“Biblical Principles for Human Sexuality- Part 2”

“Biblical Principles for

Human Sexuality- Part 2” By David Closson

THE BIBLE’S TEACHING ON HOMOSEXUALITY

Romans 1:18-32

The apostle Paul explains that humanity has rejected God, exchanging the truth about Him and the things He created for a lie. In verse 26, while describing the sinful “exchanges” men and women have made, Paul uses the term παρὰ φύσιν (para physin), which means “unnatural” or “against nature.” Homosexuality is unnatural because it is a departure from God’s design for sexuality. According to the passage, homosexuality is also a consequence of humanity suppressing God’s truth and refusing to honor Him. Other verses, including 1 Corinthians 6:9 and 1 Timothy 1:10, reinforce this teaching.

JESUS AND HOMOSEXUALITY & TRANSGENDERISM

Although Jesus did not directly address homosexuality, the available evidence strongly suggests that He would not affirm same-sex relations. Jesus believed in the binding authority of the Old Testament and affirmed the creation pattern for marriage (Mat. 19:4-6 cf. Gen. 1:27, 2:24). Specifically, Jesus’ quotation from Genesis 1:24 indicates He affirmed the Old Testament vision for marriage and sexuality as a union between one male and one female for one lifetime.

Another departure from God’s design for sexuality is transgenderism. This ideology holds that “sex” refers to the physical body (including the reproductive system), while “gender” refers to a person’s inner perception of themselves (i.e., their identification with either maleness or femaleness). In transgender ideology, subjective feelings and personal experience supersede biology and anatomy while sex is reduced to a social construct.

This is inconsistent with a biblical understanding of sexuality. Sexual differentiation of male and female was God’s design, and it was created “very good” (Gen. 1:31). Moreover, Jesus’ incarnation and embodiment after His resurrection imply His physical body and soul are inseparable. In sum, Christians should see their created bodies as part of God’s good creation, including maleness or femaleness.

CURRENT CHALLENGES

Today, a biblical understanding of sexuality is ridiculed as being outdated. It is also viewed as dangerous by many in government, higher education, and the media. Threats against churches and organizations guided by sincere religious convictions are becoming more prevalent. Political and legal pressure against Christians working in areas such as the wedding vendor industry continue to rise. Biblical beliefs about marriage, gender, and sexuality are called intolerant in an effort to drive Christians from the public square. Ironically, these efforts in the name of tolerance have resulted in increased intolerance from secularists toward Christians who want to live their lives peaceably and in accordance with their deeply held religious beliefs.

GOSPEL HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

Marriage and sexuality are deeply personal topics, and Christians must speak the truth about them with conviction and love. The gospel is good news for all people, including those who struggle with their sexuality and those who experience unwanted same-sex attraction. The Bible’s teaching on sexuality is something we all need to hear, but it is not all we need to hear. God’s design for sexuality is not the Bible’s central focus. Rather, it is about salvation in Christ, the redemption He has secured for us from this broken world, and the transformation guaranteed to us when we follow Him. The church should proclaim this good news with clarity and hope, affirming God’s design for humanity while also proclaiming God’s faithfulness to rescue us from our sin.

CONCLUSION

The gospel has the power to save. This salvation includes a transformation of identity. Both truth and love must frame a biblically faithful response to the moral revolution that has upended the culture’s understanding of sexuality. Upholding, teaching, and defending biblical truths in a loving manner is not easy, but it is necessary for the witness of the church, the flourishing of individuals, and the good of society.