Leviticus and homosexuality

[Guest AlchemyMuffins]

Now, I understand that Leviticus states one should not "lie with a man as with a woman." I am not going to get into a debate as to whether or not the bible states homosexuality is morally wrong. I know it does.

How important is this statement compared to other verses? Why do Christians put homosexuality above other other verses that may not *seem* as important. Leviticus also contains laws and instructions regarding clean and unclean animals, proper practices of sacrifice and slavery. It also says you cannot wear mixed fabrics.

Also, how do you respond to those who argue the Old Testament should now be disregarded in favor of the New Testament?

Thanks in advance.

[Guest jckduboise]

Now, I understand that Leviticus states one should not "lie with a man as with a woman." I am not going to get into a debate as to whether or not the bible states homosexuality is morally wrong. I know it does.

How important is this statement compared to other verses? Why do Christians put homosexuality above other other verses that may not *seem* as important. Leviticus also contains laws and instructions regarding clean and unclean animals, proper practices of sacrifice and slavery. It also says you cannot wear mixed fabrics.

Also, how do you respond to those who argue the Old Testament should now be disregarded in favor of the New Testament?

Thanks in advance.

The old testament should not be disregarded in favor of the New Testament. The OT teaches us the history of our human race and the laws that God set before Israel before the Messiah came. It also gives prophecy of the Messiah and gives the Messiah's lineage. When the Messaih came, he came for a purpose. To cleanse the world through His blood and the sacrifice of His life. Thus doing so He nullified the traditional purifications God placed on the Israelites for sanctification and forgiveness.

The rest of the old testament applies. Anyone saying it does not is incorrect. God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. With Jesus the ritual of sacrifice was no longer needed because He was the Sacrificial Lamb of all times.

It is the ritualistic laws that were set before the Israelites that is no longer applicable because of Jesus.

Jesus said why do you clean the outside of the cup yet the inside is filthy? What goes into your mouth is not what is unclean, it is what comes out that is unclean. I do not know that there is any such law with the words spoken by Jesus that exists now regarding the eating of clean and unclean animals. There are certain things I don't believe we should do today, such as drinking and eating the blood of animals. But I could not say for sure.

If someone puts "*some*" verses above the others they should not. All of the commandments, all of the laws and everything that God has ever spoken in the Bible should be held in the highest esteem and regard for He is the Righteous Father and all of His Word IS TRUTH.

God Bless

[Guest Protinus]

Why do Christians put homosexuality above other other verses that may not *seem* as important. Leviticus also contains laws and instructions regarding clean and unclean animals, proper practices of sacrifice and slavery. It also says you cannot wear mixed fabrics.

I would not say this of all Christians...Christians are concerned about social justice and the importance of knowing our Lord within would not have a scriptual "heirarchy" here. In fact, if the common good of our society is of not a concern to my Church, then I will profess it and be willed to change it. We are movers of faith, not languishing scribes and interpreters.

[Mark777]

Acts 15:5-20

5. But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees who believed, saying, It is needful to circumcise them, and to charge them to keep the law of Moses.

6. And the apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider of this matter.

7. And when there had been much questioning, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Brethren, ye know that a good while ago God made choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.

8. And God, who knoweth the heart, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as he did unto us;

9. and he made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.

10. Now therefore why make ye trial of God, that ye should put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

11. But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in like manner as they.

12. And all the multitude kept silence; and they hearkened unto Barnabas and Paul rehearsing what signs and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles through them.

13. And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Brethren, hearken unto me:

14. Symeon hath rehearsed how first God visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.

15. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,

16. After these things I will return, And I will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen; And I will build again the ruins thereof, And I will set it up:

17. That the residue of men may seek after the Lord, And all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called,

18. Saith the Lord, who maketh these things known from of old.

19. Wherefore my judgment is, that we trouble not them that from among the Gentiles turn to God;

20. but that we write unto them, that they abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood.

[Homosexuality falls under fornication.]

Mark

[Leonard]

I suggest we merge this with a pretty much identical topic by Copper Scroll, currently under discussion here.....

[Smalcald]

Now, I understand that Leviticus states one should not "lie with a man as with a woman." I am not going to get into a debate as to whether or not the bible states homosexuality is morally wrong. I know it does.

How important is this statement compared to other verses? Why do Christians put homosexuality above other other verses that may not *seem* as important. Leviticus also contains laws and instructions regarding clean and unclean animals, proper practices of sacrifice and slavery. It also says you cannot wear mixed fabrics.

Also, how do you respond to those who argue the Old Testament should now be disregarded in favor of the New Testament?

Thanks in advance.

Hi Alchemy,

I base my view that men or women having sex with each other is a sin entirely on the New Testament. In fact the New Testament spends more time talking about the importance of sexual purity than the Old Testament does, and talking about specifically about men having sex with men and women with women.

But this sin is no greater or less than any other sins. I think it is a current hot social issue, and it has an interest group, so we see much discussion. There is no interest group saying that adultery should be normalized for example. But after gay marriage is recognized and it will without a doubt happen, I think this discussion will fade from view. It will be like divorce, which was once considered a big deal, and in fact was illegal, but now is normal and accepted, to our harm I think.

[eric]

Smalcald said,

But after gay marriage is recognized and it will without a doubt happen, I think this discussion will fade from view. It will be like divorce, which was once considered a big deal, and in fact was illegal, but now is normal and accepted, to our harm I think.

I dont think I can agree smaldcald, this discussion will never fade away, only get worse. If gay marriwge is passed as legal, the perverts of this world are going to demand more atrocious laws to be passed.

Thay's my view anyway.

[Guest jckduboise]

Smalcald said,

But after gay marriage is recognized and it will without a doubt happen, I think this discussion will fade from view. It will be like divorce, which was once considered a big deal, and in fact was illegal, but now is normal and accepted, to our harm I think.

I dont think I can agree smaldcald, this discussion will never fade away, only get worse. If gay marriwge is passed as legal, the perverts of this world are going to demand more atrocious laws to be passed.

Thay's my view anyway.

And to add to your view point eric, I am in agreement and must say that the state of affairs regarding the United States which began as a Christian nation has turned into a country that has accepted tollerance as its law instead of the Laws of God being our primary example of how our country should be run and what is accepted..Gay marriage, abortions, religious freedom, the land of the free, the land of oppurtunity, the melting pot has turned itself into Babylon.

But to the subject at hand. There really is no verse that is more important than others. All of the bible should be held in respect to the Word of God.

[Times]

Now, I understand that Leviticus states one should not "lie with a man as with a woman." I am not going to get into a debate as to whether or not the bible states homosexuality is morally wrong. I know it does.

How important is this statement compared to other verses? Why do Christians put homosexuality above other other verses that may not *seem* as important. Leviticus also contains laws and instructions regarding clean and unclean animals, proper practices of sacrifice and slavery. It also says you cannot wear mixed fabrics.

Also, how do you respond to those who argue the Old Testament should now be disregarded in favor of the New Testament?

Thanks in advance.

Hi Alchemy,

I base my view that men or women having sex with each other is a sin entirely on the New Testament. In fact the New Testament spends more time talking about the importance of sexual purity than the Old Testament does, and talking about specifically about men having sex with men and women with women.

But this sin is no greater or less than any other sins. I think it is a current hot social issue, and it has an interest group, so we see much discussion. There is no interest group saying that adultery should be normalized for example. But after gay marriage is recognized and it will without a doubt happen, I think this discussion will fade from view. It will be like divorce, which was once considered a big deal, and in fact was illegal, but now is normal and accepted, to our harm I think.

This doesn't make either any less sin!!!!!!!

[st. Worm]

Quote:

"Now, I understand that Leviticus states one should not "lie with a man as with a woman." I am not going to get into a debate as to whether or not the bible states homosexuality is morally wrong. I know it does.

How important is this statement compared to other verses? Why do Christians put homosexuality above other other verses that may not *seem* as important. Leviticus also contains laws and instructions regarding clean and unclean animals, proper practices of sacrifice and slavery. It also says you cannot wear mixed fabrics.

Also, how do you respond to those who argue the Old Testament should now be disregarded in favor of the New Testament?

Thanks in advance."

SW:

Homosexuality is a sin because it is against the natural creation order. Of course Adam's sin brought this sin along with all others into the world. In other words, it is against the natural law even if the written law had never been given. The revealed law of the Bible as given in places like Leviticus and Exodus is God revealing to us what sin is since sin itself blocks our ability to completely know what sin is naturally. The written law is given primarily as a list of "do nots" because that's the only way we sinners can understand it. In reality, law in its perfect and natural state is positive relationship with God without the "do nots". This is how Adam lived with God before the Fall. There was no need for the "do nots" then. The verse in question is no more significant than any other verse that reveals what is sin.

Also, I would say that the only OT laws that are relevant now are those that are summarized in the natural law of love for God and neighbor. For example, the OT ceremonial and judicial laws are now abrograted. The Sabbath as a day of rest as it was given to Israel is also not relevant in the same way today for Christians. Christ is our rest and we celebrate the Sabbath around Him.

sw