The Bible and Homoeroticism: Discussion

[Soulfyre]

Here is the place to ask questions, counter assertions, express dissent, and discuss The Bible and Homoeroticism.

God bless,

Matthew (soulfyre)

[worthily]

do you believe that people are born homosexual?

[Soulfyre]

worthily said:

do you believe that people are born homosexual?

No. But I would not be surprised to find some genetic connection to establish a propensity toward homoeroticism. There is no hard evidence, however. There have been recent post mortem scientific studies of the brains of actively homoerotic males as compared to those of hetero-erotic males, and physiological differences were found. The difficulty in these studies is the determination whether the physiological change was developmental and preceded or influenced the individuals homoeroticism, or whether the physiological changes occured contemporaneously to or were caused by the homoerotic behavior, causing the brain to show signs of adaptation. No hard and fast genetic evidence has been found either (although there has been some genetic evidence for a propensity to rage disorders, alcoholism, and other conditions). Even the study of identical twins has not provided sufficient predictability of sexual preference to be able to draw a hard and fast conclusion.

Utimately, however, it appears that much of the evidence merely establishes a propensity toward certain behavioral dysfunctions, but does not guarantee that they will develop. The evidence is a poor predictor of future behavior, and people are rightly concerned about the misuse of DNA "evidence" by insurance companies or businesses who might choose to screen applicants for their "propensities". Although there are human psycho-physiological behaviors that are arguably instinctive, such as the "fight or flight"syndrome, the interesting thing about human beings is their ability to exercise a measure of control over even their more instinctive behaviors. The use of biofeedback techniques has demonstrated that people, by training and effort, can even exert a modicum of control over the "involunatry" physiological responses of their autonomic nervous system (including both the sympathetic and parasympathetic subsystems).

Sexual preferences seem to develop in very early childhood, and are greatly influenced by the family structure. Much research has been done on families where there is a perceived or real distance of the father figure, often combined with a strong or controlling maternal influence. Oten it appears that this maternal influence occurs to compensate for a weak, passive, or psychologically abusive or absent father. Other times it appears to occur as a result of a perceived need to establish the mother's sense of self through competition with the father--a sort of "control or be controlled" response. That these subtle psychological dynamics are experienced by the child at a very early age explains the fact that many homoerotic men believe that they were "different" and responded to men differently at a very early age. Many therefore assume that their sexual preference is "inborn" (or prefer that explanation to one which might infer a moral responsibility for them to act in opposition to their impulses).

Paul, however, seems to teach clearly in Romans that sin is in fact an inborn condition of the human soul since the fall of man. The direction which this condition will take is unique to the individual and their behavioral context. It would not surprise me, nor would it be an affront to scripture, to find that there is some inborn propensity to particular behavior. But within the limitations of our nature, we exhibit moral motions and an ability to choose and modify our behavior, and are therefore morally culpable. Therefore I believe that homoeroticism, while it may have some underlying genetic component, is largely developed as a result of behavioral context. The Biblical teaching is that through salvation, we die to sin. We are redeemed, and freed from slavery to our carnal desires. It does not say that our sin nature is dead, but that it is crucified. It is still very potent.

Habits of the mind and habits of behavior are like operant conditioning in Pavlov's dog, who salivated at the ringing of a bell. If we habitually act one way in a particular context, it is very difficult to "retrain" ourselves to act differently. But with God, all things are possible. I must rely on God daily, and must daily recognize that I am a living sacrifice. I must also proactively re-socialize myself. If a particular behavioral context tends to elicit a particular behavior, then I must proactively avoid that context. Just as an alcoholic must choose daily not to drink, and must often, especially in the beginning, avoid people, places and circumstances that can trigger addictive behavior, so I avoid particular environments and behavioral contexts that could psychologically, spiritually, and emotionally war against my choice not to participate in homoeroticism. On the positive side, I involve myself in activities that are supportive of heterosexuality.

Since I am unmarried, like any single Christian I avoid specifically erotic contexts that might encourage sexual behavior that is inappropriate to an unmarried man. Since I am also HIV+, I have determined not to pursue a heterosexual relationship that would anticipate heteroerotic behavior, and put a female partner at risk. While this does not prohibit marriage, it certainly would make marriage difficult. While some of those struggling with homoeroticism are able, in dependance upon God, to re-socialize, successfully marry, and coninue their re-socialization in an context conducive to and supportive of hetero-erotic behavior, I feel that my HIV status prevents me from this more conventional direction.

I daily wait upon the Lord, who has provided me heterosexual male friends (married and unmarried) who model appropriate Christian behavior for me, fellowship freely with me, and support and encourage me, holding me accountable. I also live with my family (my parents) because of my health, and this environment has provided me with a supportive, Christian context of accountability. Yet temptation, and the necessity of my moment by moment choice to follow God, to obey my Lord and Savior, and to allow the Holy Spirit's transforming power to continue to change me is no different from that of any other Christian who struggles with sin and must overcome it through a lively faith. I have not engaged in any homoerotic behavior for a long time (praise God for His grace and mercy) and have a lady friend to whom I am very close.

What I have experienced is a message of hope to all who feel overcome by sin--but especially those who struggle with homoeroticism, and feel as though their homoerotic propensity is "inborn." Change is possible, and altogether desirable. Alhough repentance and the choice to follow Jesus as Lord is never done easily (in spite of frequent "testimony" to the contrary), it is done profitably. Habits of thinking and behavior can be re-formed. My life did not change immediately. My struggle knew many failures, frequent confession and emotional devastation. But God was, and is, faithful. He pursued me to the uttermost.

I did not know a real depth of change until I was willing to tell God that I would rather be miserable all my life, and yet have Him, than take pleasure in those things that are against His will, and be without Him. Perhaps it was that willingness, not to "love God if...", but to "love God, regardless"--to love God for Himself, and not for what He could do for me--that became a watershed in my life. That change of heart was initially wrenching and painful, for I feared needlessly. I feared that if I left behind the sin that I knew and used like a crutch, that I would stumble and irretrievably fall--that I would be unalterably alone. Yet God honored even that poor faith, and healed my heart. My life has, over time, changed radically. I now teach at church, am an active member of both choir and the worship team, and maintain this website.I now have a joy in God that I had never experienced before, an assurance of God's mercy and grace that gives me stability, and a loving fellowship with God that I would not jeopardize for the world. And perfect love casts out fear.

God bless and keep you,

Matthew (soulfyre)

[fairbank]

Praise God for all God has done through you, and in advance for all he will do in the days ahead. Seems that God has granted you an atypical pastorate. Glad to be part of the flock!

I agree that there are genetic predispositions, but that no one is locked in by genetics. If someone who struggles in this area were to say "God made me this way, and to express my sexuality any other way would be a sin.", what would you say to them?

[Soulfyre]

fairbank said:

Praise God for all God has done through you, and in advance for all he will do in the days ahead. Seems that God has granted you an atypical pastorate. Glad to be part of the flock!

I agree that there are genetic predispositions, but that no one is locked in by genetics. If someone who struggles in this area were to say "God made me this way, and to express my sexuality any other way would be a sin.", what would you say to them?

Well, I fear I know what I would like to say to him, but courtesy and some degree of empathy prevent me. The simple response would be to say that when God made humanity, male and female, He declared what He had done to be good. The predisposition to sin (of any kind) occurred after the Fall, and could not, under any stretch of the imagination, be called "good". I cannot say, as Reformed as I tend to be, that the Fall and its results were not a part of God's Eternal Plan, but I can say that after the sin of Adam and his wife (she was not named Eve until after the Fall and the pronouncement of the course), nothing consisted in its original "good" state.

Although God does supervene in the birth process, the process of child bearing does not indicate an act of "creation" by God. Rather, the child that is borne essentially reflects the parents, from whom the "fallen" or "sin nature" is received at birth, along with other genetic characteristics. Hence, God did not and does not "create" anyone sinful, or fallen, or "homosexual".

It is only in the sketchy information concerning the world prior to the Fall, the teachings and life of Jesus Christ, and the revelation concerning the New Heavens and the New Earth, that we begin to catch of glimpse of what creation was meant to be. But that is the standard to which we must be compared, not to some statistical degree of normalcy that can make observations only of what is...not what something ought to be.

God bless you brother,

Matthew (soulfyre)