Sexuality, love, equality

Sexuality, love and equality - is all sexual behavior right?

Sexuality is a topic that speaks to people. It has always appealed to them, and recently gender-neutral marriage has been especially prominent. It refers to same-sex marriage, which has been justified, among other things, by love and equality. Attempts have been made to explain that a person who is critical of this issue is narrow-minded or conservative. The media often likes to steer the conversation in this direction, and reporters seem to obsessively advocate it.

How should this matter be approached from a spiritual and biblical teaching point of view? Most people dismiss the Christian view as outdated, but they may be mistaken. Perhaps the teachings of Jesus and the apostles are true and relevant today. That's why it's worth familiarizing yourself with them. And maybe it is the case that today's modern and tolerant people are wrong in their views. This option is worth considering. We are going to explore this topic in the light of several points that are rarely brought up.

Are all actions right? Human actions can be classified into two categories. These options related to morality are:

• Everything that people do is right

• There are actions that are clearly wrong

Which of the previous options is true? Those who do not believe in the teachings of the Bible such as the Ten Commandments and Jesus' Sermon on the Mount may initially lean towards the first option. However, when asked if they accept torture, child sexual abuse, or being stolen from themselves, they usually say no. It shows that they practically believe in the existence of universal and objective values. They may not have thought about it more deeply, but they consider some actions to be clearly wrong. William Lane Craig has made his own observation on the subject while talking to people. He also reveals how people have faith in objective moral values:

This leads us to the second premise, according to which objective values and obligations exist. I originally thought this would be the most controversial premise of the argument. However, in my debates with atheist philosophers, I have stated that almost no one disputes it. Research in universities shows, perhaps contrary to expectations, that professors are more inclined to believe in objective moral values than students, and that philosophy professors are more inclined to believe in objective moral values than professors on average!

…I have found that even though people claim to be relativists, 95 percent of them can be convinced very quickly that objective moral values do exist. For that, you only need to present a few examples and let them choose their stance on their own. Ask, what do they think of the Hindu sati practice, where a widow is burned alive in her husband’s funeral pyre, or the ancient Chinese custom of permanently crippling women by binding their feet tightly in childhood to resemble lotus flowers. The matter is especially clearly understood when moral atrocities committed in the name of religion are used as an example. Ask them what they think about the Crusades and the Inquisition. Ask them if they think it's okay that Catholic priests sexually abuse young boys and that the church tries to cover up their actions. If you are dealing with a sincere seeker, I can guarantee that they will almost always end up agreeing with you that there are objective moral values and obligations. (1)

How is the previous matter related to the topic under discussion? In short, the question is in which category homosexual behavior and gender-neutral marriage are classified. Do they belong to the category of true or false things? That's why there are different opinions in modern times. The question is not that people do not have moral values, but how they classify these things. Some consider homosexual behavior right, others wrong, and it creates contradictions. James W. Sire has explained the matter, and how, according to Christian theism, specifically God's holy and loving nature is the standard of morality:

However, even in our relativity we cannot escape the feeling that some things are just ”right” or ”natural” and some are not. For years, the majority of society considered homosexuality immoral. Today, many people dispute this. But they do not deny it on the grounds that there are no moral categories, but because this area of homosexuality should have belonged on the other side of the line that separates the chaste from the immoral. Homosexuals do not usually accept incest! Accordingly, people having different moral values do not change the fact that we constantly make moral judgments and live by them or against them. Everyone lives in a moral universe and in the end everyone thinking about this in the slightest knows this and would not want to change it.

Theism teaches, however, that we do not only live in a moral world, but that there is an absolute yardstick, according to which all moral values are being measured. God Himself and His good (sacred and loving) nature is that yardstick. Additionally, Christians and Jews claim that God has given His yardstick in the laws and principles written in the Bible. Inter alia, Ten Commandments, Sermon on the Mount and Paul the Apostle’s ethical teaching are God’s ways of revealing us His nature. Therefore, there is a yardstick for right and wrong and if someone wants to, they can get to know it. (2)

Is all sexuality right? It was stated above how people generally accept that certain actions belong to the category of wrong actions. As such things, they can consider thefts and murders, which the courts also define as wrong and punishable. Universally, these things are seen as wrong. These people may not believe that morality comes from God, but in practice they generally agree with the basic tenets of the Ten Commandments (You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor …). It means that there is a lot of common ground in the area of morality and coexistence in ethical issues is natural. There are only a few exceptions.

The exception is precisely a few topics in this area, i.e. the question of whether all sexual behavior is right? This is where opinions are divided. Some don't believe that any sexual behavior is wrong, while others think the opposite, and that creates conflict. Many controversies today arise from these differences of opinion.

If we look at the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, they also teach about sexuality. Many today do not heed these teachings, but that is where they may be making a mistake. Because if they are God's will for us, and man is an eternal being, it has an effect on our eternal destiny. The following verses show that not only homosexual behavior but also adultery, sex with harlots, and premarital sex fall into the category of wrongdoing. We are fools if we do not heed these teachings:

Adultery

- (Mark 7:21-23) For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:

23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

- (Matt 12:39) But he answered and said to them, An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:

- (Rom 7:1-3) Know you not, brothers, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law has dominion over a man as long as he lives?

2 For the woman which has an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he lives; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.

3 So then if, while her husband lives, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.

- (Hebr 13:4) Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

- (Mal 2:14-16) Yet you say, Why? Because the LORD has been witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously: yet is she your companion, and the wife of your covenant.

15 And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And why one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.

16 For the LORD, the God of Israel, said that he hates putting away: for one covers violence with his garment, said the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that you deal not treacherously.

Premarital sex

- (1 Cor 7:1-5) Now concerning the things whereof you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.

2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.

3 Let the husband render to the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife to the husband.

4 The wife has not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband has not power of his own body, but the wife.

5 Defraud you not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.

cohabitation

- (Hebr 13:4) Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

Sex with harlots

- (1 Cor 6:15,16, 18-20) Know you not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.

16 What? know you not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, said he, shall be one flesh.

18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man does is without the body; but he that commits fornication sins against his own body.

19 What? know you not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own?

20 For you are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

Pornography

- (Matt 5:27,28) You have heard that it was said by them of old time, You shall not commit adultery:

28 But I say to you, That whoever looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.

- (Mark 4:18,19) And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,

19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

- (Rom 6:12) Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in the lusts thereof.

Homosexuality

- (1 Cor 6:9,10) Know you not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortionists, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

- (Lev 18:22) You shall not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.

- (Rom 1:26,27) For this cause God gave them up to vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.

- (1 Tim 1:9,10) Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for murderers,

10 For fornicators, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for enslavers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;

- (Jude 7) Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, 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.

Love and truth. Love is often talked about in connection with gender-neutral marriage and sexual relationships. It is said that there is nothing wrong with it if people love each other. It is said that love justifies everything.

But as stated, the actual dispute is not about love but only about sexuality and what is right about it. Love can be realized anytime and anywhere. It can be between men, women, young people and anyone. Friendships and love can exist between these people without sexuality. There can also be kisses between them, as has been the custom for centuries in some cultures, especially in eastern countries. Kisses are even mentioned in the New Testament. (Greet you one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen, 1 Peter 5:14:) So when e.g. Image -magazine (June 2013) here in Finland advertised gender-neutral marriage with same-sex kisses, it is centuries late.

So what about showing love to homosexuals and others? Those who defend gender-neutral marriage often appeal to this very argument, presenting themselves as loving and progressive.

In this matter, however, the truth is important. If the previous verses of the Bible are true and man is an eternal being, then true love is to warn those closest to you about wrong choices and where they lead. It is as if he is warning his neighbor about weak ice: “Don't go on weak ice; it could be bad for you.” The matter is not about judging or that someone is better than others, but about whether the previous teachings of the New Testament are accepted. Are they true or false? If they are true, neglecting them can be a fatal mistake. Then it is also unloving not to talk about the consequences of wrong choices.

- (Gal 5:7,8) You did run well; who did hinder you that you should not obey the truth?

8 This persuasion comes not of him that calls you.

- (1 Tim 2:3,4) For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior;

4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

It is still worth paying attention to the love of Jesus and the apostles - because through them and on the basis of their teachings, most texts of the New Testament were born. Were they more unloving than many people today when they talked about the sinfulness of certain things and what man's impenitence leads to?

They certainly weren't. While many people today consider themselves to be loving and tolerant, it is pretty certain that none of them win the apostles in love, let alone Jesus. Here we are not dealing with the life of Jesus, which is different from all others, and which involved a greater love than anyone else's life. Instead, we will highlight a few verses describing Paul's life. They show how he felt a strong love for people, even though he was hateful and cruel before his conversion. How many people today, who consider themselves loving, can honestly say that they have the same loving attitude?

- (2 Cor 12:14-15) Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.

- (2 Cor 2:3-4) And I wrote this same to you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.

4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears; not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have more abundantly to you.

- (Rom 9:1-3) I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,

2 That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.

3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh

- (2 Tim 3:10-11) But you have fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, long-suffering, charity, patience,

11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

- (Phil 3:17) Brothers, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as you have us for an ensample.

Equality. The driving force for gender-neutral marriage these days is equality. People say that legalizing it would make homosexuals equal in the eyes of law.

What if we think about this thing from a spiritual point of view? God's equality is different from people's. It differs from how many people think. It includes two things:

1. God has loved everyone. God's equality is realized in the fact that He has loved every person in the world, without a single exception. It applies to adulterers, homosexuals, those living in other sins, and all who are separated from him and are His enemies. He wants to save each of them. His love has manifested itself especially in the way Jesus bore our sins so that we could inherit the kingdom of God.

- (John 3:16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

- (Rom 5:8,10) But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

2. All must repent. Secondly, God’s equality is realized in that everyone must repent. That means adopting an attitude in which one is ready to abandon all things classified as wrong. For example, adulterers and homosexuals are no different, since they must also abandon their wrongful acts. Likewise, all other people must let go of wrong things in their life. No one can appeal to what anyone else has done. This applies to all. It is equality of God to all people – equality that not all people want to accept. We will not inherit the kingdom of God if we purposefully do things that are wrong:

- (1 Cor 6:9,10) Know you not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortionists, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

- (Luke 13:2,3) And Jesus answering said to them, Suppose you that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?

3 I tell you, No: but, except you repent, you shall all likewise perish.

- (Acts 17:30) And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commands all men every where to repent:

Respect. These days society talks about hate-speech. It can be found, e.g., on Internet forums where people insult each other and swear. This is also the case in terms of discussions around sexuality. There is reluctancy to respect and value people who think differently. People rarely express friendliness when talking to others. People also fail to consider that according to the New Testament we all must account for every vain word and everything else we have said. That is why it is not irrelevant what we say on Internet forums and in our daily lives. Our words carry a significance. It is wrong to not respect and value other people in our attitude and speech:

- (1 Peter 2:17) Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

- (Rom 3:13,14) Their throat is an open sepulcher; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:

14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:

- (Matt 5:21,22) You have heard that it was said of them of old time, You shall not kill; and whoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:

22 But I say to you, That whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whoever shall say, You fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

- (James 3:14-17) But if you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

15 This wisdom descends not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

- (Eph 4:31,32) Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

32 And be you kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you.

- (Matt 12:36) But I say to you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

REFERENCES:

1. William Lane Craig: Valveilla (On Guard), p. 148,149

2. James W. Sire: Missä maailmassa? Maailmankatsomusten perusteet puntarissa (The Universe Next Door. A Basic World View Catalog), p. 36,37