ARCHBISHOP TUTU recently said that God is for homosexual marriage and would fight for gay rights as much as he fought for an end to apartheid. While I agree with him that all violence against homosexuals is absolutely wrong and irreconcilable with Christianity, I would differ with him on God’s view on “gay rights” and homosexual marriage.

This is not an anti -sex post. God is very much for sex as evidenced by his creation of us as sexual beings that enjoy sex. God as our Creator also knows how best we can enjoy his good gift s, including the gift of sex. From the very beginning of the Bible we see God’s purpose for sexual unity to take place within the marriage of one woman with one man (Genesis 2:24). God’s creation purposes are evidenced in the biological differences between men and women.

Let the marriage bed be undefiled

The biblical institution of marriage is essential for the welfare of human society. The Bible in fact warns that there will also be those who will want to redefine marriage or devalue marriage.

Hebrews 14:3 says, “Let marriage be held in honour among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.”

Sexual immorality is any and all sexual activity outside (or before) biblically defined marriage. Rather than celebrate sexual immorality – like the world and Archbishop Tutu does – we should warn people that God’s judgment will come upon all the “sexually immoral and adulterous”.

Is homosexuality sin?

To put it simply, yes. Homosexuality is not part of God’s good plan for human beings and is an expression of our rebellion towards him. In Romans 1:18-27 the Apostle Paul views homosexuality as the ultimate expression of rebellion towards God. The practice of homosexuality turns God’s order of things on its head, much like the first sin in Genesis 3 when Adam and Eve listened to creation, not the Creator.

How “biblical scholars” change the meaning of the Bible

1. No longer applicable

Some people will argue that the laws prohibiting homosexual behavior are no longer applicable to us today as they were part of the discontinued parts of the Law of Moses (e.g. Leviticus 18:21-22, 20:13). The argument says that because we do not have to keep all the Law of Moses (e.g. not eat pork, shave our beards, and not wear cotton and wool at the same time) we should also be allowed to practice homosexuality.

This argument sounds convincing at first, but cannot stand. Firstly, heterosexual marriage is still God’s purpose as seen in the creation account – which comes before the Law. Secondly, the New Testament also condemns homosexual practice. And thirdly, I would argue, the above laws forbidding homosexuality are further implications of the seventh commandment: “You shall not commit adultery” and still very much applicable to us today. You may say the commands are part of the “moral law”.

REACH South Africa’s position paper on homosexuality says:

“We note further that this defilement (e.g. Leviticus 18:21-22, 20:13) is no mere matter of ceremonial purity but something abhorrent to God, leading to the extreme penalty. We note further that these acts are not just condemned in Israel as God‘s holy people, but brought God‘s judgement even upon Gentile people. We know of no rescinding or lessening of the seriousness of what we can only accept as part of God’s moral law binding on all people in all cultures in all ages.”

2. No longer relevant

Others argue that the prohibitions in the Bible were culture-bound and therefore no longer relevant. For instance, in the Old Testament homosexual behaviour was linked with idolatrous cult prostitution and what the biblical author was condemning was idolatry not homosexuality. Or they will argue that in the (intolerant, narrow- minded) New Testament author’s thinking homosexual behaviour was considered taboo; but today we are not that bigoted and so we should embrace this healthy, alternative lifestyle. Both “culture-bound” arguments can be answered by the observation that biblical authors were not promoting their own opinions, but linking their views on sexuality to God’s purpose for humans at creation (Cf. Rom 1:20, 25).

3. Misunderstanding of meaning

Lastly, others argue that what the Bible forbids is homosexual rape, homosexual prostitution or homosexual non-consensual intercourse (e.g. a male slave owner forcing himself on a male slave). Hence the Bible is not against loving, consensual homosexual relationships. Again, this argument does not hold weight. The homosexual act itself is prohibited in the Bible, not simply the motive, circumstance or context in which it takes place.

Is homosexuality genetic?

Yes and no. “Yes” in that we are all born with a bias towards sin. We are all natural born sinners. Some may have more of a tendency towards one particular sin than other sins. One may struggle more with gluttony than with greed. One may have a greater tendency towards pride than pornography; or a tendency towards homosexuality rather than heterosexual sexual immorality (e.g. co-habitation, adultery, etc.). “No” in that there is no homosexual gene that somehow fatalistically determines your sexual orientation. One’s upbringing, circumstances, childhood and rearing (positive and negative) plays a huge role in determining one’s strengths, weaknesses, and temptation areas. But at the end of the day, we are – each one – responsible and accountable for our own choices.

Can someone stop being a homosexual?

Yes. In one sense homosexuality is the ultimate expression of rebellion towards God, but in another sense the Bible treats homosexuality as it does any other sin. Consider 1 Corinthians 6: 9-11: “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” Sin needs to be repented of. God forgives us our sins through the death of Christ for us. As Christians we still sin, but our lives are marked by hatred of and turning from sin. A Christian’s life cannot be characterized by ongoing, habitual sin – whatever that sin may be. 1 John 1:6 says, “If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.”

Orientation vs Behavior

You may struggle with homosexual feelings, but because you are a Christian and want to honour God, you do not act on those feelings. You are to be commended. Homosexual orientation is not a sin, but the homosexual act is. To put it more generally: temptation is not a sin, acting on temptation is. Jesus was tempted yet did not sin. I may be tempted to view pornography, but only when I act on the temptation does it become a sin.

Is God homophobic?

In this I agree with the Archbishop. God is not homophobic, but he is holy. He hates sin – all sin. He hates homosexual sin as much as he hates pride. The awesome news of the gospel is that Jesus came to save sinners. Jesus did not come to save those who love their sin or try to justify their sin, but those who recognise they are sinners. If some church leaders keep telling sinners they are not sinners, how terrible will it be for those leaders on the Day of Judgement? Jesus said it would be better for them to have a great millstone tied around their necks and be thrown into the sea (Mark 9:42).

REACH South Africa’s position paper on homosexuality helpfully says:

“It is beholden on every true Christian to follow the plain teaching of the Word of God, and therefore to avoid homosexual activity as sin on a par with stealing, murder, and covetousness, which displeases God and makes us liable to the judgement of God. It is beholden on every Christian, and especially ministers and teachers, to warn the unwary that such behaviour is offensive to God and bound to bring punishment. As believers in the Christian gospel it is every Christian’s privilege to assure those who turn to Christ from whatever sinful path into which they may have strayed that they have God’s complete forgiveness and that they are wholly cleansed and brought into fellowship with him, and are true members of his Church. Christian churches, denominations, and ministers are recognized by their profession of Christ as Lord and their adherence to the Word of God. Churches, denominations and ministers which advocate lifestyles in open conflict with Holy Scripture have strayed from the historic Christian Faith. In particular, churches, denominations and ministers which by teaching, example and ordination policy declare to the world that homosexual activity is pleasing to God, when God‘s Word declares it evil and sufficient to exclude people from God’s kingdom, endanger people’s souls, and should be avoided by Christian people.”