Quote:
Originally Posted by Chan
Actually, Brother Blume, the context of Romans 1:18-32 suggests that the entire list of sins from 1:26 to 1:32 stems from humanity's first forays into idolatry those many thousands of years ago. The only proper reading of Romans 1:18-32 is to read it as a progression starting with humanity's rejection of God and worshiping the Creation instead of the Creator and continuing on through various sexual sins (such as homosexuality) and the various other sins on that list. Throughout scripture there appears to be a direct connection between idolatry and sexual sin (not just homosexuality). This, of course, doesn't make homosexuality "innocent" (particularly since there is no such thing as "innocent" after that first sin in the Garden of Eden) but it does seem to suggest to us how these particular sins came to exist. It also doesn't mean that one need be an idolater to engage in any of the sins on that list in Romans 1:26-32. I agree that Paul wasn't just talking about idolaters who just happen to also have been engaging in homosexual sin or who had been engaging in homosexual sin in connection with pagan worship practices, he was talking about homosexuals in general, just as in 1:28-32 he was talking about other kinds of sinners irrespective of whether or not they were engaged in idolatry. |
I agree. Good points.
The point I was making was that in order for God to give someone over to homosexuality, homosexuality must be considered abominable. Not all homosexuals were idolators turned over to homosexuality as a result. But the fact remains that God does not give one over to something that is innocent. And it also remains that homosexuality is considered defilement of people's bodies with one another with or without idolatry involved.