Reply to Dave

Reply to Dave:
Holman Bible Dictionary
HOMOSEXUALITY
Guy Greenfield

Sexual preference for and sexual behavior between members of the same sex, considered to be an immoral life-style and behavior pattern throughout the biblical revelation. Only heterosexual preference and behavior patterns are approved in Scripture as conforming to God's plan in the creation of man and woman. Moreover, all sexual behavior is to take place in the context of marriage. Sex is considered good so long as it takes place within these parameters.

The Bible makes no distinction between what some today refer to as “homosexual orientation” and homosexual behavior. Homosexual desires or feelings are never mentioned as such in Scripture, but homosexual behavior is strongly condemned as a deviation from God's will for human beings. Therefore, it stands to reason that any homosexual inclination, feeling, or desire must be seriously dealt with as a potentially dangerous temptation much like those temptations of a heterosexual nature such as the desire to commit fornication or adultery.

Biblical references to homosexuality are relatively few. Genesis 19:1-11 tells the story of an attempted homosexual gang rape at the house of Lot by the wicked men of Sodom. Genesis 19:5 mentions specifically the homosexual intentions of the men of Sodom (“to know” referring to having sex). Lot considers this behavior wicked (Genesis 19:7). Raping his daughters was considered the lesser of two evils (Genesis 19:8). This evil of Sodom is mentioned elsewhere (Jeremiah 23:14; Ezekiel 16:49-50; 2 Peter 2:6-10; Jude 1:7) in the strongest terms of condemnation. The term “sodomy” has its roots here. A similar story is found in Judges 19:22-30.

In the Holiness Code of Leviticus, homosexuality is considered an abomination (Judges 18:22), and such behavior was to be punished by death (Judges 20:13).
In the New Testament the early church also considered homosexuality as sinful behavior. Although Jesus never mentioned such behavior, probably because the problem never arose during His ministry among Jewish people, Paul clearly condemned homosexuality. Romans 1:26-27 considers homosexuality to be a sign of God's wrath upon blind sinfulness. Such behavior is considered a degrading passion, unnatural, an indecent act, and an error, even worthy of death (Romans 1:32).

Some of the Corinthian Christians apparently had been homosexuals (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). Having mentioned homosexuality, Paul stated that “such were some of you” (1 Corinthians 6:11). Through faith in Christ they had been “washed,” “sanctified,” and “justified” (1 Corinthians 6:11). Paul implied here that homosexual behavior is forgivable through the gospel and that any homosexual temptations should be resisted as seriously as those toward fornication or adultery (mentioned in 1 Corinthians 6:9). Paul also taught that homosexuality was contrary to “sound doctrine” (1 Timothy 1:10).

The Bible does not recognize homosexuality as biologically constitutional or hereditary (as a kind of third sex), but sees its roots in the sinful nature of man—a psychosocial, learned behavior, expressing rebellion against God and calling for redemption. Such persons are responsible for their behavior. This is a very complex psychological problem with many possible roots or causes, calling for both Christian compassion on the part of God's people as well as God's redemptive power through the gospel. The ministry of the church to homosexuals should include: conversion, counseling, education, and support-group relationships.


Because ‘DAVE’ wanted to delve into some Greek, I thought I’d accommodate him and look a little closer at a couple verses in Romans Chapter 1 that Mr. Greenfield referred to, providing the translation from Greek to English and corresponding definitions for applicable words at the bottom of this post. Pleases forgive the size.



Romans 1:18-32 NAS
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,
23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.
24 Therefore God gave them over in the lusts(a) of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them.
25 For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.


26 For this reason God gave them over to degrading(b) passions(c); for their women exchanged the natural(d) function(e) for that which is unnatural(f).
27 and in the same way also the men abandoned(g) the natural(h) function(i) of the woman and burned in their desire(j) toward one another, men with men committing indecent(k) acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error(l).
28 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper,
29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips,


30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents,
31 without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful;
32 and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.

Translated from the Original Greek and definition:
Vs. 24
a. Epithumia; desire, craving, longing, desire for what is forbidden, lust
Vs. 26
b. Atimia; dishonour, ignominy, disgrace
c. Pathos; in the NT in a bad sense, depraved passion, vile passions
d. Phusikos; produced by nature, inborn
Chresis; of the sexual use of a woman
f. Phusis; as opposed to what is monstrous, abnormal, perverse
Vs. 27

Aphiemi; to leave, go way from one
Phusikos; produced by nature, inborn
Chresis; of the sexual use of a woman
Orexis; eager desire, lust, appetite
Aschemosune; unseemliness, an unseemly deed of a woman's genitals
Plane; a wandering, a straying about one led astray from the right way, roams hither and thither

Folks, don’t be misled by Dave’s effort to misconstrue certain bible verses to support is erroneous point of view. It is clear beyond a shadow of a doubt what God intended for us, and what He thinks of the homosexual behavior.
With that being said, it is not for us to hate the homosexual, but as the Spirit of God lives in our heart, we must not condone the behavior anymore than we condone the behavior of lying, steeling or murder. It is not for us to judge a man’s heart, but we must judge behavior against the benchmark of morality; the Bible.