“The Bible categorizes homosexual sin differently than it does heterosexual sin.  While both are contrary to God’s law, only homosexuality is contrary to nature in such a way that it is inherently perverse and shameful. “

I am grateful to Sean Lucas for pointing out via facebook an excellent article by David Prince, answering the question, “Will I Be Fully Accepted at Your Church as a Gay Man?”  He answered by saying that a gay man would of course by welcome to join in their worship.  He would be welcomed into their church membership through a profession of faith in Christ that includes a desire to repent of sin.  He would of course need to understand that his church considers homosexuality a version of sex outside of marriage, and thus a sin to be forgiven and a temptation to be resisted.  Then Prince gave his most choice statement, a reply that points out the nature of church membership for any sinner.  Will a gay man be welcomed fully by his church?  He answered, “if you mean that you want a church where any behavior you participate in will be affirmed and accepted in the membership of the church then the answer would be ‘no.'”  Christian churches welcome gay men and women just as they do other kinds of men and women: through a profession of faith in Jesus as both Savior and Lord, including a willingness to repent of sin and live according to God’s Word.

While I very much want to praise this wise approach and helpful article, there was a statement made that I think deserves to be highlighted due to its significance and its increasing frequency.  At one point, Dr. Prince stated that a homosexual man is “really no different than a man who struggles with heterosexual sexually immoral desires.”  In responding to this provocative statement, there are some important ways in which it is true:

homosexual and heterosexual desires equally violate Scripture (i.e. the 7th Commandment)
homosexual and heterosexual desires equally need to be opposed, following Scriptural advice (flee, make a covenant with your eyes, etc.)
homosexual and heterosexual sins equally condemn us as sinners and place us under the need of Christ’s redeeming work; both are sins that are atoned for by the blood of Christ for those who believe.
homosexual and heterosexual sinners are equally valued and loved in the church as their pursuit of sanctification is embraced and assisted.

There are, however, some ways in which homosexual and heterosexual sin (including both the acts and the desires) are not the same.  In short, the Bible categorizes homosexual sin differently than it does heterosexual sin.  While both are contrary to God’s law, only homosexuality is contrary to nature in such a way that it is inherently perverse and shameful.

Consider, for instance, Leviticus chapter 18, which condemns a number of behaviors that are beyond the pale.  The chapter starts out with a variety of kinds of incest: sexual “uncovering” within close family relationships.  This leads to this series: sexual intimacy during a woman’s “menstrual uncleanness” (Lev. 18:19), lying sexually with a neighbor’s wife (Lev. 18:20), and offering your children to Molech (Lev. 18:21).  Next comes the prohibition against homosexuality (Lev. 18:22), followed by a prohibition against having sex with animals (Lev. 18:23).  In other words, homosexuality it is biblically categorized as an outrageous sin that is abominable.  Leviticus 18:22 says, “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.”

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