A person asked me, “What does the Bible say about homosexuality and LGBTQ+ issues?” Someone could also ask what the Bible says about coveting, greed, jealousy, gluttony, pride, adultery, addiction, marriage, or a host of other sins, but I think this was asked because homosexuality is so prevalent in our news and culture today. We did spend all last month in June focusing on homosexuality in TV, music, and parades in our cities, so it is a timely and excellent question. What does the Bible say?
There are specific passages that call homosexuality sin (and this includes both male-male and female-female relationships). In Genesis 19:7 it is wickedness, and the sin of Sodom (where we get our word for homosexual sex between two men, sodomy) and its twin city Gomorrah and God’s punishment are referred to often throughout the Bible. Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13 say, “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.” and the punishment for this act was death. Paul listed dishonorable passions in Romans 1:26, “For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and 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.” He warns the Corinthians in his first letter to them, “Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God,” and again in 1 Timothy 1, “The law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine.” The Bible is clear: homosexuality is a sin and not to be practiced.
But you also have to look at the overall picture of the Bible. In Genesis 1 and 2, God said it was not good for the man to be alone and He made him a woman as a helper. The man and woman, married as husband and wife, were to be fruitful and multiply and be united physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. Paul quotes this in Ephesians 5:32 and calls it, “a profound mystery, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.” Marriage between one man and one woman represents God and His people, and God often used the picture of marriage to describe His relationship with His people in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, Christ will return for His bride at the end of time to eat a “marriage supper.” This is the beauty of husband and wife “one-ness” and joining together physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally.
I also add that if you don’t like the Bible, put it aside and look to physics and mechanics for answers. “Follow the science.” Electricians, engineers, plumbers, carpenters, and people who use seatbelts all know that male and female parts and fittings work together. You wouldn’t use “male and male” or “female and female” because they don’t work. They are pointless, accomplishing nothing. We can celebrate and be thankful for how parts fit and work with a purpose in the natural world. It is how God designed the world to work.
There are many good resources in addition to the Bible that deal with homosexuality, and I can recommend them to you if you like. If this issue personally affects you, I am available to talk with you about it. Jesus welcomes and invites homosexuals to repent of their sin, to turn from their ways, and follow Him. There is grace, love, mercy, and forgiveness through Christ for all sinners and all sins.