One In Jesus

How can it be loving for God to prohibit homosexuals from engaging in homosexual sex?

Well, the reasons given in the scriptures are largely theological and often quite profound, but the question is never, to my knowledge, answered in this way — with one exception. Listen carefully to what Paul is saying in Romans 1 —

 (Rom 1:18-20 ESV) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.  19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.  20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

First point: Even when God has not revealed his will through special revelation, such as the Law of Moses, the Creation itself reveals enough about God to make certain things very clear — clear enough that even those who’ve never heard of God or his Law can be fairly held accountable for their sins (as Paul explains further in Rom 5). Continue reading →

Strictly speaking, this question is irrelevant. After all, God is — by definition — wiser than we mortals. It should not surprise us that we sometimes can’t understand God’s purposes.

(Deu 29:29 ESV)  “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.”

God is under no obligation to explain or defend his commands. He often does, but we are not entitled to an explanation.

On the  other hand, we may fairly expect God to be consistent with his own declarations. Continue reading →

7. On the other hand, there is a prophetic role for the church to confront the wickedness of the government.

I struggle to reconcile 6 and 7 and would welcome any help with that.

It’s easy to find examples of OT prophets confronting the Jewish and even foreign governments for their wickedness. For example,

(Isa 10:1-3 ESV) Woe to those who decree iniquitous decrees, and the writers who keep writing oppression,  2 to turn aside the needy from justice and to rob the poor of my people of their right, that widows may be their spoil, and that they may make the fatherless their prey!  3 What will you do on the day of punishment, in the ruin that will come from afar? To whom will you flee for help, and where will you leave your wealth?

A “decree” is a law. Isaiah is confronting the king and the tribal elders — those who enact wicked laws.

Now, of course, Israel was a theocracy ruled by God himself, and so very unlike any nation-state around today. But sometimes the prophets also spoke against the wickedness of surrounding nations. Continue reading →

5. The laws our government enacts and the decisions made by the U.S. Supreme Court impact the culture of our nation.

Not always, but often, a change in the law results in a change in culture. When the Supreme Court approves topless bars, the nation becomes more accepting of topless bars. After all, as they become more common, and we drive past so many, we become desensitized.

6. The Bible does not call on the church to change the culture of unbelievers. In fact, it seems to say the exact opposite.

Consider this very familiar passage —

(Rom 1:28-32 ESV) And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.  29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips,  30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents,  31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless.  32 Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them. 

This section of Rom goes back at least to v. 18, but this should be enough of Paul’s argument to make the point. Continue reading →