BGEA: Does the Bible approve of some homosexual relationships?

Does the Bible approve of some homosexual relationships?

The Bible provides God's blueprint for marriage and for His good gift of sex in Genesis 2:24. The gift is only to be enjoyed within a marriage between a man and a woman.

There are no exceptions suggested, such as homosexual partnerships. From Genesis on, the Bible praises the marriage of a man and a woman, but it speaks only negatively of homosexual behavior whenever it is mentioned.

The Old Testament states, "Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable" (Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13). The New Testament agrees, listing "homosexual offenders" among a list of people who "will not inherit the kingdom of God" unless they are cleansed through Christ (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).

Other passages are Genesis, chapter 19; Romans 1:18-32; 1 Timothy 1:8-11; and Jude, verse 7. However, it is important to note that the Bible speaks only of homosexual behavior (which would include lust—choosing to fantasize about behavior), not unchosen feelings. God will not judge a Christian guilty for his or her involuntary feelings.

Sometimes it is said that the Bible does not record any words of Jesus about homosexuality, and therefore it must be acceptable to God. However, the Bible does not record sayings of Jesus about a number of other specific sins either. When people asked Jesus about marriage, He told them to remember what Genesis said about God's plan for marriage (Matthew 19:1-12). So, in this sense, Jesus did have something to say about homosexual partnerships. God only blessed sex within the committed marriage relationship of a man and a woman.

Some have tried to reinterpret what the Bible says, in an effort to approve homosexual relationships. For a reply to such efforts, read "Straight and Narrow" by Thomas Schmidt or "A Strong Delusion" by Joe Dallas. These books are available through most Christian bookstores or through Regeneration Books, P. O. Box 9830, Baltimore, Maryland 21284, telephone: (410) 661-4337.

29 Comments

Antoine says 5.17.2013, 11:35 p.m.

I'm gonna make it simple, I believe in genesis, that God create Adam and Eve.

Elle says 4.21.2013, 7:01 p.m.

My relative let his parents know he felt bisexual. They had never been around or dealt with an answer to this. Their church told him he could not go with the state youth choir or at least the pastor's wife. He was devastated and quit the Church.

Donald says 3.31.2013, 6:50 p.m.

Jesus said till Heaven and earth pass away and the prophecy of the bible be fulfilled the law will still stand so homosexual behavior is still sin now just as it was when the law was written

Donnie says 3.4.2013, 00:48 a.m.

People keep wanting to believe God will change for changing times. Fact is God is the same God from the beginning. People that think God should change his ways for them are fooling themselves.

Connor says 3.3.2013, 10:37 p.m.

Thank you for this information. I am currently in High School and I am glad to find answers to stand firm for the Gospel. Many Blessings to you and your ministries!

Susan says 12.7.2012, 2:40 p.m.

Thank you for standing firm for the Gospel. I pray that each of us who proclaim Christ as Saviour will stand firm as well. Jesus said I am the way, the truth and the life. Let's stand for His truth, not tolerance

Sam says 8.30.2012, 10:48 p.m.

The bible has to be read in context. Those were cultural things. Punishment varied by region. Those were practices brought on by men. People try to change stuff so it is what they want to believe instead of what it is. The bible has far more answers.

Tim says 8.14.2012, 12:35 a.m.

So, do we still stone sinners because the Bible says it? Are we still okay with slavery and multiple wives because the Bible says it? We must progress as humans, and in the US, we have a responsibility to the Constitution to treat all as equals.

carol says 8.10.2012, 06:42 a.m.

May God's Grace be shine onto the blinds those who are trying to search for love before they had found the greatest love in Jesus.

jess says 8.7.2012, 07:50 a.m.

God said, if you love me, why don't you do what I asked you to do?

Patricia says 8.3.2012, 05:59 a.m.

I personally do not feel it is my duty to judge anyone. One day we will all stand before our great Creator and be accountable for our all of our sins. We are all sinners in God's eyes. God says " Love the person, hate the sin". Let God be the judge.

CWP says 6.12.2012, 4:30 p.m.

I feel very discouraged over this topic and struggle with how to serve Christ, take a stand for what is right, and love others who are homosexual at the same time, while not endorsing it. Jesus give us strength and wisdom in this area.

Emmie says 6.7.2012, 9:44 p.m.

This sin breaks the hearts of all who love the sinner. A crushing, growing pain to the point of my being unable to enjoy time with my loved one ensnared in this sin. I am so frightened for this person. Oh God, please lead them to you, in Jesus name.

Lee says 5.18.2012, 10:18 a.m.

Can you respect people who are not members of your faith enough to allow them to live by their own lights? Or must everybody follow your rules regardless of their belief?

Tuepence says 5.17.2012, 2:59 p.m.

God is our creator and He has determined what is right and what is wrong.The rules come from God and, therefore, they must be obeyed. It is impossible to build any structure without a foundation.There is no room for compromise.

Greg says 4.23.2012, 08:13 a.m.

Recent sermon Luke 24 vs 36-48 the pastor seemed to replace Vs 47 with "I'm ok and your OK and God loves us all. The Christian Gay agenda has determined they are above God and can now determine what is and is no longer considered sin.

Tod says 2.9.2012, 11:18 a.m.

People who say "Judge not" and use that to excuse or condone sin only apply it to what is convenient. I find that they are almost universally hypocrites. What about rape? Murder? Incest? Child Molestation? Are these sinful? Sin is sin.

Jordan - re: Doug's Post says 2.7.2012, 2:57 p.m.

Jesus replied, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." This is the first and greatest commandment. Therefore, one commandment IS greater than another. When "man lies with man etc" is not one of 10.

Carlton says 1.8.2012, 7:48 p.m.

Only God judges and they will be accountable to him and by his laws not mans.

Carlton says 1.8.2012, 7:46 p.m.

People can always find a way to justify their actions. The bible is specific and all the side-stepping is bull. It is not standing in judgment if you point out a person is in sin and they will be condemned for that action according to the law.

tom says 12.26.2011, 2:58 p.m.

You probably won't post this, but, I strongly disagree with your biblical legalism. The Bible says that "Love does no harm to it's neighbor, therefore, LOVE is the fulfillment of the law". I did not choose to be gay, I was chosen.

Susan says 11.18.2011, 11:25 p.m.

My husband, who said he was born again, just came out as gay. He says he has been fighting this for many, many years, and that this is not a choice. I am born again as well. We have been married for 27 years, but not intimate for the last 16. How do I handle this? Would God understand it if I divorced him? I don't feel that this is a marriage in the eyes of God. Thank you.

Jordan says 9.25.2011, 08:12 a.m.

I would like to remind everyone that the Bible says that we are not to judge also. That God is the one we have to answer to. That he knows our heart. That is what gets me through each day.

Pastor Dr. Jimmy Ph.D./Theo. says 6.13.2011, 12:27 a.m.

God forgives with unlimited grace. But His holy presence will not accept error [sin] as it rejects error like the north pole of a magnet pushing away the south. Better to abstain then have your lifestyle rejected by God's purity [his essence] and lose part your fellowship [oneness in spirit] with the Father. God wants to fulfill all of your life and make it abundant - John 10:10. Blessings.

Glenda says 5.12.2011, 6:38 p.m.

I know what the Bible says and that is the only thing I accept. Homosexuality is an abomination and is not to be accepted. I always pray for them and ask GOD to help them to over come it. People say I am standing in judgement, I say, I am only saying what the Bible says.

Susan says 2.21.2011, 12:12 a.m.

Does God speak through the scriptures to any of the present day churches about approving homosexual leaders in God's church?

Doug says 2.15.2011, 3:37 p.m.

Jesus said, "Go and sin no more."Repeated or continued actions of those who sin in any way...God forgives his children who have accepted Him as Lord and Master.The consequences of sin.....remain..and hurt all in so many ways. We must live with the consequence of our sins and the sins of others.Why is that so difficult to understand? To live a lifestyle of sinful ways....? That is not what the Bible teaches.Each Commandment is as important as any other of the Ten.When man lies with man...when woman lies with woman...there is no way to make that acceptable. We should love them in a Christian way...help them... We should not enable them.. no more than enabling prostitution, abusers or ones who want to say...it is not their choice.We make decisions. The Great Decision....to follow Christ. If we choose not to make that decision....we have made a decision... not to be a believer or follow Jesus.

Barry says 1.21.2011, 10:59 p.m.

I went to a Nazarene College and there was another sstudent who now ministers in a UCC denomination. His son is gay and he says the Bible says nothing about homosexuallity. I worked with a youth singing group in the past and a member, now in his early 30's sees nothing wrong with his gay relationship. I don't want to push them away by dealing with this in the wrong way. What to do?

Freddie says 1.5.2011, 4:05 p.m.

This was very helpful, there have been so many things about same sex marriage that my old Viet Nam unit had a 2 weeks discussion on it, the DADT problem. Also we just had a friend commit suicide and it has our town upset. Please every believe what God has said in the Old Testament and what His Son has to say in the Ne Testament with all His followers.. God hates the sin, not the sinner, but make sure to turn your life over to Jesus Christ.