A Culture in Chaos: A Bibicla Response to Gender & Sexuality

Introduction

There are times when I am speaking on a topic that I do not always telegraph my position on a particular issue. And I have to admit this is often on purpose. It is not to confuse people. But often in an effort to keep them engaged in the conversation or topic at hand. It does two things. It prevents people from either raising their defenses (if they are in opposition). Or sometimes from mentally checking out (if they already feel they know my side of the topic). This can also have great strategic value in everyday conversation.

HOWEVER, I am not going to do that here! If there is one issue in our culture that we need to speak speak with clarity. It is the issue of gender and sexuality. So I will telegraph my position out front. My position. And what I think is the biblical position on this issue is that God’s design is for “one man and one woman in a monogamous relationship for life.”

But having said that. This issue is more nuanced and complex than we often realize. Biologically, sociologically and even theologically. This is then also compounded by a concerted effort by others under the banner of Christianity to attempt to reframe and revise the historical Christian in the church today.

But we have to remember. As we tackle, and discuss these very sensitive issues, both here and out in the culture. We have to be mindful of the requirements of Scripture to have compassion....

— Hebrews 4:15

Hebrews 4:15 ESV

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

To have grace....

Colossians 4:6(ESV)

6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

To tell the Truth....

John 8:32 ESV

32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

And always with Love....

1 Corinthians 13:7 ESV

7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

So with that background. Here is the format for how we will tackle this topic.

Introduction to the Issue of Homosexuality

Background for Examining Texts about Homosexuality

Examining Key Text

Responding to Common Objections and Questions

This Series

Here is what we are going to look at. Number one is, we are going to kind of look at some preliminary issues such as, is this a gospel issue? I mean, is the gospel at stake with this, or is it just kind of a secondary issue? Second, we are going to look at issues like, are all sins equal? Is homosexuality the abominable sin? We are also going to look at other preliminary issues like, why have people adopted the revisionist view? So we are going to take some time to set up this discussion and frame the issue.

And then we are going to jump in and we are going to specifically look at the biblical evidence. We are going to look at the passages starting in Gen 1 and Gen 2. We are going to work through the issue of Sodom and Gomorrah—does that have any relevance for today? What about the Levitical passages? What about Romans and 1 Cor 6? We are going to look at those, some common objections to those passages, and take some time to work through those carefully.

And then last, at the end, we are going to talk about some common objections and questions that people have, including a lot of particular, practical scenarios that you might find yourself in. And then at the very end I am going to give some practical advice and steps of how we move forward and what we do next from here.

So again, thank you. I am honored that you would be a part of this course. Buckle up your seatbelt, because we are going to cover a lot of ground, and we are going to have some fun doing it.

McDowell, S. (2017). AP371 A Biblical Response to Homosexuality. Lexham Press.