As a result of this development, and many others, I felt that it was necessary for me to rerun an article that was printed in the "Landmark Messenger" in 1998. This article will take a critical look at what I have titled "The Sin of Abomination." Although this article has been edited [to remove some of the more poignant overtones] I believe that it aptly confronts the problem of homosexuality with the "church" (I will continue my series on the Christian Lifestyle in August).

THE SIN OF

TODAY, within the confines of Christianity, it is evident that apostasy is running rampant. There is a liberal element that was spawned by the fathers of modernism and neo-orthodoxy that were practicing adulterers, moral perverts, and promoters of homosexuality. Yet, these same men have been accepted by "legitimate" Christian churches as sound theologians and stalwarts of the faith. This acceptance has promoted the formation of denominational churches formed with the express purpose of being havens for active homosexuals. As examples; the United Methodist Church and Southern Methodist University (SMU) have gone as far as to question whether Paul really condemned homosexuality in the New Testament. It is also estimated that there are as many as 10,000 Roman Catholic homosexual priests in this country alone. The United Church of Christ, the Unitarian Universalist Church, the Episcopal Church, and the World Council of Churches support the active participation of homosexuals not only within its membership but also among it leadership. Furthermore, the Foundry Methodist Church (United Methodist) in Washington D.C. (the church attended by Bill and Hillary Clinton) described the apostle Paul as "a self-hating gay man," praise homosexual marriage, and speculated that King David (a man after God’s own heart) might have been bisexual and Jesus Christ might have been a homosexual "drag queen." Lest we think that Baptists are excluded from this ungodly perversion, a Southern Baptist Church in Austin Texas has a "practicing" homosexual deacon. Also a group of over 60 ministers in Madison Wisconsin signed an agreement supporting the practice of lesbians and gays: the following is a quote from their statement of agreement.

We believe it is time to eliminate all policies and practices which create barriers and restrictions to the full participation of gay and lesbian Christians in all the privileges and responsibilities of church membership. Recognizing that our churches still speak and act out of our longstanding prejudices.

Once again this writer is simply amazed that sin can be labeled as mere "prejudice." As a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ I firmly state that am not prejudice towards homosexuals; however I do hate them for what they are and for what they represent. Such people are a threat to the moral fiber of society; they are a blight to the land; and, they are a danger to our children. The government and courts of this country have forced the homosexual lifestyle on us as being an acceptable practice. The homosexual has "come out of the closet" to invade our homes, our schools, the sanctity of our moral fiber, and, yes our churches. May God forgive us for the same sin that Sodom and Gomorrah were judged guilty of.

Such a statement might seem harsh, cruel, and even offensive coming from a Baptist minister. But let us examine the Bible that we may obtain a proper perspective. Although an examination of the Bible would tend to make the truth evident concerning homosexuality, nevertheless such an examination assumes that one accepts the Bible to be the inerrant infallible Word of God and the final authority on all issues that God chose to communicate to us. But such is not necessarily the case! Many church-going professing Christians do not have a proper understanding of the truth due to perverted versions of the Bible and a liberal philosophical view of society. Often the practice of the church is determined by a liberal interpretation of the United States Constitution and an acceptance of the depraved morals and standards of society. But let us proceed to the Word of God.

First, homosexual conduct was "a grievous sin" in the days of the Patriarchs. Such sin resulted in the total destruction of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and the annihilation of all inhabitants therein. Genesis 19:24-28 shows the judgment brought on Sodom and Gomorrah for their sin (or prejudice). "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. 26 But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. 27 And Abraham gat up early in the morning to the place where he stood before the LORD: 28 And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace." Yet, one could argue that this was a cultural judgment or a dispensational Old Testament application and does not today apply to the church. But notice what the apostle Peter has to say about God’s actions regarding these cities; And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an example unto those that after should live ungodly (2 Peter 2:6). God’s wrath was poured out against these cities for their "grievous sin" of homosexuality. "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" (Genesis 19:4-9).

Here (v. 5) we see that the men that approached Lot’s home sought to "know" the men that had come to visit. This biblical word "know" carries with an understanding of close intimate sexual relations. Furthermore, the corruption of the city was total in that "both old and young, all the people from every quarter:" sought relations with Lot’s guests. Lot was not ignorant of the requests made, he did not misunderstand the nature of the demands, it was not about hospitality, it was about homosexual rape. Lot sought relief within his own home, but, the carnality of the crowd would not be satisfied even with the offer of the two virgin daughters of Lot. Their perversion was absolute, not alternate lifestyle. Their lust of the flesh sought out the innocent and manifested its total depravity.

The reaction of the crowd is similar to the response of many churches. The crowd said to Lot, "Who are you to judge our activities," you are not God. Likewise, people of today say, "who are we to judge" we are not God. The point is, that God did judge these men for their depravity and gave them as a example to us. We judge because God judged; and, He has given us an example as to what our actions towards the sin of homosexuality should be. "Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire." Jude describes their "grievous sin" as "going after strange flesh" (Jude 7) or the desire for other men.

Second, homosexual conduct under the Law of Moses was considered a capital crime. Let us not forget that the moral law has not been abrogated and that the moral law is holy, just, and good, given to us for our learning. In Leviticus 18:22 we read that we are commanded "not to lie with mankind, as with womankind; it is an abomination." Scripture says such homosexual relationships are an abomination that is punishable. "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" (Lev. 20:13).

Third, the New Testament is as abundantly clear in the condemnation of homosexual conduct. To the church at Corinth, Paul wrote, "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" (1 Cor. 6: 9-10). In this passage Paul uses the word "effeminate" (Greek; malakos) to define the actions of someone that is totally enamored with their sexuality or someone that is a male prostitute. The word translated "Sodomites" is the Greek word arsenokoitai and is translated "homosexual." Although the first word used in this passage may be translated "male prostitute," it does not mean that Paul was here condemning male prostitution (although prostitution is elsewhere condemned). The second word describes homosexual conduct, and, therefore, Paul condemns those that engage in homosexual activity for which they shall not inherit the kingdom of God due to such participation.

The classic passage which deals with homosexual conduct is found in Romans 1:18-28. "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;"

A careful read of this passage "indicates that the righteous indignation of God is directed toward those who reject the clear evidence of God’s existence and power as revealed in nature." In the observation of nature it is not the normal practice of the lower creatures to conduct themselves in sexual relations with one of the same gender. Such observation indicates that homosexual activity is the result of the desires of the flesh and the depravity of man. Yet, it is God that deals with those that conduct themselves in such a depraved manner. He dealt with Sodom and Gomorrah and he deals with depraved men today. These are given up to uncleanness, to their lustful hearts, to the dishonor of their own bodies and by doing so they call God a liar and substitute their own sophisticated lie for the truth. They worship the pleasure of their own self-desire; they serve themselves instead of God (Rom. 1:24-25). And what is the result of their actions? Are they struck down dead in their perverted bed of immorality? No. God has given them up to their own vile affections; to their man-to-man and woman-to-woman relationships. To the very things that are contrary to the revealed will of God in nature. They are turned over to a debased mind to do unnatural things receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which is due them.

In conclusion, this article is not intended to attack the "non-Christian" homosexual (for they shall receive their just reward), although there are no Christian homosexuals, but, this article intends to set the record straight concerning those churches that support the active participation of homosexuals within their fellowship. There is no possible way that a duly constituted church of the most holy God can support or justify any homosexual member. This is described by Scripture as an abomination punishable by death. Let God rain down on any church that supports or identifies itself with homosexual activities the same punishment that resulted in the death of Sodom and Gomorrah. The Christian is to hate sin and any such person that would flaunt their depravity and justify the sin of homosexuality. Likewise, let the elect of God speak out with righteous indignation against all that support and justify such sin. May the true man of God flee from any church which actively supports or condones homosexuals, as Lot fled the city of abomination.

Providence Baptist Ministries © copyright_date PBM Desktop Publications © copyright_date All rights reserved Revised: April 13, 2009