Editorial
May/June, 1993
Volume 28, Number 3
It was our aim not to speak again about the issue of homosexuality for a long time, but a number of statements made and actions taken within recent months by some of our Church of the Brethren persons in places of leadership-regarding the homosexual lifestyle–have stirred up a great deal of alarm and dismay.
Pastors and lay persons alike are bewildered and distressed by the statement made by the 1993 Annual Conference Moderator, recorded on page 15 of the February, 1993 Messenger. The Moderator says, “I personally am ready to accept gay, lesbian, and bisexual people into positions of leadership in the church. Others have been seriously concerned about the Southeast Region Interdistrict Youth Roundtable held at Bridgewater College in April, 1 993–where the main speaker was a Church of the Brethren pastor who has openly affirmed same-sex covenants and has officiated at the wedding service of two lesbian women (Winter, 1991 Brethren Life and Thought, plus phone-call confirmation).
There is also in the Church of the Brethren a “Supportive Congregations Network” (June, 1991 Messenger), a movement on the part of a number of Mennonite and Brethren churches that wish to further explore the issue of homosexuality in the church, and to support gay, lesbian, and bisexual members. Their “public advocacy in support of homosexual and bisexuaI people” may seem like an expression of Christ-like love toward sinners, but to support sinners without clear calls for change on the part of the individual, stands in stark contrast to the words of Jesus when He said to the woman caught in adultery, “Go your way, and from now on do not sin again” (John 8:11).
Many supporters of the homosexual lifestyle are saying that “Homosexuality is not a moral issue,” and they say, “The real sin is ‘homophobia.’” Gay activists and their defenders characterize any criticism of their lifestyle as “homophobic.” That tactic is employed to intimidate people and to avoid the fact that the homosexual lifestyle is socially destructive, and cannot be reconciled with God’s Intent for “the family” from creation. Even the average person in our society rejects homosexual “marriage” and considers that aspect of the gay agenda as undermining the age-old concept of family.
When people realize what is often entailed in the homosexual lifestyle-multiple partners, anonymous sex, anal intercourse, etc.–they are less inclined to accept that way of living as legitimate. No matter how many communities try to legitimize sodomy, it is still a filthy practice and it is even at odds with human anatomy. The issue is not safe versus unsafe sex, but rather what is decent versus what is indecent–and for the Christian–what is pleasing to God and what is not.
The creation account in Genesis 2:24 establishes heterosexual monogamy as the norm: “Therefore, a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh.” The only “one-flesh” experience that God approves is monogamous, permanent, heterosexual marriage. Jesus quoted the Genesis 2:24 passage when He said, “The one who made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘for this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’”–and then Jesus added His own endorsement: “What God has joined together, let no one separate” (Matthew 19:4-6). The question is: What has God joined together? The answer is: Male and female! Jesus endorsed the male/female union in marriage.
The biblical passages in Leviticus, Romans, and 1 Corinthians are clear prohibitions against homosexual activity:
In Leviticus 20:1 3, homosexual practice is called an “abomination.”
In Romans 1:26-27, homosexual intercourse is referred to as a “degraded passion.”
In 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, we are told that fornicators and adulterers and drunkards and homosexuals, etc. will not “inherit the kingdom of God.
It is true that the New Testament Gospel accounts have no record that Jesus ever directly addressed homosexuality in His teachings–but to argue that homosexuality is acceptable to God because we have no direct words from Christ, is to say by the same logic that we must approve the activities of child pornographers, cocaine traffickers, and wife beaters–because Jesus never addressed those matters either.
There is no question in our minds, but that the Bible clearly and specifically condemns homosexual behavior. Wherever it is mentioned in Scripture, homosexual practice is uniformly condemned, and is never commended anywhere in the Bible. The official pronouncement (1983 paper on Human Sexuality) of the Church of the Brethren on the subject of homosexuality seems contradictory at some points, but it still speaks against accepting even a loving covenanted homosexual relationship as an approved option. The 1992 Ethics in Ministry paper acknowledges the 1983 Human Sexuality paper, and the two documents taken together reaffirm the denomination’s belief in biblical standards of sexual morality. The 1983 study declares that homosexual persons are people of sacred worth to whom we are to minister with Christlike compassion, but the homosexual lifestyle is not approved. As a result, there is no statement in the 1983 official study about homosexual ordination or about homosexual “marriages,” for if the homosexual lifestyle is not approved, ordination and marriage would be irrelevant.
Why then are persons in places of leadership in our Brotherhood making statements and engaging in activities that approve the homosexual lifestyle? It is our observation that the vast majority of grassroots Brethren do not believe that homosexuality, lesbianism, or bisexuality are biblical–even if they are practiced in loving and caring and committed relationships. We are not homophobic. We are not afraid of homosexuals. We are not bigots and fringe crackpots. We are not bashing anybody. But we firmly believe that in light of clear Scripture teaching the church must not wink at fornication or adultery–and that we should not wink at homosexuality either! Much misunderstanding and confusion exists within the Church of the Brethren because the denomination’s 1983 Human Sexuality study paper contains a number of sentences that have been interpreted in more than one way. This ambiguity has resulted in the issue being raised continually. After the 1992 decision about Ethics in the Ministry, BRF felt that it was unnecessary to open up again the matter of the denomination’s stand on homosexuality, but in light of more recent developments, we believe that the Church of the Brethren needs to address the matter definitively, and speak clearly in a few brief sentences–stating that we do (or do not) condone the practice of homosexuality, and that we do (or do not) consider the homosexual style of living to be compatible with Christian teaching. The Church of the Brethren has spoken clearly regarding war, saying that “all war is sin.” Why should we not as a denomination speak just as clearly about homosexuality, declaring that “all homosexual practice is sin”?
If the Annual Conference would adopt the statement put together by the Atlantic Northeast District in 1992, and make that statement the policy for the entire denomination, the matter would be settled with much more clarity. The Atlantic Northeast statement adopted on October 10, 1992, says: “In light of the scriptures and the 1983 and 1992 actions of Annual Conference in regard to homosexuality, we of the Atlantic Northeast District desire to support Christ-centered ministry which seeks to help paper acknowledges the 1983 Human Sexuality paper, and the two documents taken together reaffirm the denomination’s belief in biblical standards of sexual morality. The 1983 study declares that homosexual persons are people of sacred worth to whom we are to minister with Christlike compassion, but the homosexual lifestyle is not approved. As a result, there is no statement in the 1983 official study about homosexual ordination or about homosexual “marriages,” for if the homosexual lifestyle is not approved, ordination and marriage would be irrelevant.
On the evening of April 6, 1993, about 500 Brethren, mostly pastors and church leaders from the southeastern part of the United States, gathered at the Greenmount Church of the Brethren near Harrisonburg, Virginia (Shenandoah District) to hold an open forum on the issue of homosexual practice. Brotherhood Secretary Donald Miller and Annual Conference Moderator Chuck Boyer attended the meeting and made brief statements related to the issue. After hearing arguments on both sides of the topic, a poll was taken to see whether there was support for asking Standing Committee to present to Annual Conference at Indianapolis a query to discover if the delegates would approve the Atlantic Northeast Statement (quoted above), and make it the policy of the entire Brotherhood. A substantial majority of those voting (at the Greenmount meeting) voted to ask Standing Committee to take that action. A sizeable number of those who were present on April 6 voted against such a procedure.
We doubt that the Church of the Brethren can survive an official embrace of homosexuality by saying that it can be compatible with Christian teaching. Brethren at the grassroots will not tolerate avowed practicing homosexuals in church leadership positions. If the church refrains from speaking clearly on this issue, more and more members will be disturbed and alienated. Our membership figures will most likely continue to decline and contributions to the Brotherhood program will continue to fall off. Many people in our congregations will undoubtedly vote with their feet and with their pocketbooks. A number of congregations are already taking those steps. (We are aware too that if the church makes a simple clear statement that condemns homosexual practice as sin, a minority of persons will also be disenchanted with the Brotherhood.)
If just one or two eccentric persons were calling for homosexual marriages and/or the ordination of homosexuals to the pastoral ministry, very few would be troubled, but when a whole issue of the Brethren Life and Thought magazine is almost totally devoted to defending and confirming the validity of homosexual practice, and when elected officials in the church hierarchy voice approval of homosexual ordination–more and more Brethren are finding it difficult to stay in the denomination. Brethren Revival Fellowship calls upon those who are in positions of power in the Church of the Brethren to act quickly and decisively on this very explosive issue.
Homosexuality: A Sinful Way of Life
by Harold S. Martin
We are living in the midst of a tremendous moral revolution. New value-systems are springing up everywhere. Most of our society is pleasure oriented. The mood is permissive and daring. There is an attitude of irreverence toward God and toward sacred things. There has been a very definite change from the standards accepted just a few decades ago.
Homosexuality is sexual activity between persons of the same sex. Both men and women may be homosexuals. Female homosexuals are sometimes called lesbians. Scientists estimate that four percent’ of the adult males in the United States feel sexually attracted to members of their own sex, and about half that percentage of adult women prefer their own sex. Homosexuality has been known throughout man’s history.
Today homosexuals are demanding that their lifestyle be accepted as valid. They are pressuring courts to grant them the right to adopt children. They are asking to become teachers in our nation’s public schools. Practicing homosexuals are seeking to become pastors in more and more churches. There are a few Biblical teachings about homosexuality that we should note.
1. HOMOSEXUALITY IS UNNATURAL
When God created human beings, He made them male and female. The Bible account of creation establishes human beings as persons who possess a specific sexual identity: “So God created man in his own image. . .male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27). God did not create Man alone, neither did He create man/man or woman/woman. Man was created for another. That other is woman. Their relationship is ordered by God.
Jesus says as recorded in Matthew 19:4-5, “Have ye not read that he who made them at the beginning, made them male and female; and said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife?” Jesus reaffirmed the Creator’s original intention for the man/woman relationship.
In Genesis 3 we find the goodness of God’s creation distorted by sin, and the divinely established pattern for male-female relationships was marred. Estrangement and alienation replaced God’s intention. Rebellion and pride brought strain between the sexes. Some of the results of the Fall include adultery (Genesis 26:10), rape (Genesis 34:2), prostitution (Genesis 38:15-18), and homosexuality (Genesis 19:4-7). These are all deviations from God’s created order.
The Scriptures specifically declare that homosexuality is unnatural behavior. “For this cause God gave them up into vile affections; for even their women changed the natural use for that which is against nature; and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another, men with men working that which is unseemly” (Romans 1:2627). It is not normal to be attracted to a member of the same sex. It violates the basic sexual structure which God created. It is a perversion. It is against nature.
2. HOMOSEXUALITY IS SINFUL
The Bible classifies homosexual practice as sin. It is a violation of the will of God. A simple reading of Genesis 19 (about the two angels who paid a visit to Sodom and stayed in Lot’s home) indicates that sodomy is a great wickedness (Genesis 19:4-5). In the Book of Jude (verse 7), God points to Sodom’s homosexuality as an example of the kind of immorality that brings the vengeance of eternal fire.
In 1 Kings 15:11-12, God commends good King Asa as follows: “And Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord, as did David his father. And he took away the sodomites out of the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made.” It is hardly conceivable that such an abomination as sodomy should find acceptance in our nation’s churches.
The Bible says that to lie with a person of the same sex is an abomination. In Leviticus 18:22, we read, Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind; it is abomination.” And while some Old Testament commands have been canceled in the new dispensation, never has anything that is called “an abomination” in the Old Testament been given God’s approval in the New Testament. The New Testament condemns all homosexual activity without qualification. In 1 Corinthians 6:9 we read, “Be not deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind. ..shall inherit the kingdom of God.” The two Greek words translated “abusers of themselves with mankind” apply to any continuous homosexual activity, whether it is a covenanted permanent relationship or a promiscuously lustful relationship. Homosexuality is an insult against God.
3. HOMOSEXUALITY IS CURABLE
There is hope for the homosexual. The male homosexual and the lesbian can experience the forgiveness of God. They can have a changed life if they really want it!
Some of the Christians at Corinth had at one time been involved in homosexual activity, but they were delivered from it. The writer in 1 Corinthians 6:9 mentions homosexuality (along with other sins), and then says in verse 11: “And such were some of you, but you are washed, you are sanctified in the name of the Lord Jesus.” These people were no longer practicing homosexuals. Homosexuality is curable.
The Bible message offers hope to those who practice sodomy, but before one can be delivered — he must acknowledge his sin; he must honestly desire deliverance; he must want to do what is right. Nearly all studies show that homosexual behavior is learned behavior and what has been learned, can (with God’s help) be unlearned. Every committed Christian does care deeply about the homosexual. He believes that the blood of Christ is sufficient to provide forgiveness and deliverance from this sin, as well as from other sins. 1 John 1:5-9 says, “God is light…and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin…lf we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
We look with compassion toward homosexuals, and see their struggles, and their rejection, and their personal agony. It is not easy to lose a job, nor is it easy to be rejected by one’s own family. We remember too that there is a sense in which those of us who are not homosexual have tendencies and drives and inclinations that can be just as wicked as homosexual conduct. But aside from the unnaturalness of homosexual behavior, there is one additional basic difference: The homosexual in our day is saying, “My gayness is good. My sodomy is not sinful. God made me this way. God accepts my style of living as good. It is natural to me, and it’s time for you folks to accept me as I am, and to join me in saying that a homosexual style of living is acceptable. “The rest of us are not saying that! We are not seeking to have anyone tell us that our sins are okay. We look at heterosexual immorality (fornication, adultery, prostitution, etc.) as calling down the wrath of God just as homosexual immorality does. God loves the practicing homosexual just like He loves each of us whose besetting sin may be pride, selfishness, impatience, gluttony, greed, or hatred. Christ died for all of us. Thus we invite the person whose besetting sin is homosexual practice to join the rest of us at the foot of the Cross in repentance, in order that we might know God’s forgiveness and His resurrection power to liberate from slavery to that sin.
The avowed, practicing, and unrepentant homosexual is engaged in a great wickedness, just as the practicing unrepentant adulterer or robber or idolater is engaging in great wickedness. All who by the grace of God will repent of their evil behavior, and turn to Jesus Christ, seeking God’s power for a new type of living — may be assured of God’s forgiveness and the Christian’s acceptance.
If you are one who has been caught up in the homosexual syndrome — won’t you acknowledge the practice as an abomination in the eyes of God, confess your sin, and come to Jesus in penitence and faith? May God help you to do it today.