What I believe about Homosexuality & the Bible
Recently I received an e-mail from a man I didn't know. He had never commented on my blog. At the end of the e-mail he asked me to come back to God. Obviously he didn't know the first thing about evangelism, or me. I was going to delete his e-mail because I felt that he was not open to hearing me, nor did he show any interest in me as a person. But I decided to answer him anyway.
I realize that some of you may also be wondering about my view concerning homosexuality and the bible, so I'd like to share it. The e-mail referred to my post titled. "As a Bible College graduate, why can't you see that Homosexuality is a sin?" He felt that I didn't adequately state my position. Well, the main point of that post was to encourage others to study the topic, (as well as other Biblical topics) for themselves; and to give them some study tips, and tools to assist them. There are many on-line Bible study tools.
Many Christians sit in the pew listening to their pastors without truly studying the Word for themselves. So many believe what their pastors tell them, without question. I did the same thing until I went to an interdenominational Bible College. That's where I started to hear some teachings that were not consistent with my pastors teaching. I finally realized that I knew, and accepted what my pastor had taught. No more, no less. I learned in Bible College that it's good to listen to others, but ultimately one needs to study the Bible for themselves with an open mind to the Word. "Study to shew thyself approved unto God..." 2 Timothy 2:15 The key in understanding the Bible is to make a serious study for yourself, trying to keep an open mind, open heart, and with prayer.
Therefore, what I strongly suggest is that you study the topic yourself. Again, I have many studies tools, and tips listed in my previous post click here. Then after that, I suggest that you read a book by Daniel A. Helminiak called "What the Bible Really Says About Homosexuality." It's one of the best books on the subject, and only 152 pages long. The listed price that I saw is $14. You might be able to find it in your local library, or on sale on-line. It would take many post worth of information for me to explain my view on homosexuality, so I will refer you to this book. It's excellent!
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34 comments:
As I have stated before on a different blog that I no longer follow,GOD DOES NOT MAKE MISTAKES! He has created to be who we are.'with this being said if there was less intolerance of every body life styles and or practices and beliefs.the world would be in better shape.
I accept people for who they are and not how they should be by some elses belief.
Hi Mike Golch,
Thank you Mike. I appreciate you saying that.
I have come under criticism on some Christian blogs, therefore I don't visit them any more. I have found more tolerance and acceptance, and a real lack of judgment on blogs that are not specifically Christian.
I always come back to what Mike said "God does not make mistakes!" I will never understand why some things are so, but I know that God will always love the person. If he made that person to think and feel the way he/she does then so be it!
I know there will always be the thrill seekers but, on the whole, most would not choose the life they must face. I have known many homosexuals throughout my life and many have been desperately unhappy. Years ago when it was illegal - queer bashing - being unemployable, the list goes on. I have a dear friend who's husband was beaten to death for being homosexual. He tried (as many did) to deny it, and got married.
Did they choose it? I don't think so! Did God love them? I know so!
I grew up in a fundamantalist church with very rigid ideas about what was and wasn't a sinful lifestyle. Or to be more clear, what sins were and were not tolerated. Over eating (Gluttony) was a tolerated sin for instance, drinking (even moderately) was condemned. Laziness was overlooked while work-a-holics were judged. Being a divorced person made you unaacceptable as a worker in the church, but staying put to live in abuse was seen as stoic. Being gay is not ideal. I don't know any gay person who actually grew up delighted to find that they had been born that way. And being gay is listed as a sin...right alongside many of those committed daily by followers of Christ! Jesus Christ came to bring us to God, In order to acheive that relationship we accept Him and His message and try to live in His grace. Gay or straight. What to do with the scriptures that describe homosexuality as a sin that sends you to hell? Read revelations and notice that gluttons are also on that same list!
" ALL have fallen short of the Glory of God" Thats why Christ came! It may well be that the man who was urging you to repent was doing so out of concern. The book you mentioned is likely a good one for most people of God to read for thought and reflection.
Hi Babs (Beetle),
I'm sorry that you have come under such criticism on some Christian blogs. Some can be judgmental, while others are more tolerant.
Yes, I don't think that people choose to be gay, as much as just are gay. It can be a difficult for some. There is persecution. I'm sorry that your friend was killed. It's sometimes difficult to believe how cruel, and hateful some people can be.
Hi twofinches,
That same type of list is in 3 places in the Bible. (A list of sins.) And if you read them all, probably most Christians would find themselves on at list. So indeed it is by grace alone that we can be with God.
It's interesting to note that Christ and his followers were rejected my the religious leaders of his time, the Pharisees. Yet Jesus ate with outcasts like tax collectors who were usually thefts (criminals). Matthew the disciple was even a tax collector.
We are who we are and thats all there is to say about it. I would never judge anyone else. All we can do is pray for people who think that you have chosen to be gay. Like we can choose which country we are born in and the colour of our skin. Hopefully one day that man will understand but at least he wasnt coming on your blog and leaving hateful comments. Yes I think you should have responded and told him your views. Maybe it will make him think.
I grew up in the church and like many others I have found it difficult to work out what is a pastors personal views and what is fully biblically based as often they were mixed in together.
So many preachers abuse the power they have by putting forward views that are prejudice and claiming they are biblical.
Many church people have it wrong. Period.
I read in the Bible where Jesus told Peter three times to "Feed His sheep." He did not say "beat his sheep."
I had the hardest time accepting the fact that my son is gay, but I have an even harder time accepting the fact that someone in our town, who my son grew up with and was an assistant pastor at a church other than ours printed up our son's MySpace page and slid it under our pastor's door. I guess he thought he was doing God a favor.
In my Bible studies, I have discovered 2 things. The first is that arrogance is not a spiritual gift. I see many church leaders that act contrary to that statement. The second goes hand in hand with the first; Jesus was hardest on the leaders of the church during His earthly ministry.
Let me finish this lengthy comment by saying that I write a faith based blog called Seek Him First. Anybody is free to comment there. I consider myself one of the nicest bloggers around.
What baffles me is that as a Christian one is not to judge, yet in Christianity judging is done at a flip of a coin.
There is so much hatred and division in Christianity -- and the youth are turning away from it.
If we are all God's creatures, created by God --- then how can a loving God love some and not the other. That's like saying because my skin color is brown I am not human.
I have a grandson who is confused about his sexuality. I told him that whatever direction he chose to go in, he would be accepted and loved by me. As love is not limited.
Good Post Awake ... very good post!
Hi Lilly's Life,
I appreciate your comment. Unfortunately some people are judgmental. They don't seem to realize that part of being gay is just how your were born. I tried to go straight years ago for religious reasons, but it never took.
I did tell him my view, but doubt that it did any good. He had his mind made up all ready.
Hi S'onnie,
Like twofinches, I grew up in a fundamentalist church. People who danced, and wore make up were not considered as close to God. It's funny how the church in general seems to have changed along with society to some degree. Some of the dos and don't have nothing to do with the Bible, but are the pastors personal views, like you said.
Hi 74WIXYgrad, (Cliff)
"Jesus told Peter three times to "Feed His sheep." He did not say "beat his sheep." LOL! I like that. That sums it up nicely.
I'm sorry that your son suffered some persecution.
Yes, Jesus was hardest on the leaders of the church. And the leaders rejected him. I think it was the high priest Caiaphas that bribed Judas to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. So the religious leaders of the time had a hand in the murder of Jesus.
I consider you one of the nicest blogger too, and would recommend your blogs. ;)
Hi Amias,
Yes, some Christians can be judgmental, but things are changing. More churches in my area are accepting gays. I belonged to one such church for several years. One Easter 3 out of 4 of the people who helped the minister with communion were lesbians. They were fairly high profile people in the church. Can you imagine? I had tears in my eyes. They were passing out communion with the minister on Easter! So things are changing. Maybe not very quickly, but they are changing.
It's wonderful that you love your grandson unconditionally, and told him so! It can be difficult, especially on a young person. Sometimes young people can be cruel to each other.
I've read that book by Helminiak and it's very, very good. I'm always astounded at how many "christians" can accept some things as full gospel and ignore others. Then, when you explain why you disagree, they won't listen. It's as if they are afraid to hear another point of view because then they might have to do some research on their own instead of just obeying their pastors.
The bottom line is that Jesus spent a large majority of his time teaching. He taught against the Pharasees (the extreme religious right of His time) and their hypocrisy. It's the same thing all over again. A group of people who think they know exactly what God wants by obeying the letter of the law, not the spirit of the law.
I always tell my kids this:
"Uphold the law of love much more zealously than you uphold the love of law."
Hi Sinnerviewer,
I know you like that book - "What the Bible Really Says About Homosexuality." because you've been teaching "Lesbian Apologetics" at-
http://www.lesbiatopia.com/2008/10/lesbian-apologetics-bible-study.html
http://www.lesbiatopia.com/
Hey, I'm looking forward to your next post on apologetics! :) (hint)
I've had his book for years though.
I've read some of your posts concerning what you have been though & it's insane. I'm so sorry that they treated harshly. (jerks!)
Sinnerviewer,
It was sent! You got it sister! The package has been delivered. Your bird is in your hand. Huston we have liftoff!
This was very interesting. So many homosexuals have lost their faith because of this. Thanks!
Allison
Hi A.
Yes, unfortunately they have. Thanks.
I was wondering tonight why homosexuality is so threatening to people...can't figure it out. Of all the things to be worrying and debating about in this violent sad world, why focus on that?
Sorry...just popped in to think out loud :)
Extremely well thought and presented post and comments well worth reading. I am glad to have found your blog. I invite you to visit Psyche Connections.....Let me know you thoughts.
Linda
Hi twofinches,
Because homosexuals all have horns on their heads, pointed tails, fangs, and carry pitchforks. LOL!
I don't know. Maybe because people are use to the way things have been, and don't want change. It breaking a slandered norm. I don't know. It's hard to know where prejudiced comes from.
Hi Linda S. Socha,
Thank you for the complement.
Man persecutes his brothers and sisters in the name of Man; for the purposes of Man.
To wrongly say that God mandates such persecution is blasphemy and arrogance.
22:37 Jesus said to him: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind.
22:38 This is the greatest and the first commandment.
22:39 And the second is like to this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." Matthew
Hi Ghost Dansing,
That's a very good point, & good scriptures to back it up!
I'm not one for religious debates, so suffice it to say I do not judge ANYONE based on their sexual orientation. I would think THAT is the true sin.
Hi Giggle Pixie,
I appreciate that! Thank you!
What some people do in the name of God is a shame. Jesus was full of love. Why would God create someone He did not love as they are.
Welcome Wanda's Wings,
Was wondering why worthiness wasn't welcome as well.
Hm, Sorry, I'm getting weird.
Did you know that you are totally super awesome?
Hi meleah rebeccah,
Oh, your just after my bod! ;op
Lest I judge the speck in anothers eye, I must first take the plank out of mine own ...
Hi Speedy,
Good Scripture!
Thanks! ... I do not know if I quoted it quite right, but it is one of me favorites.
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