A person recently posted an important question about the controversy regarding homosexuality and Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson. Since Phil will likely never see the question, I decided to provide an answer.
QUESTION: Dear Phil, I also support 1st Amendment rights so say what you will. My question for you is Biblical,..Lev 11:6-8 tells me the touching of the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean. May I still play football as long as I wear gloves?
MY RESPONSE (Though I admit, I am not Phil):
A short question can sometimes require a long answer, so here goes...
To answer your objection from a biblical position, I would first point out that theologians and bible scholars have since the time of Christ made a clear distinction between the moral, ceremonial and governmental laws which were given to Israel. The ceremonial laws include priestly duties, sacrificial regulation and dietary restrictions. These laws were fulfilled in our High Priest, Jesus Christ, when He came to the earth and acted as our High Priest in the performing of His once for all perfect sacrifice. After His atonement was made, the ceremonial laws were completely fulfilled (Jesus Himself said He did not come to destroy the Law, but that through Him it would be fulfilled), and thus we are no longer obliged to perform the ceremonies which accompanied the old testament dispensation including sacrifices, priestly occupations and dietary restrictions. These restrictions were lifted before the very eyes of the Apostle Peter when God gave him the vision of the unclean animals that he was now supposed to take and eat (Acts 10:9-16).
Furthermore, there are laws in the Old Testament which are specific to the theocracy under which the people of Israel lived. God intended for them to be under His rule and to govern themselves by His commands. Thus He includes rules for how retributive justice is supposed to be managed, how judges are supposed to operate and the role of the priests as leaders among the people. These laws were set for the people of Israel during a very specific time period of history.
The moral law of God, however, has seen no abrogation. Murder is still wrong because it is not simply ceremonially unclean, but it is injurious and goes against the purpose for which man is created (i.e. to live and glorify God). Adultery is still sinful, as is theft and and lying, etc. Moral law stands firm as the basis for how a Christian is supposed to conduct him/herself in the world. Part of the moral law of God speaks directly to how sexual relationships are supposed to be managed. Homosexual relationships are forbidden in the New Testament as unnatural and inconsistent with the way God created human beings to relate to one another sexually (Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9). They are acts of rebellion against God.
Finally, the concern most Christians have against homosexuality is not that it is the vilest of sins, but that it is being promoted as “unsinful” and “glorious” by those who support it. Gay Churches have cropped up across our land, and to the Christian this is inconsistent. We would not accept a “Church of Thieves” or a “Church of Liars” because this would mean these churches are founded on support of sin. Thus, when we hear about a gay church, we believe this too is inconsistent and wrong. Sin cannot be the foundation of the church. |
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