Homosexuality & the Bible
Portions of a Presentation Originally Given to
the St. Julie Billiart Bible Study Group.
20 January, 2009
Resources:
Open and Affirming Discussions and Presentations http://www.uccb.org/ONA/ona_timeline/time_line.htm &
http://www.uccb.org/ONA/ona_scripture/scripture.htm
Peter Wiley Congregational Church of Brookfield
“Homosexuality and the Bible” by Walter Wink, Biblical Interpretation at Auburn Theological Seminary in New York City
(http://www.soulforce.org/article/homosexuality-bible-walter-wink)
“Our Mutual Joy” by Lisa Miller – Newsweek Magazine – Dec 15, 2008’ http://www.newsweek.com/id/172653
“Does the Bible Condemn Homosexuality?” by Ron Belgau http://www.cityofgod.net/speech/ulldebate.htm
Letter To The Bishops Of The Catholic Church On The Pastoral Care Of Homosexual Persons
http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_19861001_homosexual-persons_en.html
The Bible is a Very Influential Book
• Whatever your beliefs are
about the bible or about
religion in general, one must
acknowledge that the bible is a
very influential book - perhaps
the most influential book in the
history of western civilization.
– How many other best sellers
can you name that were
written between 2,000 and
4000 years ago?
• Biblical teachings influence
public discourse.
– What does the bible actually
say about homosexuality?
– How are these teachings
interpreted by leading scholars
of ancient literature and the
bible?
– How are they interpreted
popularly?
“What Does the Bible Actually Say
About Homosexuality?”
•
There are 5 passages in the Old Testament that have
been used to argue that scripture condemns
homosexuals:
1. Gen 19:1-29 (The story of Lot in Sodom)
2. Judges 19-21 (The story of the Levite in Gibeah)
3. Deut 23:17-18 (“There shall be no sodomite of the sons of
Israel”)
4. Lev 18:22 (“You shall not lie with a male as with a woman”)
5. Lev 20: (“If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of
them shall be put to death”)
There are also 2 passages in the new testament that we won’t get
to today (because of time constraints), I’d encourage you to
read them in the handout.
1. 1 Cor 6:9-10 (“neither fornicators…nor sodomites… will inherit
the kingdom of God).
2. Rom 1:26-27 (“Therefore, God handed them over to degrading
passions.”)
Did God Destroy Sodom Because He Hated
The Homosexuals Who Lived There?
• Gen. 19:1-29 tells the story of
Lot, who extends the hospitality
of his home to two strangers,
who turn out to be angels. When
the people of the town try to
gang-rape the angels, they
destroy the city of Sodom.
• What happens next has often
been used to argue that God
destroyed the city because he
hated the homosexuality of the
people who lived there.
1
Two angels reached Sodom in the
evening, as Lot was sitting at the
gate of Sodom. When Lot saw
them, he got up to greet them; and
bowing down with his face to the
ground,
2
he said, "Please, gentlemen[1],
come aside into your servant's
house for the night, and bathe your
feet; you can get up early to
continue your journey." But they
replied, "No, we shall pass the
night in the town square."
3
He urged them so strongly,
however, that they turned aside to
his place and entered his house.
He prepared a meal for them,
baking cakes without leaven, and
they dined.
• Let’s read it and see what
lessons we can learn from it.
[1]
Gentlemen: Lot does not yet know that the distinguished-looking
men are God's messengers; cf Genesis 18:3.
Did God Destroy Sodom Because He Hated
The Homosexuals Who Lived There?
• Lot tries to protect his guests from the rapists by offering them his daughters instead.
4
Before they went to bed, all the townsmen of Sodom,
both young and old--all the people to the last man-closed in on the house.
5
They called to Lot and said to him, "Where are the men
who came to your house tonight? Bring them out
to us that we may have intimacies with them."
6
Lot went out to meet them at the entrance. When he
had shut the door behind him,
7
he said, "I beg you, my brothers, not to do this wicked
thing.
8
I have two daughters who have never had
intercourse with men. Let me bring them out to
you, and you may do to them as you please. But
don't do anything to these men, for you know they
have come under the shelter of my roof."
9
They replied, "Stand back! This fellow," they
sneered, "came here as an immigrant, and now
he dares to give orders! We'll treat you worse than
them!" With that, they pressed hard against Lot,
moving in closer to break down the door.
10
But his guests put out their hands, pulled Lot
inside with them, and closed the door;
11
at the same time they struck the men at the
entrance of the house, one and all, with such a
blinding light[1] that they were utterly unable to
reach the doorway.
•The language used to describe their demand is quite specifically sexual. The King James
translates it “that we may know them”. The NAB translates “that we may have intimacies with
them.” Also, when Lot offers his daughters to the mob, they decline, strengthening the argument
that they are homosexuals.
[1]
[11] Blinding light: a preternatural flash that temporarily dazed the wicked
men and revealed to Lot the true nature of his guests.
Was Sodom’s sin homosexuality?
Or gang-rape?
•
•
•
The argument that the destruction
of Sodom is about homosexuality
is based on the demands of the
townspeople in v5 
But when the angels’ explain their
actions in v12-13, there’s no
reference to homosexuality.
Was Sodom was destroyed
because of the homosexuality of
the rapists, Or because they
wanted to gang-rape Lot’s guests?
Or because of the outcry from the
city?
5
They called to Lot and said to him, "Where are
the men who came to your house tonight?
Bring them out to us that we may have
intimacies with them."
12
Then the angels said to Lot: "Who else
belongs to you here? Your sons (sons-inlaw) and your daughters and all who
belong to you in the city--take them away
from it!
13
We are about to destroy this place, for the
outcry reaching the LORD against
those in the city is so great that he has
sent us to destroy it."
• To answer that question, let’s ask ourselves, “What if the story made no reference to
homosexuality? If the people of Sodom were punished in that case, then wouldn’t it
imply that the sin of Sodom was rape and cruelty –not homosexuality?
• It turns out that the bible contains just such a story.
The Levite in Gibeah
• Judges 19-21 contains a variation on the story of Lot in Genesis.
• This story concerns a Levite who had “taken for himself a concubine” and who is
traveling with her to their home in Ephraim.
• We pick up the story in Judges 19:14
14
They continued on their way till the sun set
on them when they were abreast of
Gibeah of Benjamin.
15
There they turned off to enter Gibeah for the
night. The man waited in the public
square of the city he had entered, but
no one offered them the shelter of his
home for the night[1].
16
17
In the evening, however, an old man came
from his work in the field; he was from
the mountain region of Ephraim, though
he lived among the Benjaminite
townspeople of Gibeah.
When he noticed the traveler in the public
square of the city, the old man asked
where he was going, and whence he
had come.
[1]
18
He said to him, "We are traveling from Bethlehem
of Judah far up into the mountain region of
Ephraim, where I belong. I have been to
Bethlehem of Judah and am now going back
home; but no one has offered us the shelter
of his house.
19
We have straw and fodder for our asses, and
bread and wine for the woman and myself
and for our servant; there is nothing else we
need."
20
"You are welcome," the old man said to him, "but
let me provide for all your needs, and do not
spend the night in the public square."
21
So he led them to his house and provided fodder
for the asses. Then they washed their feet,
and ate and drank.
Private hospitality was the customary means of providing comfort to travelers where public facilities were so rare.
The Levite in Gibeah
22
23
24
25
While they were enjoying themselves, the men of the
city, who were corrupt[1], surrounded the house and
beat on the door. They said to the old man whose
house it was, "Bring out your guest, that we may
abuse[2] him."
The owner of the house went out to them and said,
"No, my brothers; do not be so wicked. Since this
man is my guest, do not commit this crime.
Rather let me bring out my maiden daughter or his
concubine[3]. Ravish them, or do whatever you want
with them; but against the man you must not commit
this wanton crime."
When the men would not listen to his host, the
husband seized his concubine and thrust her outside
to them. They had relations with her and abused her
all night until the following dawn, when they let her
go.
26
Then at daybreak the woman came and collapsed at
the entrance of the house in which her husband was
a guest, where she lay until the morning.
27
When her husband rose that day and opened the
door of the house to start out again on his journey,
there lay the woman, his concubine, at the entrance
of the house with her hands on the threshold.
28
He said to her, "Come, let us go"; but there was no
answer. So the man placed her on an ass and started
out again for home.
29
On reaching home, he took a knife to the body of his
concubine, cut her into twelve pieces, and sent them
throughout the territory of Israel[1].
30
Everyone who saw this said, "Nothing like this has
been done or seen from the day the Israelites came
up from the land of Egypt to this day. Take note of it,
and state what you propose to do."
The phrase translated “who were corrupt” is literally "who were sons of Belial" indicating that the men are “without worth,” but not necessarily
homosexual. This crime and its punishment made the name Gibeah proverbial as a place of shameful wickedness.
[2] The corresponding reference in the story of Lot was specifically sexual (“that we may have intimacies with him” or “that we may know him”).
Here the sexual element is missing. The term “abuse” suggests that the crowd wants to beat, rob and kill.
[3] In this story, the old man offers the rapists women (as Lot does). This time, the men take the old man up on his offer. Why would they do
that if what they desired was a homosexual act of rape?
[1] [29] A drastic means for arousing the tribes to avenge the unheard of crime of the Benjaminites.
[1]
The Benjaminite rapists of Gibeah were clearly punished because of their brutality
against strangers. There is no implied homosexuality, but they’re punished just the
same. Therefore, should we interpret the story of Lot any differently?
Apparent Condemnations of
Homosexuality In The Torah
• The King James
translation of Deut. 23:1718, appears to forbid
homosexuality and
prostitution very explicitly
and unambiguously.
• Taken out of the context
of Israeli culture and
language, it’s a clear
condemnation of
“sodomites”.
• But what did “sodomites”
mean to the Hebrews?
17
There shall be no whore of
the daughters of Israel,
nor a sodomite of the
sons of Israel.
18
Thou shalt not bring the
hire of a whore, or the
price of a dog, into the
house of the LORD thy
God for any vow: for
even both these are
abomination unto the
LORD thy God.
Putting Deut 23:17-18 in context
17 "There shall be no temple harlot
• Many Canaanites had
among the Israelite women, nor a
sexual relations with the
temple prostitute among the Israelite
pagan priests and
men.
priestesses who
18 You shall not offer a harlot's fee or a
dog's price as any kind of votive
prostituted themselves for
offering in the house of the LORD,
this purpose.
your God; both these things are an
• The money paid to the
abomination to the LORD, your God.
temple (“the price of a
• Temple prostitution was forbidden in
dog”) was considered a
Israel, but not because of the
sort of votive offering.
homosexual practices.
• The NAB translates these
• Rather, it is condemned because it
same two verses
was a part of the worship of false
differently
gods.
Unequivocal Condemnations of
Homosexuality In the Torah
• Two old testament
passages seem to
condemn homosexual
behavior explicitly
• The “clobber verses”:
– Lev 18:22.
– Lev 20:13
22
13
You shall not lie with a male as
with a woman; such a thing is
an abomination.
If a man lies with a male as with
a woman, both of them shall
be put to death for their
abominable deed; they have
forfeited their lives.
• Taken out of context Lev. 18:22 seems to condemn
homosexuality explicitly, and Lev 20:13 appears to not
only condemn the act, but it also condemns to death the
people who perform the act.
Leviticus 18
• Biblical text must be read
in context to understand
it. Let’s read the rest of
chapter 18.
• Lev 18:6-20 refers to
many customs of the
people of Egypt and
Canaan that were
objectionable to the
author of Leviticus.
• (see next slide)
1
The LORD said to Moses,
2
"Speak to the Israelites and
tell them: I, the LORD,
am your God.
3
You shall not do as they do
in the land of Egypt,
where you once lived,
nor shall you do as they
do in the land of
Canaan, where I am
bringing you; do not
conform to their
customs.
6
"None of you shall approach a close relative
to have sexual intercourse with her. I
am the LORD.
14
You shall not disgrace your father's brother
by being intimate with his wife, since
she, too, is your aunt.
7
You shall not disgrace your father by having
intercourse with your mother. Besides,
since she is your own mother, you shall
not have intercourse with her.
15
You shall not have intercourse with your
daughter-in-law; she is your son's wife,
and therefore you shall not disgrace
her.
8
You shall not have intercourse with your
father's wife, for that would be a
disgrace to your father.
16
You shall not have intercourse with your
brother's wife, for that would be a
disgrace to your brother.
9
You shall not have intercourse with your
sister, your father's daughter or your
mother's daughter, whether she was
born in your own household or born
elsewhere.
17
10
You shall not have intercourse with your
son's daughter or with your daughter's
daughter, for that would be a disgrace
to your own family.
You shall not have intercourse with a
woman and also with her daughter, nor
shall you marry and have intercourse
with her son's daughter or her
daughter's daughter; this would be
shameful, because they are related to
her.
18
You shall not have intercourse with the
daughter whom your father's wife bore
to him, since she, too, is your sister.
While your wife is still living you shall not
marry her sister as her rival; for thus
you would disgrace your first wife.
19
You shall not have intercourse with your
father's sister, since she is your father's
relative.
"You shall not approach a woman to have
intercourse with her while she is
unclean from menstruation.
20
You shall not have carnal relations with your
neighbor's wife, defiling yourself with
her.
11
12
13
You shall not have intercourse with your
mother's sister, since she is your
mother's relative.
“Wouldn’t it have been simpler to say ‘You shall
not have sex with anyone but your wife’??
• Lev 18:6-20 are about sex.
• At v21, Leviticus changes the
subject to the worship of false
gods.
• Verse 21 refers to the
Canaanite custom of
sacrificing children to their
god Molech.
• Taken in context, V22-23
appear to refer to
Canaanite religious &
cultural practices.
• V24-30 make this clear
(next slide).
21
You shall not offer any of your
offspring to be immolated to
Moloch, thus profaning the name of
your God. I am the LORD.
22
You shall not lie with a male as with
a woman; such a thing is an
abomination.
23
You shall not have carnal relations
with an animal, defiling yourself
with it; nor shall a woman set
herself in front of an animal to mate
with it; such things are abhorrent.
What Is Lev 18 Condemning?
• Leviticus 18:22 is not
a condemnation of
homosexuality, but a
condemnation of
Egyptian and
Canaanite religious
and sexual customs.
• Lev 18:24-40 suggests
that Yahweh gave the
land to the Hebrews
because he was
disgusted with the
Canaanites.
24
"Do not defile yourselves by any of these things by which
the nations whom I am driving out of your way have defiled
themselves.
25
Because their land has become defiled, I am punishing it for
its wickedness, by making it vomit out its inhabitants.
26
You, however, whether natives or resident aliens, must keep
my statutes and decrees forbidding all such abominations
27
by which the previous inhabitants defiled the land;
28
otherwise the land will vomit you out also for having defiled
it, just as it vomited out the nations before you.
29
Everyone who does any of these abominations shall be cut
off from among his people.
30
Heed my charge, then, not to defile yourselves by observing
the abominable customs that have been observed before
you. I, the LORD, am your God."
Lev 20:13
• The second
unequivocal reference
to homosexuality that
we shall consider is in
Lev. 20:13. In this
case, the verse (again
taken out of context)
not only condemns
homosexuality, but it
adds a penalty:
13
If a man lies with a male
as with a woman, both
of them shall be put to
death for their
abominable deed; they
have forfeited their
lives.
Lev 20:13
• Placed in
context,
Chapter 20 of
Leviticus is
similar to
chapter 18.
1
The LORD said to Moses,
2
"Tell the Israelites: Anyone, whether an Israelite or
an alien residing in Israel, who gives any of his
offspring to Moloch shall be put to death. Let his
fellow citizens stone him.
3
I myself will turn against such a man and cut him off
from the body of his people; for in giving his
offspring to Molech, he has defiled my sanctuary
and profaned my holy name.
4
Even if his fellow citizens connive at such a man's
crime of giving his offspring to Molech, and fail
to put him to death,
5
I myself will set my face against that man and his
family and will cut off from their people both him
and all who join him in his wanton worship of
Molech.
6
Should anyone turn to mediums and fortune-tellers
and follow their wanton ways, I will turn against
such a one and cut him off from his people.
7
Sanctify yourselves, then, and be holy; for I the
LORD, your God am holy.
Lev 20:13
• Leviticus would
punish with death:
– Men who curse their
parents,
– Men who commit
adultery,
– Men who have sex
with their
stepmothers,
stepdaughters,
daughters-in-law, or
animals
8
Be careful, therefore, to observe what I, the
LORD, who make you holy, have prescribed.
9
"Anyone who curses his father or mother shall be
put to death; since he has cursed his father or
mother, he has forfeited his life.
10
If a man commits adultery with his neighbor's wife,
both the adulterer and the adulteress shall be
put to death.
11
If a man disgraces his father by lying with his
father's wife, both the man and his stepmother
shall be put to death; they have forfeited their
lives.
12
If a man lies with his daughter-in-law, both of them
shall be put to death; since they have
committed an abhorrent deed, they have
forfeited their lives.
• Leviticus would
also punish with
death:
– Male
homosexuals
(female
homosexuals
are not
mentioned)
– Men who
marry their
mothers in law
– Men who have
sex with
animals.
13 If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them
shall be put to death for their abominable deed; they
have forfeited their lives.
14 If a man marries a woman and her mother also, the man
and the two women as well shall be burned to death
for their shameful conduct, so that such shamefulness
may not be found among you.
15 If a man has carnal relations with an animal, the man shall
be put to death, and the animal shall be slain.
16 If a woman goes up to any animal to mate with it, the
woman and the animal shall be slain; let them both be
put to death; their lives are forfeit.
• Christians do not observe all the laws of the old testament:
• E.G. We eat shellfish (Lev 11:10 forbids it).
• E.G. We wear clothes of more than one fabric (Lev 19:19 forbids it)
• We ignore much of what the old testament has to say about things like slavery,
diet, dress, and some of what it says about sex.
“So What Does the The Old Testament
Actually Say About Homosexuality?”
•
In this presentation, we have examined 5 passages
that relate to this question:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
•
What have we learned?
–
–
–
•
Gen 19:1-29 (The story of Lot in Sodom)
Judges 19-21 (The story of the Levite in Gibeah)
Deut 23:17-18 (“There shall be no sodomite of the sons of Israel”)
Lev 18:22 (“You shall not lie with a male as with a woman”)
Lev 20: (“If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them shall be put to death”)
Is the Old Testament “In favor of homosexuality?”
Does it condemn all homosexuality unequivocally?
How should we apply what the Old Testament says to our own
lives?
The New Testament also has passages that relate to
homosexuality. We shall consider them briefly.
In the New Testament St. Paul condemns relationships that
are motivated by lust. He approves of relationships between
consenting adults who are committed to each other.
It’s a choice………………It’s innate
• Do homosexuals choose to live a ‘gay
lifestyle’ purely in pursuit of sexual
pleasure?
• Does choosing to pursue lust &
pleasure imply homosexuality?
Promiscuity? Sex-for-hire? Child-abuse
and pederasty?
• The American Psychological
Association has stated "most people
experience little or no sense of choice
about their sexual orientation.“
• If a homosexual orientation is not a
choice, can it be morally wrong?
• Whether it’s a choice or not, does
homosexuality necessarily imply
promiscuity, lust and the pursuit of
pleasure? Can it be based on a loving,
committed relationship between two
people of the same sex?
• If so, why is that morally wrong?
If our interpretation of the bible
involves the condemnation of
something, we must be very
clear on what it is
condemning.
It’s about Lust………………………………………It’s about Love
It’s unlikely that St. Paul could have envisioned gay relationships conducted as
faithfully and with as much integrity as heterosexual couples.
Thank You
Apparent Condemnations of the
Homosexuality In the New Testament
9
Do you not know that the unjust will not
• In 1 Cor. 6:9-10, Paul condemns
inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be
“sodomites”.
deceived; neither fornicators nor idolaters
nor adulterers nor boy prostitutes nor
• The Greek word that is translated
sodomites
here as “boy prostitutes” refers
10
nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards
to catamites, the younger partner
nor slanderers nor robbers will inherit the
in a pederastic relationship
kingdom of God.
between a man and a boy.
• The word is derived from the name of the Greek god Ganymede, a boy
who (in Greek mythology) was seduced and then kept by Zeus as his
“Cup-bearer”.
• The term that is translated as Sodomites in 1 Cor 6 refers to the adult
males in these relationships. There are similar condemnations of such
practices in Romans 1:26-27 and in 1 Tim 1:8-10.
• Hence the passage has more to do with prostitution and the exploitation
of helpless boys than it has to do with homosexuality.
• Romans 1:26-27 (see backup slide) is similar.
Rom. 1:26-27
18
12
The wrath 13 of God 14 is indeed being revealed from heaven against every impiety and wickedness of those who suppress the truth
by their wickedness.
19
For what can be known about God is evident to them, because God made it evident to them.
20
Ever since the creation of the world, his invisible attributes of eternal power and divinity have been able to be understood and
perceived in what he has made. As a result, they have no excuse;
21
for although they knew God they did not accord him glory as God or give him thanks. Instead, they became vain in their reasoning,
and their senseless minds were darkened.
22
While claiming to be wise, they became fools
23
and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for the likeness of an image of mortal man or of birds or of four-legged animals or of
snakes.
24
Therefore, God handed them over to impurity through the lusts of their hearts 15 for the mutual degradation of their bodies.
25
They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and revered and worshiped the creature rather than the creator, who is blessed forever.
Amen.
26
Therefore, God handed them over to degrading passions. Their females exchanged natural relations for unnatural,
27
and the males likewise gave up natural relations with females and burned with lust for one another. Males did shameful things with
males and thus received in their own persons the due penalty for their perversity.
28
And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God handed them over to their undiscerning mind to do what is improper.
29
They are filled with every form of wickedness, evil, greed, and malice; full of envy, murder, rivalry, treachery, and spite. They are
gossips
30
and scandalmongers and they hate God. They are insolent, haughty, boastful, ingenious in their wickedness, and rebellious toward
their parents.
31
They are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless.
32
Although they know the just decree of God that all who practice such things deserve death, they not only do them but give approval to
those who practice them.
It’s a choice………………It’s innate
What Kind of Homosexuality Is
Paul Condemning?
• Do homosexuals choose to live a ‘gay
lifestyle’ purely in pursuit of sexual
pleasure?
• Does choosing to pursue lust &
pleasure imply homosexuality?
Promiscuity? Sex-for-hire? Child-abuse
and pederasty?
• The American Psychological
Association has stated "most people
experience little or no sense of choice
about their sexual orientation.“
• If a homosexual orientation is not a
choice, can it be morally wrong?
• Whether it’s a choice or not, does
homosexuality necessarily imply
promiscuity, lust and the pursuit of
pleasure? Can it be based on a loving,
committed relationship between two
people of the same sex?
• If so, why is that morally wrong?
If our interpretation of the bible
involves the condemnation of
something, we must be very
clear on what it is
condemning.
It’s about Lust………………………………………It’s about Love
The relationships Paul describes in Romans are heavy with lust; they are not
relationships between consenting adults who are committed to each other as
faithfully and with integrity. That was something Paul simply could not envision for
homosexuals.
“So What Does the Bible Actually
Say About Homosexuality?”
•
In this presentation, we have examined 7 passages
from the bible that relate to this question:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
•
Gen 19:1-29 (The story of Lot in Sodom)
Judges 19-21 (The story of the Levite in Gibeah)
Deut 23:17-18 (“There shall be no sodomite of the sons of Israel”)
Lev 18:22 (“You shall not lie with a male as with a woman”)
Lev 20: (“If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them shall be put to death”)
1 Cor 6:9-10 (“neither fornicators…nor sodomites… will inherit the kingdom of God).
Rom 1:26-27 (“Therefore, God handed them over to degrading passions.”)
What have we learned?
–
–
–
Is the bible “In favor of homosexuality?”
Does it condemn all homosexuality unequivocally?
How should we apply what the bible says to our own lives?