Please read this paper on homosexuality written by my Christian brother and fellow chaplain Mitch Friar. It is critical for every believer and non-believer to understand this critical moral issue which has overwhelmed our culture and gained ground as morally acceptable.
Questioning Homosexuality
Mitch Friar
1. What is sin?
The Bible reveals that all of humanity is lost in sin and falls short of the glory of God
(Romans 3:23). Thus it is important to determine what exactly sin is. Question 14 of the
Westminster Shorter Catechism offers this concise answer, “Sin is any want of conformity
unto, or transgression of the law of God.” Along with this, Cornelius Plantinga Jr. offers the
following description of sin. “The Bible presents sin by way of major concepts, principally
lawlessness and faithlessness, expressed in an array of images: sin is the missing of a target, a
wandering from the path, a straying from the fold. Sin is a hard heart and a stiff neck. Sin is
blindness and deafness. It is both the overstepping of a line and the failure to reach it—both
transgression and shortcoming. Sin is a beast crouching at the door. In sin, people attack or
evade or neglect their divine calling.”1
In considering this definition and description of sin three things need to be mentioned.
First, a standard of righteousness presupposes the knowledge of sin. There must be a right
standard by which actions can be evaluated and judged to be right or wrong. Second, this
standard of righteousness must be a transcendent standard, for if there is no transcendent
standard of righteousness then man determines right and wrong. If man determined right and
wrong then the standard would be ever changing and even disastrous just as the book of
Judges reveals, “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his
own eyes” (Judges 21:25). Now the only transcendent standard for righteousness is God
Himself. Third, sin is a moral issue, not a social or legal issue, because sin has to do with not
conforming to God’s standards (not man’s standards). Thus something can be socially
acceptable and even legal but immoral, or socially unacceptable and even illegal but moral.
2. Is homosexuality sin or a valid expression of human sexuality?
The only way homosexuality can be recognized as a valid expression of human sexuality
is for it to conform to God’s standard for human sexuality. Now God’s design, intention, and
purpose for human sexuality is revealed in Genesis 1-2. In Genesis 1:26-28 the Bible reveals
“Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…’ So God
created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He
created them.” Also God blessed them and told them to “be fruitful and multiply.”
1
Cornelius Plantinga Jr., Not the Way It’s Supposed to Be (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1995), 5. First, God’s design for human sexuality is that humanity would consist of two distinct
genders. These two distinct genders would complement each other and would be necessary
for fulfilling God’s command to be fruitful and multiply. Second, God’s intention of creating
man both male and female can be seen when God said “Let Us make man in Our image,
according to Our likeness.” These words suggest the relationship that exists within the
Triune God is somehow to be reflected in the male-female relationship. Or to put it another
way, God is glorified when men act like men and women act like women and they relate
together, expressing and maintaining their distinct gender while at the same time respecting
the distinct gender and differences of the other. Third, God’s purpose for creating man both
male and female can be seen in His establishing the most intimate, satisfying of all human
relationships—heterosexual monogamous marriage. Also it should be recognized that God’s
creation of mankind with distinct genders and His establishment of marriage as a unique
heterosexual relationship is part of God’s created order which He called very good (Genesis
1:31).
In considering these things it is evident that homosexuality does not conform to God’s
design, intention, and purpose for human sexuality. Therefore homosexuality is indeed sin.
3. If homosexuality is not God’s design, intention, and purpose for human sexuality then
why and how did homosexuality come into practice?
While God declared all of His creation including His design, intention, and purpose for
human sexuality to be very good (Genesis 1:31), the reality is creation fell from its pristine
state, as revealed in Genesis 3. This fall into sin has not only brought death and judgment
from God but has rendered humanity corrupted by sin. This corruption by sin is the root
cause for humanity perverting and distorting God’s good gift of human sexuality (Jeremiah
17:9; Matthew 15:19).
4. What about those who say they were born homosexual?
People are not born of homosexuals to be homosexuals; instead, they are born of
heterosexuals to be heterosexuals. However, because of the fall, people are born with the
inclination to sin. Thus homosexuality is not a genetic issue but a spiritual issue. Now
granted there may be some circumstances or situations that may condition people to go down
the path of homosexuality, but that is the case with many sinful lifestyles people choose. Yet
people are ultimately accountable for the choices they make.
5. Does the Bible actually condemn homosexuality?
While the homosexual agenda has become more aggressive is the last few years the
reality is homosexuality is not a new phenomenon. The Bible does not hide from its readers
the fact that this distortion of human sexuality is an issue that can be seen as early as the
book of Genesis and even in the book of Revelation.
First, in Genesis 18-19 one can read about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, two
cities that were known for homosexuality. Second, in Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13, God
specifically condemned homosexuality in the law He gave to ancient Israel. They were His
redeemed people and part of enjoying this blessing was to live with a right understanding of
human sexuality. Third, in Romans 1:26-27 the sin of homosexuality is referred to as “being
against nature” and “shameful.” Fourth, in Revelation 21:7-8 a distinction is made between
those who have turned from sin and put their faith in the Lord Jesus and those who have
continued in their sin and not believed the Gospel. “He who overcomes shall inherit all
things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving,
abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their
part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” The
sexually immoral here refers to those who have lived an unrepentant life of rebelling against
God’s design, intention, and purpose for human sexuality. Certainly homosexuality is in view
here.
While there are other references that could be pointed out these are important because
these accounts reveal that homosexuality has been condemned by God before He gave the
law to Israel, in the law, and during the New Testament age; and those who continue to rebel
against God’s design, intention, and purpose for human sexuality in this life will face eternal
condemnation.
6. Did Jesus ever address homosexuality?
Some may claim that Jesus never directly addressed homosexuality, but upon closer
examination He did indirectly address this issue. First, He referred to the destruction of
Sodom and Gomorrah as a historical fact (Matthew 10:15; 11:24). Second, when Jesus was
asked about marriage, He actually affirmed God’s original design and plan for heterosexual,
monogamous marriage when He said, “But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them
male and female. Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife,
and the two shall become one flesh’” (Mark 10:9-6).
7. Is marriage a social institution or a moral institution?
If marriage was man’s idea or an institution established by government then man and
government could claim to have some say over what constitutes marriage. However, as
revealed in Genesis two, marriage was not established by the government, for there was no
government, and neither was marriage man’s idea for the Scripture says, “And the LORD
God said, ‘It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to
him.’” That helper would be a distinctly different gender. God brought the woman to the
man, they were joined together, and the institution of marriage was established. This is
important because it reveals that marriage is a not a social institution; instead it is a moral
institution because marriage originated with God and was established by Him.
8. How should Government respond to the institution of marriage?
Romans 13:1-5 shows that civil government is actually appointed by God, and civil rulers
are even referred to as God’s ministers. Along with this, the role of civil government is to
restrain evil and promote good. In order for civil government to do this there must be a basic
understanding of good and evil. As for the institution of marriage—heterosexual
monogamous marriage is part of the created order that God called very good (Genesis 1:31).
Thus for government to fulfill its rightful role in society with respect to marriage it should
affirm heterosexual monogamous marriage.
9. Does government have a vested interest in monogamous heterosexual marriage?
Yes. Much can be said about this but for now the research of anthropologist J.D. Unwin
will be mentioned. After researching the historical decline of numerous cultures he
discovered that “strict marital monogamy” was fundamental to the stabilization and growth
of society.
10. Why should Christians be concerned about the institution of Marriage?
Since God created and established marriage for all of humanity, all of humanity should
be concerned about a right understanding of marriage. Believers, however, have an extra
incentive to be concerned about the institution of marriage, because God uses the institution
of marriage as a picture to reveal Christ’s relationship to the Church (Ephesians 5:22-32).
This reveals that the marriage relationship points to a greater relationship. However, when
the institution of marriage is not what God intends it to be, then it undermines the analogy of
Christ’s relationship with to the Church.
11. How should Christians respond to the institution of Marriage and the battle being
waged against it?
First, Christians should live according to God’s design, intention, and purpose for human
sexuality regardless of what is going on in the world. Second, Christians should share the
truth about God’s design, intention, and purpose for human sexuality with others. If this
witness to the truth cannot be found in Christians then where will this witness come from?
Third, out of love for God and love for one’s neighbor Christians should resist the attempt to
redefine marriage, knowing that marriage as designed and established by God is good and
right for humanity.
12. What is the problem with marriage equality?
This is a common argument but it is a flawed argument. The phrase “marriage equality”
is used as an attempt to make anyone who disagrees with same-sex marriage look bad. The
fallacy of this argument is in its premise as it suggests there is some inequality in marriage
that must be fixed. The reality is the institution of marriage is open to any male and female
who choose to commit their life together. It is an institution that God has given to all of
humanity. While the Bible does instruct that Christians are to marry other Christians,
marriage is the one institution that can be enjoyed by all. What homosexuals are attempting
to do is use the good institution of marriage to force society to accept behavior that is
immoral. The consequence of this is that if marriage does not mean something distinct and
unique then marriage does not mean anything at all.
13. What about those who say, “It is my life I can live however I want”?
This kind of thinking is rampant in contemporary American culture and it stems from a
couple of things. First, when people are only concerned about themselves and what they want
it is really nothing more than pride and selfishness disguised as individuality. What these
people fail to understand is that while God has given humanity the ability to make decisions
and choices, these decisions and choices are not immune from consequences. Second, such
thinking also comes from confusing two contrary ideas—ordered liberty and autonomous
liberty. “Ordered liberty is a concept of freedom that is restrained by moral obligations. This
concept of freedom always involves freedom for as opposed to freedom from. Autonomous
liberty is a concept of freedom that is absent of obligation. It is always freedom from and is
never freedom for. Freedom, thus conceived, is defined by what it lacks—no limitations, no
responsibility, no accountability—not by what it entails.” 2
2
Daniel R. Heimbach, “Understanding the Difference Between Religious Liberty and Religious Autonomy,” in
First Freedom, eds. Thomas White, Jason G. Duesing, and Malcolm B. Yarnell III (Nashville: B & H, 2007), 133–
34. Those who insist that they can live life however they want without any consequences
should consider the following two Proverbs: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but
its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12), and “Pride goes before destruction, and a
haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18).
14. What is at stake on this issue?
The issue of homosexuality is a much bigger issue than many people realize. For
example, people are forfeiting and losing the ability to simply discern between right and
wrong. There is good and evil in the world and a society that loses the ability to discern
between right and wrong, good and evil is like a human body that loses its immune system.
You become susceptible to anything.
15. But someone in my family or a friend of mine is homosexual?
No doubt this is a struggle that many have to deal with. However the reality is family
members and friends are not perfect, nor are they infallible. Conduct that God clearly warns
against is not justifiable because a person is in my family or a friend of mine. If this were the
case no one would ever be wrong for anything because everyone has a family member or
friend somewhere.
16. But how can you deny homosexuals the love they feel?
Here a distinction must be made between love and lust. In order to have a right
understanding of love one needs to consider I Corinthians 13:4-8. In these verses Paul writes
“Love does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth.” Thus there is a moral quality to
love as it makes a distinction between right and wrong and rejoices in truth. Also when one
considers these verses it can be seen that love is selfless. Lust on the other hand is just the
opposite. There is no moral quality to lust. It is simply an attitude and desire that is focused
on getting whatever it wants. Also lust is not selfless but selfish as it is concerned with self
gratification. Homosexuality is not an issue about love but lust. The Bible warns against lust
and how a life controlled by lust is contrary to the will of God. (I John 2:16; II Peter 1:2-4;
Titus 2:11-15).
17. What about homosexuals who say they can’t change?
Part of the homosexual propaganda is to try to convince people they cannot change. This
line of thinking is convenient for homosexuals because it is an attempt to silence their own
consciences and those who question homosexual behavior. However this line of thinking is also contrary to the Gospel. The Gospel message is that
God saves sinners through His Son. Paul wrote in II Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone
is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” Also
I Corinthians 6:9-11 testify to the reality that God is able to redeem and transform
homosexuals: “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?
Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who
practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor
swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were
washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by
the Spirit of our God. Verse 11, which is italicized, certainly speaks to the fact that the
Gospel message has the power to change the life of homosexuals.
18. Do Jesus’ words about believers being salt and light have some application to this
issue?
Many are familiar with the metaphor Jesus used in Matthew 5:13-14 that believers are the
salt of the earth and the light of the world. However, the only way for Christians to be salt
and light on this issue is to affirm what God’s word teaches about human sexuality. If we
don’t we will certainly lose our saltiness and put our light under a basket.
19. If we hold to what the Bible teaches will we become targeted and face all kinds of
challenges from the homosexual community?
In Matthew 5:9-11 Jesus said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness'
sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and
persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be
glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before
you.” Christians must remember that the authenticity of our faith is our willingness to suffer
for righteousness sake. The truth of the Gospel message is of more value than anything the
world can offer.
20. How should Christians respond to homosexuals?
Today, the idea is presented that homosexuals are a protected group of people and to
offend a homosexual is a heinous crime against humanity. The truth is homosexuals, just like
heterosexuals, are people created by God who have fallen into sin and need the Gospel. Thus
Christians should not fall to the temptation to lower God’s standard for human sexuality,
because in the Cross God’s standard of righteousness was not lowered but satisfied in Christ.
Instead we should always seek to be a living and verbal witness of the power of the Gospel,
for the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only hope for fallen humanity.
