Few subjects today require Christians to speak with greater conviction, compassion, and care than homosexuality. Many of us have friends, family members, coworkers, or neighbors who identify as gay or lesbian, and we want to love them well. At the same time, Christians are increasingly challenged to reconsider what the Bible teaches about sexuality, marriage, and same-sex relationships.

So what does the Bible actually say? Is homosexual activity sinful? Did Jesus ever address the subject? Do the biblical prohibitions apply to loving, committed same-sex relationships today? Is it hateful or judgmental for Christians to hold to the Bible’s teaching? And how can we remain faithful to Scripture while treating those who disagree with us with genuine love, dignity, and respect?

The Bible teaches that every human being is created in the image of God and is worthy of love and respect. It also teaches that God has given us a design for human sexuality and calls all of us—regardless of the particular temptations we experience—to repentance, holiness, and sexual purity. None of us comes to God on the basis of our own righteousness. We all need the same Savior and the same grace.

The resources below address common questions and objections concerning homosexuality and the Bible and will help you think biblically and speak graciously about this subject. Most importantly, they point to the hope at the heart of Christianity: forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and new life are freely offered to everyone who comes to Jesus Christ in faith.

FEATURED ARTICLE:

“CONCISE ANSWERS TO OBJECTIONS REGARDING THE BIBLE’S TEACHING ON HOMOSEXUALITY” by Charlie Campbell

CONTENT/OBJECTIONS:

1. “What two consenting adults do is their business. They have the right to do whatever they’d like to do.”

2. “But Jesus said to love people, even your enemies, in Matthew 5:44. Christians’ rejection of homosexuals is downright hateful!”

3. “Christians who are opposed to homosexuality and same-sex marriage are bigots!”

4. “Well, Christians are certainly homophobic!”

5. “In John 7:24, Jesus said, “Do not judge!” And yet you Christians persist in casting judgment—saying homosexual activity is wrong.”

6. “You Christians ignore Old Testament laws forbidding the eating of pork and shellfish (Lev. 11:7–12) and wearing clothing of mixed fibers (Lev. 19:19). It’s blatantly inconsistent for you to cling to its stance on homosexuality!”

7. “If certain laws and regulations in the Old Testament are no longer binding, it’s safe to conclude the Old Testament’s prohibition against same-gender sexual activity (Lev. 18:22, 20:13) is no longer binding either.”

8. “Jesus never said a word about same-gender sexual activity. If it was sinful or important to God, He surely would have addressed it.”

9. “What two consenting homosexuals do in the privacy of their bedroom isn’t hurting anyone.”

10. “Homosexuals were born that way. It certainly can’t be wrong for them to fulfill their desires.”

11. “When Paul spoke of homosexual activity in Romans 1, he wasn’t speaking of homosexuals or lesbians committed to one another in loving monogamous relationships; he was speaking of sensual homosexual acts that took place in idolatrous temples by sexually inflamed idol worshipers. He had in mind homosexual prostitution and pederasty (men with boys).”

12. “What Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 6:9 might not even be related to homosexual acts of any kind, since there is wide debate about what the Greek words translated “homosexuals” really mean.”

13. “But even if the Bible teaches that homosexual activity is wrong, why are so many Christians opposed to allowing two homosexuals to marry?”

14. “I’ve heard some Christians say they wouldn’t attend a wedding ceremony for two people of the same sex. Why wouldn’t they do that?”

15. “But Jesus ate with sinners and tax collectors (Mark 2:16). Christians’ refusal to attend homosexual weddings seems un-Jesus-like.”

16. “If God exists, why would He declare a behavior sinful that a person can’t change? Lots of homosexuals have tried to change, and they cannot.”

OTHER ARTICLES:

“The Top Ten Myths About Homosexuality” by the Family Research Council

“God and the Gay Christian?: A Response to Matthew Vines” (An excellent free PDF e-book) with chapters written by Albert Mohler, Denny Burk, and others

“The Bible and Same-Sex Marriage: 6 Common but Mistaken Claims” by Darrell Bock

“Almost Everything the Media Tell You About Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Is Wrong” by Ryan T. Anderson

“Homosexuality: A Christian Response to the Arguments of the Gay Rights Movement” by Joe Dallas

“The Bible Condemns a Lot––Why Focus on Homosexuality?” by Albert Mohler (Note: CNN pulled down the original post, so the link is to an archive of it)

“The Great Divide: Same-Sex Marriage and the Evangelical Christian” by Dr. Erwin Lutzer

“40 Questions For Christians Now Waving Rainbow Flags” by Kevin DeYoung

“Freedom to Change Your Life: Why the Government Shouldn’t Ban “Reparative Therapy”” by Walt Heyer

“Gay Is Not The New Black” by Voddie Baucham

“That Which is Unnatural: Homosexuality in Society, the Church, and Scripture (Pt. 2)” by Joseph P. Gudel
 

RECOMMENDED VIDEO IN OUR ONLINE STORE:

HOMOSEXUALITY AND THE BIBLE: Answering Objections to the Biblical View
(DVD or mp4 video) by Charlie Campbell

Homosexuality is a topic that must be addressed in the church today because the culture is talking about it, and it’s important for God’s people to be equipped to join the conversation and reason with people regarding what the Bible says. In this DVD, Charlie Campbell responds to the most challenging and popular objections, criticisms, and questions people raise about the Bible’s teaching on this topic. Some of those objections include:

•  “Homosexuals were born that way. How can you say it’s wrong to fulfill desires they were born with?”
•  “Jesus never said a word about homosexual activity. If it was sinful or important to Him, He surely would have addressed it.”
•  “What two consenting adults do is their business. They’re not hurting anybody. And Jesus said not to judge!”
•  “You Christians ignore Old Testament laws forbidding the eating of shellfish and pork. Why do you inconsistently cling to its stance on homosexuality?”
•  “When Paul wrote about homosexuality, he was referring to pagan idol worshippers and rapists, not two persons committed to one another in a loving monogamous relationship.”
•  “Why are Christians opposed to same-sex marriage?”
•  “Why won’t most Christians attend a gay wedding ceremony?”

OTHER RESOURCES WE THINK YOU’LL LOVE…