I’ve been busy for a few months and was wondering what sort of topic I should start with, once I had more time to write for this blog. Let me state from the start – I don’t have any more of an interest in homosexuality than any other sin. I’m equally at odds with those who promote: any form of idolatry or misdirected worship; misuse of God’s name; that no day of the week should be set aside for God and us; not honouring our mother or father; murder (and that includes those who do not control their anger, and war); adultery (likewise, anyone who looks at another lustfully); theft; false testimony; or the idea, that it’s okay to want, what is not ours. Does this list sound remotely familiar?

I do understand, and have some empathy for, the theories that homosexuality may have a genetic and/or environmental background. In a similar way, I understand that anger, theft and other forms of sexual or antisocial behaviour may be influenced by genetics or environmental factors.

None, of any existing predispositions, change the sinful nature of the human condition regarding our response to any actions arising out of the way we live and relate to others, The factors which make us ‘who we are’, are taken into account, but do not change the need to test our actions against what God wants, as defined by what has been clearly articulated in Scripture! God knows our heart, our background and our genetics; consequently – our culpability regarding our sinful acts will be perfectly judged by Him.

We live with the characteristics which God has allowed us to inherit or develop. That’s a good starting point, don’t you agree?

Background

Scripture (Old Testament and Paul’s letters) clearly tells us that active homosexuality is wrong – can there be there any debate on this statement? I answer: Yes, but only by those who deny that the spiritual truths of Scripture apply to all generations (past and present). As if God was ignorant of how the human race would ‘evolve’, and we would end up to be totally different to what He expected – you may live in hope that God is indeed, so powerless and lacking in foresight! I prefer to live my life knowing that He is all powerful and all knowing – He exists outside of time (Jesus created time.) and knows exactly how, where and when all things start and end.

Another plea, in support of active homosexual relationships, is that Jesus never spoke about homosexuality. Let’s look at the context: at the time of Jesus. Israel was an ‘island’ of a nationalistic culture which was very religious and strongly anti-homosexual. We know this from the writings of Joseph ben Matthias (better known as Flavius Josephus (AD 37-c.100), and other Roman historians of the time – these historians recorded the strict religious views of this State. Josephus records; that even, the self-centred and murderous ruler, Herrod the Great, was well aware of the anti-homosexual views of the religious rulers of this time. In addition, there was a national response, after the Maccobean rebellion, which increased the anti-Greek and anti-hedonistic rhetoric of the Jewish Rabbinic teaching of the time; which included their strong condemnation, in general, of all types of sexual sin. Did Jesus say, at any time, that this strong anti-homosexual response was wrong? Did he add anything to His criticism of their teaching; on purity, wealth, and religious traditions regarding their ‘extreme’ position on homosexuality – the resounding answer is: No! In summary, the fact that Jesus did not condemn their stance on homosexuality is more of a problem for the pro-gay group then it is for people who hold similar views to me.

In a way – the attack on the view that homosexuality is wrong – is an attack on God. My reasoning for saying this is because the ‘liberal’ church’s position on homosexuality can only be sustained if the relevance of Scripture is questioned. Once we question this aspect of scriptural teaching then any part of what we call the essential elements of Christian creed can also be questioned – and, if we use the Jesus Seminar reports or John Spong’s writings as an example, this is certainly the case. Taking the current line of testing Scripture’s alignment to cultural relevance where does the logical extreme of this argument take us to – again, if current literature is a guide, to the conclusion that Jesus was human and did not die to save us – and; who benefits from that false conclusion – our old enemy – the prowling lion.

Current Issue

What initiated my thoughts on this topic was the report that “Archbishop Fred Hiltz, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, paid a traditional call on Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams on Oct. 16. … (you can read more about it at this site. During their two-hour meeting, Archbishop Hiltz described the current state of the Anglican Church of Canada, particularly after the national meeting, General Synod, this past June. He spoke about the issue of human sexuality, and explained the diocese of Ottawa’s decision to approve blessings of same-sex unions. (The diocese of Montreal, which later passed a similar motion, had not yet met). Archbishop Williams appeared receptive to the Canadian church’s actions. “He described our approach to handling the whole matter as ‘coherent,’” said Archbishop Hiltz. “We also, in that conversation, focused on the pastoral statement of the bishops and the kind of value that has for the church.” In another report on their Synod meeting, I read this: “ … many people want more opportunity to study and listen to determine whether this change (blessing of same-sex unions) is a theologically appropriate and Spirit-led development of doctrine. … “

My view is that it is NOT theological appropriate and it is NOT led by God. God, is the same God, of the Old and New Testaments – He has not changed – He has always known about our cultural changes over the centuries. The Bible was written with us in mind.

So, Archbishop Hiltz, remember this (Luke 17:1-3a): “Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come. It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. So watch yourself.”

In conclusion, I’m more than happy to sit down with any homosexual, murderer, or thief and discuss what Scripture has to say about sin. I’m also more than prepared to talk about the love of Jesus for them and His death which paid the penalty for all our sins, for which I’m especially, eternally grateful. Keep in mind that while Jesus loves you with all His life – He is not always nice – sometimes if you want to go against God’s will, He will turn around and say: “Get behind me, Satan.” – He only says such harsh words, to shock you into the reality of your sin, with the view of saving your life. Such is His love!

Posted on October 28th, 2007 by Shayne
Filed under: ViewPoints