Homosexuality
PROPHETIC SIGNIFICANCE:
There is a vital connection between the prophesied apostasy ("falling away") of the end times and the rise of
homosexuality, which is one of the chief symptoms of a society that has departed from the teaching of God's Word.
It is our desire to show love and compassion while being honest about what the Bible says
regarding this topic.
Key Scriptures
Click on one of these
references to see
the passage.
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Current Events
Notice: Sources often remove their news links after a period of time. Some of them move older stories to a subscription-only section. Even if the
story is no longer on line, our summary will still be available on this page.
Gay marriage bans upheld in four states
Nov. 7, 2014 - The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals has broken the trend of overruling the will of the people. In four states where
same sex marriages are banned, the court upheld the bans, increasing the chances that the Supreme Court will make a ruling on the issue. The ruling
affects Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee.
The judges argued marriages had been created an as "incentive for two people who procreate together to stay together for purposes of rearing
offspring" and was "still relevant".
Same-sex marriages are now legal in 32 states and in Washington DC. Last month the Supreme Court declined to consider the issue, saying that
at that time there was no dispute among the appeals courts. Now that there is such a disagreement they may be willing to settle the matter.
- Source: BBC
- Appeals court: States can define marriage as 1 man, 1 woman
- Definition 'shared not long ago by every society in the world' - WND
Obama says gay marriage a constitutional right
Oct. 22, 2014 - President Obama's understanding of marriage is still evolving. When he was running for a U.S. Senate seat in 2004 he
said marriage is between a man and a woman - though he continued to back civil unions. Now he believes gay marriage is a constitutional right.
In an interview with the New Yorker the president was quoted as saying, "Ultimately, I think the Equal Protection Clause does guarantee same-sex
marriage in all fifty states."
- Source: Fox
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Federal judge swims upstream: No constitutional right to gay 'marriage' - OneNewsNow
Catholic bishops reject welcome to gays in sign of split
Oct. 18, 2014 - The synod of Catholic bishops rejected the wording of a proposed statement that would have welcomed
the "gifts and qualities" of gay Catholics. It would also have advised pastors to "avoid any language or behavior" that could discriminate
against divorced Catholics. The decision was a set-back for Pope Francis, who has projected a more tolerant tone.
Last year, the pope made waves when, in response to a question about whether gays could be good Christians,
he asked, "Who am I to judge?"
On the other hand, the bishops praised conjugal love — love within the bounds of traditional marriage — calling it "one of the
most beautiful of all miracles and the most common."
- Source: USA Today
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Hillsong pastor clarifies views on homosexuality after non-answer - Pastor Brian Houston: "My personal view on the subject of homosexuality
would line up with most traditionally held Christian views. I believe the writings of Paul are clear on this subject." - OneNewsNow
Let me see your sermons: Lesbian mayor subpoenas the First Amendment
Oct. 15, 2014 - Houston's city council recently passed an ordinance, a "bathroom bill" that gave protection to homosexuals and lesbians.
Since then, a petition to obtain the citizens' vote on the matter was rejected by the City of Houston.
Alliance Defending Freedom is now reporting that the City of Houston, fighting a lawsuit related to the ordinance, is demanding that
five pastors turn over sermon notes and private communications with church members.
- Source: OneNewsNow
- Example: Subpoena to Pastor Steve Riggle
- Houston demands oversight of sermons - WND
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Houston City Government Demands Pastors Turn Over Sermons Referencing Homosexuality, Mayor - Christian Post
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Sign the FRC Petition to stop this violation of free speech - Family Research Council
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After defending subpoenas for sermons, Houston mayor backtracks - American Thinker
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[Idaho]City threatens to arrest ministers who refuse to perform same-sex weddings - Fox
Justice Kennedy blocks gay marriage ruling in Idaho, Nevada
Oct. 8, 2014 -
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declared gay marriage legal in Idaho and Nevada on Tuesday, a day after the U.S. Supreme Court effectively
legalized same-sex marriage in 30 other states.
The state of Idaho issued an emergency request to the Supreme Court for an immediate hold, and Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy responded
within minutes to issue the order that temporarily prevents the issuance of marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
- Source: Fox
Supreme Court declines to review same-sex marriage cases, allowing unions in 5 states
Oct. 7, 2014 - In a surprise move, the Supreme Court decided not to review court rulings that allow same-sex marriage in Virginia, Utah,
Oklahoma, Indiana and Wisconsin. Traditional marriage advocates were disappointed and gay marriage groups were pleased. However, the court's
inaction does not bring a final resolution to the question.
The denials of cases from three federal appeals courts carry no formal instruction for other lower courts still considering challenges to state
bans; if one of them upholds such a measure, the issue could return to the high court.
Court cases in other parts of the country are still pending, and if any of them ultimately rules against same-sex marriage, the Supreme Court could
still take up the issue, based on disagreement in the lower courts.
- Source: Washington Post
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The Supremes Punt on Same-Sex Marriage: Four Blunt Points - Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg had explained earlier that there was “no need for us to rush”
at the Supreme Court level. . . This comment reflects the justices’ preference to allow controversial issues to “percolate” in the lower courts
until a clear conflict emerges–at which point the Supremes intervene to resolve the conflict. - Business Week
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SCOTUS and marriage: 'Judicial fiat' negates states' rights - The fight for traditional marriage will continue despite lack of action from the U.S. Supreme Court.
- OneNewsNow
- 'This is beginning of end of Western civilization'
- Liberty Counsel Chairman Mathew Staver calls court's inaction "a dereliction of duty." - WND
The truth, in love: No one is born gay
Sept. 9, 2014 - There is no sound scientific evidence that people
with a homosexual orientation are born that way. The American Psychological Association is gay-friendly, but it states:
"There is no consensus among scientists about the exact reasons that an individual develops a heterosexual, bisexual, gay, or lesbian orientation."
- Source: Michael Brown - OneNewsNow
Ruling in Louisiana: States have right to define marriage
Sept. 3, 2014 -
U.S. District Judge Martin Feldman upheld [Louisiana] state's ban on same-gender "marriage" and the ban on recognition of the marriages done
in states where it is legal.
According to Gene Mills of Louisiana Family Forum the ruling conforms to the Supreme Court's decision in the Windsor case that states define marriage.
- Source: OneNewsNow
Supreme Court puts hold on Virginia homosexual marriage
Aug. 21, 2014 - The Supreme Court has temporarily blocked a lower court's decision that Virginia's ban against homosexual marriage is unconstitutional.
The court on Wednesday granted a request from a county clerk in northern Virginia to block same-sex marriages across the state while the
issue is being appealed to the Supreme Court. The court provided no explanation for its order.
- Source: OneNewsNow
'Imperialist president' at it again, says attorney
July 22, 2014 - Matt Barber. vice president of Liberty Counsel Action, warns that President Obama's latest executive order ignores the recent
Supreme Court decision regarding the rights of businesses like Hobby Lobby to operate their business on the basis of the their faith. His order
requires federal contractors to provide special protections for homosexuals, lesbians, and transgender people in the workplace, and does not include an
exemption for Christian companies.
"[He's] telling Christian companies that they have to leave their biblical beliefs at the workplace door and that ... under penalty of law and if they
want to have any kind of contract or work with the federal government."
- Source: OneNewsNow
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New Executive Orders on LGBT Discrimination Don't Exempt Religious Orgs - Christianity Today
Jeffress: Define 'sin' using the Bible, not the culture
May 28, 2014 - Prominent Southern Baptist pastor Robert Jeffress offered suggestions about how to respond to the growing acceptance of homosexual
behavior in our culture.
"I think we all want to be compassionate when we deal with any sin, whether it be the sin of addiction, the sin of adultery, the sin of homosexuality.
We ought to assure everybody that there's no such thing as an unpardonable sin for those who receive the grace of Jesus Christ."
He says that Christians must be willing to call sin what it is: sin. they should offer hope – but not false hope by being silent about it.
- Source: OneNewsNow
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God, the Gospel, and the Gay Challenge — A Response to Matthew Vines - Albert Mohler
'Duck Dynasty' star: Media 'blurring lines' on sin
May 23, 2014 -
“Duck Dynasty” patriarch Phil Robertson is likely experiencing a case of déjà vu as he faces renewed media attention following comments he made about
“homosexual offenders” and sin during an Easter Sunday sermon just weeks ago.
- Source: WND
- Phil Robertson Sermon Doubles Down on Earlier Anti-Gay Remarks
- NewsMax
Judicial juggernaut on 'gay marriage' continues
May 21, 2014 - Pennsylvania is the latest state where a judge has ruled that the people's "Defense of Marriage" law unconstitutional.
Chris Plante of the National Organization for Marriage describes the ruling as "an end-run around the democratic process."
- Source: OneNewsNow
Benham Brothers Speak Out: ‘They Just Don’t Want Us To Be Vocal About Our Faith’
May 20, 2014 -
“When you present truth — which is an absolute standard, handed down by God — that’s something a lot of people don’t like anymore.”
- Source: Daily Caller
Last week was bloody in the war between the sexual activists of America and everyday people of faith
Apr. 8,2014 - A popular radio host, Kevin McCullough, warns that the cultural war between sexual activists and people of faith, morals, and conscience
has accelerated greatly during the past week. Some of the issues are:
- Homosexual activists attempted to force World Vision to abandon their biblical principles.
- Churches in New York City were banned from renting public buildings.
- Mozilla CEO was forced to resign for making a monetary donation in 2008 in support of a view of marriage that has been practiced since the beginning of time.
At this rate citizens of the United States of America will be forced to accept practice and belief that violates their own conscience, and the government will
eventually find a way to kill them if they choose not to do so.
- Source: Kevin McCullough - OneNewsNow
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- High court declines appeal involving Christian photographers in New Mexico - OneNewsNow
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Congressman denounces campaign that led to Mozilla CEO resignation - OneNewsNow
- 'Gay' politics in class? Not with my kids! - WND
Conservatives launch boycott of Mozilla after gays press CEO to quit
Apr. 4, 2014 - Brendan Eich, one of the co-founders of Mozilla was recently made CEO of the company. He then came under fire for
a past donation of $1000 to support California's Prop. 8 initiative, which defined marriage as the union of one man and one woman.
Mr. Eich made the donation five years ago, but his promotion to CEO brought the issue to the forefront once again. And the ensuing outcry from the gay rights
crowd and certain Mozilla employees on social media ultimately pushed him to abandon the leadership post.
Conservative activist Ben Shapiro and others are calling for a boycott of the Firefox browser over the issue.
- Source: Washington Times
- Mozilla CEO Resignation Raises Free-Speech Issues - ABC
Reaction: World Vision's credibility gone 'with one fell swoop'
Mar. 25, 2014 -
World Vision announced on Monday it is making what it described as a “very narrow policy change” allowing the charity to employ homosexuals who claim to be
Christians and are married in states where same-sex “marriage” is legal.
Richard Stearns, president of the billion-dollar charity, told Christianity Today: “We are an operational arm of the global church, we’re not a theological
arm of the church.”
Matt Barber, president of Liberty Counsel Action, disagrees. He said that both arms of the church should operate on the basis of scripture. He also said that he does
not expect organizations that adhere to biblical truth to follow World Vision's example.
- Source: One News Now
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World Vision Reverses Decision To Hire Christians in Same-Sex Marriages - Christianity Today
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Google Executive Resigns from World Vision Board over Decision to Affirm Traditional Marriage - Breitbart
Supreme Court halts same-sex marriages in Utah pending appeal
Jan. 7, 2014 -
The Supreme Court halted same-sex marriages in Utah on Monday, returning to center stage the question of whether there is a constitutional right to marry
that states may not withhold from gay men and lesbians.
- Source: Washington Post
- What did Jesus say about homosexuality? - Dan Popp - Renew America
Older Articles: Before Jan. 1, 2014
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Homosexuality and the Bible
by Ron Graff
pdf version
The need for love and compassion
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
1 John 4:8 (NIV)
The message of the Bible is a message of love. God is love itself, and those who claim to know Him must also be loving. Jesus' own example was the supreme gift of Himself by dying for us on the Cross.
The need for honesty about sin
- Sin separates us from God
God has other attributes too. He is not only a loving God, but He is also Holy, Righteous and Just (Exodus 15:11; Psalm 99:9; Psalm 119:137; Psalm 89:14). In His righteousness He warned that the penalty for sin is death (Genesis 2:17; Ezekiel 18:4; Romans 6:23). Our sin results in spiritual death, which is separation from God (Ephesians 2:1).
- All have sinned
What shall we conclude then? Are we any better? Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin.
As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one;
there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.
All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one."
Romans 3:9-12 (NIV)
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 3:23 (NIV)
- Jesus came to deliver us from sin and its power
Jesus often went out of His way to reach out to people who were caught in the trap of sin. In the well known case of the woman brought to Him in adultery, He said, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." In His great love He was able to offer forgiveness because He was also going to satisfy the demands of Justice by dying for her. He did not deny that she had sinned. In fact, He said, "Go now and leave your life of sin" (John 8:7-11).
- Homosexual behavior is sinful
The Bible is very clear about the fact that homosexuality is sin. Here are some of the key passages on the subject.
Even in the first book of the Bible homosexuality was shown to be wrong.
They called to Lot, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them."
Lot went outside to meet them and shut the door behind him
and said, "No, my friends. Don't do this wicked thing."
Genesis 19:5-7 (NIV)
This happened in the city of Sodom. Immediately after this God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah with fire and brimstone. The type of sexual activity practiced by these people is called sodomy to this very day.
Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.
Leviticus 18:22
This was included among the laws which were given to Moses. In addition to being wrong, it was called "detestable." In some translations it is translated as "an abomination."
Homosexuality is also condemned in the New Testament.
Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.
They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator-- who is forever praised. Amen.
Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. 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.
Romans 1:24-27 (NIV)
This can only describe homosexuality. It is given by the Apostle Paul as part of a four-step decline of morality which leads ultimately to "depraved minds," or the inability to distinguish right from wrong. This moral decay has characterized many previous civilizations, resulting in internal collapse rather than external conquest.
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders
nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (NIV)
The Greek word for homosexual in verse 9 is arsenokoites which means "having sex with a male." It is one of many categories of people who "will not inherit the Kingdom of God." The good news is, for people in all of these categories, that if they give their lives to Jesus Christ they will no longer be these sorts of people.
Realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous man, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers
and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching,
1 Timothy 1:9-10 (NAS)
The same Greek word (arsenokoites) is used here as in the previous passage. In the American Standard Version it is translated "abusers of themselves with mankind," and in the King James Version it is "them that defile themselves with mankind." Again, it is in the company of other serious offenses.
The point of all this is not that it is the only sin, or the worst sin, but if one claims to believe the Bible, it simply must be admitted that homosexuality is a sin, not just one among many acceptable lifestyles.
Even if it could be proven that there is some genetic proclivity to homosexual behavior (and the evidence for this is far from convincing), it would still be in the same class as every other sin since the Bible makes it clear that we all have a predisposition to sin. God's grace is greater than all our lustful urges, so those who know Christ as Savior may be delivered from any sinful habit.
Christians who help homosexuals are performing acts of love, not hate
Those who accept a literal interpretation of what the Bible teaches about homosexuality are often vilified as purveyors of hate. They are called "homophobes," or "those who fear homosexuality." To be honest, there are some who use the Bible as a front for hateful activity. They are not balanced. They do not allow God's love to motivate them.
However, most evangelical Christians have a sincere desire to help all people experience abundant life in Christ. They are usually active wherever people need help: providing food and shelter for the poor, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, assistance to prisoners and victims, aid to people suffering famine or disasters, comfort to the elderly, and whatever else they can do to share Christ's love.
There is a strong movement among some evangelical groups to offer assistance for those who would like to break away from the homosexual life-style. Thousands have responded, accepting Christ as Savior and embracing the Bible as God's literal Word. A series of advertisements have chronicled some of the success stories of these people. They have been carefully worded, in order not to inflame anger, but to offer love and hope to those who are interested.
Still there are people who are brutal and prejudiced. The tragic death of Matthew Shepard caused some homosexual activists to blame these organizations for "providing an atmosphere of hate" which contributes to this violence.
Conclusion
The proper attitude for a Christian
Bible-believing Christians do not have the option of ignoring the stern warnings about homosexuality. But we can, like Jesus, be motivated by love in our contacts with people who are living in that life-style. It is the loving thing to do to share Christ with them and to be honest with them about what the Bible says. Compassion and assistance should be extended to them and to their families. We should pray for them. Our sins have been forgiven. Theirs may be also if they turn to Christ.
See also the excellent article by Albert Mohler:
No Truth Without Love, No Love Without Truth: The Church's Great Challenge
Last Updated: 11/7/14
Copyright © 1997-- by Ron Graff. All rights reserved.
