The apostle Paul writes, “Shun fornication! Every sin that a person commits is outside the body; but the fornicator sins against the body itself” (1 Cor. 6:18 NRSV). The English word “fornication” (or “fornicator”) is an old-fashioned word that has nearly vanished from use (unless used mockingly). The Greek equivalent porneia refers to sexual intercourse, adultery, homosexuality, and bestiality; it also refers metaphorically to the worship of idols.
In our sex-drenched age, committing sexual acts before marriage is commonplace; adultery has been reduced to merely “having an affair;” bestiality is being explored by some; and homosexuality is quickly becoming the cultural norm (though once it was deemed very abnormal and even treatable). Whatever God’s word teaches or commands about human sexuality, what cannot be denied is that we exist in an overly-sexual or sensual culture.
Recently, at the Southern Baptist Convention 2011 conference, held in Phoenix, Arizona, Dr. Al Mohler made a comment about homosexuality with which some have taken issue (link). He states that one’s sexuality is not a matter of choice, and I agree with him.
Where is the individual who, at a certain age, decided that he or she proactively chose to be attracted to either the female or male sex? Such people do no exist. Neither Dr. Mohler, nor you or I, at one moment in our life chose to be attracted to whatever sex we happen to be attracted. If someone cares to argue the point, then I would assume that such an individual could, at any moment, change his or her mind and proactively choose to be attracted to whatever opposite sex they are currently attracted. I doubt anyone is willing to admit to such.
Though many agree with Dr. Mohler on the matter of choice — or as we have it, non-choice — regarding sexual attraction, what some people are perplexed about is how the Church (or Southern Baptists in particular) have “lied about the nature of homosexuality,” as he stated at the Southern Baptist Convention. To confess that Southern Baptists have lied about the nature of homosexuality is to suggest that they knew the truth about such nature but admitted the contrary. If this assessment was what Dr. Mohler was suggesting, as some maintain, then I disagree with him. I am not convinced, however, that the word “lied” is exactly the notion for which he was aiming.
I am not Dr. Mohler’s spokesman, so I certainly do not want to put words in his mouth, so to speak, or attach meanings to his statements that he did not intend. But when I read his words, I immediately thought I understood his intent to communicate that many (though not all) Southern Baptists have 1) handled the subject of homosexuality badly (and they have); 2) treated homosexuals with disrespect, and have been guilty of pushing the gay community farther from the grace of the kingdom of God and the saving arms of Jesus (and they have); 3) dialogued about the subject of homosexuality as though homosexuals could “switch” their sexual orientation by a mere choice (and they cannot); and 4) have sought little to no methods of amending such ineptness on their part.
We all need to face a few facts. Human sexuality is not an easily understood topic; it is not as cut-and-dried as some imagine. As with human nature, our sin nature, the soul and/or spirit, and our complexity as fallen yet metaphysical beings created in the image of God are not detailed doctrines clearly laid out for us in Scripture (or any other book for that matter).
Humanity did not come with an instruction manual, other than what has been revealed in Scripture. But even in Scripture, the existence and nature of God is merely assumed, not explained; such are accepted as truth by faith. The human spirit, with all of its complexities, is also merely assumed, not explained. We all would do well to be less dogmatic about certain assertions or presumptions where Scripture does not fully address those issues.
But where issues are clearly explained, we should abide by them, accepting them as God’s commands. Therefore, when Scripture teaches about how to handle sexual issues, we need to abide by those teachings because God has our best interest in mind. Thus when Scripture demands that we all — hetero- and homosexual in orientation — avoid fornication (sexual intimacy outside of marriage, marriage being defined as physical, sexual and spiritual union between one male and one female), then we must trust in Christ that He has our best interest at heart and obey Him implicitly.
From my perspective, we should not think that God created one man or woman heterosexual and another man or woman homosexual, but then denied the homosexual physical, emotional or sexual fulfillment through a same-sex partner. Such an alleged creative act is, I believe, beneath God’s integrity. Whatever the cause for our sexual orientation, I would not lay such at the feet of God. I cannot fathom God “giving” a person a certain sexual and physical desire and then demanding him or her to refrain from its fulfillment. I tend to leave God out of the direct equation of human sexuality, even if sexual orientation is not intentionally chosen by an individual.
On the issue of homosexuality — the topic of discussion for the next post — I am far less concerned about one’s sexual attraction than I am with what one does with that attraction. Can a gay man or a gay woman be saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus? Scripture answers in absolute terms!
Yes, anyone who trusts in Christ can and will by that continued faith in Him be saved (Rom. 10:13-17). Such a person will be born again (John 3:1-8; 2 Cor. 5:17) and spiritually placed in union with Christ (Eph. 1:4) and within the mystical body of Christ, comprised of other believers worldwide (1 Cor. 12:13). Such a person, though not perfect or sinless, and may, perhaps, still commit or struggle with that sexual sin in moments of weakness, will nonetheless seek to live a holy life in Christ, for without holiness no one will see the Lord (Heb. 12:14). Such a person will seek not to fulfill his or her lust for the same sex, but live to fulfill or please the Lord Jesus Christ.
Sex is not our God. Jesus Christ, Son of God, is the One whom we aim to please. May God the Father be glorified by us in the Son through the Holy Spirit.
In our sex-drenched age, committing sexual acts before marriage is commonplace; adultery has been reduced to merely “having an affair;” bestiality is being explored by some; and homosexuality is quickly becoming the cultural norm (though once it was deemed very abnormal and even treatable). Whatever God’s word teaches or commands about human sexuality, what cannot be denied is that we exist in an overly-sexual or sensual culture.
Recently, at the Southern Baptist Convention 2011 conference, held in Phoenix, Arizona, Dr. Al Mohler made a comment about homosexuality with which some have taken issue (link). He states that one’s sexuality is not a matter of choice, and I agree with him.
Where is the individual who, at a certain age, decided that he or she proactively chose to be attracted to either the female or male sex? Such people do no exist. Neither Dr. Mohler, nor you or I, at one moment in our life chose to be attracted to whatever sex we happen to be attracted. If someone cares to argue the point, then I would assume that such an individual could, at any moment, change his or her mind and proactively choose to be attracted to whatever opposite sex they are currently attracted. I doubt anyone is willing to admit to such.
Though many agree with Dr. Mohler on the matter of choice — or as we have it, non-choice — regarding sexual attraction, what some people are perplexed about is how the Church (or Southern Baptists in particular) have “lied about the nature of homosexuality,” as he stated at the Southern Baptist Convention. To confess that Southern Baptists have lied about the nature of homosexuality is to suggest that they knew the truth about such nature but admitted the contrary. If this assessment was what Dr. Mohler was suggesting, as some maintain, then I disagree with him. I am not convinced, however, that the word “lied” is exactly the notion for which he was aiming.
I am not Dr. Mohler’s spokesman, so I certainly do not want to put words in his mouth, so to speak, or attach meanings to his statements that he did not intend. But when I read his words, I immediately thought I understood his intent to communicate that many (though not all) Southern Baptists have 1) handled the subject of homosexuality badly (and they have); 2) treated homosexuals with disrespect, and have been guilty of pushing the gay community farther from the grace of the kingdom of God and the saving arms of Jesus (and they have); 3) dialogued about the subject of homosexuality as though homosexuals could “switch” their sexual orientation by a mere choice (and they cannot); and 4) have sought little to no methods of amending such ineptness on their part.
We all need to face a few facts. Human sexuality is not an easily understood topic; it is not as cut-and-dried as some imagine. As with human nature, our sin nature, the soul and/or spirit, and our complexity as fallen yet metaphysical beings created in the image of God are not detailed doctrines clearly laid out for us in Scripture (or any other book for that matter).
Humanity did not come with an instruction manual, other than what has been revealed in Scripture. But even in Scripture, the existence and nature of God is merely assumed, not explained; such are accepted as truth by faith. The human spirit, with all of its complexities, is also merely assumed, not explained. We all would do well to be less dogmatic about certain assertions or presumptions where Scripture does not fully address those issues.
But where issues are clearly explained, we should abide by them, accepting them as God’s commands. Therefore, when Scripture teaches about how to handle sexual issues, we need to abide by those teachings because God has our best interest in mind. Thus when Scripture demands that we all — hetero- and homosexual in orientation — avoid fornication (sexual intimacy outside of marriage, marriage being defined as physical, sexual and spiritual union between one male and one female), then we must trust in Christ that He has our best interest at heart and obey Him implicitly.
From my perspective, we should not think that God created one man or woman heterosexual and another man or woman homosexual, but then denied the homosexual physical, emotional or sexual fulfillment through a same-sex partner. Such an alleged creative act is, I believe, beneath God’s integrity. Whatever the cause for our sexual orientation, I would not lay such at the feet of God. I cannot fathom God “giving” a person a certain sexual and physical desire and then demanding him or her to refrain from its fulfillment. I tend to leave God out of the direct equation of human sexuality, even if sexual orientation is not intentionally chosen by an individual.
On the issue of homosexuality — the topic of discussion for the next post — I am far less concerned about one’s sexual attraction than I am with what one does with that attraction. Can a gay man or a gay woman be saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus? Scripture answers in absolute terms!
Yes, anyone who trusts in Christ can and will by that continued faith in Him be saved (Rom. 10:13-17). Such a person will be born again (John 3:1-8; 2 Cor. 5:17) and spiritually placed in union with Christ (Eph. 1:4) and within the mystical body of Christ, comprised of other believers worldwide (1 Cor. 12:13). Such a person, though not perfect or sinless, and may, perhaps, still commit or struggle with that sexual sin in moments of weakness, will nonetheless seek to live a holy life in Christ, for without holiness no one will see the Lord (Heb. 12:14). Such a person will seek not to fulfill his or her lust for the same sex, but live to fulfill or please the Lord Jesus Christ.
Sex is not our God. Jesus Christ, Son of God, is the One whom we aim to please. May God the Father be glorified by us in the Son through the Holy Spirit.
It is a very difficult issue. I often wonder if the hermaphrodite had a choice. Or how about the Siamese twins. The results of the curse are widespread, but the gospel of redemption is for everyone. As you can imagine, my views on this subject met with little enthusiasm from the reformed wing of evagelicalism. Here they are:
ReplyDeletehttp://judahslion.blogspot.com/2008/04/inconvenient-truth-matt.html
Rick,
ReplyDeleteI look forward to reading it after class this morning! I too have often wondered about the hermaphrodite. I've also heard stories of a doctor having to decide which sex to make an infant. But the doctor does not know the "sex," if you will, of the infant's soul (for those of us who believe that souls are gender oriented).
These issues are very difficult and require our utmost humility, while holding tenaciously all that God's word teaches about sin and redemption.
WWB,
ReplyDeleteA very thoughtful post.
I have considered homosexuality a developmental issue rather than a genetic one, but you mention something I actually have not considered--gender in soul. I do not believe gender can be associated with the soul, since when we see Jesus, we will all be like him. Believers are all the sons of God as it were. Gender makes sense in the here and now, but not when we're like the angels, neither marrying nor given in marriage.
SLW,
ReplyDeleteSo, would you consider our immaterial self to be gender-neutral, and that the only aspect of our being which makes us male or female is our anatomy or sexual organs? I'm curious.
Gender-neutral may be a good description, maybe gender-inclusive may be more to the point. I'm really not certain how to describe it. Genesis declares that God made man in his image, male and female he created them. Maleness or femaleness did not seem to be essential in any respect to God-likeness--IOW, the "female soul" was indistinguishable from the "male soul". It appears to me that the Fall and the Curse were the genesis of male/female distinctiveness in relation to soulish properties as well as accentuating differences due to physiological factors.
DeleteSLW,
ReplyDeleteOkay, then I have a question: What does it mean to behave "like a man," or "like a lady"? Certainly, our sexual organs do not dictate behavioral patterns, do they? If we're gender-inclusive/gender-neutral immaterially, then what dictates masculinity or femininity?
Also, are those distinctions not God-ordered? Do you think Adam and Eve prior to the fall had no gender-behavioral patterns, such as Adam being masculine and Eve being feminine? Do you see where I'm going with this?
WWB,
DeleteWhat does it mean to behave "like a man," or "like a lady"?
We have no way to unpack what that might have meant in the pristine climes of Eden before the Fall. We can only say that in this current economy that associated with the physiological and psychological natures of the person (which are fallen and curse bound), are also associated some gender specific behavioral norms. So yes, our sexual organs do dictate behavioral patterns, at least in a some measure. Some patterns are emergent (developmental) and some are cultural. I would cite the same three influences as determiners of masculinity and femininity.
Also, are those distinctions not God-ordered?
Since the Fall, yes, but ordered in the form of a curse, subsequently reinforced by proscription of law. Before the Fall, we can only truly say we have no idea, although I think we can say without fear of contradiction, that whatever existed before the Fall, supremacy and domination were not part of it. Where I really struggle as a Christian with this is that faith embraces the resurrection of Christ, and the earnest of what will be. We see past the curse and are no longer under the law, except, that is, in gender related issues and tithing.
William,
ReplyDeleteI asked one Calvinist... “When a homosexual tells me ‘God made me this way’, are they speaking the truth?”
His response?
“If God did not make them this way, who did? Is there some other creator-being out there?
Sadly, this calvinist was being consistent with his theology and the sovereignty of God. If man could “choose” to be homosexual then God isn’t sovereign. He had no problem laying this at the feet of God.
However, let’s look at Romans 1:26-27....
Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.
Notice that these men and woman “exchanged” and “abandoned” their natural relationships for un-natural ones. They were born natural and chose otherwise. The word “natural” for me means by God’s design.
Genesis 2:24...
For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
Genesis 9:1...
Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth”.
Mark 10:8-9 NIV...
and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”
Basically, I am saying I am a heterosexual by design. I did not choose to be heterosexual. That is how God designed it. However, sin is a choice. People choose to homosexual. They choose to exchange or abandon natural relationships for un-natural ones. Heterosexuals do not choose to be heterosexuals because that is our nature by God’s design. But man, in his wickedness, chose to take God’s design and pervert it.
Just my 2 cents, and I could be wrong, but that’s the way I see.
God bless.
wingedfooted1
Wingf.,
ReplyDeleteHmmm ... perhaps Lady Gaga is a Calvinist!? (Completely joking, of course!)
William,
ReplyDeleteWell, I guess you could say homosexuals would make good calvinists. It would certainly take the pressure off.
wingedfooted1
Does God create Siamese twins? Many are born with very weird and serious phobias. Is that a choice? Hermaphrodites a choice? In Australia last year, a normal heterosexual male went into a coma for weeks. He awoke and found he was attracted to men. A Welsh man claims the same thing.
ReplyDeleteThe effects of the fall do not just affect everything but sexual issues. It does not make it right, and there is redemption in Christ, but let us not pretend that all gay people choose to be persecuted, beat up, just so they can be gay.
One gay teenager was born into a Christian home. (TV documentary) he kept his feelings secret until his sister discovered his secret when he was 17. His family and his church condemned him and dogged him tirelessly about repentance. He tried and tried and tried.
When he was 22 years old he jumped off an overpass onto the path of a tracter trailer. Some choice. Depression and suicide is proportionately higher among gays. It is true some choose that route because of rebellion and perhaps rejection by the opposite sex and even child molestation which warps their sexual compass.
However some are obviously born with same sex attractions. Some of them come to hate themselves. The church is usually no friend to these tortured sinners, and are mcuh more apt to extend redemption to Hugh Hefner than they are to Barney Frank.
Rick,
ReplyDeleteExcellent responses, as I've come to expect! I'm still not ready to say "born with same sex attractions," however. Obviously, I could be wrong -- way wrong! If we say that some gay people are "born with same sex attractions" as a result of the fall, I can at least get on board with that! (I think that was the gist of what you wrote.)
I do know one thing: every single other word you wrote in your response is spot on! I don't think any person -- gay or straight -- willingly and determinately chooses their sexual attraction. If that were the case, then all of us could, in the very next moment, choose to be the opposite of what we are now.
I think influences, whether known or unknown, have played a long, historical part in human sexuality. There's so much more that needs to be said; and there are so many hurting people who need our patience, love, and concern for their spiritual and physical well being. Human sexuality is a complicated issue and deserves our humility instead of dogmatic Bible-bashing.
... continued ...
ReplyDeleteAnd obviously I'm not trying to advocate any notion that homosexuality is acceptable to God any more than are other sinful vices. I think our focus should be placed much more on redemption than on slamming others upside their head with our Bibles. Firmly state what sin is -- call sin, sin. But focus the attention of others on redemption.
Same sex attractions are as sinful as lustful attractions for thy neighbor. All sin emanates from the fall, but it seems we treat some sins differently than the "normal" sins which we all have committed. I have never been attracted to a man, however I have lusted after a woman who was not my wife.
ReplyDeleteBoth are sins, both are forgiveable, and both sinners are redeemable. Like I said in the post I linked to, we need to separate redemption from morality. One is ny works and one is by grace.
They both have a place, however when they are mixed we fall from grace.
William,
ReplyDeleteJust a thought.
If homosexuality isn’t a choice (even in some instances), are we not also conceding that murder, rape, and child pornography isn’t a choice either?
When God told Cain...
“Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.”
Was Cain born a murderer? Was it his destiny?
God bless.
wingedfooted1