose; “He created them male and female” for a purpose. Any notion that it could have just as well been ‘Adam & Steve’ in the garden is utterly preposterous! The fact that disease, physical death, and degrading passions (all contradictory to God's original pattern) do exist today only affirms that original sin was the first and foulest attack on God's holy and perfect design the consequence of which has even touched the pristine course of sexual behavior and sexual satisfaction that God designed for one man and one woman within the bonds of marriage.
Same-sex sexual relations is a sin and God cannot condone anything related to sin! Remember, God is not the author of sin. He did not create you “gay” nor does He ever condone anyone “acting on” homosexual impulses, or any sexual impulses outside of marriage, or homicidal impulses, or gossiping impulses, lying impulses, pedophilia impulses, and so on. Same-sex sexual attraction is never the one righteous justification for committing sin. Such a notion impugns the very character of God.
(7.) “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8 KJV).
While God graciously grants human life; Adam corrupts human life with spiritual death. But God in His grace provides the means for humanity to escape spiritual death and ultimately the depravity of our position in Adam. Jesus Christ as our Substitute died on the cross for all our sins. A simple act of faith in Him (Ephesians 2:8-9) gives not only spiritual life, but also a way to defeat the sin problem
None of this discussion was intended to single out homosexual sin for special grievous condemnation (well, maybe for the homosexual agenda); but in terms of sin adultery and fornication are just as serious in God’s eyes and much more commonly practiced. But for those Christians who are tempted to homosexual activity, it is important to recognize that the Scriptures say that such activity will cut believers off from God's fellowship by defiling the Holy Spirit's temple for Jesus that dwells within your body.
And yet when facing the truth about homosexuality, if it applies to you personally, it is important not to be discouraged. Romans 7 is very clear that the struggle between the flesh and the Spirit is not over in a moment. It is a part of every Christian’s daily walk with Christ. As long as we keep returning to the Father with a true heart based on faith in Christ's finished work on the cross, we will receive forgiveness, restoration and God will strengthen us and continue to progressively transform us into the image of His Son. That is why Paul is so emphatic in 1 Corinthians 6:11 that there is victory over sin “in the Spirit of our God.” The way is not free from struggle, but the battles do lead to victories, and freedom from the power of sin. The most important discovery we can make is recognizing that we are totally dependent on the Holy Spirit to deliver us from the power of sin.
So what does all of this mean for the Christian who is struggling right now with homosexual feelings? First of all, it means sin is sin. No minimizing, no rationalization. The truth is what counts here. It means it is time to bring it to God, let go and let God. It means staying in prayer for His power and victory, His Word for knowledge and wisdom. It means because God loves you with an infinite love, the battle is the LORD's (1 Samuel 17:47). It means saying -no- to sin by faith! It means saying yes by faith to abstinence until (if or when) God should lead you out of celibacy to get married to someone of the opposite gender. Otherwise you stay put! It means seeking Christian fellowship and asking for help when you need help. And finally, it means that NO sin is tougher than God: His grace is sufficient for you!
Sober judgment reminds me that I am not a theologian. While I believe that nothing will be found here contrary to sound Christian theology, you should always depend on the Word of God as the final arbiter of sound doctrine.
God bless you.
Brad
I suppose by the mid 20th century or so homosexual men slowly began to thrust upon the American scene this new label for the homosexual male, “gay.” They felt (and many still do), that the word “homosexual” was much too clinical, more appropriate for a disorder than anything. As such, “gay” was the preferred term in the homosexual community even before the new meaning had taken hold of the vernacular. During this time, homosexual women were referred to as lesbian or other names, but not gay per se. Although women were still called “gay” in some quarters if they were prostitutes, a callback to an older generation.
While the word “gay” with its new meaning was used, it was by far not the most common term in use for a homosexual male prior to about 1970. In the aftermath of the Stonewall Riots in 1969, “gay” became the politically correct term instead of the more common terms in use before then. Since that period, “gay,” for the homosexual male primarily, has steadily driven out the older meanings of the word and of course is gradually replacing even the word ‘lesbian’ for women who are homosexual.
Western society, especially those who advocate for the homosexual cause today (i.e., the cause to get homosexuality accepted as “normal” and as a “valid” variation on human sexuality laid down irreversibly ab ovo), are conspiring to destroy the truth, in order to perpetuate an invalid identity for personhood (i.e. “sexual attraction” being the totality of one's self-construal), and to create legacies through historical and religious revisionism for the acceptance of 'homosexuality' where none exist. In the process, the homosexuals have managed to change the meaning of one word so extensively, that today every sense of the word “gay” relates in some way to the homosexual experience and in its basic sense signifies the sexual desire or behavior directed toward a person or persons of one's own sex. This is the convention of “gay” today in American vernacular and culture.
The closed canon of Holy Scripture is the sole inerrant, verbal revelation of God available to the Church today and it provides a sure footing for the Christian life and correct Bible doctrine. This revelation to man is complete in sixty-six books of the Bible. Liberal and progressive Christians have alternate interpretations of Scripture that present a morally neutral or positive view towards same-sex attraction and sexual behavior. You may find it disconcerting to hear that oftentimes they use the same beloved King James Bible that so many revere to cloak their arguments in “love” and “tolerance” for what is really the accepting and promoting of homosexuality in sheep's clothing.
Now of homosexuality the Scripture instructs us unambiguously in places like Leviticus 18:22; Leviticus 20:13; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Romans 1:26-28. In the Romans passage the original Greek leaves little to the imagination in its graphic verbal picture of “their error,” to wit, “receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.” “Their error” in Romans 1:27 is from the Greek word PLANES (wandering like our “planet”) adding to the evil idea of what is commonly a grossly promiscuous practice (cf. Matthew 27:64; Ephesians 4:14; 1 Thessalonians 2:3; 2 Thessalonians 2:11; James 5:20; 2 Peter 2:18; 3:17; etc.).
The pride of gay is what fuels the homosexual agenda. Romans 1:28 explains it this way: “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient.” And listen, I think the Authorized Version got it right: “those things...are not convenient.” Not convenient (if you understand what they are doing in the dark), and certainly not proper!
And in Ephesians 4:19: “Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness” (KJV). Here the vicious cycle of this sin is depicted. With callous conscience they give themselves over to licentiousness--- ASELGEIA is the word in the original Greek which carries connotation of the male homosexual sex act (cf. Mark 7:22; Romans 13:13; 2 Corinthians 12:21; Galatians 5:19; 1 Peter 4:3; 2 Peter 2:2, 2 Peter 2:7, 2 Peter 2:18; Jude 1:4). “Greediness” refers to an increasing desire for more and more. The point is that sinful passions and desires are never satisfied. The more you act on them, the more you want to do them again.
Theology is basically the study of God and how He relates to the world. Everything is theological. Everything. There is no separating theological correctness from moral responsibility. Calling the practice of homosexuality a sin is theologically correct and morally responsible. Speaking truth is one of the highest virtues we can emulate in our lives, right up there with love. If we love, we speak the truth.
Here is an abiding principle which should keep us out of trouble: “The man judges falsely and goes astray when, without regard to God and His word, he follows only his own opinions.” I am not sure where I got the quote but the upshot of it is that we ought obey God, even if we do not always understand, and yes, dare I say it, even when we are tempted to disagree with Him. We cannot say, because it feels right, it sounds right. It must be: Does God say it is right? For instance, you and I know God has clearly stated what marriage is. Marriage is divinely ordained as the union of one man (male of the species) with one woman (female of the species). Marriage is structured to form the basic stability in a society. It is the foundation of the Family. It totally rejects any concept which contributes to anarchy, such as promiscuity, homosexuality, communal living, polygamy or wanton divorce. Marriage is of a unique, sublime, ineffable nature. It is a God-breathed mystery. It is among His greatest gifts to mankind, the nexus of His eternal plan and all true, lasting, earthly riches. It is the foundational building block of all decent civic, governmental institutions. It is the basis of all true economics. It breeds peace and prosperity. It is the great stabilizer of civilizations. It is the well-spring and nursery of posterity.
And yet, just because marriage between a man and his vintage '69 Camero is not explicitly prohibited by chapter and verse in Scripture, does not mean we are to assume that a passive consent exists for such a ridiculous idea. Of course not! After stating what marriage is, God hardly needs to list all the things marriage is not. Bonafide marriage must be protected, or America will fail and fall. If we do not turn from our evil ways, the wrath of God is going to be poured out upon us, and it will be severe I am afraid.
What a tough topic this is today! We see that there is a strong moral component to the discussion as well as a vital social one. This is such a tough topic but speaking truth, I feel, is always the utmost goal. And yet I hasten to add that our Christian approach to this real human condition should be to befriend the homosexual in order to witness the Gospel with such love, compassion, and wisdom that he might respond to the grace of God and get saved or in the case of the erring saint, be restored to fellowship with God. Too often our compassion is mere affect, lip service, and thus our calls for civilized discussion based on truth ring utterly hollow. That is because just beneath our veneer of compassion lies a certain demonizing and loathing of another human being who actually needs our help, not our sanctimony.
Here are few things, in my view, we ought to keep in mind when dealing with the homosexual problem.
(1.) So when you think about or talk about a homosexual person, you are thinking about or talking about another living human person created by the very same Creator-God in Heaven that created you.
God has bestowed on human beings an immaterial, invisible essence. We are endowed with certain rational, moral, and relational capacities, which God empowers with the spark of life. Mankind is not created as a duplication of God, a blasphemous thought, but in His shadow image. Shadow image describes something invisible but real. God has essence which is real but invisible. As the shadow image of God our essence is real but invisible. The real person is located in the soul (Genesis 2:7). The human body, the culminating point of God's biological design in creation, is your covering while on earth. What is inside that body is what really counts! The body contains a soul. Every individual has an identical essence of soul, but each person has a different personality reflecting the combination of the facets in the soul.
God's creation of soul life in your soul is the determinating factor of personhood. The physical body without a PSUCHE (Gr. word for soul) has no life. You are a human person because you have a soul with invisible essence made up of self-consciousness, mentality with mind and heart, volition, emotion, and conscience (Luke 1:46; Song of Solomon 3:3; Matthew 10:28; Ephesians 4:17-19; Psalm 143; Luke 12:19; Acts 24:16; etc.). It is interesting to note that neither the physical body nor for that matter, the issue of sexual attraction are listed among the distinguishing characteristics of what makes you a living person created “in...image, after...likeness” (Genesis 1:26) of the Creator God. Now God created male and female for a vitally important function. But your personhood is not in your privy parts. You are not a “person” because of your gender or because you are white, black, tall, short, straight or gay. Your personhood is in your soul. You are a “person” first because you have a soul which was created in the shadow image of the Creator-God.
God's imputation of Adam's condemnation to us and His simultaneous creation of our soul life make Him responsible for the spark of human life, but not for the sin Adam committed. There can be no compromise to the holiness of God. Adam is the one who sinned and we with him because as his progeny, we were seminally in Adam. God's provision of mentality and volition to Adam's progeny does not make God responsible for our depravity any more than it makes Him responsible for Adam's original disobedience. Therefore, God is not the perpetrator or perpetuator of sin, even indirectly. The originator of sin and depravity has always been Adam's volition.
The corrupted nature of man (the sin nature) is passed genetically through biological life and orthodox conservative theologians suggest that the sinful nature, after being passed down from the male in procreation, resides in the human body. Perhaps that is why this inherent corrupter of humanity is called the “flesh” (Romans 7:7-18; 8:3-5), the “body of sin” (Romans 6:6), and the “sin” that “reign (s) in your mortal body” (Romans 6:12 KJV). And it should be noted that God must condemn what His perfect righteousness cannot condone. The Justice of God demands that anything related to sin, including the sin nature be judged.
(2.) I am convinced that we all are born sinners because of Adam. I am not convinced at all that anyone is born homosexual.
I think sexual orientation, you should pardon the expression, is developed in the early years and that sexual feelings of attraction toward one gender or the other is not something the adolescent or adult capriciously picks out for himself one day like he might choose between Johnny Cash or Judy Garland at the music store. I believe that intrinsically sexual attraction is something that develops --- not in the abstract but in the nurturing (or lack thereof) environment of childhood and becomes rather more of an emerging awareness an individual identifies at some point. Now I am careful not to put too fine a point on this assertion because, frankly, it is complicated. Not that ‘sin is sin’ is complicated. Certainly not! But examining the intricacies of how sin corrupts God's original design can get complicated sometimes.
(3.) One thing is obvious to me. I believe acting on sexual impulses is a choice, the exercise of your volition, which sometimes comes with deleterious consequences.
We may very well ask what influence does being a victim of sexual abuse during the “formative” years have on “forming” sexual attraction? Or, what impact does acting on one own's sexual desires during emerging adolescence have on forming a healthy, God-oriented perspective on sex? While I am not professionally qualified to elaborate of course, I can say that these things cannot be good for they conspicuously violate God's design and purpose of sex for the “male and female” marital relationship (Genesis 1:27;cf. 2:24). Whenever man violates God's design and purpose, he ends up with a whole lot of trouble. That is how Adam messed things up in the first place.
Now while trying to discuss this human condition with compassion, we ought to be careful not to develop a laissez-faire attitude toward behavior that the Bible teaches is aberrant and dangerous for mankind. We must continue to tell the truth when called upon to speak. Homosexual “sexual” activity is sin and prohibited by God. Period. Every time somebody sins in this way, he exercises his own volition to commit the sin. There are no excuses like “The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. So for the record, it is blasphemous to even think that God would create anyone “gay.” It does not matter if 1% or 10% of the population self-identify as "gay." The cause of our imperfection is never God but our position of spiritual death in Adam. Will members of the homosexual illuminati at least get that much straight?
(4.) Homosexuality is not a valid variation on human sexuality in the garden.
Yet we must concede that just like all manifestation of sin, it is a part of the fallen human condition which has been around for millennia. The Mosaic Law would probably not have mentioned the homosexual act, if man had not already thought of it. As we study our Bibles we learn that homosexuality has been with us almost since the beginning, and through all that time God has never changed His mind on the subject. Not once!
While the homosexual sexual act is in and of itself no more sin than murder is sin, the “homosexual agenda” is, in particular, an insidious, vicious evil, satanically inspired to contradict God's plan and purpose for humankind. That is why it matters what you believe about homosexuality. It is true that the sinful behavior of homosexuality is no greater sin than lying or stealing. But as a rule, liars and thieves do not try to force their agenda of lying and thievery on us as a normal lifestyle, with the exception of some politicians of course. We are not being asked to accept any other sin as “normal” with such emotional intensity and self-righteousness than this one particular sexual sin. The satanic agenda is to legitimize homosexuality throughout the entire world. His evil influence is all over this project. “Hath God said...?” (Genesis 3:1 KJV). Has God really said 'no'?
Homosexual activists believe that if they can accomplish their goal of worldwide acceptance then they will have peace within themselves. You see inwardly, deep down in some uncallous modicum of his conscience, the homosexual must have more than an inkling that the lifestyle of sin he has chosen to participate in is wrong; whether or not he is willing to admit it. Right now homosexuals are playing right into the hands of the enemy.
(5.) Brethren, what part of ‘no!’ do we not understand on this matter?
“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12 KJV). It is the way of estrangement from God, of fleshly security; the way of sin, in which the blinded thinks to spend his life, to set himself to fulfill his purposes; but the end thereof are the ways of death, failure and self-induced misery. Whether you like it or not, whether you admit or not: God is in control; He holds a distinct advantage over you: He is God and you are not! And only those who let God direct their ways will be truly blessed and happy (cf. Proverbs 3:5-6; 16:9; 20:24).
The born-from-above Christian possesses the indwelling Holy Spirit for empowerment and mentorship which enables him to overcome the lust and power of the Sin Nature (Read Paul's epistles to the Romans and the Galatians). By the Spirit we have illumination and understanding of the Word of God. Without benefit of the Spirit's illumination, it is indeed possible for the average Christian to read the same passages in Scripture prohibiting same-sex sexual behavior and “see” ambiguity or wiggle room. Other Christians who are walking by faith and trust in God, will gaze upon the same Scriptures and see the wonderment of God's matchless grace and His loving care for the pinnacle of His creation which includes provision of Salvation and protection from that which is detrimental to human society.
(6.) The real issue before us today is whether sexual attraction ever validates sinful behavior?
If one accepts the basic gay premise that sexual desire defines a person and must be obeyed, the matter is settled and Christians then are to be marginalized as intolerant bigots and their Book as irrelevant. But the first two human beings were from the beginning the pattern of bonafide humanity and any deviations to that pattern contradict God's intent and purpose; “He created them male and female” for a purpose. Any notion that it could have just as well been ‘Adam & Steve’ in the garden is utterly preposterous! The fact that disease, physical death, and degrading passions (all contradictory to God's original pattern) do exist today only affirms that original sin was the first and foulest attack on God's holy and perfect design the consequence of which has even touched the pristine course of sexual behavior and sexual satisfaction that God designed for one man and one woman within the bonds of marriage.
Same-sex sexual relations is a sin and God cannot condone anything related to sin! Remember, God is not the author of sin. He did not create you “gay” nor does He ever condone anyone “acting on” homosexual impulses, or any sexual impulses outside of marriage, or homicidal impulses, or gossiping impulses, lying impulses, pedophilia impulses, and so on. Same-sex sexual attraction is never the one righteous justification for committing sin. Such a notion impugns the very character of God.
(7.) “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8 KJV).
While God graciously grants human life; Adam corrupts human life with spiritual death. But God in His grace provides the means for humanity to escape spiritual death and ultimately the depravity of our position in Adam. Jesus Christ as our Substitute died on the cross for all our sins. A simple act of faith in Him (Ephesians 2:8-9) gives not only spiritual life, but also a way to defeat the sin problem
None of this discussion was intended to single out homosexual sin for special grievous condemnation (well, maybe for the homosexual agenda); but in terms of sin adultery and fornication are just as serious in God’s eyes and much more commonly practiced. But for those Christians who are tempted to homosexual activity, it is important to recognize that the Scriptures say that such activity will cut believers off from God's fellowship by defiling the Holy Spirit's temple for Jesus that dwells within your body.
And yet when facing the truth about homosexuality, if it applies to you personally, it is important not to be discouraged. Romans 7 is very clear that the struggle between the flesh and the Spirit is not over in a moment. It is a part of every Christian’s daily walk with Christ. As long as we keep returning to the Father with a true heart based on faith in Christ's finished work on the cross, we will receive forgiveness, restoration and God will strengthen us and continue to progressively transform us into the image of His Son. That is why Paul is so emphatic in 1 Corinthians 6:11 that there is victory over sin “in the Spirit of our God.” The way is not free from struggle, but the battles do lead to victories, and freedom from the power of sin. The most important discovery we can make is recognizing that we are totally dependent on the Holy Spirit to deliver us from the power of sin.
So what does all of this mean for the Christian who is struggling right now with homosexual feelings? First of all, it means sin is sin. No minimizing, no rationalization. The truth is what counts here. It means it is time to bring it to God, let go and let God. It means staying in prayer for His power and victory, His Word for knowledge and wisdom. It means because God loves you with an infinite love, the battle is the LORD's (1 Samuel 17:47). It means saying -no- to sin by faith! It means saying yes by faith to abstinence until (if or when) God should lead you out of celibacy to get married to someone of the opposite gender. Otherwise you stay put! It means seeking Christian fellowship and asking for help when you need help. And finally, it means that NO sin is tougher than God: His grace is sufficient for you!
Sober judgment reminds me that I am not a theologian. While I believe that nothing will be found here contrary to sound Christian theology, you should always depend on the Word of God as the final arbiter of sound doctrine.
God bless you.
Brad
