What Is The Church To Do With Homosexuals?
July 9, 2011 3 Comments
It appears that the Presbyterian Church USA will be allowing openly homosexual pastors. This after several other mainline protestant denominations have ordained homosexuals over the last decade. Meanwhile a church in New Jersey is offering a summer camp for homosexual teenagers. What we are witnessing in the church today is a move away from scripture, which clearly condemns homosexual acts and lust as sin. These churches are moving in the direction of cultural marxism, which seeks to separate us from our traditional Christian heritage. There can be nothing more separating for us than to glorify and accept sin.
Leviticus calls homosexual acts an abomination. In Romans Paul writes:
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. Romans 1:21-27
It is clear that homosexual acts and lust are forbidden by scripture. These denominations, professing to be ever so wise and tolerate, are nothing but fools. We must call on them to repent and turn from this wickedness. Likewise, we should also call on homosexuals to repent and turn from their wickedness.
What are we to do with the so-called gay Christian? There is no magic cure all for those who find themselves mired in the sin of homosexuality, just like there is no magic cure all for the drunk or heterosexual fornicator who burns in his lust. We in the church must be willing to accept the sincere repentance of homosexual sinners and like any other believer we must hold them to account when they sin. Like we wouldn’t tolerate fornication among single heterosexuals, we must not tolerate homosexual sexual relations. But we must be willing to forgive and we must we willing to help them overcome their sin, just like we would for any other sinner, ourselves included.
We in the church have spent to much time demonizing homosexuals, to the point where at many churches even repentant homosexuals are unwelcome. This is a grave mistake. I understand that the radical homosexual movement is perhaps the biggest threat to the Christian church today. We should no doubt fight back against the absurdity of homosexual marriage and the normalization of homosexual acts. But at the same time, we have to be careful not to demonize these sinners to the point that they never consider seeking repentance.
There is no hope in the homosexual death style. There is however hope in Jesus Christ and we ought not deny that hope to homosexuals who seek repentance. The church is open to all kinds of sinners who seek mercy and forgiveness through the blood of Christ. Surely homosexuals must be offered the same mercy and forgiveness. We must never tolerate their sin, in fact we shouldn’t tolerate any sin. But we must open the church up to homosexuals and work with them on their sin. Accepting their sin as normal isn’t going to do them or the church any good. But showing them love, kindness and mercy will do both the sinner and the church good. Christ calls on us to do just this.
About Steven
What I find, as an Atheist, particularly strange is the Leviticus’ treatment of Calabash Seafood. Apparently, eating shellfish is equal to being gay as they are both abomination. And we all know that a teen who isn’t obedient enough is an abomination, since the bible tells us that too. We further know, that Abominations are to be put to death. However, we also know that…
“As you approach a town to attack it, first offer its people terms for peace. If they accept your terms and open the gates to you, then all the people inside will serve you in forced labor. But if they refuse to make peace and prepare to fight, you must attack the town. When the LORD your God hands it over to you, kill every man in the town. But you may keep for yourselves all the women, children, livestock, and other plunder. You may enjoy the spoils of your enemies that the LORD your God has given you.”
It seems that death for a smart ass teen or a buffet lover is a bit extreme as is raping virgins. Now, as an Atheist, I don’t look to the bible for spiritual guidance but I’m always willing to incorporate good, consistent ideas into my morality. Jesus for example is a great source for guidance and I try to follow his teachings in everything I do. Leviticus and Numbers (from which the quote above is taken, does NOT seem to be very good guidance on morality and thus should be consigned to the trash heap of history.
I will say though that you at least show a Christian attitude toward homosexuals. Many of my fellow conservatives, with whom I argue continually on this issue, express such hypocrisy as to (often in the same sentence) claim to be following Christ AND call for the summary deportation or imprisonment (or on a few occasions, the execution) of gays. I still have not heard a satisfactory explanation of why the same calls aren’t made for those who eat shellfish. The most oft expressed explanation is the the OT was rendered invalid by the NT (except for the moral bits) but, at least to me, that sounds like cherry picking, especially because the “Kill Unruly Teens” and “Its fine to rape the virgins if they aren’t from you village” clauses seems to be the bible’s advice on how to lead a life pleasing to god.
I do not believe that homosexuality is any more a choice than hair color or right-handedness. Even if it were, I’d be inclined to leave consenting adults alone on this issue in the same way I do for those who eat meat or drink beer. Obviously, as a lover of freedom and liberty, I freely admit that any church is and should be allowed to determine its own membership and practices. I further commend your stance on calling for a CHRISTIAN attitude toward gays. That is a great step forward. The next step is calling for equality under the law. I hope to see you there on day.
Seppy
I believe the Old Testament laws still apply today. There are those laws which are ceremonial in nature which are done away with in Christ and then there are civil laws which are still in force. Laws having to do with purity such as not eating shellfish or pork and laws regarding clothing are done away with in Christ. He is our purity. But laws against murder, stealing and adultery are still in force. This would include laws against homosexual acts.
Keep in mind, the Christian believes it is the job of the state to enforce civil law. It is not the job of the church. While I believe the civil government is within its authority to execute a murderer, the church has no such authority. When it comes to homosexuals, it is not the job of the church to enforce civil punishments against them. It is the job of the church to welcome the sinner unto repentance and it is the job of the church to make sure the sinner keeps away from sin.
The problem I have with some in the church today is that they want the church to ostracize various groups of sinners because the civil government will not do its job. This is a grave error because in doing this the church is enforcing its own form of death penalty, one which is wholly unbiblical.
To me it doesn’t matter if there’s a so-called gay gene or not. There is apparently a drunk gene out there, that doesn’t excuse drunks for their actions. The fall has brought sin into the world and it shouldn’t surprise anyone if the fall has affected the gene pool in this manner. It doesn’t let them off the hook, they are responsible for their actions. Each person chooses to engage in sexual relations, gene or no gene.
What the church must do is accept repentance and help the homosexual overcome their sin, just like we would do for any other sinner. That is what the church is called on to do and unfortunately I fear some in the church don’t care to do this for homosexuals for political reasons. We can opposed homosexual marriage, adoption and normalization while still forgiving sin and welcoming repentant believers, no matter their sin, into the church.
Amen ! brotha ..only sinners down right sinful and who commit abominations God uses them just as much as the ones who grow up without a drink of booze. Its a shame what the presbyterians are doing..God welcomes the most sinful people.. as we has Christians are to Love them and hate. We gotta pray read the Bible daily …I confess I struggle to do even this … but if do not read your Bible and pray and go to church im afraid you will back slide sooo quick its scary … or may not even be saved..im so thankful for the prayers of people in church if they didnt pray and plead with God for my life …im afriad i would be dead of drugs and mental illness and poverty or suicide.Please pray and be soo eager to welcome anyone into your church no matter what they have done..We have to pray …pray pray pray read the Word of God …Thank God for strong Christians and faithful families who show the love of God and leaving us broken down filthy sinners who came from self delusion drugs alchohol …masterbation , homosexuality whatever …Thank God for people who pray !! only in the name of Jesus …God please have mercy and bring others into the laboring field before its too late in Jesus name Amen Amen!