Homosexuality

 

The issue of homosexuality is one that continues to confront the church. On one side Christians continue to maintain that homosexuality is not acceptable for Christians and that God created male and female to be united in marriage and that any sexal relationship outside of heterosexual marriage is sinful. On the other side, some people claim that homosexuality is perfectly normal, that the Bible doesn't say it is wrong, and that it is not a problem or a sin.

As Joe Dallas of Exodus said in 1991, "The debate over homosexuality and the Bible - specifically, whether or not the Bible condemns homosexual acts in all cases - will do no less than rip the body of Christ apart in the next decade. It will force believers to declare, in black and white terms, where they stand on issues of sexuality and Biblical interpretation." [Desires in Conflict, P 268. Appendix - Answering pro-gay theology.]

More than twenty years later, that has certainly been - and continues to be - the case. Some churches have moved to accept homosexuality, including the ordination of practising homosexuals with partners, whilst others continue to maintain that it is inconsistent with the Christian life.

Salt Shakers believes that the Bible declares that sexual relationships should only occur wihin a marriage between a man and a woman. Thus any form of sexual relationship outside of marriage between a man and a woman is not acceptable. Some claim that Jesus never said anything against homosexuality. However, he did commend marriage as defined at creation, between one man and one woman, and He spoke against all 'sexual immorality' - and that includes homosexuality.

This section explores various areas of this issue. The tabs at left give information on many aspects of homosexuality - including the Christian response based on truth and compassion that offers freedom to all people.