Search The Scriptures: January 7, 2001
HOMOSEXUALITY
INTRODUCTION:
A. Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. On behalf of the Danville church of Christ, I am
delighted to welcome you to another Search the Scriptures broadcast. For the next several
minutes I am going to address a social, moral and profoundly religious issue that is gaining
momentum and acceptance in our culture, even among those who claim to accept the teaching of
Christ. I am referring to the practice and acceptance of homosexuality. It is estimated that three
or four percent of the American population is homosexual. I know there are those who dispute
these figures, but the evidence is overwhelming that far fewer are homosexual than the reported
10 percent claimed by homosexual advocacy groups. There is no denying, however, that with the
prevailing mood there will be many more choosing the homosexual lifestyle in the future than
does so today. It seems that almost weekly the Indianapolis Star has a feature about
homosexuality, most always portraying this aberrant lifestyle in a positive way. Just last Tuesday
in a commentary by Marc Allan those who, like me, believe homosexuality is wrong were
called Neanderthal. Allan, writing with glee about the television demise of Dr. Laura
Schlessinger said this. “I'm not one to dance on people's graves, but I can't help feeling a small
amount of satisfaction that WISH has banished the Dr. Laura show to 1:35 a.m. weekdays. My
beef with the doctor isn't her anti-homosexual remarks -- I think she's Neanderthal for what she
said.” Allan isn’t the only one who believes that anti-homosexual views are Neanderthal. A new
video produced by homosexual advocates entitled It’s Elementary: Talking about Gay Issues in
School, which is intended for fourth graders and is being aired by some Public Television
Stations is aimed at teaching your children and grandchildren that homosexuality is healthy and
normal and anyone who believes otherwise is stupid, bigoted and responsible for hate crimes.
The video is funded by the San Francisco-based Columbia Foundation, People for the
American Way, The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation and the California
Teacher Association’s Gay and Lesbian Caucus, with - naturally - help from the National
Endowment for the Arts. My friends, this video may soon find its way into your child’s
classroom or on our local PBS station. A teacher in the video says that students must be taught
that all lifestyles [including homosexual and lesbian] must be equal. This teacher says, [and I
now quote] “There isn’t a right way, there isn’t a wrong way; there isn’t a good way, there isn’t
a bad way.” Ladies and gentlemen, such propaganda is not only nonsense but it is contrary to the
teaching of the bible. This kind of brain washing is also aimed at television viewers as well. The
networks are producing show after show where homosexuality is presented in a benign and
normal way. Jeffery Richman, who wrote for the sitcom Frasier said “It’s a fabulous time to be
gay in Hollywood. Richman writes the Say Uncle show for CBS about a homosexual man who
adopts his twelve-year-old nephew and ten-year-old niece. Say Uncle is one of two CBS shows
with homosexual lead characters. Ladies and gentlemen, we’re talking about out-of-the-closet in
your face homosexuality. Whether John Goodman, on Fox’s Normal, Ohio or Sean Hayes on
Will and Grace or Valerie Rae Miller on Dark Angel, homosexuality is declared in. The Gay
and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation counts thirteen gay lead or recurring characters on
prime-time show. How far have we come from three years ago when Ellen DeGeneres came out
both on TV and in real life? Then, many, like you, were disturbed, today it has become ho-hum.
How many of those who claim to be Christians sit in front of their TV watching shows like Will
and Grace that I mentioned a few minutes ago? Will and Grace is a prime-time comedy on NBS
about a homosexual man and his straight female roommate and their best friend Jack, who
happens to be a flamboyant queen. Let me read to you a typical evening with Will and Grace.
Jack: “For your information, most people who meet me do not know that I am gay.” Will:
“Jack, blind and deaf people know you’re gay. Dead people know you’re gay.” Jack: “Grace,
when you first met me, did you know I was gay?” Grace: “My dog knew.” This disgusting show
is watched by 13.8 million households. In early December, Showtime scored its highest Sunday
night rating in three years with the debut of [and I’m just calling it what its name is] Queer as
Folk, an explicit show about homosexual men and lesbians in Pittsburgh. Now daytime
television is catching up with the evening shows. All My Children, a soap opera that has been
part of middle America is introducing a lesbian lead character. Erica Kane, played by Susan
Lucci, learned on Christmas Eve that her daughter Bianca is a lesbian. My friends, this is now
accepted by many so-called church going Christians. Not only will nothing be said, but
televisions will not be turned off. Many professed Christians will stay glued to the tube to
snicker at Jack and to see what happens to Bianca. Then, these parents and grandparents will
not be too upset when their fourth graders are indoctrinated into acceptance of homosexuality.
I. Ladies and gentlemen, it might be a fabulous time to be homosexual in Hollywood, but this
does not change what God says in the bible about homosexuality. Homosexuality and lesbianism
may be promoted in schools and tolerated by the brain deadened television watching public but
God still condemns the practice as unnatural and abhorrent. God still calls homosexuality sinful!
How much better this nation would be if men and women, like you and me began to open the
bible and read what God’s said about homosexuality. In both the Old and New Testaments, God
condemns, as sin, homosexuality. In Lev. 20:13 we read if a man lies with a male as he lies
with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. In Rom. 1:26-28 we find that
God’s views about homosexuality did not change with the coming of Christ. Paul wrote, for this
reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use
for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman,
burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and
receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like
to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things
which are not fitting. My friends, it isn’t a matter of trying to find understanding and acceptance
of homosexuality as an alternate lifestyle, neither better nor worse than heterosexuality. Also, it
is not a matter of intolerance and bigotry; nor is it a matter of diversity, it is a matter of
respecting what God has revealed. Those who sit and laugh at Will and Grace or who in some
way tolerate or accept what is being done to the morals and culture of America in the name of
diversity should be ashamed. These people should look to the bible to find out what God’s views
of this type of behavior is, and then accept his position. Ladies and gentlemen, all need to hear -
from the bible - that God punishes the impenitent homosexual. Anyone who has just a surface
knowledge of the bible has heard of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. These cities were
destroyed by God because of the sin of homosexuality. Now, I am aware that some so-called
scholars claim that God punished these people because of their injustice, or because of their
inhospitable behavior toward the heavenly guests of Lot. But, my friends, such conclusions are
based upon are lies - pure and simple. Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed because of the sin
of homosexuality. The New Testament book of Jude holds up those corrupt cities as evidence
that God will punish wicked men and women. Jude 7 says as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the
cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual
immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance
of eternal fire. Notice, my friends, Jude says those people of Sodom and Gomorrah were
destroyed because of their sexual immorality. Further, he said that the specific kind of sexual
immorality that led to their destruction was going after strange flesh. Now, just in case you are
unsure what going after strange flesh means, let’s read from Gen. 19, the biblical account of this
sin and this destruction. In Gen. 19:4-5 we read, now before they lay down, the men of the city,
the men of Sodom, both old and young, all the people from every quarter, surrounded the
house. And they called to Lot and said to him, where are the men who came to you tonight?
Bring them out to us that we may know them carnally. I find the New International Version’s
translation of these verses extremely interesting. It says, before they had gone to bed, all the
men from every part of the city of Sodom--both young and old--surrounded the house. 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. There you have it, my friends, God punished these cities because of
their large impenitent homosexual community. There were not ten righteous people in the city
who would have opposed this kind of sexual depravity. Now, don’t fall for the lie that says if the
people of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed for their homosexuality, then it was because
they sought to force themselves on these men staying in Lot’s home. We hear today, that the
only homosexual acts that are wrong are the ones without mutual consent. That is, if the
homosexual relationship is between two consenting men or two consenting women - then it isn’t
sinful. They say Sodom was destroyed because the homosexuality community sought to force
themselves on (or rape) the men staying with Lot. That sounds good doesn’t it? As a matter of
fact it sounds almost righteous because it seems to biblically regulate homosexual behavior like
it does heterosexual conduct. But, the only problem with this argument is - it isn’t biblical. It’s
untrue! My friends, the bible condemns all homosexual behavior. Consent never factors into this
matter. Let’s revisit what Paul wrote in Rom. 1:27 and consider very carefully what he said.
Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one
another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty
of their error which was due. Did you see that my friend? This verse tells us that these men
received the penalty they deserved - even though their homosexual acts were consensual. He said
these homosexuals burned in their lust for one another. This, ladies and gentlemen, is
consensual. They looked upon each other and burned in their lust for one another. But, now
let’s return to the Old Testament passage of Lev. 20:13. This verse tells us three very important
facts about homosexuality from God’s viewpoint. To see these, let’s break the verse into three
parts. First, if a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an
abomination. This says, sex between two men (or two women) was - and is - an abomination in
the sight and heart of God. The English word abomination is translated from a Hebrew word
meaning something disgusting, or an abhorrence like idolatry. God said homosexuality is
disgusting. He said it was an abhorrence like the sin of idolatry. The second thing the verse tells
us is they shall surely be put to death. This was the penalty under the law of Moses for
homosexuality. There was a reason homosexuals remained in the so-called closet during those
days. Their sin was a capital offence. They were to be put to death for their sin. Like I said
earlier, we are not living under the regulations and the requirements of the Law of Moses today.
As a matter of fact Paul wrote in Rom. 3:19 now we know that whatever the law says, it says to
those who are under the law. Therefore, no one has the biblical, judicial or moral right to
physically harm any homosexual. But, this does not mean that the sin is any less loathsome. God
warned that he will punish the impenitent homosexual. 1 Cor. 6:9-10 says in part do not be
deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites . .
. will inherit the kingdom of God. Instead of reminding us that homosexuality is sinful and
disgusting, today many so-called clergymen and women are defending homosexuality. Many are
like the columnist for the Indianapolis Star, who say to speak out against a learned sexual
perversion is Neanderthal. Yet, God says they are worthy of damnation and eternal banishment
from the heavenly kingdom of God. Politicians, school administrators and Hollywood tell us that
we must not only tolerate homosexuality but we must prefer the homosexual to Christians,
because Christians are bigoted and narrow. My friends, God says homosexuals are worthy of
punishment, but television and Hollywood tell us they are worthy of praise and emulation. And
then a third thing Lev. 20:13 says, is their blood shall be upon them. That is, the homosexual -
alone - is responsible for whatever punishment he receives from God. In Gen. 19 when he was
destroyed in the rain of fire upon Sodom, the impenitent homosexual was responsible. Under the
law of Moses when the homosexual was about to be stoned to death for his sin - he had no one to
blame other than himself. On the last great day of Judgment, when the practicing homosexual
hears an eternal condemnation sentence given to him, he has only himself to blame. Rom. 1:32
says that those who practice such things are deserving of death. That is, impenitent
homosexuals will receive the judgment they rightly deserve. My friends, I personally do not
believe that AIDS is a disease God has given as punishment for homosexuals today. I know there
are many who believe AIDS is punishment for the sin of homosexuality. I find scriptural
evidence for this lacking. Also, AIDS affects those who are not homosexual as well. Granted it is
more prevalent in the homosexual community, but so is hepatitis. It seems that neither are given
as divine judgment. Granted the guaranteed way to prevent the spread of AIDS is for one man to
be married to one woman for life. Granted many who have died of AIDS would be alive today if
they had not been homosexuals. Granted the bible says in Rom. 1:27 that homosexuals receive
in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. But instead of this being evidence that
AIDS is divine judgment from God upon the homosexual, this verse is reminding us of the
eternal truth found in Lev. 20:13 that says their blood shall be upon them. That is, the
homosexual alone is responsible for the penalty he receives. Whether in this life or in the next -
he has only himself to blame for his penalty. His blood is upon him. Ladies and gentlemen, there
are two passages we have read this morning mentioning homosexuality that we need to commit
to mind and to memory. One passage is Rom. 1:26-28 says for this reason God gave them up to
vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.
Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one
another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty
of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge,
God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting. Note carefully
what is said about homosexuality in these verses. First, God said it resulted from vile passions.
This is disgraceful or degrading desire. Those who are trying to convince us that homosexuality
is merely an expression of pure and holy love are wrong. All homosexual activities result from
vile or shameful lust. There is absolutely nothing beautiful about homosexual love between two
men or two women. It’s vile and disgraceful. Next, this passage tells us that homosexuality is
unnatural. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.
Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one
another, men with men. Homosexuality is not an alternative lifestyle. When one decides to live
as a recluse instead of among societies - that is an alternative lifestyle. When one chooses to
become a vegetarian instead of consuming animal products - that one has chosen an alternative
lifestyle from most people. Homosexuality is not about alternative lifestyles. Instead it is about
engaging in unnatural behavior. It is against nature. By the way, the word used here by the Holy
Spirit that is translated natural means instinctively. This tells us that not only are heterosexual
relationships normal, but it also tells us that they are instinctive. This means that what many
have believed about homosexuality all along is true; and that is, homosexuality is a learned or
acquired activity. There is nothing intuitive or genetic about it. A large number of Americans,
including our elected politicians who write laws and set policies, have been conned into
believing that homosexuals are born that way and what they do to, and with, each other is as
American as motherhood and apple pie. It is one thing for the ordinary American to embrace
deviancy, having been deluded by lies, myths, propaganda and junk science; it is another thing
for elected officials to spearhead a vicious and open assault on American society and some of its
most cherished institutions based on such delusions. As one of a hundred available examples to
illustrate the point, let me cite a Supreme court ruling. The United States Supreme Court recently
ruled that the Boy Scouts of America broke no law when it threw out an openly homosexual
scout leader. As a result the Boy Scouts are now vilified and funding is being withheld and the
government is forbidding the Scouts to meet on public property. Schools and PBS can be used to
promote homosexuality, but the Boy Scouts cannot decide that homosexuality is inconsistent
with their code of conduct. Neither the Boy Scouts not anyone who scripturally opposes
homosexuality are intolerant or homophobic. We are exercising our free speech and our right to
associate. Furthermore, I am endeavoring to respect the teaching of the bible. My friends, we
need to understand why such a push is underway to promote homosexuality. Tolerance is not the
goal. The proponents of homosexuality do not want you to tolerate them. Total acceptance is
their goal. Their intentions are to demand that you open your homes and your churches to them.
They are demanding that you turn your children over to them. Good people, in a litany of lies
about homosexuality, the most fundamental lie is the lie that homosexuals are born that way. It is
a lie repeated over and over again because it has a basic appeal to the American sense of fairness
and tolerance. Let's begin with a desperately needed reality check: There is no scientific proof
that homosexuality is genetic. There is no scientific basis for viewing homosexuality as anything
other than an acquired sexual dysfunction. The widely respected Dr. Joel Gelernter of Yale
University was quoted in an article in Science as making this observation about various studies
trying to link genes with complex human behavior: "All were announced with great fanfare (he
said); (and) all were greeted unskeptically in the popular press; all are now in disrepute." Did
you see that, my friends? The idea of homosexuality being genetic is in disrepute. For example,
in one study of identical twins, psychologist Michael Bailey of Northwestern University and
psychiatrist Richard Pillard of Boston University reported that if one of the twins was
homosexual, the other was also homosexual 52 percent of the time. This finding shreds the
claim that being homosexual is like being black. Imagine what black parents would think if you
told them that if they had identical twins and one of them was black, there was a 52 percent
chance the other would also be black. If it is genetic, then the chances rise to 100 per cent. The
bottom line is this: Homosexuals are made, and they can be unmade. This is the truth about
themselves that they desperately do not want to hear - that they have the power to change. All
one needs to know to determine that homosexuality is unnatural is a little about the human
anatomy. Men and women are biological counterparts and that is natural. A man with a man or a
woman with a woman is unnatural. The third thing we are told by Paul in Rom. 1:26-28 about
homosexuality is that it is shameful. Men with men committing what is shameful. Other
reputable translations, like the New International Version, have this verse saying men committed
indecent acts with other men. Indecency is incompatible with Christianity. Consider two
passages written by the apostle Paul. The first is Rom. 1:27 where he described homosexuality
this way. He said it was when men committed indecent acts with other men. The next verse we
must consider is 1 Cor. 14:40 where Paul wrote let all things be done decently and in order.
Christianity is decent and homosexuality is indecent. Therefore, the two cannot be compatible.
Next, Rom. 1:28 tells us that homosexuality is depraved. Let’s read it again! And even as they
did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind. The word
debased is reprobate in your King James Version of the bible. Another version says that God . .
. gave them over to a depraved mind. Have you ever noticed how the homosexual community
and their allies will often sneer whenever their behavior is called depraved? I have! But these
people are not sneering at you and me, they are ridiculing God, because it is God who describes
it as depraved. According to one report, the average homosexual has hundreds of partners in his
lifetime. This is depravity! Then finally, Paul concludes in Rom. 1:28 that homosexuals do
those things which are not fitting. As hard as it is for many people to accept, some behavior is
just not proper, and homosexuality is just one such behavior. God says, after condemning it as
indecent, as unnatural, as degrading and as worthy of condemnation, he concludes by appealing
to our sense of propriety. He said it isn’t fitting. Homosexuality is simply not the proper or
fitting behavior for anyone, especially those professing to be Christians.
CONCLUSION:
A. My friends, the effort is underway to promote homosexuality, and when you passively sit in
your living room and fill your mind with the propaganda from Hollywood you are slowly
becoming desensitized to the evils of this depraved behavior. Heed the sage wisdom of the
Psalmist in Psa. 119:37 turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in
your way.
B. Our time is gone for today. Thanks for being with us. Please join us next Sunday morning at
7:00 for another period of bible study as we Search the Scriptures. Until then, this is J.R.
Bronger saying goodbye for now.