Before we begin, it is important to note that Jesus is God, and as God, that makes Him the author of both the Old and New Testaments and He does not change (John 1:1-5; Psalm 15:4; Malachi 3:6; James 1:17). Either “All Scripture is breathed out by God (i.e. Jesus) and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” or it is not (2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV; also 2 Peter 1:21-21). Therefore, if a person who says they are a believer and does not believe that, then there is no foundation of agreement from which to build a discussion based upon the Bible, so don't waste your time debating/arguing with them. Instead, win them over with love and grace.
The LGBTQIA community has raised the argument that the word ‘homosexual’ never occurred in the Bible until 1946 and because it is a modern construct, and not specifically in the Bible, it supports their belief that being LGBTQIA+ is not wrong because the people translating the Bible use it to fit their prejudices (http://www.pflagupstatesc.org/statistics.htm).
The etymology of the word ‘homosexual’ was first used in 1892 in the English translation of Krafft-Ebing's "Psychopathia sexualis" which was a reference work, written in German, on sexual perversions. It first appeared in 1886 and was enormously popular, being reprinted about once a year!"(http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_year_did_homosexual_become_a_word – see also http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=homosexuality&searchmode=none).
In 1892, it was a bit less technologically advanced than today. It can take decades for new words to enter the common language, which can explain why the term did not appear in the Bible until 1946.
The real question is, once you wade through all the obfuscation, does the Bible teach against the concept of homosexuality?
What does the Bible Say?
There are only two places in the New Testament where the word "homosexual" occurs in the English Bible (See 1 Corinthians 6:9; 1 Timothy 1:10).
The English word translated as ‘homosexual’ in the NT is 'arsenokoites,' a combination of two Greek words, 'arseno,' which means a male, and 'koite' which means a bed/marriage bed. In the plural form it means repeated immoral sexual intercourse, and is used for one who lies with a male as with a female, a sodomite (1 Corinthians 6:9; Romans 9:10, 13:13; 1 Timothy 1:10) [cf. Leviticus18:22; Romans 1:27])
It is possible that 'arsenokoites' in specific contexts refers to the active male partner in homosexual intercourse in contrast with the passive male partner (Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996).
When translating the Bible, it is always a best practice to use an English word that accurately portrays the original. Since a new and more accurate name had entered the English vocabulary, it became the word of choice.
ho•mo•sex•u•al adj 1892 1: of, relating to, or characterized by a tendency to direct sexual desire toward another of the same sex 2: of, relating to, or involving sexual intercourse between persons of the same sex--ho•mo•sex•u•al•ly adv (Merriam-Webster dictionary, 11th ed. Springfield, Mass, 2003)
The only explicit reference to same-sex sexual activity and same-sex orientation in the Bible is found in the first chapter of the Book of Romans, which was written to affirm the faith in Jesus of those in the church at Rome, and the sin they together condemn (Romans 1:3-5, 18-32). The focus is on same-sex relations and presented as pagan depravity (Romans 1:24-28). However, it must also be noted that their sins were no better (Romans 2:1).
Three passages in the Old Testament deal with Homosexuality (Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Genesis 19). Two of those passages concerning homosexuality are found in the Law, "You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination" and “decrees death” for both parties participating in such an act. The last verse tells the story of the sin of the men of Sodom, from which the term "Sodomite” is derived. The story has nothing to do with consent. Two men, who are guests in Lot's house, are angels, who are threatened with gang rape by the men of the town. The story follows after God has told Abraham that He will forgive if ten righteous men can be found in a city. The point is to show that there are no such righteous men in Sodom. Lot tells the gang, "I beg you, my brothers, do not act so wickedly" (v.17) which is undoubtedly in context a comment on their homosexual sinfulness as well as on their violence. The whole story is about protesting those sexual aberrations so prevalent in Canaan at the time, as well as protesting the treatment to which Lot wants to subject his daughters to in v. 8. For such wickedness, brimstone and fire are rained down by God on Sodom, and the only thing that saves Lot is God's remembrance of his covenant with Abraham (v. 29). The homosexuality mentioned in the story is not consensual and is undoubtedly condemned.
The Old Testament is not clear on the nature of Sodom's sin. Isaiah seems to have considered the barbarity of their administration of justice (Isaiah 1-10;3:9); Ezekiel, however, thinks of pride, a surfeit of food, and prosperous ease (Ezekiel 16:49); and when Jeremiah speaks of adultery, lying, and unwillingness to repent (Jeremiah 23:14), he does not appear to be thinking directly of homosexuality.
Ritual Purity?
Those supporting homosexuality often argue that the laws found in Leviticus are irrelevant for the church, because they have to do only with Old Testament matters of ritual purity, and because Christians are now free from the law. But the commandment, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," is also found in the Holiness Code of Leviticus (19:18). Is that commandment also only a matter of ritual impurity, having nothing to do with the Christian who is now free from the law?
The point is that some of Levitical laws have been reaffirmed and reapplied in the New Testament as guides for the Christian in their new life in Christ. Not all of the law has been abrogated. The question that has to be asked is, “have Levitical laws concerning homosexual practice been reaffirmed and reapplied to Christian life in the New Testament?” The answer is an unequivocal, yes.
The Kingdom of God
The Bible lists those who will not inherit the kingdom of God. Included in the list are the Greek words, ‘malakoi’ and ‘arsenokoitai.’ 'Malakoi' is not a technical term meaning "homosexuals," because no such term existed either in New Testament Greek or in Hebrew (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). However, it comes from Hellenistic Greek and is often used pejoratively to describe the passive partners, usually young boys in homosexual activity (Hays, Sojourners, p. 18). 'Arsenokoitai,' on the other hand, is a translation of the Hebrew, “mishkav zakur,” which directly means "lying with a male" (Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13). These Levitical laws are reaffirmed concerning homosexuality and applied to the Christian life.
There are a lot of spurious arguments circulating throughout the church concerning this passage in Romans. Some argue that the verses are dealing with only exploitative pederasty that was common in Hellenistic culture - that is, with the exploitation of young boys. But nothing is said about exploitation, but it does also speak of female lesbianism, not just about males.
Others have said that the verses are referring to cult prostitution, but very few scholars support such a view, because cult prostitution was never limited to homosexual activity, and heterosexual prostitution is equally objectionable.
Some say the verses are referring only to heterosexuals who fell into homosexual practice, and therefore, don’t apply today. However, the book of Romans deals with the fallen condition of humanity as a whole and the refusal to honor God and to give Him thanks (Romans 1:21).
Humanity was supposed to have dominion over the earth (Genesis 1:28), but instead, it has fallen to worshipping the images of "birds or animals or reptiles" (Genesis 1:23); in short, it worships the creature rather than the Creator, distorting God's basic plan for His creation. As a result, God's wrath is let loose in judgment upon all humankind. But the form which that wrath takes is to "give over" humanity to its futile thinking and desires. God, as much as says, "All right, if that is what you want, you can have it. Wallow in your sinfulness." One form that those sinful desires takes is homosexuality, in which men and women go against God's basic plan for His creation (GK: “paraphysin,” means “contrary to nature") by having homosexual relations which are evidence - a sign - of having been loosed from the hand of God to engage in relations contrary to God's plan for His creation in which He destined men and women for one another in the heterosexual unity of one flesh in marriage (Genesis 1:26-27; 2:24).
All the texts in the Bible that deal with homosexuality express unqualified disapproval of it, and there is no legitimate way in which the Bible can be used to support the practice.
Hope – (Conclusion)
I was part of Exodus International when it first began. Its primary mission was to offer the life-transforming message of God's love and forgiveness to the LGBTQIA+ communities. I personally know of thousands who have been transformed by the power of God's love.
For those who desire to be set free from LBGTQIA+, there is a way found only in Jesus. Although the arguments will abound until the day of His appearing, Jesus wants a spiritually holy and chaste bride!
I have great difficulty with those who would say that the proof of a transformed LGBTQIA+ is that they are now a "heterosexual." I would argue that God did not create humans hetero-sexual (defined as SEXUALLY attracted, or oriented, to persons of the opposite sex) or homo-sexual. I believe He created humans "asexual' in the way they are to behave towards one another. Much of human "sexuality' is an environmental and learned behavior. Many "straight" people assume that the natural order is for a man to be sexually attracted to a woman and vise versa.
For the Christian, I don't see any proof of that in Scripture. Quite to the contrary, I read that the Bible acknowledges there are those who can live celibate lives. Born-Again Christians are to treat one another as brothers and sisters, first and foremost. They are one family united by Jesus' shed blood. The Bible says, "There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, MALE or FEMALE. For you are all Christians - you are one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28-29 NLT).
What the Bible calls "natural" desire makes sense in a procreative sense, but not in a "sexual" sense. I strongly believe that there are just as many heterosexuals who need to have their sexuality transformed and sanctified as there are LGBTQIA+. The natural order of Creation dictates procreation for all species, as does Darwinian Theory.
Throughout the Bible, sexual freedom and expression are blessed by God within marriage between a man and a woman only. There is simply no way that can be legitimately debated in light of, and based upon, the authority of Scripture. Genesis clearly states that God created human beings as male and female, to be joined together as a reflection of His love and relationship to His bride, the Church. In Jewish law, only a man could divorce a woman. In God's law, only God can divorce His bride, and He promises NEVER to do that (Hebrews 13:5).
What I believe to be the ultimate challenge for every "heterosexual" and "homosexual," and all points in between, is to allow the Holy Spirit to transform them "into His likeness with ever-increasing glory" (2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV).
What keeps the Born-Again Christian from becoming all that God wants them to be is their pride, for that is the root of all evil. Pride is what caused satan to be cast out of Heaven, and Adam and Eve to be cast out of the Garden. The ultimate reason God destroyed Sodom was because of their pride.
"Sodom's sins were pride, laziness, and gluttony, while the poor and needy suffered outside her door. She was proud and did loathsome things, so I wiped her out, as you have seen" (Ezekiel 16:49-50 NLT).
Pride it is what will keep a man or woman, whether LGBTQIA+ or straight, from entering eternal life by consciously rejecting God's great gift, Jesus.
When a person totally falls in love with Jesus, the Creator, and Lord of all things, they are empowered to "put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within." Then they will be able to:
"Have nothing to do with sexual sin, impurity, lust, and shameful desires. Don't be greedy for the good things of this life, for that is idolatry. God's terrible anger will come upon those who do such things. You used to do them when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don't lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old evil nature and all its wicked deeds. In its place, you have clothed yourselves with a brand-new nature that is continually being renewed as you learn more and more about Christ, who created this new nature within you. In this new life, it doesn't matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, (male or female) circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and He lives in all of us" (Colossians 3:5-11 NLT).
The Bible says to every human being, "You have no excuse." Every person fails to honor and give thanks to God. Every person falls short of the glory of God. No one is conditionally righteous, not one. When a Born-Again Christian judges the behavior and beliefs of their fellow humans, they had better do so in a great deal of humility, for God also judges them because no one, whether straight, LGBTQIA+, or celibate, has one righteous plea to make before their Maker except, "Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner."
It is ONLY if God has heard that appeal through the death and resurrection of Jesus, is there any hope of abundant and eternal life for any of us, but God has heard. And every Human Being can be justified in faith. Everyone is drawn by God to inherit His Kingdom. The choice is theirs to make. Thanks be to God for His incredible mercy in Jesus Christ our Lord!
I would say to every Born-Again Christian, put away your bigotry and prejudice against those who are not like you, and walk in the "kind goodness" of God that "leads to repentance" and in the ministry of reconciliation and forgiveness so that you can fulfill God's Great Commandment by loving one another (Romans 2:4; 1 Corinthians 5:18-21; Matthew 22:32-40). Let Jesus be the healer through you by looking at others as Jesus sees them - lost sheep in need of a shepherd (Matthew 18:12-14). Let God "work out" the sins and failures of others. And when you do, you will see the lives of everyone you touch healed and transformed into the image and likeness of Christ.
