Did Jesus Condemn Homosexuality? Gay Activists Argue, "If Jesus didn't - why should Christians?"

By Carl Gallups

Author of THE MAGIC MAN IN THE SKY: Effectively Defending The Christian Faith

Publisher: WND Books

The presence of homosexuality among cultures is as old as the book of Genesis. It seems, however, that when God brings judgment upon a culture concerning homosexuality, it is not so much the "presence" as it is the "acceptance" or the "celebration" of the lifestyle by that culture which God condemns.  This certainly seems to be the case for Sodom and Gomorrah as well as for the days of Noah just before the flood - more about that later.

In just the last several weeks, headlines have declared that both President Obama and Vice President Biden have openly sanctioned homosexual marriage. This is unprecedented in United States history. The U.S. military is now openly celebrating Gay Pride - again, unprecedented in United States history. The D.N.C. has announced that homosexual marriage will be a part of its platform for the 2012 election year. Again, this action is unprecedented in United States history. Several large city mayors openly declared that Chic-fil-A would not be “welcome” to do business in their cities because of their pro-Biblical stance on marriage, home, and family – unprecedented in U.S. history. Do you see the unfolding pattern?

The radical activist homosexual agenda is on the rise. And, not just in the culture of the United States but in the cultures of the world at large. Many theologians believe that this worldwide embracing and celebrating of the homosexual lifestyle is a certain biblical marker of the "last days" era. The celebration of homosexuality apparently reaches its apex when a culture legalizes or legitimizes same-sex marriage. Many believe that this act is a direct defiance of God’s declaration for a legitimate marriage relationship.

As documented on the Gay Christian Movement Watch website (http://www.gcmwatch.com/4361/jesus-the-days-of-noah-and-same-sex-marriage)

"In the twenty first century there has been a phenomenal increase of same-sex marriages.  It been legalized in Massachusetts, Iowa, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and DC despite failed attempts to vote it down.  Same-Sex marriage has also been established in the Netherlands (2001), Belgium (2003), Spain (2005), Canada (2005), South Africa (2006), Norway (2009),  and Sweden (2009).  And the battle to legalize same-sex marriage rages on both in the United States and indeed worldwide."

The website documents further global legalization of same-sex marriage, "Nepal has mandated same-sex marriage. The Parliament of Portugal passed legislation to legalize same-sex marriage and the bill is to be ratified by Conservative President Anibal Cavaco. The Mayor of Mexico City, Marcelo Ebrand, signed a bill legalizing same-sex marriage in Mexico City. On December 28, 2009 the first same-sex marriage was performed in Latin America’s Argentina."

So, it seems that it cannot be disputed that same-sex marriage and the open celebration of homosexuality is quickly becoming a part of the global cultural agenda. And, corresponding to the rise of the activist homosexual agenda is a teaching that is permeating the Christian world that "since Jesus never mentions homosexuality nor does He specifically condemn it, then homosexuality must be legitimate in Jesus' eyes."

Let me address these issues from the Biblical worldview. As a matter of fact, I include an entire chapter in my new book, THE MAGIC MAN IN THE SKY: Effectively Defending The Christian Faith, on the importance and relevance of various worldviews upon cultures and civilizations. This is a foundationally important issue. For if there is no God or accountability to God, our Creator - as the secular worldview would have us to believe, then homosexual marriage is a completely legitimate issue. Pedophilia and bestiality would not be out of the question either, should the prevailing secular worldview society "deem" the lifestyles to be acceptable and the "new norm." The Biblical worldview, however, is grounded in the unchanging tenets of the Word of God. This is where the loudest cultural clash occurs...when two worlds collide.                                              

So, did Jesus condemn, speak of, or even mention homosexuality? Of course the one who espouses this false teaching usually begins by saying that they discount both the Old Testament and the writings of Paul and adhere only to the four Gospels. In so doing they think they have found a convenient way to justify the homosexual lifestyle. First of all, the gyrations that one must use to reach this illogical conclusion are astounding and ought to be the first dead giveaway of the falsehood of the proposition. But, secondly, let's simply examine the question on its face - Did Jesus ever say anything in the four Gospels that would condemn the homosexual lifestyle or homosexual marriage?

As it turns out, yes - He did. As a matter of fact, He spoke very clearly and directly about the issue. Let me begin with Matthew 19:4. Here Jesus is answering a question from the Pharisees regarding divorce. However, his answer is very telling concerning the entire issue of sexuality, the purpose of sexuality, marriage, and the proper form of marriage. Here are the words of Jesus.

And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ “and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh?’” (Matthew 19:4)

Here Jesus upholds creation, male and female sexual relationships (in marriage), male and female marriage, procreation as a part of male and female marriage, and the sanctity of male and female marriage and sexual relationships. His answer is a blanket ignoring (thus condemnation as perversion) of anything outside God's standard for sexuality and marriage. This truth cannot be legitimately explained away.

But, Jesus gets even more direct concerning the issue of homosexuality. In John 5:46-47, Jesus tells his detractors that unless one holds to the writings of Moses (the first five books of the Bible) that one cannot fully know or understand truth or Jesus Himself. “For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?” (John 5:46-47) Of course, in the first five books of the Bible we read of the days of Noah and Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis) and the blanket condemnation of homosexuality as perversion (Leviticus). Oh well, so much for throwing out the Old Testament to legitimize homosexuality. But wait - Jesus gets even more direct with the matter.

Jesus also spoke of the destruction of the Sodomite (openly celebrating homosexuality) cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. (Luke 17:28-32; Matthew 10:15; 11:24; Mark 6:11). The presenting sin - that brought about the destruction of those cultures was homosexuality. Consider these words found in the book of Jude.

Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.  (Jude 1:7-8)

Three of the four gospels contain quotes from Jesus about the sinful condition of Sodom and Gomorrah and the destruction that the celebration of the presenting sin of homosexuality wrought upon them. One of those quotes equates the sins of Sodom (homosexuality) to the same type of pervasive perversion of Noah’s day. (Luke 17:26-30) So, as it turns out...YES, Jesus did speak rather forthrightly, and often, about the sin of homosexuality and the judgment that it brings upon societies that celebrate it.

But, most important to the issue is the matter of the person of Jesus. Who is He? Well, He claimed to be God with us. The Scriptures claim that He is God with us. (Matthew 1:24) Even his enemies knew that Jesus was making this claim. (John 10:33) So, if Jesus is "God with us," then we have to ask, "Does God condemn homosexuality?"  The answer is obvious. From Genesis to Revelation, God's Word, homosexuality is condemned as perversion and a certain sign that God's judgment is on the way to the culture that openly celebrates it as "normal."

Now for the good news. Once we understand the correct and contextual Biblical position in this matter, we also discover that homosexuality is not the unforgivable sin. There is hope, healing, forgiveness, and salvation for anyone caught in the grips of any sinful lifestyle. Jesus extends his love and forgiveness to anyone, the Bible says, if one would repent (turn from) their sin and call upon Jesus Christ as Lord. Just like the woman caught in the act of adultery, you can hear Jesus say, “Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more.”

In The Magic Man in the Sky, Carl Gallups has given us an exciting insight into the many unanswered questions of evolution theory and, based on biblical truths – both prophecies and promises, the possibilities of other worlds and realities denied by evolutionists. With his open and frank approach, supported by extensive research and information from learned professionals in their respective fields, Carl challenges believers and unbelievers to take a serious look at the subjects discussed in this book. Ultimately, Carl invites every reader to seriously consider the gravity and consequences of accepting or rejecting the truth presented. In this hour of all-but-universal darkness, a bright ray of hope and confidence shines forth from the truths of this book. In a time when lives are marked by a growing hunger for spiritual realities, Carl Gallups reveals the truth that real science and Holy Scripture are inseparably linked to verify that behind all creation there is an intelligent designer who created all that exists.