The Bible
&
The HomosexualBy E. L. Bynum
Not many years ago it was not proper to speak in
public about homosexuality. It was something that po-
lite, decent people just did not talk about. They knew it
existed, but they knew it was wrong. Religious people
knew the Bible condemned it as a sin. Perhaps too many
Christians have been silent too long, on the subject. In
the last 20 years there has been a tremendous change in
public attitudes. This has come about through the
influence of magazines, newspapers, and books, which
have advocated a soft and sympathetic attitude toward
this sin. Some doctors, psychiatrists and psychologists
have defended homosexuality. The movie industry has
portrayed homosexuality and lesbianism in a sympa-
thetic way. In movie theaters and over television,
sodomy has been introduced to adults and children alike.
It has had an impact on public opinion. Now the
homosexuals are coming out in the open and bragging
about their practice. Many "gay parades" have been
held. Some cities have had "gay pride week." ("Gay" is
a slang word that homosexuals use to describe them-
selves).
So it is high time that this subject be discussed in the
light of the Bible. That we propose to do, as plainly as we
know how. We have no intention of using offensive lan-
guage or lurid descriptions of homosexuality. We trust
that carnal curiosity will not be aroused, but that the
reader will be brought to a greater realization of the holi-
ness of God. Sex is not dirty or immoral, IF it is used
according to the Bible teaching. "Marriage is honourable in
all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and
adulterers God will judge." Heb. 13:4.
Some Helpful Definitions The following definitions are taken from Webster's
New Twentieth Century Dictionary, Unabridged,
Second Edition, 1975. "Homosexuality, 1. sexual desire
for those of the same sex. 2. sexual relations between
individuals of the same sex." "Homosexual, one whose
sexual inclination is toward those of the individual's own
sex rather than the opposite sex." "Sodomite, a person
who practices sodomy." "Sodomy, any sexual inter-
course regarded as abnormal, as between persons of the
same sex, especially males, or between a person and an
animal." "Lesbian, a homosexual woman." "Lesbian-
ism, the sexual practices of Lesbians; homosexuality
between women."The Bible Is Against Homosexuality Regardless of what man may say about homosexual-
ity, the Bible believer must turn to the Bible to get God's
truth on the subject. Here we will find the eternal truth,
which should forever settle the issue. Surely no one who
has a working knowledge of the Bible could ever contend
that this Holy Book condones homosexual acts. The
teachers and churches who advocate the homosexual
life style, simply do not know the Bible or believe what it
says. Both the Old and New Testaments bear abundant
proof that God considers it to be a wicked and terrible
sin.
Homosexuality is contrary to nature! God told both
Adam and Noah to "multiply, and replenish the earth." (Genesis 1:28; 9:1)
If Adam or Noah and his sons had adapted a total homo-
sexual way of life, then the human race would have come
to an end. It is obvious today, if all the earth's people be-
came homosexuals, the human race would come to an
end. Of course some homosexuals are bisexual, and do
bear children.Sodom And The First Mention Of Homosexuality Genesis is the book of beginnings. There is a rule fol-
lowed by fundamental Bible students, that is known as
the law or rule of "first mention." When you find
something mentioned the first time in Genesis, this will
set a pattern for understanding it throughout the Bible.
This certainly holds true on homosexuality. "...the
men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD
exceedingly." Genesis 13:13. We are not long left in
doubt of the nature of the sin Sodom was noted for.
God revealed to Abraham that He was going to
destroy Sodom, "Because the cry of Sodom and
Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very
grievous" Gen. 18:20. God sent two angels, who
appeared as men, into Sodom to warn Lot and his family
to flee the city. The angels spent the night in Lot's house.
That night the men of Sodom surrounded the house and
asked, "Where are the men which came in to thee this
night? bring them out unto us, that we may know
them." Gen. 19:5. It is clear that the Bible uses the word
"know" many times to describe a sex act between two
individuals. "And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she
conceived, and bare Cain..." Gen. 4:1. "And Cain knew his
wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch..." Gen. 4:
17. Lot offered to give the men of Sodom his two un-
married daughters, which had not "known man", but
of course they were not interested in women. (Genesis 19:8) They
wanted men, because they were sodomites. Even when
they were smitten with blindness by the angels, these
wicked men still wearied themselves in trying to find the
door of Lot's house.
God destroyed Sodom with fire and brimstone. Any-
one should be able to read Genesis 19 and see God's atti-
tude toward the practice of homosexuals. "Then the
LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone
and fire from the LORD out of heaven" Gen. 19:24. This
event is mentioned many other places in the Bible, by
Isaiah, Jeremiah and other prophets. It is used as an
example of God's judgment by Jesus, Peter and Jude in
the New Testament. Not one writer or speaker in the
Bible questions God's righteousness in destroying these
cities.God's Law Forbids Homosexual Acts It is easy to see that homosexual acts are forbidden
by the Law. "Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with
womankind: it is abomination." Lev. 18:22. This sin
called for the death penalty under the Law. "If a man
also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of
them have committed an abomination: they shall surely
be put to death" Lev. 20:13. "There shall be no whore
of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of
Israel." Deut. 23:17. "Thou shalt not commit adultery."
Exo. 20:14. Although this verse does not mention an
homosexual act, nevertheless, it would forbid this sin.
Why? Because homosexuals commit adulterous acts
with persons of the same sex.Why God Commands Nations To Be Destroyed! Israel was told to destroy certain nations that dwelt in
the land of Canaan. This is found a number of times in
Deuteronomy and Joshua. It is clear that Israel not only
was told to do this, but God also said He would help
them do it. Some liberal humanistic theologians of the
20th Century do not believe that God said for Israel to do
this. They do not deny that it is found in the Bible, but
they deny that God said it. They prefer to believe that the
writers simply made it up to cover their cruelties to the
inhabitants of the land. The Bible believer must take an
entirely different approach.
Let the Bible speak. In Deut. 7:1, seven nations are
named and in 7:2, Israel is commanded: "And when the
LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt
smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no
covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them". "(22)And
the LORD thy God will put out those nations before
thee...(23)the LORD thy God shall deliver them unto thee, and
shall destroy them..." Deut. 7:22,23. A careful study
will reveal WHY God ordered whole nations to be
destroyed by the Israelites. God warned Israel
concerning a long list of sins, including incest, adultery,
having sex with animals and homosexuality. "(22)Thou
shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind...(23)Nei-
ther shalt thou lie with any beast...(24)Defile not ye your-
selves in any of these things: for in all these the nations
are defiled which I cast out before you...(25)the land itself
vomiteth out her inhabitants." Lev. 18:22-25 Man is for-
bidden to "(13)lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman,"
and "(23)ye shall not walk in the manners of the nation,
which I cast out before you: for they committed all these
things, and therefore I abhorred them." Lev. 20:13,23.
Judah was condemned during the time of Rehoboam,
because "there were also sodomites in the land: and
they did according to all the abominations of the nations
which the LORD cast out before the children of Israel." I
Kings 14:24. Once again we are shown one of the
principal reasons why God ordered the wholesale
destruction of certain nations. God knew what He was
doing, and He violated none of His attributes or laws in
destroying them. His love, holiness and righteousness
are vindicated by His judgments. True love will never
tolerate and condone homosexuality!!Doing Right In The Eyes Of The Lord! Those who condoned and tolerated the sodomites
were condemned by God. However, the kings who
properly handled the homosexual issue, "did that which
was right in the eyes of the LORD". King Asa "(11)did that
which was right in the eyes of the LORD, ...(12)he took away
the sodomites out of the land..." I Kings 15:11,12.
King Jehoshaphat did "(43)that which was right in the eyes
of the LORD...(46)the remnant of the sodomites...he took
out of the land." I Kings 22:43,46. King Josiah "(2)did that
which was right in the sight of the LORD, ...(7)he brake
down the houses of the sodomites, that were by the
house of the LORD..." II Kings 22:2; 23:7.
Churches, denominations and teachers who advo-
cate, condone or excuse homosexuality are NOT doing
that which is right in the sight of the Lord."God gave them up" In Romans chapter 1, homosexuality is pictured as
being at the end of the road. It is at the lowest level of
human depravity. The stages of Gentile apostasy are
clearly set forth. "(21)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. (22)Professing themselves to be wise,
they became fools, (23)And changed the glory of the uncor-
ruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man,
and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
(24)Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness
through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their
own bodies between themselves.... (26)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: (27)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 1:21-24,26-27.
Surely anyone can understand that the above Scripture con-
demns homosexual sins. Man turned from God to idols, to hu-
man depravity, and God gave them up. God will not counte-
nance homosexuality, sodomy and lesbianism. Homosexual
ministers and ministers who condone homosexuality have writ-
ten many articles defending its practice, but they never bother
to explain Romans 1. The reason is obvious. It cannot be ex-
plained away. It must either be ignored or denied. Widespread
homosexuality in a society is a sign that God has given them up!
If America continues to follow the widespread homosexual
trend, it will destroy our civilization.Should H*m*sexual Be Punished? Certainly the h*m*sexual should be punished by civil govern-
ment. The Bible condones laws against murder, kidnapping,
adultery and many other sins. Society has a right to protect
itself against destructive crimes. These things are not private
matters and should not be treated as such. It is not a matter
"between consenting adults in private," as we are told.
Listen to the Word of God! "(8)But we know that the law is good,
if a man use it lawfully; (9)Knowing this, that the law is not made
for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the
ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers
of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, (10)For
whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind
[the homosexual], for menstealers, for liars, for per-
jured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound
doctrine" I Timothy 1:8-10.
"[D]efile themselves with mankind", in the above Scripture is
translated from the Greek word "arsenokoites" and it means
"sodomites" according to Strong's Greek Dictionary. Thayer's
Greek Lexicon defines "arsenokoites" as "one who lies with a
male as with a female, a sodomite." So according to the above
Scripture, sodomy should be illegal and should be punished
along with murder and kidnapping.Saving Grace And The Homosexual Some people contend that a homosexual cannot be saved.
Generally they base their belief on Romans 1, which says: "God
gave them up". Others point to I Cor. 6:9,10 to show that the
homosexual cannot be saved. However, we believe that a close
study of these Scriptures will prove just the opposite. We
hasten to say, that we do not believe that a person who is saved
will remain a homosexual. That person who is saved will turn
from it, repent of it and forsake it.
Let us note what the Scripture says! "(9)Know ye not that the
unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not de-
ceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor
effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind [Greek
"arsenokoites" meaning "sodomites"], (10)Nor thieves, nor
covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall in-
herit the kingdom of God." I Cor. 6:9,10. This would end all
hope of salvation for the sodomite and a lot of others, if it were
not for the next verse of Scripture. "And such were some of you:
but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in
the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." I Cor.
6:11. So there you have the truth. Some of the Corinthian Chris-
tians had been sodomites, but they no longer were sodomites,
for they had been washed, sanctified and justified by the Lord.
They were no longer involved in the awful sin. They were not
saved by quitting their sins, but they were saved out of their
sins.
So to talk of "homosexual churches" and "homosexual
ministers" and "homosexual weddings", is like speaking of
"murder churches", "murder ministers" and "murder
weddings." The whole idea is preposterous, absurd, senseless
and utterly foolish, in the light of the Bible.Do They Need Love And Understanding? The homosexual needs the truth more than anything else.
"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you
free." John 8:32. He needs to know that all human beings are
born with a sinful nature, but they are not born homosexuals.
The devil would like for homosexuals to believe that they are
born homosexuals, and that there is nothing they can do about
it. They need to be told that it is not a sickness, but a sin! By
"repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus
Christ" (Acts 20:21), they can be saved.
To promote, encourage or participate in homosexual acts, is a
grave offense against God. Homosexual ministers and
homosexual churches must be especially offensive to God, since
they promote sodomy and confirm sodomites in their sin.
Instead of being encouraged in their sin, they need to be told:
"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be
blotted out" Acts 3:19.HOMOSEXUALS ARE "MISSIONARY" Homosexuals often defend their activities by saying, "What consenting
adults do in private is their own business." Since many of them specialize in
seducing boys, this is pure hypocrisy. [....]
We believe that Christian parents should talk to their children and warn
them about this sin. It may not be easy to do, but they should be encouraged to
report to their parents, any attempt that anyone makes to lure them into homo-
sexual activities. These perverts are to be found in [University], in the [library], in
schools and among other groups that work with youth.
[...]
S*d*mites in Federal Government. [...]
[....]
Gay Rights groups slowly gaining U.S. acceptance. [....]
Homosexuals and venereal disease. [....]
Gay Activists are working on College Campuses. [....]
These groups are using academic freedom to debauch the
young people of America. [....]T.V. AND HOMOSEXUALITY Television has shown a number of movies that deal with homosexuality.
Christians ought to be stirred up, but they are not. These movies include,
"That Certain Summer", "The Damned", "Flowers of Evil" and several
others. The T.V. talk shows think it is cute to get the perverts on T.V. and talk
about it. Tom Snyder has been notorious for doing this, along with others. One
show featured a trip to a gay bar in N.Y., where the camera zoomed in on the
disgusting scenes. Expect much more of this, since the citizens have no
real desire to change things.20th CENTURY CHURCHES OF SODOM Homosexuality has been around a long time and is nothing new. It has been
instrumental in destroying a number of civilizations. It is shocking to see how
governmental leaders, doctors, educators and many others have turned
pro-gay. However, the most disgusting thing is to see gay churches, gay
ministers, and pro-gay religious leaders. Nothing is holy to these ungoldly
people. [...]
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THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH [...]