Quote:
Originally Posted by Antipas
Some have argued that Jesus took no issue with homosexuals. They claim that this is highlighted by Christ having healed the servant of a centurion in Matthew 8:5-13 and Luke 7:2-10. Those who have studied ancient Roman society claim that centurions were not allowed to marry or have children because they were entirely the property of the Roman state. For these reasons it wasn't uncommon for centurions to visit prostitutes or have male "servants" that they cohabitated with. These male servants often served as armor bearers but also served as their "companions". Also ancient Greek writers use the same Greek word translated as "servant", "pais", to refer to younger male partners in this kind of a relationship that was common among the Greeks and the Romans. Some claim that the centurion's "servant" in Matthew 8 and Luke 7 was one of these servants and this is why the centurion felt too ashamed to allow Jesus to even come under his roof ( Matthew 8:8; Luke 7:6). Those who feel that this is the case illustrate how Christ showed compassion and offered to even heal this servant without a stark condemnation of their condition.
In another passage Jesus appears to put Sodom in a more favorable light over those Israelites who were committed to their traditions and the Pharisees with their religiosity and strict moralism. ( Matthew 10:15; Matthew 11:23-24; Mark 6:11; Luke 10:12)
I believe we do well to exercise patience, love, and compassion on this issue. Praying that God do whatever must be done to save the sinner. If Christ cannot save a homosexual who struggles with his (or her) sinful condition, there's little hope for any of us who struggle with our own sinful inclinations. |
Yes, we should be patient, compassionate and loving. However.......
Some have also argued that child molestation is not wrong. Some have also argued that alcoholism is not wrong. Some have also argued that stealing is not wrong. Some have also argued that because Jesus was not married, that He may have been homosexual. The argument that "some have argued/stated etc. is "pithy" at best and has absolutely no grounds whatsoever......unless one is trying to justify the behavior.
I think that you are straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel here. Homosexuals are sinners just like anyone else with an inordinate attraction to something. The problem is that a reasonable person cannot look at scripture and say that same sex, sex, is permitted/condoned/justified in ANY way.
It is a perversion of the created purpose of God for mankind. Is it the WORST perversion? Well, I don't know if it is the worst. For me, I think the worst is child abuse and probably sexual child abuse whether it be heterosexual or homosexual child abuse.
I love homosexuals just like I love alcoholics and drug addicts etc. However, Jesus calls on them to repent just like the woman caught in adultery. He NEVER condoned sin or the violation of a moral law. Ceremonial law violations, he did allow like healing on the Sabbath, "reaping" grains of wheat , and the saving of an animal that had fallen into a pit.
The problem is that the homosexual agenda is NOT simply desiring for Christians to be tolerant of their struggle and same sex attraction. The homosexual agenda is clamoring for NORMALIZATION of their chosen lifestyle. Hence the "phenomena" of homosexual "churches" full of practicing homosexuals, not delivered homosexuals. God calls on men everywhere to repent, not continue on in the lusts of their flesh.
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