The Care and Feeding of the New Heart: Homosexuality
Beloved race-running Saints (Philippians 2:16), the planned menu for this series has been modified to take into account the issue of the historic oral argument on a challenge to state laws that limit marriage to heterosexual couples by the Supreme Court.
The True Truth about the practice of homosexuality and heterosexuality has been so incrementally bastardized, twisted, confused, or utterly lost to the rampantly secularized (no more shame), rampantly pluralized (relativism=no truth exists except an individual’s right to define truth), and rampantly privatized (what we do in our private life has no bearing on our pubic life) culture, that even the most devout are now willing to compromise their values about what the Bible clearly says is sinful yet forgivable and correctable behavior.
Of the many resources one might go to offer not a comprehensive yet a very concise, understandable, and Biblical reminder of what the practice of homosexuality involves, I decided to use statements by the Presbyterian Church in America.
Please remember and understand, my intention before God, before my own conscience, and motivated by the love of neighbor, The Care and Feeding of the New Heart is first and foremost about reminding born-again believers in Jesus Christ what the True Truth and Love of the God of the Bible consists of.
For, devoid of a regular reminder and practice our Triune God’s True Truth and Love, the new heart’s care and feeding will be neglected, famished, chasing after lesser gods, and God’s people will be at least lukewarm, if not led and used by a bankrupt culture to advance ungodly and worldly ways—either by the sin of omission (opting to not get involved in any way) or commission (actively promoting individual or corporate-cultural sinful behavior).
The unconverted heart is naturally against what God’s has clearly proclaimed as His True Truth and Love.
Presbyterian Church in America Statements on Homosexuality
By PCA General Assembly: The PCA is committed to the sanctity of human sexual relationships.
“PCANews - Editor’s note: In light of recent decisions by other denominations to approve openly homosexual individuals for ministry, to sanction the blessing of same-sex unions, and because of the public debate on legalizing same-sex marriages, it is appropriate to publish the position of the Presbyterian Church in America on these issues. Here is a brief overview of actions of past General Assemblies and summaries of these actions:
In 1977 the following was adopted: That the Fifth General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America affirms the biblical position for our denomination which states that:
- The act of homosexuality is a sin according to God’s Word;
- Churches should actively seek to lead the homosexual person to confession and repentance that he might find justification and sanctification in Jesus Christ, according to I Corinthians 6:11; and
- In light of the biblical view of its sinfulness, a practicing homosexual continuing in this sin would not be a fit candidate for ordination or membership in the Presbyterian Church in America.
The 21st General Assembly (1993) adopted a Declaration of Conscience that was sent to the President of the United States of America (with copies to the leadership of the United States House of Representatives and Senate and to the governors of the several states and any other interested parties), and read in part:
‘Mr. President, in this Declaration the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America humbly declares its conscience concerning the moral legitimacy of homosexuality. God has spoken without equivocation through his Word declaring homosexuality to be a perversion of his created order, his moral law, and the foundations of society…
Please note: in condemning homosexual practice we claim no self-righteousness. The Bible we cite also teaches that all particular sins flow from one rebellious disposition of heart….The Apostle reminds the Corinthian believers, “And such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God.”‘
In an action titled: “In Opposition to Disney’s Promotion of Homosexual Lifestyle,” the 1996 General Assembly said, “We abhor what Disney and other corporations do to promote the homosexual lifestyle.” In 1997 the PCA General Assembly took the following action with regard to the boycott of Disney:
In response to the boycott of Disney enterprises by Christian groups including the Southern Baptist Convention, the Presbyterian Church in America reiterated its position on homosexual issues adopted in 1996:
‘We affirm the Bible’s teaching that promotion of homosexual conduct and relationships by any society, including action by the governments to sanction and legitimize homosexual relationships by the legalization of homosexual marriages, is an abominable sin calling for God’s judgment upon any such society (Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Romans 1:18-32; 1 Corinthians 7:2; 1 Timothy 1:10-11).’
We also affirm our belief in the transforming power of God’s grace and our commitment to “speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15) to those in the homosexual community.
The 1999 General Assembly declared that homosexual activity is sin and not an acceptable alternative lifestyle. Moreover, PCA churches were warned about the aggressive homosexual agenda.
The following is found in a PCA publication “Twenty Questions and Answers about the Presbyterian Church in America:”
Position on Homosexuality?
It is sin. But just as with any other sin, the PCA deals with these people in a pastoral way, seeking to transform their lifestyle through the power of the gospel as applied by the Holy Spirit.
The Westminster Larger Catechism states the following:
Question 139: What are the sins forbidden in the seventh commandment?
Answer: The sins forbidden in the seventh commandment, besides the neglect of the duties required, are adultery, fornication, rape, incest, sodomy, and all unnatural lusts; all unclean imaginations, thoughts, purposes, and affections, all corrupt or filthy communications, or listening thereunto; wanton looks, impudent or light behavior, immodest apparel; prohibiting of lawful, and dispensing with unlawful marriages; allowing, tolerating, keeping of stews (old English word meaning houses of prostitution), and resorting to them; entangling vows of single life, undue delay of marriage, having more wives or husbands than one at the same time; unjust divorce, or desertion; idleness, gluttony, drunkenness, unchaste company; lascivious songs, books, pictures, dancing, stage plays; and all other provocations to, or acts of uncleanness, either in ourselves or others.
In 1980, the Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Synod (RPCES), which joined the PCA in 1982, adopted a “Report of the Study Committee on Homosexuality.”
Here are summaries of the various statements taken by past General Assemblies of the PCA that are sent to the media when requesting the PCA position on homosexuality:
‘Homosexual practice is sin. The Bible teaches that all particular sins flow from our rebellious disposition of heart. Just as with any other sin, the PCA deals with people in a pastoral way, seeking to transform their lifestyle through the power of the gospel as applied by the Holy Spirit. Hence, in condemning homosexual practice we claim no self-righteousness, but recognize that any and all sin is equally heinous in the sight of a holy God.
The PCA is committed to the sanctity of human sexual relationships. We believe God’s intent and design in creation was that male and female would be complementary, that the privilege of sexual expression would be between a male and female only, and this expression would be only in the context of marriage.
Therefore, any heterosexual or homosexual behavior or relationship that does not conform to God’s design does violence to the human spirit and distorts God’s intent for men and women.’”
Beloved Sons and Daughters of God running the good race, may God richly bless your heart’s desire to be set free by His True Truth and Love while committing to the radically loving and truthful treatment of all fallen Image Bearers of God.
Offered fallibly, in love and profound respect for God and His Image Bearers of all humanity,
JohnDoz
Resources:
STRATEGIES OF THE HOMOSEXUAL MOVEMENT: “The Overhauling of Straight America”
Help for Homosexuals
Well said John.
Thank you for the encouragement, Lynn. Speaking from deep within my heart-as Paul did so much better-“I care little what you say, I care even less of what I say, all I care about is what God has said” (1 Corinthians 4:3-4). Lifting up our gracious Lord and Savior as the solution for all sin is the most loving thing GOD could do… And all I can do is try and follow His lead!
I know you take that Scripture as it is intended: Not to dismiss or disrespect YOU, but honor God above ALL, Lynn.
Amen and I agree with Lynn, well said.
I think that the socio-political turning point for followers of Christ is to address the issue of discrimination and unjust practices that are often experienced by people in homosexual relationships. This is how we can show a very practical side of Christ’s love for them without having to redefine the term “marriage”. If people are feeling abused, ridiculed, put down, etc. I do think it is our role as followers of Christ to protect them.
Also, as far as the Gay Agenda, I think we have to be very careful with our wording on this issue (as you so aptly did but the PGA declaration did not). Just by using the word “homosexual” when in reference to a person or the words “homosexual people” I think we have admitted defeat as far as condoning the action and have allowed for the usurping of a word meant to describe (adjective) an action to now become a noun. Thus we are not condemning an action, but rather a person and that is a hard thing to defend and pushes followers of Christ into a defensive corner rather than pointing to what God says as you mention in I Cor. 4:3-4. May we be able to point boldly to His word during this time and love fearlessly.
John-
I agree. Well said. I stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you.
Great to hear from you, Brother Bob! Obviously taking a stand of this kind is highly unpopular-but when criticism comes from the church it’s all the harder: Leadership in my own church has said, “It’s not our place to judge or condemn. There are many homosexuals who love Jesus.” This form of bifurcated, compartmentalized, Scripture-debunking thinking not only reflects how far down the rabbit hole the entire culture has gone, but results in the worst of sins that the church can be involved in: Saying we love someone while encouraging them to sin, be separated from God, and live with the many consequences of doing so (Ezk 3:18). Was it not Jesus Who said, “Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more.”
I do not relish applying the stinging salt of helping heal my own or another’s sin, but to stand by and condone sin or be silent for selfish reasons is far, far worse.
Love you, Bob.
Brother Tomas,
Admittedly, what I find so interesting about your first comment, “I think that the socio-political turning point for followers of Christ is to address the issue of discrimination and unjust practices that are often experienced by people in homosexual relationships. This is how we can show a very practical side of Christ’s love for them without having to redefine the term “marriage”. If people are feeling abused, ridiculed, put down, etc. I do think it is our role as followers of Christ to protect them”…
…is that this approach to the issue appears to legitimatize the homosexual lifestyle.
I personally (Biblically) believe this to be not only counter to God’s desire for human beings to reflect His Image, His created order, and the personhood He imbued us with, but falls into the trap set by the advocates of normalizing the homosexual lifestyle: To direct all the efforts at surface, policy issues, “rights” — while quietly embedding deeper and deeper in the culture the legitimacy of the homosexual lifestyle.
Comparable to people who say they are loving our children and protecting them from the consequences of sexual promiscuity by handing out condoms and not taking a TRULY LOVING stand that our sexuality is reserved by God for the sacrament of marriage, co-sanctification, and conformation. “Well hell, John, the little rabbits can’t help themselves. They’re gonna have sex anyway!” My point: We’ve so demeaned God’s definition of the personhood of humankind being sacred, made in His image, and created to live in specific ways… that there are no barriers left to dissuade poor behavior except for the political, financial costs to society. This is as far from love as hate is far from love.
Another crucial example: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/voice-church/
I do not, do not… condemn sinful behavior for any reason except for the love of others to live according to how God so much desires people to live. Living apart from God is hell on earth-and eternity if we so choose.
________________________________________
In so far as your second comment, Tomas, I agree on the fine points of using our words very carefully. (The command to “love the sinner and hate the sin” is meaningless in light of the fact that we can no longer call so many destructive behaviors sin…)
I wish the proponent of the homosexual lifestyle was as sensitive as they seek more every day to cast the practicing homosexual as having a “genetic predisposition”, “unable to help themselves”, “born gay”, “having inherent rights as people of color, etc”…
The “Gay Agenda journey” (begun in the ’60’s) to proactively move from “destigmatizating to celebrating” (with numerous strategic steps in between) is one a very large percentage of the culture is condoning. I believe that the church’s message should never change while seeking to speak the truth in love, “We are more sinful than we could every dare imagine, and yet more loved by God in Christ than we could ever hope for.” “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8)
Granted, in a culture where truth is relative and love is lust, “speaking the truth in love” (Eph 4:15) is a great deal more challenging!
Bless you, Brother Tomas.