12.13.09 HOMOSEXUALITY & THE ELCA: On August 21, 2009, the largest Lutheran church in America, the ELCA voted to open their ministry to gay and lesbian pastors who are living in “committed relationship”. So just what does the Bible say about homosexuality? Today’s study will look at all of the main verses on this topic, along with the new “interpretations” from the ELCA study on sexuality, and our LCMS response to their decision. (A summary handout of this topic is available from DCE Ken.)
HOMOSEXUALITY
(A biblical response to the recent ELCA vote on homosexuality)
BibleStudies.reponse to ELCA vote
12.16.09
Since the recent decision by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) regarding homosexuality, we have had quite a number of people ask about our Lutheran Church Missouri Synod’s (LCMS) position on this topic. Here are a number of these questions received, and a basic response. For a more in depth study of this topic, please feel welcome to visit with Pastor Jahnke or DCE Ken at any time.
1. WHAT DECISIONS DID THE ELCA MAKE? On August 21, 2009, the ELCA’s national convention, known as it’s Churchwide Assembly, voted to open the ELCA’s ministry to gay and lesbian pastors and
other professional church workers who are living in “committed relationship”. In other action, the assembly approved a resolution that commits the ELCA “to finding ways to allow congregations that chose to do so to recognize, support, and hold publicly accountable life-long, monogamous, same-gender relationships.”
2. HOW DOES OUR CHURCH BODY, THE LUTHERAN CHURCH MISSOURI SYNOD (LCMS) VIEW THIS DECISION? The President of our LCMS, Jerry Kieschnick, issued a statement in response the ELCA
decision. (Please see the attached page titled “Our Synod and Recent ELCA Actions” before reading on.)
3. IS OUR LCMS THE ONLY LUTHERAN CHURCH BODY THAT STILL TEACHES THAT HOMOSEXUAL BEHAVIOR IS SINFUL? No. As stated in President Kieschnick’s above - referenced
Statement, the international Lutheran Council (ILC), consisting of 34 confessional Lutheran Churches world wide, voted unanimously that the “practice of homosexuality ... must be recognized as sin.” Also, of the Lutheran Church bodies that have a local presence, 8 of the 9 do NOT ordain non-celibate gays. (Please see the attached page titled “The Lutheran landscape” that appeared in the October 11, 2009 edition of The Forum newsletter.)
4. SO JUST WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT HOMOSEXUAL BEHAVIOR - AND HOW HAS THE ELCA INTERPRETED THESE PASSAGES? There were several lengthy ELCA Studies on Sexuality
presented to their congregations leading up to their vote. Among these studies were a list of the primary Bible verses which are usually quoted when discussing the topic homosexuality. I have listed these verses below, along with summaries of various interpretations. A wavy underline has been used to indicate interpretations and comments which are troubling from our Church’s and a traditional point of view . (The New International Version of the Bible has been used for all verses. Any emphasis is added.)
GENESIS 19: This chapter contains the story of the destruction of cities of Sodom and Gomorrah because “their sin is so grievous”. God had sent several angels to Sodom to bring Lot and his family out of the city before it was to be destroyed. As soon the angels (who appeared as men) arrived, the men of the city surrounded the house and demanded that Lot send the visitors out so they could “have sex with them”.
The ELCA Studies on Sexuality* (*Part Two, “Journey Together Faithfully”), page 14, states: “For many interpreters of the Bible, these stories have traditionally counted as a witness to Israel’s condemnation of homosexual conduct, especially between males.” To their credit, the authors do mention that the N.T. verse of Jude 7 specifically refers to the destruction of these cities because of their “sexual immorality” and “unnatural lusts”. However, the authors go on to state: “For other interpreters, homosexual rape does not make consensual homosexual conduct wrong any more than heterosexual rape makes heterosexual sex wrong.” “The sins of of Sodom are most explicit in Ezekiel 16:49: pride, excess food, prosperous ease, and not aiding the poor and needy - sins often ignored in this conversation. In addition, Jesus uses the Genesis 19 passage to condemn inhospitality (Matthew 10:14-15), not same sex conduct.” Basically, the authors of the ELCA study have concluded that the only problem with what happened in Sodom and Gomorrah was that the homosexual sex was being forced rather than consensual - and that
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Sodom and Gomorrah was known for it’s “inhospitality” (including not helping the poor). However, these Matthew verses have nothing to do with any “inhospitality”shown by the cities of Sodom & Gomorrah - but rather refer to the comparative punishment that will be dealt to people of the towns that did not welcome Jesus’ disciples when they came with His message. More importantly, the authors of the ELCA studies have neglected to mention that God had already determined that the sins of these cities were so grievous that He was going to destroy them.
LEVITICUS 18:22-24: “Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman, that is detestable. Do not have sexual relations with an animal and defile yourself with it. A woman must not present herself to an animal to have sexual relations with it; that is a perversion. Do not defile yourselves in any of these ways, because this is how the nations that I am going to drive out before you became defiled.”
The ELCA Studies*, page 15, states the following: “For some interpreters, the law stated in Leviticus 18:22 continues to be applicable because setting it aside would adversely affect the institution of marriage, a cornerstone of our society, and undermine the heterosexual plan of God’s good order of creation. For other interpreters, setting the law aside would nurture responsible sexuality and faithful relationships in the homosexual community, thus contributing to the sexual stability of our society and to its health.” Thus, the ELCA’s vote has in effect set aside God’s law found in Leviticus 18:22.
It is true that some Old Testament (O.T.) laws have been biblically set aside either because they have since been fulfilled by Jesus (such as O.T. laws requiring sacrifices - which are no longer necessary since Jesus sacrificed Himself for the sins of the world), or otherwise no longer apply (such as ceremonial and other laws that applied only to the nation of Israel when the Church served as it’s own government); however the moral laws regarding sexual behavior, in general, continue to be upheld by the New Testament.
ROMANS 1:18-27 (esp 24-27) “Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another ... Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural 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 indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.”
The ELCA Studies*, page 17, states: “Despite some differences of opinion on the precise message of some of the texts, there is general agreement that the Bible has nothing positive to say about same-sex intercourse. For some homosexual people among us this negative biblical evaluation of their sexuality has been a source of pain and sometimes an incentive to seek help in changing their sexual orientation. For other homosexual people among us their experience of themselves does not seem to correspond with what the Bible calls an abomination. They appeal to the experience of their own sexuality as natural for them and to their devotion to Christ and commitment to a faithful and loving union.”
Unfortunately, the basis being used here for what is right and wrong is not God’s word - but rather fallible human experience and feelings. Indeed, the changing of what God calls “unnatural” into what some choose to call “natural for them”, is exactly what happens when we allow the “sinful desires of (our) hearts” to take over, as stated in the Romans verses above. If one abandons God’s way, then all that is left is “unnatural” relationships.
I CORINTHIANS 6:9-20 (esp 9-11): “Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters or adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, your were sanctified, your were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God.”
In view of the fact that “homosexual offenders” is only one of ten sins listed in the above Corinthian’s verses as sins that would keep one from “inheriting the kingdom of God” (that is of course if forgiveness is not received
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through faith and repentance); some have asked why homosexuality (and sexual sins in general) seem to be singled out as being worse that other sins. First, it is to be expected that discussions about sexual sins (of any nature) will probably become quite emotional and personal since our “sexuality” is such a huge part of our very existence - both physically and emotionally! Indeed, our very identity is in so many ways connected to our sexual nature. The Bible
teaches that sexuality is created by God and that the exercise of sex within the blessing of marriage is a good thing!
However, the Bible also explains why the mis-use of sex has such an impact on lives when it states: “Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” I Corinthians 6:18-20
GENESIS, chapters 1 & 2 (especially 2:24): “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” And, MATTHEW 19:4 & 5: “‘Haven’t you read’, He (Jesus) replied, ‘that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female’, and said ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’?”
The ELCA Studies, page 12, state: “The creation accounts take for granted that sexual relations will be between a man and a woman. The creation stories assume that the male and female, who complement each other biologically and in other ways, are God’s only given structure for human sexual relationships.” However, the authors then go on to state: “While the partnership portrayed in Genesis 2 is a heterosexual one, the basic need for companionship reflected here is one that seems relevant to the lives of gay and lesbian people as well”. (And also), “A simple appeal to the creation texts cannot determine that which is ‘unnatural’. It may be that changing sexual orientations are a part of the ongoing creative process and we will need to study them carefully to discern whether they have an appropriate place within God’s good creation.”
Yes, there is a created need for companionship in all human beings - but sexual intimacy is not God’s only provision for companionship. Friendships and the non-sexual fellowship of the family of God are certainly other God created options. (Robert Gagnon, “Responses to the ELCA’s Sexuality Studies)
5. DID JESUS SAY ANYTHING ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY? Another fairly main point brought up in the ELCA studies is that Jesus doesn’t specifically condemn or even mention homosexuality in any of the
four Gospels of the New Testament. Though Jesus may not have actually used the word “homosexuality”, a review of Jesus’ references to the moral laws in general and to other Scriptures that do speak of homosexuality specifically, show that He did indeed consider it to be sinful. (See the attached titled “Was Jesus Silent About Homosexuality?”)
6. BUT ISN’T IT JUDGMENTAL, UNLOVING AND EVEN HARMFUL TO SPEAK AGAINST HOMOSEXUALITY TO THOSE WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH SAME-SEX TENDENCIES? While
it is true that some individuals, organizations, and even churches have at times intentionally spoken hatefully, and have rejected homosexual people, this is not God’s will nor our Church’s position! Christ wants us to reach out in love to ALL people, including those who struggle with homosexual desires! The Christian Church must recognize that the conflicts caused by homosexuality - “the desire to love God vs. the desire to be loved in a way God prohibits, the desire for a normal sex life vs. the desire to satisfy feelings that seem normal, but aren’t - these conflicts are real.”* However, and this is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT, part of loving them also includes letting them know that their homosexual desires and behaviors are not part of God’s loving plan for their lives. Furthermore, we show no love if we wrongly lead them to think that their behavior is not sinful! Instead, as the Scriptures teach, we need to “speak the truth in love” to one another so that we may all repent of the sins condemned by Scripture and receive forgiveness and new life through faith in Jesus, our Lord and Savior. (*Desires In Conflict by Joe Dallas)
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7. BUT WHAT IF A PERSON IS BORN TO BE HOMOSEXUAL? IS IT FAIR TO DENY THAT PERSON THE PLEASURES OF SEXUAL INTIMACY WITH THE ONES THEY LOVE? The first thing we must
be reminded of here is that we are ALL born sinful and with all kinds of desires, many of which are contrary to God’s loving and revealed will for our lives. This comes from mankind’s original fall into sin, resulting also in our being conceived and born with a fallen nature. However, rather than attempt to use this as an excuse to act on sinful desires; we need to trust and depend on our loving Creator, Savior and Comforter to change and renew those parts of our lives, and/or give us the strength to live with them until such time as they are renewed.
8. EVEN IF A HOMOSEXUALLY ORIENTED PERSON WANTED TO CHANGE, IS IT POSSIBLE?
God’s word gives us a clear answer: “With God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26). While it is true that many Christians who struggle with homosexuality have shared the difficulty they experience with homosexual desires continuing to be part of their lives, even when homosexual activities have stopped. Nevertheless, God has promised to respond to our prayers for a change from sinful desires; and to give the strength and power to deal with them whenever our old sinful nature and the devil bring them up again. There are currently several Christian ministries that deal specifically with helping people who are struggling with a homosexual lifestyle. Among them are “Exodus International”, and a ministry called “Love Won Out” from Focus On the Family. Also, when we pray in the Lord’s Prayer, “Lead us not into temptation”, we are praying that God will help us to stay away from situations that would tempt us to sin. This is extremely necessary for us because our fallen sinful nature remains with us throughout life - even after we become Christians!
9. COULD A PERSON ACTUALLY LOOSE THEIR SALVATION BECAUSE OF HOMOSEXUALITY?
Unfortunately, the very sad and serious answer is that whenever someone deceives themselves and refuses to acknowledge the sins that God’s word condemns, that person puts their relationship with the Creator in jeopardy. If they intentionally and unrepentantly reject God’s word and continue to live contrary to it, this becomes a matter of an “unrepentant heart”, which may have already or can lead to unbelief.
CAUTION: Everyone has friends, both male and female, whom they like very much or may have even stronger feelings of love for. We must be careful not to assume that these are sinful feelings
just because they are for a friend of the same gender! Indeed, the Bible not only commands us to love one another, but God blesses us with both male and female friends for whom we may have very strong feelings of love. HOWEVER, there is a God-created design and command about the way that men and women are to relate to each other when it comes to sexual interaction and behavior. Webster's Dictionary defines the word “homosexual” as "characterized by a tendency to direct sexual desire toward another of the same sex"; and the word “homosexuality” as "the quality or state of being homosexual" or, "erotic activity with another of the same sex". A definition given by our Church states that there is a difference between having strong feelings of attraction toward people of the same gender, "which the individual has no control over", and “homosexual behavior” (and/or intentionally dwelling on homosexual thoughts), “over which the individual is regarded as having control.”It is when we go outside of God's design and will that it becomes sinful.
IN SUMMARY:
1) God created people to be heterosexual.
2) Because of the world’s fall into sin there are societal, environmental, hormonal and possibly even genetic factors that influence a disposition toward homosexuality. Nevertheless, we are all conceived and born with a fallen, sinful nature - and any sinful behavior, including homosexuality, is not acceptable or excusable to God.
3) But the “GOOD NEWS” is that homosexual sin, repented of, is like all other sins - forgiven by God through faith in Jesus, who died for this sin as well as all others. In addition, God promises to send the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, to help us in our struggles, whatever they may be this side of heaven!
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Was Jesus Silent About Homosexuality?
(How would one answer those who would argue that the four Gospels show that
Jesus never even mentions homosexuality, much less condemns it.?)
(by Rev. Tom Eckstein)
1. Jesus never mentions or condemns rape and bestiality either; but He certainly would not have tolerated, much less affirmed these evils.
2. The Jews of Jesus’ day (to whom most of Jesus’ teaching was directed) condemned homosexual desire and practice. Therefore, Jesus did not need to mention the obvious.
3. Jesus’ use of Genesis, chapters 1 & 2 as recorded in Matthew, chapter 19 and Mark, chapter 10, shows that He viewed those texts as commentaries on God’s will for human sexuality, which was limited to 1 man and 1 woman within marriage.
4. Jesus used the 6th Commandment to condemn adultery. However, the Jews of Jesus’ day also used the 6th Commandment to condemn other sexual sins, including homosexuality. Jesus NEVER corrects their use of the 6th Commandment to condemn homosexuality, which is odd if He affirmed or even tolerated the practice.
5. Jesus mentions the sin of Sodom, and the Jews of Jesus’ day viewed this text as a condemnation of any type of homosexual practice (whether it was violent rape or consensual sex). However, Jesus never corrects their interpretation of the Sodom text, which is odd if Jesus actually affirmed consensual homosexual activity.
6. Matthew 5:17 clearly teaches that Jesus did not abolish the Law but fulfilled it. Jesus fulfilled the CEREMONIAL Laws by His work for us which was pictured by the CEREMONIAL Laws (e.g., Passover, the Temple sacrifices, the Sabbath rest). However, Jesus fulfilled the MORAL Laws by obeying them in our place. This means that as forgiven sinners we are to strive to obey the MORAL Laws also (even though we can never obey them perfectly). In other words, we have not been save so that we can DISobey the Moral Laws. Instead, God’s free gift of salvation in Christ means that we GET TO obey God’s will for our lives - including His will for our sexual desires and practices. (See John 8:11 and Romans 6:14)
7. Jesus did not lower the sexual standards of God’s Law in the Old Testament. Instead, Jesus actually INTENSIFIED these sexual laws by stressing that even lust makes us guilty of adultery before God!
8. Jesus supports John the Baptist’s rebuke of Herod’s incest. Incest is one of the sexual sins condemned in Leviticus chapter 18, where homosexuality is also condemned.
9. Finally, when the Apostle Paul (who speaks for Jesus, the Lord – see I Cor. 14:37) deals with sexual practice among the Gentiles (who DID tolerate and, in some cases, affirmed homosexuality!), Paul very clearly condemns homosexual desire and practice (even by “consenting adults”). In addition, the early Church Fathers of the first 4 centuries after Christ were unified in their testimony that Jesus was opposed to homosexual desire and practice. Not one of them ever suggested that Jesus might have tolerated, much less affirmed, homosexual desire and practice.
NOW THAT WE KNOW THAT JESUS DID “SPEAK” TO THE ISSUE OF HOMOSEXUALITY, OUR GOAL IS TO HELP PEOPLE SEE THAT JESUS BIDS US SINNERS TO COME TO HIM WITH ALL OUR SINS AND KNOW THAT HE TOOK THOSE BURDENS TO THE CROSS SO THAT WE MIGHT LIVE IN HIS RESURRECTION FREEDOM!
