Homosexuality has always existed in the world as long as mankind has indulged their lusts, but more recently than before homosexuality has been put on display and aired as normal. The advocates of sodomy have portrayed this lust as an alternative lifestyle, as romantic, as harmless, as loving, and as equality. Most television shows have a gay character. Most celebrities and politicians have refused to speak against homosexuality for fear of backlash. Popular culture has made speaking against homosexuality difficult, so how do Christians who believe that homosexuality is a sin respond to those who advocate for homosexuality? Let the Bible speak for itself!
In Paul's discussion over the unfaithfulness of the Gentiles and how the Gentiles turned away from God in Romans chapter one, the apostle refers to several sins that the Gentiles indulged due to their turning away from God (Romans 1:25-32). One particular sin addresses this topic of discussion. Paul writes, "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: 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 1:26-27). This passage addresses homosexuality because the word "use" in the Greek is chresis [khray'-sis] meaning employment, that is, (specifically) sexual intercourse (as an occupation of the body) (Strong). God calls homosexuality "vile affections," "against nature," "leaving the natural," "unseemly," and "error." God made His position on homosexuality clear, but people still attempt to twist scripture to defend homosexuality. How can Christians use this passage to defend the truth against advocates of homosexuality?
What do Christians say when advocates claim that homosexuals were just born that way? The verse says, "change the natural use," meaning it is not natural, it had to be changed, someone had to make a mental choice to change what was natural to them. God does not make someone a sinner (1 Cor 10:13; Ezekiel 18:20). What do Christians say when people claim that homosexuals are not hurting anyone? If there was no harm in it, God would not war against it. Just because people do not see the immediate consequences of sin does not mean they should just keep doing it. Many sins harbor terrible consequences that people do not see until it is too late. Members of the homosexual community often argue the condemnation of homosexuality does not apply because Paul spoke to heterosexuals in this passage (Romans 1:26-27). The people described by Paul, were not naturally inclined to participate in the same sex relationships. If heterosexuals engage in same sex behavior, this is wrong because it is not natural to them. Those who are "born gay" have no choice about their sexual orientation, so this way of life is acceptable to God. As long as a person has never had heterosexual feelings or desires, homosexuality is acceptable" (Brad Price, "Romans" page 28). How do Christians answer that? There is no division of the audience mentioned in this passage. The Bible does not say that as long as you are "born gay" then your way of life is acceptable. Furthermore, heterosexuals, by definition, do not "burn in their lusts one toward another," (Romans 1:27) because they are not gay! For those who advocate homosexuality, God gives you an answer, but you may not like it (1 Cor 6:9-10).
Jonathan Hagar, Smithville MS
