Holiness is the theological context and motivation for the teaching of the Mosaic law about sexual behaviour (Lev. 18:1-30; 20:7-26). Holiness is similarly the basis of Paul’s appeal for distinctive sexual behaviour in several key passages (e.g. 1 Thes. 4:1-8; 1 Cor. 6:9-20; 2 Cor. 6:14 – 7:2). How law and gospel differ in this connection remains to be explored. However, in terms of biblical theology, holiness rather than justice, love, tolerance, unity or personal fulfilment should be our first consideration.[4] Holiness is a gospel issue that cannot be side-stepped. (continue)
Category Archives: sx
The Church and Sexual Confusion
The Church and Sexual Confusion
When we look honestly at the teachings of God’s Word, inlcuding those of Jesus, it is evident that Christians and the church cannot legitimize same-sex relations. The paradigm from creation is clear that God created humans in a two-fold way, male and female, and that sexual union is to be a one-flesh relationship between to humans who are not alike in gender. . . .
The church should be unambiguous in articulating God’s design for sexual intimacy: a covenant relationship between a man and a woman. The church actually shows great love and pastoral care though its gracious articulation of God’s designs. We fail the world and struggling individuals when we continually appeal to more dialogue, ambiguity, and merely compassion. . . .
But at the same time we are called to walk and cry with, empathize, forgive, and support those who struggle with homoerotic impulses. We can never apply biblical ethics with cold callousness and harness. We must recall that after discussion homosexuality in Romans 1, Paul gives a list of other sins that we too easily ignore in the church: greed, envy, strife, slander, arrogance, pride, and lack of love and mercy. . . . What can the church offer pastorally to those struggling with this issue?
First, we can offer hope for healing through divine resources and professional counseling. Second, we can offer ongoing empathetic support and accountability for those who find it difficult to change their inward inclinations, but are called to maintain celibacy. Third, we can offer forgiveness when there is failure amidst the struggle, albeit without watering down the ethical norm. And finally the church must rid itself of homophobia, the hatred of gay persons.
- Dennis Hollinger, The Meaning of Sex (my emphasis)
(HT: Walt Mueller)
the best one-hour introduction you can find
The Best Introduction to Homosexuality: Causes, Change, and the Gospel
The lecture below by Professor Sam Williams (Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary) is not an exploration of or defense of interpreting the Bible with regard to homosexuality. The best material on that is Robert Gagnon’s The Bible and Homosexual Practice: Texts and Hermeneutics (see this video for a good introduction). Williams assumes the biblical perspective in this lecture.
Having followed this issue for some time, I would say that this is the best one-hour introduction you can find—or at least that I have found—for looking at issues like:
- What causes homosexuality?
- Can we be responsible for that which is not consciously chosen?
- What is the difference between having same-same attraction, same-sex orientation, and being “gay” or “lesbian”?
- How many people self-identify in these ways?
- Do people with same-same attraction actually change?
- How can they change?
- What does the gospel have to do with this issue?
- How can we promote change in the church for those who struggle?
You can listen to the audio at iTunes, though the video below is worth watching, if you can, to see a couple of the charts. It really is worth watching or listening to if you are interested in this issue and long to help people change.
