Vines/Mohler/DeYoung -- All 3 books on homosexuality
Good job last time on getting full participation in the forum. Our next meeting is Saturday, March 15th (8:30am--noon), so please have all the reading complete and the following questions answered no later than midnight on Thursday, March 13th, so that I can have time on Friday to read your responses.
(1) You don't have to write anything here to answer this question. Just be prepared to discuss the following passages by seeking to understand as much as you can from the readings how the "affirming" view of homosexuality interprets the following passages and how to refute those interpretations from the text:
- Leviticus 18:22; 20:13
- Genesis 19
- Romans 1:26-27
- 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
- 1 Timothy 1:8-11
[Now please write out answers to the questions that follow]
(2) How would you respond to someone who argued, "Jesus never addressed homosexuality, so we shouldn't make a big deal of it"?
(3) What does a good pastoral response to a church member who has same-sex attraction look like?
(4) What is one question you have to add to our discussion?
(2) How would you respond to someone who argued, "Jesus never addressed homosexuality, so we shouldn't make a big deal of it"?
It sounds like definitions could be all over the place depending on who you are talking to. From our perspective, Jesus does directly address homosexuality in Revelation 2:14. If there is push back that "sexual Immorality" does not include faithful homosexual relationships, I would counter with "based on what"? I was baffled whenever Vines would note "verses that have terrified homosexuals" then go to "man" to relieve that tension. It reminds you of the parable of the talents when you get to the unfaithful servant who notes, " I knew you were a hard man and was afraid". Proverbs 1:24-32 (as well a lot of Proverbs) speaks to their folly. When morality dictates theology, man will look for the way that seems "right" in their own eyes as well as the way that will "relieve" them of the condemnation that they constantly feel. The world tries to heal who the Lord is trying to break.
Proverbs 5:22-23
22 The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him,
and he is held fast in the cords of his sin.
23 He dies for lack of discipline,
and because of his great folly he is led astray.
In the end, my argument is that scripture gives no safety net for homosexual activity. Between Leviticus and Romans 1, there is enough to be "terrified", as Vines pointed out. I do struggle with cynicism. When I think of those truly committed, my flesh says, it's your eternity, enter how you will. I don't care. But I know I should care, at least enough to make sure they are not scorners/scoffers.
Do not rebuke a scoffer - Proverbs 9:8
Shake the dust off your sandals - Matthew 10:14
If my comment to them of not caring shakes them a little, I think I can start to have a dialog and my heart would open up.
Either you care about what the bible says or you don't. If you do, then you have to ask why doesn't scripture provide relief from the tension or comfort from the terror? If you don't, then you should be okay accepting reality when confronted with it in eternity. In the end, to not care about their conduct is to say you don't care about their eternity, which I know I should have more compassion.
(3) What does a good pastoral response to a church member who has same-sex attraction?
Fight, brother/sister. Guard your heart, eyes, and mind. Renew your mind. Hide God's word in your heart. Some of the above will be involved. Scripture does not provide relief.
Assigning the above the above as "homework" and the commitment to it will reveal the true desire to overcome.
Colossians 3:1-5
1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Do not love the world or the things in the world. Get off social media and fast from entertainment.
(4) What is one question you have to add to our discussion?
Regarding the Jude passage, one of Vines arguments was the use of "heteros" which ESV translates as "unnatural", which "strange" seems to fit. Vines linked to "Heterosexual". I'm presuming the ESV is from the viewpoint of nature?