Homosexuality: A New Testament Perspective

Theme: Rooted in the Old Testament, the New Testament, echoing the Old, identifies homosexuality as a sexual vice worthy of Kingdom exclusion and, like all sin, finds its resolution in the hope found in Jesus, which provides the Christian a new identity in Him.

Introduction:

Paper Background

What is Biblical Theology?

What this Paper is not; Russ Tate, "Homosexuality: Not a Sin - Not a Sickness." Evangel 21.3 (Autumn, 2003)

The Authority of God’s Word

Why this topic?

New Testament Treatment of Homosexuality: Historical Context

A False Charge - Biblical writers could not possibly be aware of the sort of monogamous homosexual relationships that advocates are fighting for today.

Falsely assumes the ignorance of the Biblical writers.

Falsely assumes that monogamous homosexual relationships are a new phenomenon

Homosexuality in the Greek and Roman worlds

Greek culture, though it in many ways helped formed the basis of Western thought and civilization, actually elevated homosexual relationships over traditional man/woman relationships or heterosexual.

Since it's through a man and woman uniting together in the sexual Union that produces children, members of Greek society would be married to a heterosexual partner and also take a homosexual partner as well.

Furthermore, as Greek society was divided into both free and slave members, it wasn't uncommon for a free Greek citizen to marry their homosexual partner.

One of Ancient Greece’s cities, Thebes, actually developed a military group called the “Sacred Band” which paired men with men in a homosexual relationship believing that their homosexual love for each other would make them fight heroically, thinking of their homosexual lover.

Homosexuality also pervaded the highest ranks of Roman society, even up to its emperors.

Of all its emperors, it has been suggested that 14 of her emperors practiced homosexuality.

Nero made his homosexual lover to look like a woman and held a marriage ceremony.

Tiberius practiced such rampant homosexuality that it disgusted some of Rome's more prominent writers such as Sutonius and Tacitus.

Saul (Paul) of Tarsus: Completely Hellenized and aware of cultural acceptance of homosexuality

Paul's hometown was a massive place of cultural diversity and teaching, being, “one of the three centers of Greek culture in his day.”

Paul also evidences familiarity with the Greek culture as he preached at Mars Hill in Acts 17.

One of the sources I utilized in my paper quotes that Paul, “could talk and think like a Gr. And quote his native Cilician poets to the intellectuals of Athens. He could write strong Gr. In closely argued documents.”

Homosexuality: What does Jesus Say? Matthew 19:4-6

Christ roots His teaching about marriage in the Genesis account of creation.

Christ’s use of the word “beginning” hearkens back to the book which deals with beginnings, Genesis.

Christ even quotes Genesis 2:24 as the justification for His teaching.

Furthermore, the words for “male” and “female” are words that refer to the unique biological features of men and women, which connote the sexual union.

Marriage is a divine institution that God has established, forming the basis for the teaching against dissolving it and against any deviation, whether homosexual or heterosexual. (Hebrews 13:4)

Christ’s teaching, rooted in the OT presents marriage, specifically the sexual union as between one man and one woman within marriage as God’s divine establishment without room for any deviation, whether homosexual or heterosexual.

Homosexuality: Against the Law; 1 Timothy 1:9-10

What Law? - the Law of Moses or the Ten Commandments

This is a consistent way of Paul to refer to the Ten Commandments in the New Testament

Additionally, the context of v. 7 & 8, which also speak of the Law, make it clear that the Mosaic Law is in view.

Contextually, each thought phrase consisting of two ideas correlates to some part of the Ten Commandments, in this case, immorality and homosexuality correlate to the second half of the Ten Commandments concerning adultery.

If homosexuality can be rolled up under the general category of adultery, than one can conclude that homosexual lust, like heterosexual lust, is also a sin. (Matthew 5:27-28)

Homosexuality: Rooted in Rebellion and Evidence of a Fallen Creation; Romans 1:26-27

Context: Paul masterfully demonstrates that all have sinned and need God’s righteousness

Homosexuality is rooted in rebellion

Mankind has failed to properly acknowledge God as Creator.

In God’s place, mankind set up false gods.

Homosexuality evidences judgment

Romans 1:26 gives the impression that God has made a determination based on mankind’s desire to be free from God.

God’s judicial act gives mankind what they want: to fulfill their own rebellious desires, to include homosexuality.

R.C. Sproul notes, “[God] punishes in kind … The sin here is dishonouring God; the punishment is that men are given over to their own evil.”

Homosexuality is the expression of corrupt, shameful desires - completely arguing against the defending of homosexual love. (James 4)

Homosexuality violates the created order therefore evidencing a fallen creation.

The terms for “women” and “men” strongly emphasize the unique biological differences between men and women.

The terms “natural” and “unnatural” give the impression that there’s a standard which has not only been established but rebelled against.

The ultimate standard is that which God initially created, fitting perfectly with the context of the chapter. (Romans 1:23)

Homosexuality carries with it its own penalty.

Homosexuality: Kingdom Exclusion 1 Corinthians 6:9-10

Old Testament Basis

No form of homosexuality is excluded.

Homosexuality deserves the punishment of Kingdom exclusion, just like all sin.

Concluding Applications

The New Testament writers/teachers present a unified voice against the sexual vice of homosexuality rooted in the Old Testament, which points further to the unity of the Bible.

The New Testament writer/teachers built their argument either against homosexuality or for traditional marriage upon the teachings of the Old Testament.

Homosexuality violates God’s purpose for the expression of human sexuality (Matthew 19:4-6)

Homosexuality violates the created order (Romans 1:26-27)

Homosexuality violates the Mosaic Law (1 Timothy 1:9-10)

Homosexuality, like all sin, results in Kingdom exclusion. (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

Though contemporary homosexual advocates may argue for special privileges as a group, the Bible lumps them together with other sinners, further identifying that their sin is not some unique category but, as with all sin, is worthy of kingdom exclusion.

There is hope for all sinners, including those who practice/lust for homosexuality to be found in Jesus Who gives us a new identity to be found in Him, not one’s sexual orientation.

We’re all sinners by nature.

We all need the righteousness of Jesus Christ as provided through His sacrifice and vindicated through His resurrection from the dead, never to die again.

Christ gives the Christian a new identity in Him.

Conclusion:

Where do we go from here?

How did Jesus welcome sinners? - Mark 2:5;