Homosexuality and Church
An article in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung titled “Kirche und Homosexualität – Umschwulung zum Ehemann” got my attention a few days ago, and because I have been reading about the topic a lot lately, I wanted to give my thoughts.
There are a few core issues that are being debated about homosexuality these days. One is the cause, the other the cure; is it genetic or a choice? Can it be cured?
Biblically, homosexuality is clearly a sin, depicted very clearly in 1 Corinthians 6:9 or 1 Timothy 1:10. This also explains a lot as to what causes it and whether it can be cured.
There is no medical evidence that homosexuality is a disease or has a genetic cause, and the article mentions that, so leading a homosexual life style is clearly a choice. It is true that some people are more affected by some sins than others, we all have our weaknesses, but we are always the ones responsible for it and probably the ones that caused it in the first place anyway. Some say God made them that way, but that is so contradictory to Scripture it shouldn’t even be mentioned anymore; it’s already answered. Besides, what kind of God would first make homosexuals and then condemn them? Let me rephrase that to lead into the next issue of whether there is a cure. Even if there were a gene that causes homosexual tendencies, the Bible is still very clear on it being a sin. And because it’s not God’s nature to first make a sinner and then condemn them, we need to note two things. God doesn’t make sinners, but He provides a way out of any kind of sin.
The article mentions testimonies of people that thought God had freed them from their sin only to fall back into it, expressing some kind of disappointment in God. I don’t believe that someone saved by grace through faith in Christ is 100% free from all his temptations. That will only happen in heaven. I still struggle with the things I was addicted to before I became a Christian, and that will never change. But through constant time spent with God and growing more mature in my knowledge and devotion to Him, the times that I do fail and fall back are very few. I know it is the same way with any type of sin or addiction.
Christians are usually called intolerant for pointing out sin in other people’s lives. Normally that should be done in a very loving and humble manner, realizing that we ourselves are just the same. We are simply beggars who try to tell other beggars where to find bread. How do we witness to homosexuals? The same way we do any other sinner: Speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). Christ can fix anything, though there will be scars depending on how deep we were in it before we accepted Him.
As an afterthought, some people told me it sounds like it can “just be fixed”, we just need to “ask them to stop it.” That is not my point nor my intention. I mentioned in a comment below that my heart breaks for homosexuals, as for every sinner, especially because I am directly affected by it. Sin cannot always be just “stopped;” most likely there will be a life long struggle in that same area even after one accepted Christ. It’s certainly that way for me; I still struggle with lust and always will. I hope this clarified my position somewhat.
Related posts:
I’m at a loss for words, to me, reading this was just terrible. I’ll talk to you soon, if you want to. Right now, just a few thoughts, maybe also for other people reading your blog: Homosexuality is neither a sin, nor a disease. It doesn’t need to be cured. Moreover, using the bible (or any religious text) as scientific reference for natural or socio-scientific topics is not mature, but blinded.
Greetings from Old Europe, bye Thomas
Thanks for your comment Thomas! I am not using the Bible as a scientific text, just as moral compass, because homosexuality is not a scientific issues but a moral one. It’s is not a disease, as you rightly say, but it is a sin. Let me define sin: Anything that goes against what God says is sin. It’s an archery term and “the sin of the arrow” is a measure of how much the arrow missed the target, so it’s a measure of how much we missed God’s perfect law. To profess being a Christian and NOT using God’s Word to judge (or analyze if you will, judging sounds very negative) what is going on in the world today just doesn’t make any sense. It’s not like religion – in the positive sense of the word – happens in a bubble. Christians are supposed to “take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ”, that is, watch everything through “God lenses.” I am doing that because I believe the Bible is true in everything that it affirms, but that’s another topic I would gladly talk to you about. The last point I want to make is that what I wrote above is in no way against homosexuals. They aren’t any different than any other person living in sin. My heart breaks for them and having homosexual relatives confronts me with this every day! It’s not like I am walking around pointing out other people’s flaws. I have many of my own. And as I mentioned above, it’s possible to turn away from it through Christ, so it’s not trying to accomplish the impossible. I hope that made sense.
Christoph