Recently, the news reported a chaplain was suspended for preaching that homosexuality is a sin. The article portrayed the situation as a preacher being ostracized for his views on homosexuality. However, the core issue lies not in the preacher’s lesson about sin but in how the preacher influenced his congregation by distorting scripture to condemn gay people.
The Christian Bible defines a framework in which a civilization can thrive and prosper in what could be a utopian world (if we could truly live without sinning), and within this structure, homosexuality is deemed a sin. The Bible’s stance is clear, and it’s foolish to try to dispute it. The previously mentioned preacher cited Romans 1:26 to illustrate this point.
“God permitted them to indulge in disgraceful desires. Their women rejected natural sexual relations in favor of unnatural ones. Similarly, men also abandoned natural relations with women and were consumed with lust for one another. Men engaged in shameful acts with other men and received the appropriate consequences for their error.”
Paul describes sexual relations with the same sex as “unnatural” and “shameful.” Homosexual acts are clearly forbidden under our Christian ethic. However, the point of this section of Romans is not to portray homosexuality as a sin but rather to warn against the degradation of a society that chooses not to follow God.
A few verses earlier, Romans 1:18 tells us that the “wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people.” In response to man’s sin and rebellion, God “gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts.” The lesson here is simple: If we abandon God’s ways, He will abandon us. The result is something I’ve written about often—if we ignore God’s wishes, sin compounds until society ultimately collapses.
These verses illustrate homosexuality as a sin that goes against God’s intended order. Those who engage in homosexuality have chosen to reject how God designed His creation to function. However, the preacher (and the news article) completely ignores the other sins listed by Paul that also elicit God’s wrath. Specifically mentioned are:
- Greed
- Envy
- Murder
- Strife
- Deceit
- Malice
- Gossiping
- Slandering
- Hating God
- Arrogance
- Boastfulness
- Disobeying parents
- Infidelity
- Cruelty (lacking mercy)
It’s a long list of wrongs that Paul frames around homosexuality as the topic of sin or, more importantly, the consequences of failing to meet God’s expectations. Remarkably, by misinterpreting the verses, the chaplain contradicts several of God’s principles himself, such as the need for mercy and honesty.
Adding to the article’s deception, it completely ignores the next verses that state,
“For at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things!”
Just as the Bible unmistakably describes homosexuality as a sin, it is equally clear that we all sin in ways that aren’t normally publicly condemned, such as lying, gossiping, deceit, infidelity (including divorce), and hatred, among others. We are not perfect beings, and God is aware of this. However, He expects us to strive for improvement. When we falter, He cautions that the burden of sin can accumulate relentlessly until we are overwhelmed by its weight.
Homosexuality is forbidden by the Bible, along with many other actions labeled as “sin.” But just as we no longer ostracize divorced individuals as we once did, we should not alienate any other sinner. Humanity will continue to sin, and as a result, God will “turn them over” to their sinful nature. But the next time you think about publicly condemning homosexuals or any other sinner, remember what Romans 2:3 says:
“So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, forbearance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?”
Image Credits:
• Sistine Chapel, fresco Michelangelo via Wikimedia Commons by Michelangelo with usage type - Public Domain
Featured Image Credit:
• Sistine Chapel, fresco Michelangelo via Wikimedia Commons by Michelangelo with usage type - Public Domain