Homosexuality is a divisive issue, particularly when it comes to the church. For the moment, let’s set aside the questions of whether the Bible is ambiguous on the practice of homosexuality and whether homosexuality is a gene designed by God and acceptable before Him.
The question I will raise here is one that pertains to fidelity between two people. Long-standing traditions in society place special significance and importance on fidelity. When an important government leader, clergy, or “pillar in the community” is caught in infidelity or an extra-marital affair, it causes a stir. In the church, even those purporting to allow ordination of homosexuals, fidelity is a requirement of ministers and leaders.
However, lest we dwell too much on human traditions, we shall take some time to examine the Scriptures:
Matthew 5:32 – fornication (Gr. porneia, from which we have pornography) is understood to mean illicit sexual intercourse (Thayer’s Lexicon; 1 Corinthians 5:1). In other words, some sexual activity is approved by God and some is not. We must take great pains to get this straight if we seek and desire His approval. (1 Corinthians 7:2)
Acts 15:29 – fornication is also understood to relate to idolatry. The obligation of the Israelites to keep the covenants God made with them was vitally important to maintain their standing with God. We must not fail to observe that the model for human relationships is given to us by God in the form of our relationship with Him. The presence of idols (coveting, lusting, etc. after something other than that which is the lawful and righteous object of our devotion) destroyed their relationship with God. It is no coincidence that fornication includes both idolatry and illicit sexual intercourse, for they truly are one in the same in their effect on our lives, hearts, minds and relationship with God. (See also Isaiah 24:5, Jeremiah 11:10, Jeremiah 22:9, Hebrews 8:9, Revelation 21:8)
1 Corinthians 6:18 – fornication involves sin originating outside the body (i.e., with another person), however, it is also a sin against a person’s own body. In that regard, it affects our sanctification and necessarily the process of regeneration, a by-product of the discussion on Acts 15:29. (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4, 1 Corinthians 6:19)
1 Corinthians 10:8 – fornication is further defined through the recollection of Balaam’s irrevance for and disobedience of the Lord. Because of Balaam, some 23,000-24,000 Israelite soldiers lusted after the women of Moab, resulting in their contracting plagues and dying or receiving the death penalty. (Numbers 24-25)
Ephesians 5:3 – fornication is not simply an act unto itself. It involves covetousness, envy and lust – coveting something that is not rightfully ours to have, envying after that which is rightfully the enjoyment of another, and lusting after something which is unlawful for us. (Job 31:1, Proverbs 5:20) If I find a new HD TV in Best Buy that I must have, under what authority may I carry it out of the store? Certainly a receipt for lawful purchase evidences my authority, but what happens when my envy and covetousness lead me to carry it out without such evidence? It is the unlawful taking of something which does not belong to me and which police officers will define as criminal theft. There are times when I am authorized to do an act and times when I am not. Under what authority may a man and a woman or two men or two women engage in sexual activity? Marriage creates this time-honored authority. Under what authority may a married man or married woman engage in sexual activity with another person who is not his/her spouse? He/she does not have such authority. It is a violation of the marriage covenant. Under what authority may two people, neither of whom are married, engage in sexual activity? The Bible recognizes these acts as adultery, fornication, prostitution, rape or incest. No authority has been given for an unmarried individual to engage in sexual activity with another unmarried individual. A person may “consent,” however, there have been many “consensual” sexual acts which have landed a person in court or jail. Even our criminal laws recognize that there must be some prior authority for sexual activity.
Deuteronomy 22:22-29 – this chapter provides a thorough explanation of the difference between adultery (involving at least one who is married) and fornication (involving two unmarried individuals). Note that in the Old Testament, “playing the whore/harlot” and “whoredom/harlotry” should not be read to limit fornication only to instances of prostitution as we know it (i.e., a monetary transaction). The Old Testament did not distinguish between promiscuity/fornication and whoredom/harlotry.
Genesis 2:24 and Matthew 19:5-6 – these verses represent perhaps the most clear and exhaustive instruction we have from both God the Father in the Old Testament and Jesus Christ in the New Testament. It is not possible for a person to be “one flesh” with multiple people. God’s design for social order is for us to be joined together, one man and one woman, in marriage and that this relationship is not to be broken by adultery. Likewise, it is not possible for a man or woman to be “one flesh” with someone else if they have engaged in intercourse/sexual activity previous to this relationship. He/she has already given himself/herself away. To avoid further sin, he/she should either be joined with the original person (Deuteronomy 22:28-29) or abstain (John 8:4-11). Again, we should also read these verses as an image of our relationship with God. God is a jealous God who demands our full commitment to Him and Him only. Thus, it is to be so in our marriage covenant, as it represents our relationship with God.
The question, therefore, is why none of these exhortations from the Lord, the prophets and the apostles have no bearing whatsoever on one who is homosexual or engages in sexual activity outside of marriage?
Let me be more clear about my point. Back in 2014, I read some comments to the Presbyterian Church USA’s amendment to its Book of Order supposedly allowing for ordination of homosexuals and marriage of homosexual individuals, where allowed by law. One person in particular wrote about living with a partner in homosexuality while serving as an elder in the church in a state in which homosexual unions were not allowed. (This was before the Obergefell Supreme Court decision on marriage.)
How can it be that promiscuity (fornication, lust, covetousness, envy, adultery, etc.) between a man and woman is not allowed, but, when the subject involves two homosexual partners living together in mutual sexual satisfaction, the practice is completely acceptable before God?
I say to you that this cannot be true! It cannot be that God who took great pains to show us what is and is not acceptable between a man and a woman, both when at least one is married and when neither are married, is pleased when He finds the same practice among two men or two women, at least one of whom is married or both are unmarried.
It is most unfortunate that this subject has been categorically and systematically omitted from all debate in the church. The fact that marriage is now permitted between homosexual partners does not eliminate the issue. Two partners who have never before engaged in any type of sexual activity who enter into a civil union and never divorce or look outside the union for satisfaction would give the appearance of satisfying the Biblical instruction outlined in this article.
However, as noted at the beginning of the article, we are not discussing here what the Bible says about the practice of homosexuality … and it is not silent.
It is my prayer that fornication/adultery will receive far greater consideration, particularly in the church, when it comes to ordaining ministers/elders/leaders. It is an issue which demands serious consideration and must not be overlooked if the church is to remain effective in the community.
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