Introduction
This is going to be controversial. Homosexual and lesbian
behavior is an emotional issue that can disrupt relationships in the workplace.
It is also an issue which has divided Christian organizations and church
congregations. And of course, emotions often blind reason. But such behavior
need not be divisive if we are willing to treat each other with respect and decency.
We are all required, certainly as adults, to develop our
own attitudes and judgements about human behavior in all its forms. This issue
is no different. We can start our search for answers by asking a simple
question: What does the Bible say about same sex behavior? Let us then interpret what we find through the
lens of a 21st century Natural Theology.
I started this research project without any bias. To be
blunt: I really do not care. What you do and what you think is your business.
Your behavior will be judged by your peers and by God.
With grateful
thanks for access to the New International Version of the Holy Bible, which
can be found at Zondervan’s Bible
Gateway https://www.biblegateway.com/ and the
copyright holder Biblica.
What Do We Find in the Bible?
Let us start with
an obvious observation: what we read in the Bible was actually written by its
very human authors. So what we really want to know is what did the men whose
thoughts are recorded in the Bible have to say about homosexual and lesbian
behavior?
The letters for “sex”
are mentioned 77 times in the Bible. Most references involve warnings against
having unclean sex or sex with neighbors, relatives and family members. There
are only a few references that specifically deal with homosexual or lesbian behavior.
Genesis
For context reference, read Genesis 19:1-11 in the Old
Testament
Specific reference Genesis 19:4-5
Before they had
gone to bed, all the men from every part of the city of Sodom—both young and
old—surrounded the house. 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.”
In Genesis 19, the males of the
village intend to use homosexual rape to humiliate Lot’s guests. Lot offers to
substitute his daughters for the men to rape. Lot’s guests turn out to be
angels. They save the day by blinding the men of the village. They cannot see
the door to Lot’s house. After fleeing to live in another town, Lot commits
incest with both his daughters.
The authors of Genesis, the first
book of the Torah and the Christian Old Testament, use the story of Sodom and
Gomorrah to illustrate the idea that God will punish men and women who are evil
or ignore the word of God. The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is divine
retribution for the sinful sexual behavior of its male and female inhabitants. The
idea that sinful people are punished is found throughout the Bible.
This story apparently has its
roots in Mesopotamian mythology. Male rape is offensive. Female rape is offered
as an acceptable alternative to male rape. Incest is acceptable behavior.
From the standpoint of 21st
century Natural Theology, this story in Genesis cannot be accepted as the word
of God. Neither rape nor incest is acceptable human behavior because they are
acts of demeaning violence. Such acts contradict God’s commandments about love.
Leviticus
Specific reference Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13 in the Old
Testament
Leviticus 18:22.
From a long list of prohibited sexual relations:
“Do not have
sexual relations with a man as
one does with a woman; that is detestable.”
Leviticus 20:13.
From a long list of punishments for various sins:
“If a man has sexual relations with a man as one
does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be
put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.”
Leviticus is
the third book of the Torah and the Christian Old Testament. Developed by many
authors over a long period of time, the instructions of Leviticus emphasize
ritual, legal and moral practices rather than religious beliefs. Moses, the man
who gave us the Ten Commandments, leads a large number of Jews out of Egypt. He
wants to establish a moral and stable social structure for his followers. Moses
thus faces the challenging task of teaching them how to live according to the
word of God. According to the authors of Leviticus, Moses created a long list
of rules for the Jews in his charge. Many are backed by required ceremony and
detailed ritual. Homosexual behavior is expressly forbidden. There is no direct
mention of lesbian behavior.
According to Jewish tradition, the Torah was revealed to
Moses by God and he then established the laws of behavior which still influence
Jewish and Christian beliefs. He obviously believed he was communicating the
will and word of God. Jews and Muslims have a high regard for Moses. Christians
generally agree Moses conveyed some of God’s instructions and rules to
humanity. Many of the rules found in Leviticus, along with the Ten
Commandments, are simply common sense. Although many include ceremony and
ritual that may seem excessive in the 21st century, they are useful guides to individual
conduct, personal relationships, nutrition, hygiene, and other subjects of
daily life.
Judges
For context reference, read Judges 19:16-29 in the Old
Testament
Specific reference Judges 19:22
While they were
enjoying themselves, some of the wicked men of the city surrounded the house.
Pounding on the door, they shouted to the old man who owned the house, “Bring
out the man who came to your house so we can have sex with him.”
The Book of Judges is the seventh book of the Hebrew
Bible and the Christian Old Testament. As in Genesis, the males of the village want
to rape the man’s male guests. Also like Genesis, the rape of women is offered
as an alternative to satisfy their lust. After the man’s concubine has been
raped, the man cuts her up into 12 pieces.
This is another story from ancient mythology. From the
standpoint of 21st century Natural Theology, this story in Judges cannot be
accepted as the word of God. Rape is not acceptable human behavior because it
is an act of demeaning violence. God would not approve the dismemberment of the
concubine described in this story. Both acts contradict God’s commandments
about love.
Romans
For context reference, read 1 Romans 1:18-32 in the New
Testament
Written by Paul to Gentiles and Jews
Specific reference Romans 26 -27
Because of this,
God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual
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
shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for
their error.
– From Paul’s Epistle to the Romans. The text
found in 1.26 and 1.27 provides a blanket condemnation of both homosexual
and lesbian activity as shameful lust. Paul clearly condemns what he believes
is unnatural sexual behavior, warns such activity will deprave both body and
mind, and believes such conduct may result in death. Paul explains that
salvation for such acts is offered through the gospel of Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians
For context reference, read 1 Corinthians 6:1-20.in the
New Testament
Letter written by Paul to the church in Corinth
Specific reference 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
Or do you not know
that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived:
Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex
with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor
swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
– Paul lectures the congregation about immoral behavior.
Men who have sex with men will not inherit the Kingdom of God. He also tells
them you were washed, you were sanctified, and you were forgiven in the name of
the Lord Jesus Christ and by the grace of our God. There follows a long admonition about sexual
immorality. “You say you have the right to do anything – but not everything you
do is beneficial.” “Your body is not meant for sexual immorality. It is meant
to be united with the Lord. If you commit sexual sin, you sin against your own
body which is a temple of the Holy Spirit.”
1 Timothy
For context reference, read 1 Timothy 1:1-17 in the New
Testament
Letter written by Paul to Timothy
Specific reference 1 Timothy 1:8-11.
We know that the
law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that the law is made not for
the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the
unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for
murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for
slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the
sound doctrine that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed
God, which he entrusted to me.
- Paul confirms that the law prohibits certain conduct,
including homosexual behavior. Paul sent this letter to Timothy to encourage
and guide him in his work. The Law he refers to is the Law of the Old
Testament: largely the words of Moses found in the first five books of the bible (The Pentateuch).
Paul the Apostle (Saint Paul)
We have to admire the work of Saint Paul. During the
middle of the first century he was a tireless apostle who established several
churches in Asia Minor and Europe. Saul (his Jewish name) or Paul (his name as
a Roman citizen) could speak both Hebrew and Koine Greek, which gave him
relatively easy access to both Jewish and Gentile communities. Paul’s friend
Luke tells us about Paul's life and efforts in the Book of Acts. His epistles
(or letters to his followers) are a fundamental part of Catholic, Orthodox, and
Protestant theology. Of the 27 books in the New Testament, 7 have been
attributed to Paul and 7 more may have been written by him. His teaching and
beliefs are based on the Law described in the Old Testament and the theology of
Jesus Christ.
It is clear from his letters that Paul’s newly formed
congregations were tempted to adopt ideas from competing theologies and – worse
– finding it difficult to live up to his moral standards. Paul clearly wants to
protect and preserve the importance of the family. Thus he is against any
sexual conduct which would weaken family ties. He also believes uncontrolled
erotic behavior demeans the participant.
Paul apparently believed in the celibate life. The
unmarried should remain this way unless they cannot control themselves:
"To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is well for them to remain
unmarried as I am. But if they are not practicing self-control, they should
marry. For it is better to marry than to be aflame with passion."
Paul obviously had a significant influence of Christian
Theology. Like Moses, he believes homosexual behavior is impious. He also
lectures against lesbian behavior.
Jesus
Explicit Statements
Jesus made no explicit statement about many social
issues: homosexuality, lesbian behavior, pedophilia, abortion, bestiality, fortification,
or rape. But of course he shared God’s values. That means his silence cannot be
construed as support. Instead, we have to separate those actions which violate,
injure, demean, cause the death, or otherwise harm another human (and are therefore
sinful), from consensual acts between partners that do not cause any such
ill-treatment (which may not be sinful).
Marriage
Jesus was a very strong defender of heterosexual
marriage:
“Have you not read that He who created them from the
beginning made them male and female and for this reason a man shall leave his
father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one
flesh?”
“What therefore God has joined together let no man
separate.”
His heartfelt defense of heterosexual marriage affirmed
the intent of the Mosaic Covenant which, for his Jewish community, was the Law.
Same Sex Relationships
It is likely his attitude about same sex relationships reflects
the general cultural mores of his neighbors in Galilee. First century Jews
frowned on these relationships for the simple reason they produced no children.
Having lots of babies was highly desirable and the wealth of a man was often
measured by how many children he had fathered.
Jesus would have been familiar with God’s plan and rules
for our Cosmos. Jesus was thus aware that very few of us are absolutely female
or absolutely male. Most of us are genetically and socially somewhere in
between these two poles of sexual taxonomy. We are most likely male, with some
degree of the feminine, or female, with some degree of the masculine. The
further we are from our sexual pole, the more we exhibit the characteristics of
the opposite sex.
Although it is unlikely Jesus was ambivalent about same
sex relationships, his attitudes would have been influenced by the culture
within which he lived and his knowledge of God’s laws. He would not condemn
them.
His Message
Jesus focused his message on personal conduct and our
relationship with his father. He wants us to rise above mere animal behavior or
the limitations of natural human emotions. His positive and constructive
message is not focused on limiting human behavior, as we find in Leviticus and
Paul’s letters, but rather on the joy of what we can become.
A thread of caring would weave itself into the compassion
of his ministry for all people, of all ages, means and position. He was a
teacher of men, a light of faith for women, and a safe haven for children. He
knew God placed a great value on every individual, no matter how far he or she
may have strayed from spiritual awareness. Because of these truths, we know
that God is always with us, and we can become one with God’s kingdom on earth.
Included in these thoughts is the concept that God wants us to love one
another, and God will forgive those who earnestly and honestly seek to repent.
Jesus taught that if we help another person, we are helping him (and God); the
innocence of children is to be preserved; The Kingdom of Heaven is here (all
around us); and God cannot help you unless you give him your trust. “If you
believe in God,” Jesus said, “you are my brother or sister.” Jesus encouraged
us to love our enemies, to refrain from judging others, and to treat other
people as we would want them to treat us.
Jesus occasionally contradicted the Law (of Moses), an
attribute that got him into trouble with the Philistines (who distrusted him)
and the Sadducees (who mocked him). Jesus apparently believed that neither
homosexual nor lesbian behavior is an unforgivable sin. He does not condemn. Instead
Jesus offers hope, forgiveness, and salvation to all who sincerely wish to come
to God his father. While the Law described in Leviticus focuses on rules and
consequences, the message of Jesus is one of uplifting joyous love.
Jesus not only delivered his message to all who would
listen, he was willing to die in order to prove the truth of his beliefs.
GOD
All too often in these discussions we fail to ask a
fundamental question: “What would God want?” In the case of homosexual and
lesbian behavior, the answer to this question is relatively simple. We know
what God wants us to do and wants us to believe through the words of Jesus, who
carried his message to humanity.
It is unlikely God has any specific objection to mutually
consenting homosexual or lesbian behavior. Human DNA does not include any
specific code to preclude such relationships. Although the emphasis of his
message is on the creation of a loving family, with responsible male and female
parents, God understands that homosexual and lesbian relationships will occur.
Conclusion
There is no reason why either Moses or Paul would have
any knowledge of the natural laws of our Cosmos. We can understand why the
emphasis of their work was on creating a stable, moral, and productive social
structure within the communities they were establishing. We can choose to
believe their work was inspired by God. Their words have been a source of
wisdom for centuries. But the limitations of knowledge prevented them from
taking a more holistic view of their tasks.
If neither Moses nor Paul understood God’s natural laws,
what can we say about Jesus?
If we believe Jesus is God, the Son of God, or a man who
was very close to God, then it is obvious he would share God’s knowledge and
wisdom. We can choose to believe Jesus would have, during the course of his
ministry, all the knowledge he needed to carry out his mission including the
rules of Natural Theology. Instead of trying to explain them to his first
century audience, Jesus delivered his message by focusing on positive,
constructive and compassionate human behavior.
From the perspective of Natural Theology, consensual
homosexual and lesbian relationships are a natural expression of human
sexuality for a small percentage of humans. We accept them as such with our
love and understanding: without any stigma. However, as Moses, Paul and Jesus
have shown, our theological and philosophical emphasis should always be on the
creation of loving, stable, heterosexual sexual relationships as a foundation for
successful families and the reproduction of our species.
Astronomers tell us the Cosmos is in constant change, and
our continuing observations appear to confirm this conclusion. Yet, it is also
important to understand there is order underlying this transformation. There
are laws of interaction and existence that guide the change we observe. God
understands these laws – because he created them. With respect to homosexual
and lesbian behavior, God gave us: Reality is a Unity in a Bipolar Cosmos and
The Principle of Infinite Possibilities.
Both laws are described in:
Summa 21,
The Natural Theology of a 21st Century Christian.
Ron
.
