Does The Bible Deal With Sexual Orientation?

Or at least so says Rev. Dr. Martha Simmons, Creator and Director of The African American Lectionary. During a Feb. 18th 2010 interview with Santita Jackson on Chicago's WVON 1690 She appeared along with Dr. Brenda Wade who we will feature in another article. Dr. Simmons stated that not only does the bible not address the issue of sexual orientation, but the word which many people claim that was used to address this issue  (Gk: arsenokoites)  was a word of unknown origin and meaning and was allowed to creep in later translations of the bible. She stated that this word was defined by scholars as 1- sexual behavior or 2- sexual orientation. She says that most biblical translations only refer to homosexual sexual behavior not homosexual orientation.   

Here is the verse in question.

1 Cor. 6:9~ "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,"

Ἢ οὐκ οἴδατε ὅτι ἄδικοι θεοῦ βασιλείαν οὐ κληρονομήσουσιν; μὴ πλανᾶσθε· οὔτε πόρνοι οὔτε εἰδωλολάτραι οὔτε μοιχοὶ οὔτε μαλακοὶ οὔτε ἀρσενοκοῖται (arsenokoites)

Dr. Simmons also stated that the Gk word paiderfastis would have been used by Paul to point out homosexual orientation in the verse. She also says that the bible is ambiguous or does not address  how atoms split or when slavery should have ended,  but it does lay down the greater principle of how we should live and that is rooted and grounded in love. 

What Do We Make Of Dr. Simmons' Assertions?

Aside from the fact that Dr. Simmons got a "whole bunch" of things wrong in just a short and limited period of time, she leapt into a pool of erroneous and irresponsible doctrine.

First, we have done an article on The Dunamis Word 2, Homosexuality & The New Testament, addressing this specific use of the word arsenokoites, and how the word was derived and why Paul used that word rather than paiderfastis.

In that article we clearly state that although paiderfastis was used to describe homosexual behavior, it was the word used to describe men who had sex with young and fair skinned boys. In other words the use was limited to refer to same gender sexual relationships between men and boys. In actuality Paul's words were not limited to pederasts or those who's object of sex was young fair-skinned boys or females. Within the scripture arsenokoites opened up and broadened the meaning and spoke more completely toward men and women who had same gender sexual relationships. Therefore, the use of arsenokoites was used to imply a much more broad category of same gender sexual relationships covering adult to adult and adult to child relationships. 

Secondly, Dr. Simmons affirms, surprisingly, that the word not only dealt with sexual behavior, it dealt with sexual orientation. Dr. Simmons, however, suggests that any ambiguity must certainly restrict the interpretation of the word to actions or behavior rather than orientation. There is no justification for this assertion. This seems to be a patent technique of the homosexual cleric looking to redefine biblical teaching to suit the sin of homosexuality claiming that those who practice such are simply discriminated against or disenfranchised groups to whom the church should show love and provide inclusion.   

The truth is that homosexual behavior, like other forms of sexual impurity, was condemned and homosexual orientation was outside of the order of things that God established and was nothing that was hailed as a virtue from a biblical worldview.  In fact, homosexuality is condemned within scripture in the strongest sense as being an abomination.

Leviticus 18:22 ~ "Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it [is] abomination."

So far as love is concerned, it is the ultimate form of selfishness for the church to make an excuse for sin, especially when there is an eternal implication. Dr. Simmons and people like her show the ultimate disdain for homosexuals by not telling the truth, handling the scripture responsibly and explaining the scripture properly.  

Is There A Difference Between Orientation & Behavior?

Lets look at a modern definition of sexual orientation in order to understand this. Wikipedia says:

"Sexual orientation is a pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attractions to men, women, both genders, neither gender, or another gender. According to the American Psychological Association sexual orientation also refers to a person’s sense of "personal and social identity based on those attractions, behaviors expressing them, and membership in a community of others who share them" [Wikipedia on Sexual Orientation]

First it is a deceit to assume that homosexuality is a part of a persons identity or how one is born. This is NOT the case. Sex is a chosen path. We are certainly born specific genders, but we are not born to have sex. Some of what appeals to us sexually happens and occurs without individual consent, with that much we certainly agree. Some of that is done before one is of or becomes a certain age, or has the ability to understand it. It's not unusual for extremely young children to have certain sexual inclinations. However this is not to be confused with orientation or how one is created.

Genetically, there is no evidence of a homosexual nor heterosexual gene or gene pattern. Attempts to say that homosexuality is based on some type of inherited genetic arrangement or in vitro occurrence, actually relegates homosexuality to the realm of genetic abnormality.This is a ridiculous notion that homosexual proponents are willing to carry no matter how much it speaks against their position. To say that homosexuals are genetically abnormal is certainly hate speech, but surprisingly, this is what we hear from many homosexual advocates and psychologists wanting inclusion for homosexual behavior within society.

The point is that the question then breaks down for the homosexual advocate. What we have left are people, many of them good and loving people, who have feelings and sexual desire for the same sex. Will they be condemned for their feelings even if they don't act on them?  

To The Real Issue Of Desire

This speaks to the heart of the matter. Is there a difference between what we do and what we think and or are driven to do. As a general principle one could claim that the lesser of two evils is to think about something rather than to touch or do it. There is some validity to this. As Tiger Woods found, a husband thinking about cheating on his wife does much less damage at that moment than performing the act of adultery. Neither are the optimum state or condition, but touching or use of the body takes things to another level and involves entanglements that could be much more difficult to break than mere thoughts.

However, thoughts do not escape God and only serve to reveal need. The fact is that God is aware of thoughts before they are thunk! The grace of God is that in all of that God does not condemn us, but remembers our frame that we are but flesh.  (Ps.103:14) But can a truly redeemed mind be given to evil thoughts?

Not if the mind has been under-girded as the believer's mind should be:

2 Cor. 10:4-6 ~ "4-(For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5-Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6-And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled."

Imaginations and thoughts contrary to the word and order of God were meant to be "pulled down". this carries the thought of controlling and holding, directing and possessing the thoughts and desires. Thoughts can be temptations, but they could also indicate the condition of the heart. This is the distinguishment within scripture. Because sin is so deeply intertwined within our being, it often reveals itself in a though pattern, which was meant to be controlled by the believer in Christ. Here was a technique to control thoughts:

 Philippians 4:8 ~ "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things."

Here's another:

Psalms 1:1-3 ~ "1-Blessed [is] the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2-But his delight [is] in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3-And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."

The mind of the believer must be transformed and renewed and brought out of line with society:

Romans 12:2 ~ "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

Who can do this? Only Christ! Our effort or strength is not enough, but reliance upon him and his grace is the only way to overcome these temptations and be successful in his service. Fellowship with believers who affirm the power of God is essential. This is a spiritual battle and it must be fought through spiritual means.

Sadly, too many of those claiming titles of Reverend and Doctor these days have no clues as to what that power is or how it actually works in the hearts and minds of men and women that need to be delivered from their sins.

2 Corinthians 5:17 ~ "Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a NEW CREATURE: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" 

Blessed!