Hot Potatoes #6

Hot Potatoes #6: Are Some People Born Gay?

We don’t know the answer to the question, “Are some people born gay?” The clinical evidence is inconclusive as to whether people are born with that sexual orientation or if it is an inclination created by circumstance and/or experience. In reality, the answer doesn’t matter. It’s a bit like being a crippled person and trying to figure out if your inability to walk was caused by a birth defect or as a result of an injury caused by being dropped to the ground as a toddler. If YOU are the crippled person, who cares what the answer is? What you want is either a cure or some help coping with the fact that you’re crippled.

“God would never create someone with the inclination towards homosexuality!” That is lousy theology. Do you feel a natural inclination to eat more than you should? Do you ever feel physically attracted to anyone other than your spouse? Do you ever naturally lose your temper? Do you ever enjoy taking part in gossip? You get the idea. You didn’t have to learn these behaviors. Sin is our human nature. Yes, God created us. But sin corrupted us from birth so that we naturally act out in self-destructive ways…including our sexual desires and/or behavior.

Do you agree/disagree that the answer to “Are some people born gay?” doesn’t really matter?

Romans 1:18-27

18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

 24Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

 26For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.

What Paul was saying:

Paul says here that the root of sexual perversion is rebellion against God’s authority. It is about failing to recognize and submit to God. Why is that a big deal? It is a big deal because when we fail to submit to God’s authority, we don’t just take control of our own lives we move out from under God’s protection and into the very presence and control of evil (inside and outside of us) which is greater than our human will-power to resist.

In verse 27, Paul says that this behavior will result in receiving “due penalty” for their error. What do you think this means?

Romans 1:28-32

28And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

What issues/sins on this list surprise you most to see them listed right alongside sexual sins?

What is the final step in depravity that Paul describes in vs. 32? People not only participate in these sins, but they approve of others who do such….as if it were a good thing.

Why do Christians cry out so loudly against homosexuality, but say little about the other sins listed here?

Romans 2:1-4

1Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. 2We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. 3Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? 4Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

What is it that leads us towards repentance? How does a harsh judgment against homosexuals stand in contrast to vs. 4?