Homosexuality, Changing Times, & The Bible (Part 3)

(Read the series so far.)

Modern Issues

Fans of the original Star Trek television series will recognize one of the opening lines to each show as Captain Kirk said that he and the crew of the Starship Enterprise wanted “to boldly go where no man has gone before.” You don’t have to be a Trekkie to recognize that when it comes to the 21st century and the LGBT agenda we have gone where no one has gone before. We have entered new territories. Questions, discussions, accusations and the like have emerged that have never appeared in the past. In the remainder of this article, I want to address some of these issues.

Is LGBT Attraction Similar to Racial Differences?

One accusation often used to stop criticism of the LGBT agenda is that those who are opposed are reacting just as racists do. If we find someone unacceptable because of their ethnicity and we treat them as inferior, we are committing the sins of racism and partiality (cf. James 2:1-7 which actually deals with mistreatment of the poor).

Does it then follow that if we are not in agreement with LGBT and accepting of their behavior, we are committing the same sins? Not at all. LGBT behavior is a moral issue, not a racial difference. As Christians, we are called to love all people including LGBTs, but that does not mean we are required to agree with their sinful lifestyles and philosophies.

Are People Born Homosexual?

A lot of heat has been generated over this question. Part of the argument is that if the Lord has created people who are biologically LGBT then how can they be held accountable for LGBT behavior? First, science at this point simply has not given any solid evidence that there is some genetic predisposition or dominant gene which causes one to be homosexual. The cause of sexual orientation is not known at this time.¹ There are many factors that might be at the root of LGBT orientation; at this point the jury is out and may never come in.

But, whatever the cause, “These factors do not remove culpability from the equation. We are all products of nature and nurture. We all struggle with desires that should not be fulfilled and with longings for things illicit.”² The biological argument could be used by mass-murderers, pedophiliacs, chronic liars, and virtually everyone to justify their sins. We are all born with a corrupt nature which desires to fulfill sinful passions. Homosexuality is merely one of those for some people, whatever the root cause. As with other sinful behavior, one must repent and deal with it through the power of the Holy Spirit and according to biblical principles.

Should LGBTS Be Involved in the Local Church?

The church today has to face issues such as whether LGBTs should be allowed to attend the church. I think the answer is that anyone who desires to attend a service where the Word is ministered, and who will do so without causing disruption or attempting to indoctrinate others with their views, should be welcomed. Most churches of any size have a number of unbelievers who attend, and some do so regularly. By definition they are in bondage to sin, yet if they are willing to come under the hearing of the Word, why would we not welcome them? The same is true of LGBT folks.

However there are limits. As unbelievers they should clearly not participate in the Lord’s Table (1 Cor 11:27-32). What about involvement in ministry, especially if they are making claim to being a Christian? Stanton believes LGBTs belong in the church and should be allowed to minister in non-teaching, non-leadership roles (Andy Stanley, and others, agree as will be documented below). I believe this is problematic on a number of levels. First, we have to decide what a church is. If it is the body of Christ composed of believers only, as Scripture teaches, then unbelievers can play no ministerial role. Each member of the church body is to minister and edify the other members through their spiritual gifts received from the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12). An unbeliever cannot edify the body since they lack the Holy Spirit and are not a member of Christ’s body.

And if active LGBTs in the church claim to be Christians, how can their unrepentant lifestyle be ignored? What are we to do with scriptures such as 1 Corinthians 5 which does not allow open immorality to be practiced among those in the local church who claim to be believers? And what about church discipline, which Stanton does not mention?

I believe Stanton and others stumble badly in this area. I agree that unsaved LGBTs who cause no disturbances should be welcomed to attend our churches to hear the gospel and the truth of Scripture, just like any sinner. But those claiming to be Christians yet living in immoral situations (gay or straight) must be confronted and ultimately removed if they refuse to repent, and not invited to serve in behind-the-scenes ministries. To allow such to minister in the church without confrontation is also to do them a great disservice. We are in essence deceiving them into thinking that all is well with them and the Lord and the Lord’s church.

Is Homosexual Attraction Sin?

This is not an easy question. If a person has what appears to be same-sex orientation, through whatever cause, and their “natural” desire is now for people of their own gender, is that sin? I think most of us would agree that we cannot always control our natural bent toward something. I think I have a natural bent toward ice cream. I don’t have to think about it or conjure it up, it is just there. If we take this into the realm of the moral, the vast majority of people have sexual attraction toward those of the opposite sex. This attraction is normal and good in its place. However, heterosexual lust for a woman who is not my wife is definitely sinful. A natural attraction for the opposite sex can quickly move into sinful desire which is wrong and condemned by God.

The same is true with those who might have a LGBT orientation. They may be naturally attracted to those of their own sex, due to either nature or nurture or both, but when lustful thoughts are entertained, sin has been committed within the heart of the individual. Heath Lambert, the Executive Director of ACBC (Association of Certified Biblical Counselors) agrees, “I feel attractions every day that I should not feel. But I don’t think there is any hope, or joy, or victory for either one of us [speaking in the context of a Christian man dealing with same-sex attraction] in minimizing the sinful distortions of our hearts.”³