The Bible and The Homosexual
E.L. Bynum
Not many years ago it was not proper to speak in public about homosexuality. It was something that polite, decent people just did not talk about. They knew existed, but they knew it was wrong. Religious people knew the Bible condemned it as sin. Perhaps too many Christians have been silent too long, on the subject. In the last 20 years there has been a tremendous change in public attitudes. This has come about through the influence of magazines, newspapers and books, which have advocated a soft and sympathetic attitude toward sin. Some doctors, psychiatrists and psychologists have defended homosexuality. The movie industry has portrayed homosexuality and lesbianism in a sympathetic way. In movie theaters and over television, sodomy has been introduced to adults and children alike. It has an impact on public opinion. Now the homosexuals are coming out in the open and bragging about their practice. Many “gay parades” have been held. Some cities have had “gay pride week.” (“Gay” is a slang word that homosexuals use to describe themselves).
So it is high time that this subject be discussed in the light of the Bible. That we propose to do, as plainly as we know how. We have no intention of using offensive language or lurid descriptions of homosexuality. We trust that the carnal curiosity will not be aroused, but that the reader will be brought to a greater realization of the holiness of God. Sex is not dirty nor immoral, IF it is used according to Bible teaching. Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.” Hebrews 13:4.
Some Helpful Definitions
The following definitions are taken from Webster's New Twentieth Century Dictionary, Unabridged Second Edition, 1975. “Homosexuality, 1) sexual desire for those of the same sex. 2) sexual relations between individuals of the same sex.” “Homosexual, one whose sexual inclination is toward those of the individual's own sex rather than the opposite sex.” “Sodomite, a person who practices sodomy.” Sodomy, any sexual intercourse regarded as abnormal, as between persons of the same sex, especially males, or between a person and an animal.” Lesbian, a homosexual woman.” “Lesbianism, homosexuality between women.”
The Bible Is against Homosexuality
Regardless of what man may say about homosexuality, the Bible believer must turn to the Bible to get God's truth on the subject. Here we will find the eternal truth, which should forever settle the issue. Surely no one who has a working knowledge of the Bible could ever contend that this Holy Book condones homosexual acts. The preachers and churches who advocate the homosexual life style, simply do not know the Bible or believe what it says. Both the Old and New Testaments bear abundant proof that God considers it to be a wicked and terrible sin.
Homosexuality is contrary to nature! God told both Adam and Noah to “multiply, and replenish the earth.” If Adam or Noah and his sons had adapted a total homosexual way of life, then the human race would have come to an end. It is obvious today, if all the earth's people became homosexuals, the human race would come to an end. Of course some homosexuals are bisexual, and do bear children.
Sodom And The First Mention Of Homosexuality
Genesis is the book of beginnings. There is a rule followed by fundamental Bible students, that is known as the law or rule of “first mention.” When you find something mentioned the first time in Genesis, this will set a pattern for understanding it throughout the Bible. This certainly holds true on homosexuality. “...The men of Sodom ere wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly.” Genesis 13:13. We are not long left in doubt of the nature of the sin Sodom was noted for.
God revealed to Abraham that He was was going to destroy Sodom, “Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous.” Genesis 18;20. God sent two angels, who appeared as men into Sodom to warn Lot and his family to flee the city. The angels spent the night in Lot's house. That night the men of Sodom surrounded the house and asked, Where are the men which came into thee this night? Bring them out unto us, that we may Know them.” Genesis 19:5. it is clear that the Bible uses the word “know” many times to describe a sex act between two individuals. And Adam Knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain….” “And Cain KNEW his wife; and she bare Enoch….” Genesis 4:1, 17. Lot offered to give the men of Sodom his two unmarried daughters, which had not “KNOWN man”, but of course they were not interested in women. They wanted men, because they were sodomites. Even when they were smitten with blindness by the angels, these wicked men wearied themselves in trying to find the door of Lot's house.
God destroyed Sodom with fire and brimstone. Any-one should be able to read Genesis 19:24 and see God's attitude toward the practice of homosexuals. “Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven.” Genesis 19:24. This event is mentioned many other places in the Bible, by Isaiah, Jeremiah and other prophets. It is used as an example of God's judgment by Jesus, Peter and Jude in the New Testament. Not one writer or speaker in the Bible questions God's righteousness in destroying these cities.
God's Law Forbids Homosexual Acts
It's easy to see that homosexual acts were forbidden by the Law. Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womanhood: it is an abomination.” Leviticus 18:22. This sin called for the death penalty under the Law. If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with. a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: They shall surely be put to death.” Leviticus 20:13. “There shall no whore of the daughters of Israel , nor sodomite of the sons of Israel .” Deuteronomy 23;17. “Thou shalt not commit adultery.” Exodus 20:14. Although this verse does not mention an homosexual act, nevertheless, it would forbid this sin. Why? Because homosexuals commit adulterous acts with persons of the same sex.
Why Commanded Nations To Be Destroyed!
Israel was told to destroy certain nations that dwell in the land of Canaan. This is found in a number of times in Deuteronomy and Joshua. It is clear that Israel not only was told to do this, but God also said that He would help them do it. Some liberal humanistic theologians of the 20th Century do not believe that God said for Israel to do this. They do not deny that it is found in the Bible, but they deny that God said it. They prefer to believe that the writers simply made it up to cover their cruelties to the inhabitants of the land. The Bible believer must take an entirely different approach.
Let the Bible speak. In Deuteronomy 7:1, seven nations are named and in 7:2, Israel is commanded: “And when the Lord thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, nor show mercy unto them, “ “And the Lord thy God will put out those nations before thee...Lord thy God shall deliver them unto thee, and shall destroy them...” Deuteronomy 7:22-23. A careful study will reveal WHY God ordered whole nations to be destroyed by the Israelites. God warned Israel concerning a long list of sins, including incest, adultery, having sex with animals and homosexuality. Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind….Neither shalt thou lie with any beast…. Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these nations are defiled which I cast out before you….the land itself vomited out her inhabitants.” Leviticus 18:22-25. Man is forbidden to “lie with mankind , as he lieth with a woman,” and “ye shall not walk in the manners of the nation, which I cast out before you: for they committed all these things, and therefore I abhorred them.” Leviticus 20:13, 23.
Judah was condemned during the time of Rehoboam, because “there was also sodomites in the land: and they did according to all the abominations of the nations which the Lord cast out before the children of Israel.” I Kings 14:24. Once again we are shown one the principal reasons why God ordered the wholesale destruction of certain nations. God knew what He was doing, and He violated none of His attributes or laws in destroying them. His love, holiness and righteousness are vindicated by His judgments. True love will never tolerate and condone homosexuality!!
Doing Right In The Eyes Of The Lord!
Those who condoned and tolerated the sodomites were condemned by God. However, the kings who properly handled the homosexual issue, “did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord.” King Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord,...he took away the sodomites out of the land….” I Kings 15:11-12. King Jehoshaphat did “that which was right in the eyes of the Lord….the remnant of the sodomites….he took out of the land.” II Kings 22:43, 46. King Josiah “did that which was right in the sight of the Lord,….he brake down the houses of the sodomites, that were by the house of the Lord….” II Kings 22:2; 23:7.Churches, denominations and preachers who advocate, condone or excuse homosexuality are NOT doing that which is right in the sight of the Lord.
“God Gave Them Up”
In Romans chapter 1, homosexuality is pictured as being at the end off the road. It is at the lowest level of human depravity. The stages of Gentile apostasy are clearly set forth. “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful, but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God gave them up to uncleanness through the lust of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves….For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into which that is against nature: And likewise also the men , leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves the recompense of their error which was meet.” Romans 1:21-24, 26, 27.
Surely anyone can understand that the above Scripture condemns homosexual sins. Man turned from God to idols, to human depravity, and God gave them up. God will not countenance homosexuality, sodomy, and lesbianism. Homosexual ministers and ministers who condone homosexuality have written many articles defending its practice, but they never bother to explain Romans 1. The reason is obvious. It cannot be explained away. It must either be ignored or denied. Widespread homosexuality in a society is a sign that God has given them up! If America continues to follow the widespread homosexual trend, it will destroy our civilization.
Should Homosexuals Be Punished?
Certainly the homosexual should be punished by civil government. The Bibles condones laws against murder, kidnapping, adultery and many other sins. Society has a right to protect itself against destructive crimes. These things are not private matters and should not be treated as such. It is a matter “between consenting adults in private.” as we are told.
Listen to the Word of God! “But we know that the law is good, If a man use it lawfully, Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murders of fathers and murders of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind,(the homosexual), for men stealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine.”
I Timothy 1:8-10.
Defile themselves with mankind”, in the above Scripture is translated from the Greek word “arsenokoites” and it means “sodomites” according to Strong's Greek Dictionary. Thayer's Greek Lexicon defines arsenokoites” as “one who lies with a male as with a female, a sodomite.” So according to the above Scriptures, sodomy should be illegal and should be punished along with murder and kidnapping.
Saving Grace And The Homosexuality
Some people contend that a homosexual cannot be saved. Generally they base their belief on Romans 1, which says: “God gave them up.” Others point to I Corinthians 6:9-10 to show that the homosexual cannot be saved. However, we believe that a close study of the Scriptures will prove just the opposite. We hasten to say, that we do not believe that a person who is saved will remain a homosexual. That person who is saved will turn from it, repent of it and forsake it.
Let us note what the Scripture says! “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, (Greek “arsenokoites” meaning “sodomites”), nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the Kingdom of God.” I Corinthians 6:9-10.
This would end all hope of salvation form the sodomite and a lot of others, if it were not for the next verse of Scripture. “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified , but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” I Corinthians 6:11. So there you have the truth. Some of the Corinthian Christians had been sodomites, but they were no longer were sodomites, for they had been washed, sanctified and justified by the Lord. They were no longer involved in this awful sin. They were not saved by quitting their sins, but they were saved out of their sins.
So to talk of “Homosexual churches” and “homosexual ministers” and “homosexual weddings”, is like speaking of
murder ministers” and “murder weddings.” The whole idea is preposterous, absurd, senseless and utterly foolish, in the light of the Bible.
murder ministers” and “murder weddings.” The whole idea is preposterous, absurd, senseless and utterly foolish, in the light of the Bible.
Do They Need Love And Understanding?
The homosexual needs the truth more than anything else. “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32. He needs to know that all human being are born with a sinful nature, but they are not born homosexuals. The devil would like for homosexuals to believe that they are born homosexuals, and there is nothing they can do about it. They need to be told that it is not a sickness, but a sin! By “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21) they can be saved.
To promote, encourage or participate in homosexual acts, is a grave offense against God. Homosexual ministers and homosexual churches must be especially offense to God, since they promote sodomy and confirm sodomites in their sin. Instead of being encouraged in their sins, they need to be told: “Repent ye therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.” Acts 3:19.
Homosexuals Are Missionary
Homosexuals often defend their activities by saying, What consenting adults do in private is their own business.” Since many of them specialize in seducing boys, this is pure hypocrisy. One homosexual preacher covered his sin for years by preaching hard against sin. Yet, he had for years specialized in seducing young boys about the age of puberty into homosexual acts. While traveling around the country, he did not hesitate try to seduce the sons of pastors and church leaders. Since most boys are afraid and ashamed to report such things, he was not found out for many years. When caught in his sin, he suddenly professed that he was cured, and of course now everyone is to believe him! We believe that Christian parents should talk to their children and warn them about this sin. It may not be easy to do, but they should be encouraged to report to their parents, any attempt that anyone makes to lure them into homosexual activities. These perverts are to be found in Church, in the ministry, in schools and among other groups that work with youth.
Rent a boy in New York City for $15.00. A homosexual prostitution ring operating in a Times Square penny arcade offers boys as young as 8 to its customers., some of them middle-aged family men. A customer walks to the building or parks his car at the curb. An older boy, acting as pimp, negotiates with the customer and a selection is made from a cluster of raggedly dressed boys standing in the neon glare of the arcade. On some nights it has been like Grand Central station. A car pulls up, a car pulls away.--Adapted from UPI report in Lubbock Avalanche Journal, 4-22-76.
Homosexual in Houston, tortures and murders 27 boys. Decent people were shocked in August 1973, when newspapers reported the details of the homosexual torture murders of these young boys. A search of the living quarters of Dean Allen Coril, ago 33, revealed a considerable amount of filthy reading material. He had a copy of “Human Sexuality”, a book that is used in over 400 colleges and medical schools. There is an abridged issue of this book that is used in some public schools for 7th and 8th graders. Yet, it gives explicit information on all aspects of sex, including homosexuality. How much longer will we continue to tolerate such rot?
The Bicentennial and gay Week in Los Angeles. As part of its bicentennial celebration the City of angels is officially observing Gay {ride Week. The 7 days of festivities culminate Sunday, the 4th of July, with the homosexuals proudly promenading through the streets of Hollywood. The Independence Day parade will involve “floats, bands, politicians and dignitaries, and cadres of marches from gay religious, social service, political, motorcycle and social groups. Mayor Thomas Bradley made it official with his proclamation that “….gays have played significant roles in the history of our country, from the days of the revolutionary founding to the present time, and continue today the human struggle for civil liberties and individual freedoms on which America is founded.”---Adapted from Tulsa Daily World, 7-3-76. (Move over Sodom and Gomorrah).
Sodomites In Federal government. On 7-9-63, the President of the Washington Chapter of the Homosexual International, testifying under oath before a Congressional Committee, stated that there were between 200,000 and 250,000 deviates (Sodomites), who held positions in the Federal Government.--From Dan Smoot Report, 10-26-64.
Gay Parade in Dallas. In June 1972, the City Council of Dallas was told that they could not stop a Gay Parade. The parade would be held in spite of the protests of some of the citizens of Dallas. Gay Parade in Chicago. The Chicago Tribune 7-1-74, carried the lurid story of a traffic stopping Gay Parade through downtown Chicago. The parade featuring male bathing beauties posing in scanty swimsuits. Groups of gay women, marching in groups or rode in cars.
Pennsylvania Gov. Milton Sharp proclaims “Gay Pride Week” June 12-19, 1976. More than 100 cities across the nation will be celebrating this event. These sodomites are proud of their sin. May God have mercy on this sinful country.---From The Exhorter.
Gay Rights Groups slowly gaining U.S. acceptance. The following news was gleaned from an AP report in Lubbock Avalanche Journal, 10-8-75. The article features the gains made by homosexuals, and they include: *(1) Rep. Bella Abzug introduced a bill in congress in 1975, supported by 24 other representatives to amend civil rights laws to protect homosexuals. *(2) 20 cities including San Francisco, Washington, and Toronto, Canada have adopted laws to protect the rights of gays. *(3) The American Bar Assoc., The American Psychiatric Assoc., The American Medical Assoc., The American Federation of Teachers and the American Civil Liberties Union all support revision of laws against homosexuality. *(4) In 1974, Elaine Noble, a known homosexual was elected to the Massachusetts Legislature. *(5) California passed a law decriminalizing homosexuality. Eleven other states have removed penalties against homosexuality. *(6) Gay leaders and police estimate that 100,000 are among San Francisco's 715,000 population. (Think of it. One out of 7 is a homosexual).
Homosexuals and venereal disease. Of all the millions of cases of syphilis reported in the U.S. in recent months, 45% of such cases were homosexuals who had the loathsome disease in the throat.---From The Gospel Truth.
Gay Activists are working on College Campuses. The national Gay Activist Alliance is active on U.S. college campuses. The president of this group appeared at Texas Tech University in Lubbock. For a panel discussion on homosexuality. These groups are using academic freedom to debauch the young people of America. University of Louisville offers a non-credit course on homosexuality, sponsored by the Gay Liberation Front, according to a report in The baptist Bible trumpet, January 1971. 2700 of the 27,000 students at the University of Calif. At Berkeley are homosexuals, according to the Western Messenger, May 1966.
T.V. AND HOMOSEXUALITY
Television has shown a number of movies that deal with homosexuality. Christians ought to be stirred up, but they .are not. These movies include, “That Certain Summer”, “The Damned”, “Flowers of Evil” and several others.The T.V. talk shows think it is cute to get perverts on T.V. and talk about it. Tom Snyder has been notorious for doing this, along with others. One show featured a trip to a gay bar in N.Y. , where cameras zoomed in on the disgusting scenes. Expect much much more of this, since the citizens have no real desire to change things.
20th Century Churches Of Sodom
Homosexuality has been around a long time and is nothing new. It has been instrumental in destroying a number of civilizations. It is shocking to see how government leaders, doctors, educators and many others have turned pro-gay. However, the most disgusting thing is to see gay churches, gay ministers and pro-gay religious leaders. Nothing is holy to these ungodly people. They dare to suggest that David and Jonathon were homosexual friends. Some have said that Jesus was gay since He never married. It grieves us to repeat such trash, but people should know what is going on!!
HOMOSEXUAL DENOMINATION IS GROWING! Rev. Troy D. Perry started a homosexual denomination 8 or 9 years ago, after being asked to resign from the Church of god because of his homosexuality. By October 1975 this denomination had grown to 89 congregations scattered across the land. They boast of many thousands of members in these 89 congregations. It is known as The Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches. They are sponsoring a bicentennial program that will culminate in Washington, D.C.: where the denomination will hold its 7th General Conference in 1976. (The 6th Conference in Aug. 1975 at Dallas, was attended by more than 1,000). We have many clippings, describing churches organized by this group across the nation. They have also helped organize a “gay” synagogue for homosexual Jews in California.--adapted from RNS dispatch in Baptist Bible tribune 10-3-75 and from mother sources. Rev. Troy Perry married a 23 year old Chicago male in June 1972. This marriage of two males was an Episcopalian rite, according to Perry. In 1971, Perry journeyed to New York, where he conducted anniversary services for the 600 member Parish of the Beloved Disciple in New York. (This church is a part of another gay denomination that is in the Orthodox tradition). While there Troy performed the marriage ceremony for Father Robert Clement, Parish Pastor, and his male lover of 12 years. Perry was assisted in the ceremony by Episcopal Priest Robert Weeks and former Catholic Priest Stephen Marion. These sodomites are proud of their sin. May God have mercy on this sinful country.---From the Exhorter.
GAY MINISTERS AND CHURCHES IN THE NEWS
Homosexual Church received into the Greater Seattle Council of Churches. On the final vote, there was only one dissenting vote.---F.E.A. Sept, Oct. 1075.
Glide Memorial Methodist Church openly advocates homosexuality. This San Francisco Church is a member of the United Methodist Church. It was founded and is funded by a trust, from Mrs. Lizzie Glide, widow of oil millionaire back in the 1920's. In 1969, the pastor of Glide Methodist spoke to 2,000 at the Centenary United Methodist Church in St. Louis. According to Blu-Print 4-25-72, here is what he said: “In every service at Glide Church we embrace one another. We kiss on
e another. We smell one another. We feel one another. The chairman of my official board was an admitted homosexual. And why not? This is one way for every person to find his sexual identity…..Most of our people believe in the communal life. I have not married a single couple at Glide who were not already living together….People become stimulated in our church happenings. We believe in people doing their thing and doing what they want to. Several have become so stimulated….they have disrobed. One young man came to church covered only by a blanket….he walked up front and threw his blanket down and stood there totally naked. I walked over and patted him and said, Man what a beautiful body you have.” Blu-Print also reported that Northern Calif. Council of Churches have their offices in the Glide building. I have before me, a picture of two homosexual men being married in the Glide Church.
THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
“A major board of the United Methodist Church has recommended that the 10 million member denomination accept a more open policy toward membership for homosexuals. “ The Board is asking for a revision of the church's present policy which would read, “ We welcome all persons regardless of sexual orientation in the fellowship and membership of the church.”----From Philadelphia Inquirer of 10-31-75.
The United Methodist Youth Ministry Council urges ordination of homosexuals in the United Methodist Church.----Maranatha Baptist Watchmen 1-75. Vote to suspend homosexual Methodist preacher was 144-177. Rev. Gene Leggett, a 36 year old clergyman was suspended by the Southwest Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. He admitted being a homosexual----Baptist Bible Tribune 7-2-71. Isn't it amazing that 117 (44%) voted against suspension???
The Episcopalians and Homosexuals. On Aug. 9, 1973 the Diocese of Michigan recommended in Detroit that they open the ministries of the denomination to admitted homosexuals and allow church buildings to be used by homosexual groups. ----Voice Of The Nazarene Jan. 1975. Avowed homosexuals will be excluded from future ordination as deacons, priests or bishops in the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, the church's state convention has voted.----Lubbock Avalanche Journal 1976. Anglican (Episcopal) Scholar sees no reason to bar ordination of homosexuals. The scholar's name is Dr. W. Norman Pittenger of Kings College, Cambridge University.---B.B.T. 4-13-73.
United Church Of Christ And Sodomy! Homosexuals should be ordained to the ministry. Homosexuality as such should not be an issue in considering qualifications for ordination, the Council for Church and Ministry, a United Church of Christ agency said here in a recommendation to the denomination's Executive Council.---Baptist Bible Tribune 10-19-73. United Church of Christ is one of the major denominations having 6,688 churches, a membership of 1,928,674 and 9,378 ordained clergymen.
Powerful forces are working many denominations to approve homosexual life style and homosexual ministers. Never mind what the Bible says. These blind spiritual leaders are determined to build the 20th CENTURY CHURCHES OF SODOM!
TABERNACLE BAPTIST CHURCH
Lubbock, Texas