Bible Question: Various translations of the Bible interchange the terms "homosexual" with "homosexual offender," "sodomite," and "pervert." Is this just semantics and the words are intended to be synonymous, or is there a real difference between the terms? Is homosexuality itself actually forbidden in the New Testament? |
Bible Answer: Greetings Dean! There are several words which can refer to homosexuality. This is why you see a range of translations, but basically the words are synonymous. Yes, Scripture is very clear about homosexuality. Consider the following verses from both the Old and New Testaments. 1) Lev. 18:22 - "Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable." 2) Lev. 20:13 - "If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads." 3) Romans 1:26-27 - "26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion." 4) 1 Cor. 6:9-10 - "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God." 5) 1 Tim. 1:9-10 - "We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 for adulterers and perverts (perverts is the word for Homosexual offenders), for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine" Homosexuality is not the unparondable sin. It is a sin like any other sin. However, Scripture is clear that it is sin. It is also clear that one can be practice a homosexual lifestyle (even a monogamous one) and be a Christian. Those who practice such a lifestyle are listed among those who will not inherit the Kingdom of God. I hope this helps! |