The following student report was submitted by Ambassador League Agent Zachary W. during the 2007-2008 League.
Homosexuality
In our culture today, there is a growing controversy over the issue of homosexuality. No longer relegated to the fringe of society, homosexuals are becoming increasingly mainstream, and are clamoring to be given the same treatment and rights enjoyed by heterosexual couples. Even in Christian circles, homosexuality is becoming more common, prompting the inevitable question: Is homosexuality biblically wrong? Most Christians believe that it is indeed biblically condemned. However, there is a growing minority that claim that the Bible does not condemn homosexuality and who feel that one may lead this lifestyle while still a Christian. Every Christian should know which viewpoint is correct and why. Knowing where we as Christians should stand on this issue has never been more relevant or important.
There are several verses in the Bible that refer to homosexuality. It is interesting to note that whenever the Bible mentions homosexuality, it is always portrayed negatively and rebuked thoroughly. Each of the following verses very singularly condemns homosexuality:
Leviticus 18:22: "You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination."
Leviticus 20:13: "If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them."
1 Corinthians 6:9: "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,"
Romans 1:26-27: "For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due."
In addition to these passages, Genesis 19 details the story of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, and describes the perverse immoralities present in these cities with specific condemnation of their homosexual practices.
Even though these verses seem to leave little doubt as to what God thinks about homosexuality, the viewpoint that there is such a thing as a "Christian homosexual" is still becoming increasingly common. The reason for this can be found in John 3:19, "And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." In contradiction to God's Word, some supposed Christians either participate in or defend homosexuality. This mindset is addressed in 2 Timothy 3:5, where Paul writes:
But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power.
Paul goes on to warn us:
And from such people turn away!
The Bible makes it abundantly clear with no room for argument: Those who believe that Christianity and homosexuality are compatible are wrong. Claiming otherwise is in direct contradiction to Scripture. Christians should know better than to do that.
