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Pioneer and Bell Church of Christ

HOMOSEXUALISM, NATURE, AND THE BIBLE

 There are some sexual perversions that violate both divine and natural law. These perversions are condemned by God in both the Old and New Testament. The horrible truth is that these perversions are taught to our children in our public schools. They are considered as simply "alternate life styles" and ought to be tolerated if not practiced.

The heart of God's Old Testament Law on sexual perversions is found in Leviticus chapter 18. In verse 27 God points out, "For all these abominations have the men of the land done, which were before you, and the land is defiled." These pagan perversions were so disgusting that the land was defiled or corrupted in God's sight. These practices were so repugnant to Mother Nature that, "the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants." (Verse 25). Notice some of the unacceptable practices sited:
     Adultery in verse 20 - "thou shalt not lie carnally with thy neighbor's wife, to defile thyself with her." To many today, adultery is on par with a white lie.
     Homosexuality in verse 22 - "Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination." As a part of our effort to undermine Western Civilization, this abomination is simply an alternate life-style.
     Bestiality in verse 23 - "Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it is confusion (or perversion - RSV)." Sex with animals has not yet reached acceptability in our school rooms or polite social circles yet. This perversion is still in the wings, as an illegal immigrant was recently prosecuted for raping a goat. His defense was that it was acceptable in his culture.

The heart of God's New Testament law on sexual perversion is found in Romans 1. In verse 18 Paul points out, "the wrath of god is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness."  He then goes on to condemn the pagan practices that were prevalent in the first century. We note that many of them are gaining acceptance in the twenty first century as well. Note their (and our) pagan practices in the following:
     1. "God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves:" The Living Bible on Romans 1:24 makes it clear, "So God let them go ahead into  every sort of sex sin, and do whatever they wanted to - yes, vile and sinful things with each other's bodies." Sounds like family night on TV or Saturday night at your local theater.
     2. Turning their back on God (verse 26-27), He "gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 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 recompense of their error which was met."
     3. After listing a number of additional unacceptable practices (sins), Paul concludes, "Who knowing the judgement of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them" (Romans 1:32). The RSV condemns "approve those who practice them."

Homosexualism is not an innocent sexual pastime or alternate life style. It is contrary to nature and divine revelation. The practice is not to be tolerated by right thinking people who (1) put their faith in God as the creator of the universe, (2) believe in His Son who died on the cross for the sins of the world, and (3) have faith in the Bible as God's revelation to mankind throughout the ages.

Dale I. Royal, Elk City, OK