I-5 Questions Part 1

Here is part 1 of answers to questions submitted during this past weekend's services. We will be posting parts 2 - 4 throughout the weekend.

Shouldn’t Paul’s teachings against homosexual acts be interpreted in light of cultural issues in the 1st century the same way we interpret his teachings against women in leadership?

The problem with interpreting Paul’s teachings against homosexual acts as restricted to Greco-Roman culture is that does not fit with the context of Paul’s teaching. For example, in Romans 1:26-27 Paul is clearly talking about the created order and God’s original intent for creation and humankind. He is not talking about Greco-Roman culture per se, nor about individual actions.  In this context, Paul clearly indicates that homosexual acts and relations are not part of God’s perfect will for humankind.

The following quote from a colleague of mine, Pastor J.D. Greear, is helpful regarding how the church has historically interpreted these passages and the issue of homosexuality:

It is scarcely possible to imagine the Bible being clearer on the sinfulness of homosexual practice. The only way to avoid this interpretation is to approach the Bible with a decided agenda—and, of course, when you have an agenda, you can make just about any interpretation work in your mind.

It is important to note that the Church has maintained this position unanimously for two millenniums. As Richard Hays has said, “... the moral teaching tradition of the Christian church has for more than nineteen hundred years declared homosexual behavior to be contrary to the will of God. Only within the past twenty years has any serious question been raised.”

Homosexual: Birth vs. Choice.

While there are differing opinions on this, I believe that ultimately it does not matter: our theology must outweigh our biology. Our identity must be in Christ, nothing less.

Fulfilling our every natural desire is not what makes us human beings.

We all have desires that must be subordinated, held in check, or changed.

For an excellent summary about the Christian response to the homosexual issue, read J.D.’s Blog.

Regarding the issue of women in leadership, Paul’s writings are more clearly tied to local situations and contexts. For example, in I Corinthians 14:34-35 Paul tells women to be silent in church. Yet in I Corinthians 11:5,10; 14:3-5 Paul affirms that women may prophesy and pray in the church. Is Paul being contradictory? No. The issue in I Corinthians 14 is most likely referring to women (who were mostly uneducated) asking their husbands questions during the worship service that were disruptive to the service. So Paul asked them to handle those questions at home. In other instances Paul affirms women in leadership roles (see Romans 16 for example and the frequently referred to couple of Prisca and Aquilla who led churches in their home).

The issue of immigration.

Scripture is extremely clear that we are to have compassion toward the immigrant (Leviticus 19:34). The story of Scripture is filled with the movement of God’s people and how God used these providential repositioning to accomplish His purposes (Abram, Joseph, Moses, Israel, David, the exilic period, the church, and Jesus Himself was an immigrant to earth).

One concern I have is that our frustrations with the immigration system uncovers latent racism and bias against Hispanics. If the current situation, reveals traces of racism then we must repent of those attitudes and prejudices. Racism has no place in the Kingdom of God or in the heart of a Christ-follower.

But what about the law? Yes, we must be a nation of laws and the government must establish laws to protect its citizens (see Romans 13). However, our current laws create difficult situations (the orphaning of children who are U.S. citizens) and the lack of security at the border creates immigration problems, not mention overall protection against terrorist-type threats. As Christians, we must not shy away from offering prophetic critique against laws that create injustices or no longer work.

Finally, the overall position of the Christian--based on the gospel and God’s position toward us--must be one of compassion for all people, including the immigrant. The story of the Good Samaritan, which itself brings up ethnic tensions in Jesus’ day, shows that the heart of God is one of compassion, care, service, and empathy.