Q: How can God say that homosexuality is a choice, when many who feel this in their orientation say they have felt this attraction from the earliest age? How does a homosexual deny their inherent urges through Christ when the alternative seems to be a life of solitude (no partner) and abstinence?
A: I don’t think God ever said homosexuality is a choice. God’s Word clearly says that homosexual practice - like many other things, including those I’ve struggled with – is against his will.
While I’ve never seen any hard scientific evidence of a “homosexual gene” or some genetic predisposition toward homosexuality, I don’t know for certain that we won’t find something along those lines in the future. Some believe that if such proof ever comes, then we could no longer consider it disobedience to God. I disagree and will say more about that later.
First, I think it’s important to note the strong correlation between childhood trauma and homosexuality established through a great deal of reputable research. Few would argue there is some link between sexual, physical and emotional abuse of children (or absentee parents) and these children’s later homosexuality. Even if it were proven that some people have a predisposition, it seems rather improbable that all practicing homosexuals are predisposed.
As Christians, we believe all of creation, including humanity, has been impacted by sin – disobedience to God. So much so that it is very possible we are born with predispositions toward certain sins. These predispositions do not make the acts themselves right (right in the sense that it is the will of the God who loves us and wants the best for us; wants us whole and healthy). It is true, regardless of the predisposition - homosexuality, chemical addiction (strong evidence for alcoholism predisposition), etc. - that the person could struggle with these predisposed urges all of his or her life. The urges, or temptations, are not sin – only the practice. Predisposition to homosexuality doesn’t make the practice of it right or healthy anymore than the predisposition to alcoholism makes perpetual drunkenness right or healthy.
Though the temptation may exist, what Christ offers us is forgiveness and the gift of the Holy Spirit who empowers us to live in God’s will, overcoming the effect of sin in this world. As we submit to that Spirit and are healed by God through the Spirit, through the church, through wise counseling, we are not condemned to live lonely lives. God’s grace and love are sufficient to those who may live single or celibate or sexually redeemed lives.
Those in the church have at times treated homosexuals with hatred. This is not what Jesus advocates. Jesus is the friend of sinners…sinners like me and sinners like you and sinners who are homosexual. In fact, Jesus was stern with his rebuke of spiritual sin such as pride, and very tender with those struggling with sins of the flesh. He loves us even when he hates our actions because they are harmful to the ones he loves. Christians should reflect this attitude as well.
A: I don’t think God ever said homosexuality is a choice. God’s Word clearly says that homosexual practice - like many other things, including those I’ve struggled with – is against his will.
While I’ve never seen any hard scientific evidence of a “homosexual gene” or some genetic predisposition toward homosexuality, I don’t know for certain that we won’t find something along those lines in the future. Some believe that if such proof ever comes, then we could no longer consider it disobedience to God. I disagree and will say more about that later.
First, I think it’s important to note the strong correlation between childhood trauma and homosexuality established through a great deal of reputable research. Few would argue there is some link between sexual, physical and emotional abuse of children (or absentee parents) and these children’s later homosexuality. Even if it were proven that some people have a predisposition, it seems rather improbable that all practicing homosexuals are predisposed.
As Christians, we believe all of creation, including humanity, has been impacted by sin – disobedience to God. So much so that it is very possible we are born with predispositions toward certain sins. These predispositions do not make the acts themselves right (right in the sense that it is the will of the God who loves us and wants the best for us; wants us whole and healthy). It is true, regardless of the predisposition - homosexuality, chemical addiction (strong evidence for alcoholism predisposition), etc. - that the person could struggle with these predisposed urges all of his or her life. The urges, or temptations, are not sin – only the practice. Predisposition to homosexuality doesn’t make the practice of it right or healthy anymore than the predisposition to alcoholism makes perpetual drunkenness right or healthy.
Though the temptation may exist, what Christ offers us is forgiveness and the gift of the Holy Spirit who empowers us to live in God’s will, overcoming the effect of sin in this world. As we submit to that Spirit and are healed by God through the Spirit, through the church, through wise counseling, we are not condemned to live lonely lives. God’s grace and love are sufficient to those who may live single or celibate or sexually redeemed lives.
Those in the church have at times treated homosexuals with hatred. This is not what Jesus advocates. Jesus is the friend of sinners…sinners like me and sinners like you and sinners who are homosexual. In fact, Jesus was stern with his rebuke of spiritual sin such as pride, and very tender with those struggling with sins of the flesh. He loves us even when he hates our actions because they are harmful to the ones he loves. Christians should reflect this attitude as well.
4 comments:
As a homosexual who leads a celibate life with a partner who is also celibate, we find it very difficult to attend any churches where we feel ostracized. We worship alone, as you said,
"Those in the church have at times treated homosexuals with hatred. This is not what Jesus advocates."
The struggle of worshipping alone, living a life that Jesus wants, and still being ostracized for doing what is right in the eyes of the Lord hurts more than you can imagine. I get your ads you send to my home, and each time, I cry. I want so much to join in and worship, but so many hateful things said in the name of God keep me away.
I am so sorry to hear how you’ve been treated in church. That is not the Christian community at its best. We are at our best when we model our lives after Jesus: speaking the truth in love, saying tough things with grace and compassion. Truth is hard … but it doesn’t have to be harsh. Please know that you are welcome at La Croix. You will not be condemned…
Please join us - you do not have to worship alone anymore! Not only are you welcome at La Croix,you will be surrounded by other Christians who have daily struggles just like you do, maybe different types of struggles, but struggles just the same. We are simply a community of believers, who are ALL sinners, and we are there to support and help one another live in the light of Jesus and be that light to others.
How do you think the church would handle openly gay/lesbian who are sincere and want to go to church?
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