Christianity started 2 milenia ago, and Christians have developed different views of Scripture: a) As history and divine revelation, b) As all or partially instructional for modern life, c) Interpreted selectively by denominational leaders, d) or allowing changes by modern prophets, or a Pope. Yet all agree that each person is spiritually led. Their view on same-sex Biblical marriage may vary. Is it an expression of Christian compassion or permissiveness? Logic and Biblical exegesis can help.
In the 20th century, some research case studies seemed to indicate a genetic cause and effect with immutable homosexual behavior. Though many of these studies have been found to be either ill-defined, not reproducible, or even reversed by the researchers, the USA Press believed in them outright, and called for a civil rights movement to include same-sex partnerships in the definition of marriage, and some mainstream Christian denominations began to marry same sex couples who claimed to be naturally of homosexual behavior, or lifestyle, in the name of a new concept: Tolerance with a capital "T". But some Christian churches supported same-sex civil marriage, and began to perform these in their sanctuaries.
This should immediately strike the reader as an ambiguity - if there is a genetic basis for homosexual behavior, then why include all same-sex partnerships (not just couples of homosexual behavior) into the State's definition of marriage those Christians support? The answer is there is no practical way to genetically distinguish a naturally born homosexual person, if such a nature exists.
And, if all members of the church who are of homosexual behavior were "Born that way.", it would not be a matter of tolerance, since their nature cannot possibly be a sin from a Christian perspective. Actually, Tolerance would be needed for the members of the church who wouldn't want so easily to ignore the verses of Scripture labeling the homosexual type of copulation a sin, and therefore a behavior which can be potentially reversed. The Bible calls us Christians to love the sinner, but not the sin. The Bible teaches us there is hope for reversal of homosexual behavior as for other sexual vices, such as adultery.
In the 20th century, some research case studies seemed to indicate a genetic cause and effect with immutable homosexual behavior. Though many of these studies have been found to be either ill-defined, not reproducible, or even reversed by the researchers, the USA Press believed in them outright, and called for a civil rights movement to include same-sex partnerships in the definition of marriage, and some mainstream Christian denominations began to marry same sex couples who claimed to be naturally of homosexual behavior, or lifestyle, in the name of a new concept: Tolerance with a capital "T". But some Christian churches supported same-sex civil marriage, and began to perform these in their sanctuaries.
ReplyDeleteThis should immediately strike the reader as an ambiguity - if there is a genetic basis for homosexual behavior, then why include all same-sex partnerships (not just couples of homosexual behavior) into the State's definition of marriage those Christians support? The answer is there is no practical way to genetically distinguish a naturally born homosexual person, if such a nature exists.
And, if all members of the church who are of homosexual behavior were "Born that way.", it would not be a matter of tolerance, since their nature cannot possibly be a sin from a Christian perspective. Actually, Tolerance would be needed for the members of the church who wouldn't want so easily to ignore the verses of Scripture labeling the homosexual type of copulation a sin, and therefore a behavior which can be potentially reversed. The Bible calls us Christians to love the sinner, but not the sin. The Bible teaches us there is hope for reversal of homosexual behavior as for other sexual vices, such as adultery.
FURTHER READING: BORN GAY? (by Joseph P. Gudel) Caché copy
FURTHER READING: IS THERE A GAY GENE? (by Donald F. Calbreath) Caché copy