God Considers Homosexuality a Sin
by Larry J. Walker
What do you think about the following statement, “If God had thought drug addiction is harmful, he would not have created crack babies.”? I would hope that you would object on at least two counts. Drug addiction is most certainly harmful, and God does not create crack babies. Drug abuse of the parent or parents causes this tragic consequence.
Let’s consider a similar statement on a different topic attributed to presidential hopeful Howard Dean, quoted in the January 12, 2004 issue of U.S. News and World Report: “If God had thought homosexuality is a sin, he would not have created gay people.” This line of reasoning has also been expressed by others to justify homosexuality as being acceptable to God.
So let’s ask the same two questions. Did God “create gay people,” and does He consider homosexuality a sin?
We don’t have to guess at the answer to either question, because the Bible is very clear on both subjects. God created only two human beings—Adam and Eve. Since then, children are products of heredity, for better or for worse.
The Bible record (Genesis 1:26-27; 2:24) also tells us that God made humankind male and female and encouraged them to “be fruitful and multiply” (produce children) within the marriage institution. He defines marriage as an intimate relationship and lifetime commitment between one man and one woman in which they “become one flesh.”
So God did not create gay people. The jury is still out on whether or not homosexuality is an inherited trait, an acquired tendency, or simply a choice of what many consider a biblically sanctioned sexual orientation. But clearly, God did not create homosexuals, nor did He offer same-sex marriage as a viable option to heterosexual marriage.
The Bible is equally clear on the subject of whether homosexuality is a sin or simply an alternative live style that one can choose with God’s approval. "Do not practice homosexuality; it is a detestable sin” (Leviticus 18:22, NLT). Of course some consider this and similar scriptural teachings as obsolete cultural matters that are irrelevant today. Others reject, ignore or are oblivious to the teachings of scripture in this “post-Christian” age.
But homosexuality is not a recent practice. Many Greek philosophers were professing homosexuals. The Apostle Paul expresses their conduct as the outcome of rejecting God:
“ From the
time the world was created, people have seen … all that God made. They can clearly
see his invisible qualities-- his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no
excuse whatsoever for not knowing God. 21
Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn't worship him as God or even give him
thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. The result
was that their minds became dark and confused.
22 Claiming to be wise, they became utter fools instead. 24
So God let them go ahead and do whatever shameful things their hearts desired.
As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other's bodies.
25 Instead of believing what they knew was the truth about God,
they deliberately chose to believe lies. So they worshiped the things God made but
not the Creator himself, who is to be praised forever. Amen.
26 That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even
the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex
with each other. 27 And the
men, instead of having normal sexual relationships with women, burned with lust for
each other. Men did shameful things with other men and, as a result, suffered within
themselves the penalty they so richly deserved.
28 When they refused to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to
their evil minds and let them do things that should never be done” (Romans
1:20-22, NLT).
Genesis 18:20 – 19:29
reveals that God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah because of “grievous sin.” While
that undoubtedly encompassed a wide range of sins, the only one specified is rampant
homosexuality (19:4-11).
The majority of Americans oppose homosexuality and same sex marriage, for good reason. At stake is not only the sanctity of marriage and preservation of the family unit, but the very survival of our civilization.