A Call for the Acceptance of Homosexuals within the Christian Community
sexual perversion of Sodom’s people, but this verse could be taken as a condemnation of sexual crimes toward all people. Ezekiel 16:48-50 should also be noted in this case. It states, “Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. They were haughty and did detestable things before me. Therefore I did away with them as you have seen.” No distinct reference to homosexuality is made in the list of reasons for Sodom’s downfall, thus this verse seems to lose its credit in regards to the churches stance against a loving homosexual relationship.
Webber 3
Leviticus 20:13 must also be examined – “If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.” This verse appears unquestionably in opposition to the act of homosexuality. Certain issues must be discussed concerning this verse, however. If Christians feel the need to follow the Scriptures completely, then they should do just that. This verse specifically states that a man who lies with another man must be put to death. Then should Christians be in support of capital punishment for all homosexual couples? Let us hope not. Homosexuality is referred to as being a detestable abomination. The Hebrew word for abomination, “to’ebah,” refers to things that are ritually unclean. “It’s not about a moral or ethical issue” (ECWR 2). The abomination described here is merely a part of the Holiness Code set out in Leviticus. In the Hebrew culture of this time period, semen was viewed as the producer of life itself; so homosexual acts and masturbation were seen as a waste of life, quite similar to our present day conflict with abortion. In any case, theologians might still use this verse in order to attack homosexuality. They should truly consider the repercussions of choosing to do so, however. By insisting “on using this passage to condemn homosexuality, then they are also bound by the other rules and rituals described in Leviticus” (Homosexuality 2). Other infractions against the Holiness Code, deserving punishment, included the following: sexual intercourse during a woman’s menstrual cycle, tattoos, wearing certain types of jewelry, eating certain kinds of meat, wearing clothing made from blended textiles, cross-breeding livestock, sowing a field with mixed seed, eating or touching the dead flesh of pigs, and men cutting their hair or shaving their beards (2). If the rules of this Holiness Code were carried out, then most people would have no chance of escaping punishment. These laws were established for the Jewish nation; however, the Christian church must also take note of them because of their place within the Scriptures. Fortunately for mankind, God is abounding in grace and forgiveness rather than judgment and
Webber 4
condemnation. For this reason, Christians do not follow the law, but rather [next page]