Gay & Christian?
By: Rev. Charles Burnett-Morrow
11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given. 12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it. MATTHEW 19:11-12
I have spent many years carefully examining the complex issues of human sexuality, particularly the much debated matter of homosexuality. So much misrepresentation and misinterpretation relative to this matter has existed for so long. It is time for the church to rise up from the mire of ignorance and shine forth as the example of love and grace that it was meant to be from the beginning.
A eunuch, by Biblical definition, clearly articulated by the Lord Himself, is one who is UNABLE TO ENTER INTO A MARITAL/SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH A MEMBER OF THE OPPOSITE SEX. By the Lord's own testimony there are three ways that this may occur. 1) An individual may be born this way. 2) An individual may be made this way by the actions or conduct of others. 3) An individual may choose to be this way for the work of the Gospel. In either case, a Eunuch has never been one who is unable to engage in any sexual conduct or intimacy, but rather one who is unable to do so with a member of the opposite gender. Many eunuchs were known to be homosexual, as is the case of the eunuch who fell in love with and risked his life making special dietary arrangements for Daniel and his friends.
Daniel 1:8-14 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king. Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants. So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.
David shared a very special, intimate relationship with Saul’s son Jonathan. So intimate and special in fact, that David proclaimed as Jonathan lie dying, "I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women." II Samuel 1:26 Saul even acknowledged Jonathan's "perverse" love for David, and the fact that Jonathan's kingdom would never be established as long as he was engaged in a love affair with David which would yield no offspring or descendents. The King James Version uses the term "confusion" The issue here is not whether David and Jonathan engaged in any type of sexual affair, but rather the fact that Jonathan was so clearly romantically in love with David, that it hindered him from pursuing with all his mind, heart and energy heterosexual relationships. In Saul's mind at lest, Jonathan did not know which way to go or which relationship to pursue (hence the term "confusion").
I Samuel 20:30-31 KJV Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother's nakedness? For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die.
I Samuel 20:30-31 NIV Saul's anger flared up at Jonathan and he said to him, "You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Don't I know that you have sided with the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of the mother who bore you? As long as the son of Jesse lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established. Now send and bring him to me, for he must die!"
I Samuel 20:30-31 The Douay-Rheims Bible Then Saul being angry against Jonathan, said to him: Thou son of a woman that is the ravisher of a man, do I not know that thou lovest the son of Isai to thy own confusion, and to the confusion of thy shameless mother?
Homosexuality is not a sin. It is a natural state of existence for some human beings. Same-sex sexual coupling exists in virtually every species of animal and bird known to man, and specific examples of monogamous homosexual coupling of various animal species have been observed and documented by scientists and researchers for many, many years. The truth is simply this - God accepts all who come to Him in faith, obeying the Gospel mandate of Acts 2:38-39. The majority of Scriptural references used to condemn Gay-Lesbian people in blanket fashion are in reality making very specific reference to sexual activity linked to the phallic religious cults of ancient times. They do not speak of people who are naturally inclined toward a Gay-Lesbian orientation. In some cases, the sexual conduct being condemned is that of individuals who use their religious (as well as secular) positions to manipulate and take advantage of their parishioners or subordinates sexually. Roman catholic priests are almost daily being exposed in newspapers all over the country for doing that very thing which the Scriptures condemn, using their position as "religious" or "pious" men to take sexual advantage of young people, all the while telling these young people that they will be blessed for their cooperation. THIS is the very conduct the Old Testament clearly condemned and which God Himself identified as not being consistent with His priesthood or temple - NOT HOMOSEXUALITY.
In truth, human sexuality is the byproduct of the fall. Procreation was not necessary prior to Adam and Eve's disobedience in the garden of Eden. As "living souls" (Genesis 2:7) Adam and Eve enjoyed an existence devoid of pain, sickness, death, and disease. They were originally created to live forever. God's warning, "In the day that thou eatest of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt surely die;" (Genesis 2:17) was indeed realized as Adam shared in Eve's decision to disobey the Lord. At that moment, their nature was changed so that they too had flesh and blood, like the animals (which is why man is scientifically designated as animal). At that moment all the issues which we recognize as part and parcel to the human experience were born - death, pain, sickness, disease, sexuality, etc. Therefore, to set Gay-Lesbian folks aside as evil and unclean is ridiculous, as all human sexuality was caused by man's fall in the Garden of Eden. After the resurrection, we shall all once again be restored to that existence enjoyed by Adam and Eve prior to the fall, and like the angels we shall enjoy a genderless, sexless, marriage-less existence. In the meantime, in this life, it is not our humanity that offends the Lord, but our unbelief and failure to obey His Gospel, purchased with His own blood. (Acts 20:28)
MATTHEW 22:29-30 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.
John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
Matthew 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
Luke 6:37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
John 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
Matthew 18:21-35 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
Mark 16:14-18 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Matthew 7:1-6 Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
Acts 10:37-43 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
