Making Inroads??

A long time ago in a place far away, God decided that it was time for the miracle of creation to take place.  While this story is filled with the wonder of the hand of God and debate has raged how it actually took place, the story of creation states that after God created everything else, He created man.  According to Genesis 2:7 (KJV), “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”  Man is unique in that God spoke every other creation into existence except for man; man is the only creation actually “formed” by God and the only creation where God “breathed” into him life.  However, the story of man gets better when it becomes clear that man has no helper.

Genesis 2:15-24

** New International Version

King James Version

15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die." 18 The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." 19 Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. 20 So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field.  But for Adam no suitable helper was found. 21 So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. 23 The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman,' for she was taken out of man." 24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

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15 And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.

16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. 19 And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. 20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him. 21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; 22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. 23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. 24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

 

 

The model of creation is that woman was taken from man’s side to walk beside him as a helpmate and man was to leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife.  The word “cleave” comes from the Hebrew word “dabaq” which means to impinge, i.e. cling or adhere; figuratively, to catch by pursuit.  In the King James translation, this word is used as follows:  abide fast, cleave (fast together), follow close (hard after), be joined (together), keep (fast), overtake, pursue hard, stick, take.  The idea is that a man is to cling to his wife after he pursues her.  As you have probably heard, this is the story of Adam and Eve, not “Adam and Steve.” 

However, in today’s world we are seeing a tremendous societal movement which aims to not just legitimize homosexuality, its goal is to bring homosexuality into the mainstream of American society, normalize it and celebrate this “diversity.”  In many instances, such as in my home state of New Mexico, homosexuality is now classified as a protected class for purposes of invidious class discrimination just like race, color, creed or national origin. 

The Story of Gene

The Rt. Rev. Vicki Imogene "Gene" Robinson was born May 29, 1947 and is the ninth bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire in the Episcopal Church in the United States of America.   Amidst international controversy, on March 7, 2004, Gene Robinson became as the first openly gay, non-celibate man to assume the role of bishop in the American Episcopal Church.  Following investigation of allegations of “inappropriate touching” of a male parishioner who ultimately dropped his report of “harassment”, his confirmation opened a debate that threatened to split the church.  The Anglican Communion took a strong stand against his ordination; despite this opposition, Bishop Robinson was confirmed and prior to his ordination made the following statement:

This has strengthened my faith. God seems so very close right now that prayer almost seems redundant. I feel absolutely surrounded by his love and his presence is almost palpable to me. I am calm and at peace and I am prepared to move forward.

The Story of Katharine

On June 18, 2006, Katharine Jefferts Schori was elected as the first woman leader of the 2.3 million-member Episcopal Church which is the U.S. branch of the worldwide Anglican Communion.  The next day she said she believed homosexuality was no sin and homosexuals were created by God to love people of the same gender.

When interviewed on CNN, Schori was asked if it was a sin to be homosexual.  She responded as follows:

I don't believe so. I believe that God creates us with different gifts. Each one of us comes into this world with a different collection of things that challenge us and things that give us joy and allow us to bless the world around us. Some people come into this world with affections ordered toward other people of the same gender and some people come into this world with affections directed at people of the other gender.

Asked how she reconciled her position on homosexuality with specific passages in the Bible declaring sexual relations between men to be an abomination, Schori said the Bible was written in a very different historical context by people asking different questions. "The Bible has a great deal to teach us about how to live as human beings. The Bible does not have so much to teach us about what sorts of food to eat, what sorts of clothes to wear -- there are rules in the Bible about those that we don't observe today," she said. "The Bible tells us about how to treat other human beings, and that's certainly the great message of Jesus -- to include the unincluded."

An American High School

A Gay-Straight Alliance Club was recently established at a local high school in my community with the alleged purposes of (1) promoting tolerance and understanding of homosexuality as an alternative lifestyle and (2) countering incidents of discrimination and (3) educating interested students about homosexuality.  This student organization is being overseen by a lesbian faculty member and is supposed to sponsor “film nights” for club members.  Just last semester, two trans-sexual individuals were allowed onto school grounds in order to promote this organization.  Surprisingly, students who participate in this club are not required to obtain permission from their parents before participating in the organization’s activities which activities include the depiction of gay sexual activity as normal and acceptable behavior.  On its face, it appears that this organization is being formed for the primary purpose of recruiting students into the homosexual lifestyle during a period of their lives when they are easily influenced. 

Gay Pride

From San Francisco to New York, “Gay Pride” parades took place on the 25th anniversary of the AIDS epidemic celebrating the homosexual lifestyle.  If you either observed the events or read about them, you would have seen that there were a number of corporate sponsors of the events signifying acceptance of the lifestyle in corporate America.  If you talked to anyone associated with these parades, you would be told that this was an opportunity for the homosexual community to speak out and for everyone to express their affection freely. 

Later this summer the World Pride International Gay Parade will take place in Jerusalem. According to a statement cosigned by the Bridges for Peace, Christian Friends of Israel and the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem, "It is clear that Jerusalem has been deliberately targeted not because it has any particular significance to the gay and lesbian community, but because of the supreme importance this city holds for those of biblical faith.   The decision to hold this event in Jerusalem can only be seen as a calculated and confrontational act meant to provoke and offend those who adhere to timeless, biblical moral standards in the very place they hold most dear.”

Contrary to the position taken by the three Evangelical Christian organizations above, "The World Pride event will take place in Jerusalem because we believe Jerusalem should be a center of tolerance, pluralism and humanity. Unfortunately, there are those who prefer Jerusalem to be fanatical, dark, pursuing strife and hatred," according to Noa Sattath, chairperson of Jerusalem's Gay and Lesbian Center which is hosting the event.

 Making Inroads

Is that what is really happening?  Some people would have you believe so.  They would contend that a disenfranchised community is finally making inroads when it comes to civil rights.  They would say that this effort is comparable to the struggle for equality led by people such as Martin Luther King.  They would have you believe that we are observing a societal evolution that evidences the love and teaching of Jesus Christ.  The problem with these statements – they are wrong.

When you look at it purely from a secular viewpoint, the fact of the matter is that (1) homosexuals are, as a whole, much more sexually promiscuous than heterosexuals; (2) homosexuals are more likely to engage in sexual acts with unknown partners than heterosexuals; (3) homosexuals are generally not monogamous in their relationships to the same extent as heterosexuals; (4) sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including AIDS and genital herpes, are much more prevalent in the homosexual population than the heterosexual population; (5) homosexuals with AIDS are now knowingly engaging in unprotected sex with partners trying to bestow upon them what is known as “the gift” a/k/a AIDS; (6) that homosexuality is a very lonely lifestyle due to the fact that older homosexuals are generally shunned by the younger homosexual population; and, (7) that life expectancy amongst members of the homosexual population is shorter than the population at large.  In short, the homosexual lifestyle is not healthy and it can, and will most probably, result in sickness and death.

Moreover, when viewed from a spiritual perspective, the Bible specifically addresses homosexuality as a sin.  Despite Shori’s statements to the contrary, the Bible’s declarations concerning homosexuality are clear.  In fact, many cite to the story about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19 as evidence of God’s displeasure with the homosexual lifestyle. 

Genesis 19:1-13, 23-25

** New International Version

King James Version

19:1 The two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. When he saw them, he got up to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground. 2 "My lords," he said, "please turn aside to your servant's house. You can wash your feet and spend the night and then go on your way early in the morning." "No," they answered, "we will spend the night in the square."  3 But he insisted so strongly that they did go with him and entered his house. He prepared a meal for them, baking bread without yeast, and they ate. 4 Before they had gone to bed, all the men from every part of the city of Sodom--both young and old--surrounded the house. 5 They called to Lot, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them."  6 Lot went outside to meet them and shut the door behind him 7 and said, "No, my friends. Don't do this wicked thing. 8 Look, I have two daughters who have never slept with a man. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do what you like with them. But don't do anything to these men, for they have come under the protection of my roof." 9 "Get out of our way," they replied. And they said, "This fellow came here as an alien, and now he wants to play the judge! We'll treat you worse than them." They kept bringing pressure on Lot and moved forward to break down the door.  10 But the men inside reached out and pulled Lot back into the house and shut the door. 11 Then they struck the men who were at the door of the house, young and old, with blindness so that they could not find the door.  12 The two men said to Lot, "Do you have anyone else here--sons-in-law, sons or daughters, or anyone else in the city who belongs to you? Get them out of here, 13 because we are going to destroy this place. The outcry to the LORD against its people is so great that he has sent us to destroy it."

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23 By the time Lot reached Zoar, the sun had risen over the land. 24 Then the LORD rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah--from the LORD out of the heavens. 25 Thus he overthrew those cities and the entire plain, including all those living in the cities--and also the vegetation in the land.

 

19:1 And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground; 2 And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night. 3 And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat. 4 But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter:

5 And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them. 6 And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him, 7 And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly. 8 Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof. 9 And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door. 10 But the men put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door. 11 And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door. 12 And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place: 13 For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the LORD; and the LORD hath sent us to destroy it.

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23 The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar. 24 Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven; 25 And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.

 

This story of destruction is clearly associated with the sin of homosexuality and the intended gang rape of God’s messengers. 

Now known as “sodomy”, this act was specifically prohibited by the law of Moses.  Throughout the Old Testament, the “shrine prostitute”, both male and female, were condemned in the sight of God.

Deuteronomy 23:17

** New International Version

King James Version

17 No Israelite man or woman is to become a shrine prostitute.

 

17 There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel.

 

Likewise, sodomy was also condemned by the apostle Paul in the New Testament.  Once again we see the status of the male prostitute addressed in relation to the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10

** New International Version

King James Version

9 Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

 

9 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, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

 

Despite the condemnation of sodomy, homosexuality has been around throughout history.  Many argue that homosexuality is not a choice but is rather a condition inherent in the individual from birth.  Just recently an article came out that stated that there was a correlation between the incidence of homosexuality and the number of older brothers present in a family.  Still others, including former homosexuals, state that it is a life choice and although once made, can be reversed.  One resource pointing to this position is a DVD sponsored by the American Family Association entitled “It’s Not Gay.” 

Despite the argument from either side, what does the Bible say?  Is there anything in God’s word that gives credence to one view or the other?

Romans 1:18-32

** New International Version

King James Version

18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. 24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator-who is forever praised. Amen. 26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. 28 Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

 

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 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. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26 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: 27 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. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

 

According to this passage, it appears that although the people knew God, they elected (made a volitional choice) to not worship Him.  When they did so, their hearts became darkened and they gave themselves over to worshiping the created rather than the Creator.  Once they turned away from God, God gave them over (yielded or surrendered them up) to their evil desires.  It is important to note that according to verse 24 those desires (longing or lusts) were already present as God “yielded” the individuals to their lusts; once they made their choice, God then refrained from “protecting” them from those desires.  When that happened, man (and woman) exchanged their natural desires for unnatural desires.  They then consummated those lusts and were ultimately filled with every kind of evil.  It is shocking to think that despite their knowledge that such trespassers deserve death, they continue to indulge in these shameful acts and approve of those who also practice the same.

If you view homosexuality dispassionately, without a political agenda, it becomes clear that the lifestyle is one fraught with possible danger, pain and loneliness.  Typically, there are no monogamous, long-term relationships, no children and no family.  Security and stability flee despite an unyielding desire to possess them.  Disease runs rampant and AIDS is a very real threat.

If you believe the Word of God, homosexuality is a sin and like any other sin, is worthy of death in the eyes of God.  While there are many in the Christian community who view homosexuality as somehow “worse” than other sins, it really is not.  All sin is sin in God’s sight and absent repentance and the redeeming grace of Jesus Christ, there is no hope.  However, God’s Word also makes it clear that that there are consequences associated with this particular sin and this sin results in eternal separation from God. 

Despite what you might read in the newspaper or on the Internet or hear on the television, the increasing prevalence of the homosexual movement is not a case of making inroads; it is a case of an unrepentant lifestyle and it is a movement leading its followers down a path of destruction, both physically and spiritually.  Along with its followers, it can drag a nation after it in continuing moral decline.  That moral decline will inevitably lead to the fall of the nation.  That fall will either come from within or a result of God’s judgment. 

Reading Romans 1:19-32 once again, a picture of America and much of the world today is clearly depicted.  The great evangelist Billy Graham once said, "If God doesn't judge America (for sexual sin), He is going to have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah."  And while it breaks my heart to say it, I have no doubt, absent the revival of America through repentance for its moral decline and a turning back to Almighty God, that judgment is coming.  When it does, we will have no one but ourselves to blame.

** A modern language quote is provided for readability together with the accompanying KJV version which is believed by many to be a more accurate representation of the original scripture.

Comments or questions may be directed to the author at info@rapturenext.com.