The Bible specifically mentions homosexuality, and it also gives a very clear answer concerning the ordination of such people. This is not politically correct by liberal standards, but I am teaching the truth of God's word. The Bible means what is says and says what it means. Here goes!
Let's start way back at the beginning with Adam and Eve. God created a man and a woman with a unique purpose. He told them, among other things, to be fruitful and multiply. (Genesis 1:27-28) Next, as we move to chapter 2, we see in verses 18-25 several key elements: God created a helper suitable for man in the form of a woman, a man shall cleave to his wife and become one flesh, and they were both naked but not ashamed. So we see here that God ordained sexual intimacy between a man and a woman.
Jumping to the New Testament, there are several key passages. The first, in Romans 1:25-27, shows a progression in thinking, leading to homosexuality and lesbianism. In summary, the passage says "they exchanged the truth of God for a lie" and "for this reason God gave them over to degrading passions." The following verses mention that men did unnatural and passionate acts with other men, and the same is said about women.
Moving on to I Corinthians 6:9, homosexuality is listed among many other things that disqualify a person from entering the Kingdom of God. Then in I Timothy 1:10 it is among a list of things "contrary to sound teaching."
This is already very convincing to me, but we will progress further to more biblical evidence. In Titus 1:5-9 there is a discussion about elders and overseers. Without question, any person with a key leadership position would fall into this category. Verse six makes it very clear that a person in this position must be "the husband of one wife." (Not another man.) He must be "above reproach", emphasized twice in this passage. Above reproach means not doing anything or practicing a life style that people can find fault with. Then, in contrast to I Timothy 1:10 mentioned earlier, an overseer must be able "to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict."
No, homosexuals, according to Scripture, are not qualified to serve in church leadership positions. The Bible has spoken so clearly that a conservative versus liberal debate is totally out of the picture. The people who say it is acceptable, referring back again to Romans 1:25, willfully have "exchanged the truth of God for a lie."
Last, but of even greater importance, is that God is a holy God. He has standards of holiness and morality, and part of being a Christian is upholding those standards without compromise. But like anyone else, if they repent and change their ways, God's grace and mercy is freely and unconditionally offered to them.
Read more articles by John Clark or search for articles on the same topic or others.
