Beth-El Baptist Church

05/17/2007

Greg Tomlinson


What do the scriptures say about homosexuality?


There is much controversy in the media, within the global church and within society about the acceptability of homosexuality and whether it is by choice, genetic, or if it even matters. As Christians, we need to have an answer for even the most challenging questions that society and the church raises.


  1. How does biblical history present homosexuality?

Genesis 19:4-13 cmp Jude 7 Genesis 13:12-13; 18:16-22

1 Kings 14:24; 15:11-12; 22:46 2 Kings 23:7-8

Isaiah 3:8-11 Judges 19:22-25

Genesis 2:24


The sin of Sodom and Gomorrah was very great and it lead to the destruction of the land. The greatness of their sin can be seen in that they wanted to 'know' the men that came to Lot's house. He refused to send the men out to them, but offered his virgin daughters instead, whom the men of the city refused. The account in Judges and the sin of Benjamin is similar. The men of the city wanted to 'know' the men that came into the man's house. They did not want the women but the men. The kings were also measured with respect to doing what is right in the eyes of the LORD on whether the removed the 'sodomites' out of the land.


  1. Wasn't the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah about hospitality or temple prostitution?

Ezekiel 16:46-51 cmp Proverbs 14:12; Romans 10:3-4

Genesis 19:1-3 Deuteronomy 23:17

2 Kings 23:7-8 Judges 19:17-21


While Ezekiel specifically identifies pride, material possessions, and abundance of free time as the sins of Sodom and he does not mention homosexuality yet when you consider that pride is the pathway for men to do whatever is right in their own eyes, then pride would be the root of their sin and homosexuality just a symptom. With regards to hospitality, in both Genesis and Judges, there was some man in the city who was hospitable to the visitors so this sin seems unlikely. With regards to temple prostitution being the issue, it is true that the word translated 'sodomite' was also used for a temple with male prostitutes. When one of the kings destroyed the “house” of the “sodomites”, there is a distinction here between the 'house' and the 'sodomites' themselves. Also the scriptures do not specifically mention casting out the women who were religious prostitutes. This distinction of men versus women prostitutes indicates that there is a different issue being drawn with respect to homosexual and heterosexual sex acts.


  1. What does the Law of God say about homosexuality?

Leviticus 18:22-24; 20:13-16 Deuteronomy 23:17


Where there are many things that are identified as being an abomination to God, one of these is the case in which a man lies with another man as he would lie with a woman. This text does not have any religious expression in view. It deals with sexuality intimacy in general and who are to be considered to be appropriate sexual partners. In the scriptures, only the union of a man and a woman is considered to be appropriate.


  1. Have things changed in the New Testament?

Romans 1:25-32 1 Corinthians 7:1-2

Matthew 19:4-6 Mark 10:6-9


Nothing has changed in the New Testament. Same sex unions are still outside the behavioral intent established by God. Paul associates same sex unions with God allowing men to do whatever they wanted to do because they have rejected God. Paul also states that in order to avoid fornication, that every man should have his own woman and vice-versa. Thus in all of this, the only sexual union acceptable in God's eyes is the marriage relationship of one man and one woman