Romans: Fact-Checking Arguments Regarding Homosexuality and the Bible

BASIC BIBLE TRUTHS

The Bible is our final authority for all matters of faith and practice.

When we disagree with the Bible, we disagree with God.

When we disagree with God, we suppress the Truth to make our own version of the truth.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;Romans 1:18

When unbelievers, non-Christians disagree with the Bible, they have been blinded by Satan.

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.2 Corinthians 4:3-4

We must stand for truth, but with much love and grace.

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:Ephesians 4:14-15

Jesus did not compromise the truth, but was willing to give grace.

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.John 1:14

Jesus did not condemn others, but also did not condone them.

When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.John 8:10-11

Our own sin is just as offensive to God as the sin of others.

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, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 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.1 Corinthians 6:9-11

We are commanded to love and serve everyone in the name of Jesus. Hatred is the opposite of the gospel.

Love, kindness and authentic Christianity draws unbelievers to Jesus.

Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;1 Peter 3:1

The church and the Gospel are always the places to find help for any sin that you face.

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Fact-Checking Arguments Regarding Homosexuality and the Bible

CLAIM: Homosexuality is only condemned in the Old Testament under the law in passages that also forbid mixed fabric and eating pork.

RATING: False.

FACT CHECK: Homosexuality is specifically condemned in Romans 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, 1 Timothy 1:10. Fornication, a blanket word for any type of sexual sin outside of marriage, is roundly condemned throughout the New Testament.

For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which 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 that recompence of their error which was meet.Romans 1:26-27

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, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.1 Corinthians 6:9-10

For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;1 Timothy 1:10

CLAIM: Jesus never spoke about homosexuality.

RATING: Partly True

FACT CHECK: While Jesus never spoke against homosexuality specifically, he did condemn any and all sexual sin, including lust, which is covered by fornication.

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.Matthew 5:27-28

For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:Matthew 15:19

For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,Mark 7:21

CLAIM: Jesus never condemned gay marriage.

RATING: Partly True

FACT CHECK: While Jesus might not have explicitly condemned gay marriage, He did affirm that marriage was only between a man and woman.

And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.Matthew 19:5-6

CLAIM: Jesus never condemned transgendered individuals.

RATING: Partly True

FACT CHECK: While Jesus might not have explicitly condemned transgenderism, He affirmed that God made them male and female, thus affirming that gender is not a choice and there are only two genders.

And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,Matthew 19:4

CLAIM: Homosexuality is such an awful sin it was punishable by death according to Levitical 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; their blood shall be upon them.Leviticus 20:13

RATING: True

FACT CHECK: Working on the Sabbath was also punishable by death.

Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.Exodus 31:14

Adultery was also punishable by death.

And the man that committeth adultery with another man’s wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.Leviticus 20:10

Cursing your parents was also punishable by death.

For every one that curseth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death: he hath cursed his father or his mother; his blood shall be upon him.Leviticus 20:9

CLAIM: Homosexuality is an abomination and repugnant to God.

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; their blood shall be upon them.Leviticus 20:13

RATING: True

FACT CHECK: Other things that God considers as an abomination are pride, a lying tongue, shedding innocent blood, a sinful imagination, those who run toward evil, false witness and those who sow conflict.

These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.Proverbs 6:16-19

CLAIM: Homosexuality is just the same as any other sin, like lying. All sin is the same in God’s eyes.

RATING: Partly True

FACT CHECK: Judicially, all sin makes us guilty before God.

For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.James 2:10

Consequentially, sin has varying levels of destructiveness. Sexual sin is a sin against your own body, and for Christians, destroys the temple of the Holy Spirit.

Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?1 Corinthians 6:18-19

Homosexuality is a result of God giving the idolatrous man up to his dishonorable passions.

For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:Romans 1:26

CLAIM: All homosexuals are going to Hell for being gay.

RATING: FALSE

FACT CHECK: Every sinner who rejects the authority of God, refuses to acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord and continues a lifestyle of unrepentant sin will go to Hell.

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, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 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.1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.Colossians 3:5-7

CLAIM: Gay people are born that way. They can’t change who they are.

RATING: Partly True

FACT CHECK: Every person is born into sin. If one is born with a proclivity to anger, an appetite for pride, a lust for sexual desires or an inclination to violence, we cannot say that we are simply born this way. We must trust Jesus to help us change. Biblically, we must repent.

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, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 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.1 Corinthians 6:9-11

CLAIM: Jesus loved everyone, regardless of their sin. Christians should do the same.

RATING: ABSOLUTELY TRUE

FACT CHECK: Jesus spent time with sinners in an effort to draw them to Himself.

And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.Matthew 9:10-13