Jesus on Homosexual Relationships
Bible Passages Provide Insight into How Jesus Views Homosexuality
Feb 13, 2009
Most Christians who view the Bible as the inspired word of God believe that homosexual behavior is a violation of God’s moral code. However, there are other Christians who, according to the organization Exodus International, follow a “pro-gay theology which alleges that Scripture has been mistranslated and misinterpreted when it comes to the issue of homosexuality.”
One aspect of the debate centers on what Jesus did and did not say about homosexual relationships.
The Silence of Jesus on Homosexual Relationships
Pro-gay theologians state that Jesus never mentioned homosexuality, much less condemned it. The implication is that Christians should not condemn it either.
While none of the gospels record Jesus speaking about homosexual relationships, the apostle John writes that “Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.” (John 21:25) If Jesus ever specifically addressed homosexual relationships, the world will never know.
F. LaGard Smith, in Sodom’s Second Coming, asks, “Is biblical authority to be nothing more than, If Jesus didn’t mention something, it must be okay?” He goes on to write that Jesus was silent on other topics such as rape, spousal abuse, genocide, kidnapping, torture, gambling, prostitution and many other societal issues.
Smith argues that the “argument from silence” is valid only when the “context clearly indicates that the silence was specifically intended to convey some spiritual principle or teaching.”
What Jesus Said about Sexual Relationships
Lisa Miller wrote in her December 15, 2008 Newsweek article “Our Mutual Joy,” that “while the Bible and Jesus say many important things about love and family, neither explicitly defines marriage as between one man and one woman.”
Critics point out that Jesus did cite Genesis 2:24 as being God’s plan for sexual relationships: “Haven't you read… that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'? So they are no longer two, but one.” (Matthew 19:4-6)
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary's Dr. Robert Gagnon counters Miller’s assessment by writing that “Even the male-dominated society of ancient Israel imaged itself as Yahweh’s wife so as to avoid any connotation of a marriage between members of the same sex (an image replicated in the New Testament as regards Christ and his bride, the church).”
Pro-Gay Views of Bible Passages
According to pro-gay theologians, the Bible does not condemn homosexual activity.
- Regarding the destruction of Sodom, they point to Ezekial 16:49-50 and Jeremiah 23:13-14 to indicate that Sodom was destroyed for its inhospitality, pride, idolatry, greed and gluttony but not for homosexual activity.
- The laws against homosexual conduct under the Law of Moses (Leviticus 18:22, 20:13; Deuteronomy 23:17) only applied to cult prostitutes or same-sex relationships that, according to Smith, would “perpetuate class distinction.”
- The epistles of Paul, whose writings are more specific to homosexual activity, are condemnations of temple prostitutes, of heterosexuals who engage in homosexual activity and, to some pro-gay theologians, were valid only for the culture of that day and carry no weight today.
Fundamental Christian Views of Bible Passages
Many mainstream Christians believe that:
- While sins such as inhospitality, pride and others were attributed to Sodom’s destruction, Jude 7:2 and Peter 2:6-9 include “sexual immorality and perversion” as part of Sodom’s sins, too, thus linking homosexual activity to its destruction.
- The laws against homosexual activity under the Law of Moses were specific to all homosexual behavior.
- Paul, Peter and all other New Testament writers were writing under the inspiration of God and that God’s moral laws transcend culture and time. The scriptures found in Romans 1:18-32, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 and 1 Timothy 1:8-11 are just as relevant today as they were in the first century.
Additionally, many mainstream Christians point out that the only positive and praiseworthy portrayals of sexuality throughout the Bible are committed and faithful heterosexual marriage relationships. Considering the unity between Jesus and God (John 10:30), their guidance in the writing of scriptures (2 Timothy 3:14-17; Romans 15:4; 2 Peter 1:19-21) and their unchanging definition of sexual unions, many mainstream Christians conclude that Jesus would not have approved of homosexual relationships.
God Allows Freedom to Decide
Most Christians believe that God allows everyone the freedom to make their own choices in life. For those who follow God, it is up to each of them to study the Bible, discover what His will is and to live according to it. Since salvation is ultimately an individual pursuit, each man and woman must make their own decisions based on what they believe to be righteous and true and to follow the path that they feel God has laid out for them.
Sources:
- “Can a Person be Gay and Still be a Christian?” Exodus International. June 17, 2009.
- Gagnon, Dr. Robert A. J. “More than ‘Mutual Joy’: Lisa Miller of Newsweek against Scripture and Jesus.” RobGagnon.net. December 16, 2008. June 21, 2009.
- NIV Life Application Study Bible (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1985).
- Smith, F. LaGard. Sodom’s Second Coming. (Eugene: Harvest House Publishing. 1993).
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