The Gospel of Luke - Sep 12, 2010

We're just beginning a study of Luke's Gospel. Here's the rather "skeletal" notes I handed out before our study today. -Pastor Schaller

THE BOOK OF LUKE: background

The books of “Luke” and “Acts” indicate that they were written by the same individual. Early Christian sources tell us this individual was a man named Luke.

The writer of these books uses the terminology of a trained physician. One example is the phrase “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle”. Matthew 19:24 and Mark 10:25 both use the common word for needle, while Luke 18:25 uses the medical term.

The writer of Luke and Acts tends to record details that would be of particular interest to doctors. For example, he notes the length of time that people had been inflicted with their diseases (Acts 3:2, 9:33, 14:8). He also clearly distinguishes between cases of disease and demon possession (Acts 5:16, 19:12). One author points out (rather tongue in cheek) that in the case of the bleeding woman who was healed, Luke omits the detail that she had spent all her savings on doctors and yet had remained unhealed (Mark 5:26, Luke 8:46).

Before writing about Christ’s life, Luke consulted the testimony of eyewitnesses since he was not among Jesus’ first followers (Luke 1:1-4). From Colossians 4:11-15 we learn that Luke was a Gentile, a doctor, and a close friend of the apostle Paul.

In addition to writing the account of Paul’s missionary journeys, Luke also accompanied the apostle during parts of the second and third journeys. In his narrative, Luke indicates when he is with Paul by using “we” instead of “they”. On the basis of this evidence, Luke first joined Paul during his second missionary journey, at the city of Troas (Acts 16:10).

Luke was with Paul when he finally reached Rome at the end of Acts (Acts 28:16, Colossians 4:14, 18). Perhaps Luke wrote both his Gospel and Acts at this time, while his friend Paul awaited trial for two years.

Later, when Paul was imprisoned a second time at Rome, Luke alone remained with him (2 Timothy 4:11).

According to Easton’s Bible Dictionary…

· 17 of Christ’s parables are unique to Luke
· 7 miracles of Christ are unique to Luke
· The Old Testament is distinctly referenced 28 times

Judaism - Feb 14, 2010

Today our Sunday morning study group is examining what Judaism teaches. Join us on Sunday morning for our round table discussion. Or, use the link below to view or download a PDF of our most recent handout.

To VIEW the “Judaism” Bible Class handout, simply click here. To DOWNLOAD the “Judaism” Bible Class handout, first right click here then choose "save link as" or "save target as".

Daniel Chapter 6 - Feb 7, 2010

Currently our Sunday morning study group is examining the Old Testament book of Daniel. This books takes place during the Babylonian captivity of the Israelite people. It contains classic accounts such as Daniel and the Lion’s den and the three men in the fiery furnace. Join us on Sunday morning for our round table discussion. Or, use the link below to view or download a PDF of our most recent handout.

To VIEW the “Daniel 6” Bible Class handout, simply click here.

To DOWNLOAD the “Daniel 6” Bible Class handout, first right click here then choose "save link as" or "save target as".

Daniel Chapter 5 - Jan 31, 2010

Currently our Sunday morning study group is examining the Old Testament book of Daniel. This books takes place during the Babylonian captivity of the Israelite people. It contains classic accounts such as Daniel and the Lion’s den and the three men in the fiery furnace. Join us on Sunday morning four our round table discussion. Or, use the link below to download a PDF of our most recent handout.

To DOWNLOAD the “Daniel 5” Bible Class handout, first right click here then choose "save link as" or "save target as".

Baptism - Jan 24, 2010

We know that Baptism is not something needed “in addition to” faith in Jesus in order for a person to be saved. So, what is Baptism?

Pieper says “Like the word of the Gospel, Baptism is a means imparting the remission of sins, for Scripture declares Baptism is to be used for the remission of sins…” (Christian Dogmatics III, p.264). In support of his statement, Pieper quotes the following passages.

Acts 2:38 (NKJV)
38Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 22:16
16And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’

Ephesians 5:26
26that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,

Titus 3:4-7
4But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

1 Peter 3:21
21There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

Some have said that if Baptism is a medium through which the forgiveness won by Christ is given, why are adults who already believe baptized? The answer is this, the creating and strengthening of faith is accomplished by God, through word of the Gospel and through “water and the Word”.

We do not believe that Baptism saves apart from faith in Christ. What we believe is that Baptism is a medium through which this faith is created or strengthened.

It is beyond argument that baptism is “for the remission of sins”. It does not replace the Gospel message but is to be practiced with it. This fact is clear in Christ’s great commission,

Matthew 28:19-20
19Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

In a similar way, the Lord’s Supper does not replace the simple Gospel message, but is to be use with the simple Gospel.

In still other passages Baptism is shown to be more than a symbolic gesture.

1 Corinthians 12:13-15
12For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. 14For in fact the body is not one member but many.

Luther says it plainly, as Pieper quotes,

“The question solely is (a) whether God has commanded Baptism with water, (b) attached to it His promise of the remission of sins, and (c) thus made it a medium of the forgiveness of sins and a washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Christian Dogmatics III, p.268).

Baptism saves the sinner, but not apart from faith in Christ.

INFANT BAPTISM

The Scripture clearly speaks of adults being baptized, and these adults who have come to faith in Christ already. So what of infant baptism? Does Christ command this?

First of all, we know that all infants are born sinful.

Psalm 53:5
5 Surely I was sinful at birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

Secondly, we know that infants can believe. Christ blessed the little children and even infants that were brought to Him.

Mark 10:13-16
13Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. 14But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 15Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” 16And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.

Luke 18:15
15Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.

(Concerning the Greek word “Brephos” which is translated “infants” in the above passage. Luke 1:41, 1:44, 2:12, and 2:16 all use this same Greek word to refer to unborn children. 1 Peter 2:2 uses this word to describe children who desire milk. Acts 7:19 use the word for the newborns that Pharaoh instructed the midwives of Egypt to kill immediately upon recognition that they were boys. In 2 Timothy 3:15 Paul reminds Timothy that he has “known the Holy Scriptures” since he was a “Brephos”.)

Thirdly, Baptism is called the “circumcision of Christ” and a “putting off the body of the sins of the flesh”. The baptized are said to be “buried with Him in baptism” and raised “with Him through faith”. Thus Baptism connects one to Christ. Through it the Christian is buried and then raised to spiritual life with Christ.

Colossians 2:11-12
11In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

This connection to circumcision is significant. In the Old Testament it is infants who were circumcised (though at times also adults).

To this we also add that although Jesus does not specifically mention infants in His great commission, He also in no way ruled them out.

Matthew 28:19-20
19Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

In connection with this passage, we make it clear to parents desiring baptism for their newborn children that baptism is not a magical seal which then ensures a child will enter heaven. Just as any seed that is planted must be watered and cared for, so also baptized infants must also be raise to know Christ. Their faith must be nourished through childhood by continual feeding with God’s word, and the Gospel of Christ specifically.

“‘We shall therefore always be surer of fulfilling Jesus’ will if we receive the children by Baptism into the communion of the Christian Church than if we do not. Also the primitive Church, as we learn from Tertullian, had the custom of Baptizing the children, a thing they would not have done if the Apostles had denied Baptism to the children’(Dom. D. ev. Luth. K. II, 649 ff.)” (Christian Dogmatics III, p.278).

Surely we don’t want to look only to the practices of past Christians to establish a teaching. However, it is one more thing that points to the validity of infant Baptism.

One might question the sureness of an infant’s salvation. Does Baptism guarantee that an infant has saving faith in Christ Jesus? We point to the command of God: do this with water. We point to the promise if God: this is a medium of forgiveness. We point lastly to the love of God,

Ezekiel 33:11
…As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked…

1 Timothy 2:3-4
3For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

So, we simply baptize infants and leave it in God’s hands. Our confident that once this “water and the Word” is applied we have nothing to fear for this infant is solely based on a faith in God. He cleanses sinners through the medium of Baptism.

Ephesians 5:25-27
25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

For absolute clarity concerning baptism and communion, we offer the following statement:

“Simply put, though: Jesus earned the forgiveness of sins on the cross once for all – the Means of Grace deliver it. The Bible itself does not save (it’s paper and ink), but it delivers Jesus and forgiveness of sins to me. Water of itself does not save, but with the Word in baptism it delivers Jesus and forgiveness of sins to me. Bread and wine of themselves do not save, but with the Word they deliver Jesus and the forgiveness of sins to me.

For forgiveness, life and salvation, we need Jesus. Here is where you will find Him” (Pastor Bruce Naumann).

Daniel Chapter 4 - Jan 10, 2010

Currently our Sunday morning study group is examining the Old Testament book of Daniel. This books takes place during the Babylonian captivity of the Israelite people. It contains classic accounts such as Daniel and the Lion’s den and the three men in the fiery furnace. Join us on Sunday morning for our round table discussion. Or, use the link below to download a PDF of our handout.

To DOWNLOAD the “Daniel 4” Bible Class handout, first right click here then choose "save link as" or "save target as".

Daniel Chapter 3 - Dec 6, 2009

Currently our Sunday morning study group is examining the Old Testament book of Daniel. This books takes place during the Babylonian captivity of the Israelite people. It contains classic accounts such as Daniel and the Lion’s den and the three men in the fiery furnace. Join us on Sunday morning four our round table discussion. Or, use the link below to download a PDF of our handout.

To DOWNLOAD the “Daniel 3” Bible Class handout, first right click here then choose "save link as" or "save target as".

Daniel Chapter I-II, Nov 22, 2009

Currently our Sunday morning study group is examining the Old Testament book of Daniel. This books takes place during the Babylonian captivity of the Israelite people. It contains classic accounts such as Daniel and the Lion’s den and the three men in the fiery furnace. Join us on Sunday morning four our round table discussion. Or, use the link below to download a PDF of our handout.

To DOWNLOAD the “Daniel 1-2” Bible Class handout, first right click here then choose "save link as" or "save target as".

Tattoos and the Bible, Nov 1, 2009

Tattooing is putting ink into the skin in order to create a permanent mark. Historically this has been done for many reasons. These reasons range nearly as wide as the human imagination. Some have claimed tattoos create a connection between them and the spiritual world. Others regard them as mere bodily decoration. So what does the Bible say about tattoos?

The Bible says almost nothing directly about tattoos. A Hebrew phrase which might refer to a “tattoo” is found in Leviticus 19:28. A Greek word which definitely can be used to refer to a tattoo is found in Galatians 6:17. These are the only verses in the Bible, of which I am aware, which directly speak about tattoos. Lets look at them both in more detail.

Leviticus 19:29

“28You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord” Leviticus 19:28 (NKJV).

A more word-for-word translation of this passage would read:

“…and a mark cut not ye shall put on yourselves. I am Jehovah” (personal translation).

The word translated “mark” is quite common. It’s the noun used for any impression, inscription, or a mark that might be made. The word translated “cut” is a bit harder to define. It is used only here in the Old Testament. It is believed to come from a root word meaning “to cut off”.

Galatians 6:17

“12Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh. 14May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation. 16Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God.
17Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus” (Galatians 6:12-17 NIV).

The word that is here translated “marks” refers to a “mark or brand” . In the Graeco-Roman world this was usually not a good thing. See the following:

“People who are branded, e.g., criminals, prisoners of war, slaves, or deserters, are usually regarded as dishonored and are a butt of scorn in comedy. Caligula even has some citizens branded and sent to prison camps. Various devices are tried to remove the brands but without much success. Tattooed signs are placed on army recruits, usually on the hand” (Theological dictionary of the New Testament).

Nobody actually thinks Paul is referring to a religious ink tattoo in Galatians 6:17. Most believe Paul is referring to scars he has received because of his faithful preaching of the Good News of Jesus Christ. These he holds up as the “ownership marks” of Christ, his master, as opposed to the Judaizer’s cherished mark – circumcision.

In Leviticus and in Galatians, no ink is mentioned. Nor does it matter for our study here. The point is that a mark is created. It makes no difference whether that mark is visible because of ink or because of scar tissue.

The Freedom of the New Testament Era

“16So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ” Colossians 2:16-17 (NIV).

“11He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. 13Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”
14“Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”
15The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean”” (Acts 10:9-15 NIV).

In the Old Testament, God gave the nation of Israel three types of Law. Ceremonial Law, how they were to worship Him. Civic Law, how the nation was to be governed and Moral Law, how God wanted them to treat Him and each other.

Many of the Old Testament laws were specifically intended to set the Israelites apart from neighboring pagan nations (see Deuteronomy 14:21). The great heaping up of laws to keep was also intended to show the Israelite people how sinful they were, and how desperately they needed the promised Messiah.

After the Messiah came, God made it clear through his apostles that many of these Old Testament laws had served their purpose and no longer needed to be carried out by the followers of God.

Generally speaking Old Testament Ceremonial Laws and Civic Laws no longer apply to the followers of God. The Moral Law, however, stands forever as God’s will for mankind. The moral law is generally summarized in the Ten Commandments (But even there, in the third commandment, we find a specific worship law given to the Jews about the Sabbath day).

Is the command given in Leviticus 19:28 one of the prohibitions meant to set the Israelites apart, or was intended to apply to all people of all time? Is this command part of the Ceremonial Law, the Civic Law, or the Moral Law? Let’s look at the context. Read through the chapter and identify each command as either:

· Civic Law
· Ceremonial Law
· Moral Law (Also identify which commandment it fits under)

Surrounding Practices: A Closer Look

“27You shall not shave around the sides of your head, nor shall you disfigure the edges of your beard. 28You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:27-28 NKJV).

Some culturally different practices are mentioned here.

· Shaving the sides of the head and “trimming” the beard
· Cutting your own flesh for the dead

Both of these were done in connection with mourning for the dead.

“10 I will turn your religious feasts into mourning
and all your singing into weeping.
I will make all of you wear sackcloth
and shave your heads.
I will make that time like mourning for an only son
and the end of it like a bitter day” (Amos 8:10 NIV).

“4The day after Gedaliah’s assassination, before anyone knew about it, 5eighty men who had shaved off their beards, torn their clothes and cut themselves came from Shechem, Shiloh and Samaria, bringing grain offerings and incense with them to the house of the LORD” (Jeremiah 41:4-5 NIV).

Whatever motivated these men to cut themselves, we know that the priests of Baal did it in order to get the attention or the good favor of their god.

“27And at noon Elijah mocked them, saying, "Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened." 28And they cried aloud and cut themselves after their custom with swords and lances, until the blood gushed out upon them” (2 Kings 18: 27-28 ESV).

Regardless of the customs of other nations the Israelites were not to do these things. They were to be different than the other nations, for they were His nation from which the Messiah would come.

“1“You are the children of the Lord your God; you shall not cut yourselves nor shave the front of your head for the dead. 2For you are a holy people to the Lord your God, and the Lord has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples who are on the face of the earth” (Deuteronomy 14:1-2 NKJV).

“5“‘Priests must not shave their heads or shave off the edges of their beards or cut their bodies. 6They must be holy to their God and must not profane the name of their God. Because they present the offerings made to the LORD by fire, the food of their God, they are to be holy.
7“‘They must not marry women defiled by prostitution or divorced from their husbands, because priests are holy to their God. 8Regard them as holy, because they offer up the food of your God. Consider them holy, because I the LORD am holy—I who make you holy” (Leviticus 21:5-8 NIV).

Back to Tattoos

1 Corinthians 6:19 speaks of the moral crime of uniting one’s body with a prostitute and puts and exclamation point on the argument since the body is the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. Paul calls it the “Temple” of God.

“12“Everything is permissible for me”—but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me”—but I will not be mastered by anything. 13“Food for the stomach and the stomach for food”—but God will destroy them both. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. 15Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! 16Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” 17But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit.
18Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. 19Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body” (1 Corinthians 6:12-20 NIV).

“16Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17).

The main focus of the Scripture is to build Christians up in faith and train them in righteousness. Proper care of the human body is part of Christian life. It enables us to do His work. It is proper stewardship of God’s gift of a body.

However, Paul’s point in calling the body the “Temple of God” is that the Holy Spirit it there, not that we are being called to hit our target weight and increase our flexibility.

“6If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. 7Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
9This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance 10(and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.
11Command and teach these things. 12Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. 13Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you” (1 Timothy 4: NIV).

It’s not hard to see Paul’s focus is more squarely placed on spiritual growth and maturity, not physical.

1 Corinthians 9:27 reminds us that the body is also in need of discipline (same word for “body” is used. “Soma”).

“24Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NIV).

CONCLUSIONS:

A Christian who wants to get a tattoo may ask the question, “What does the Bible say about tattoos? Does the Bible say that getting a tattoo is morally wrong?”

· For an Old Testament Jew – it was wrong to get tattooed. It made a mark in the flesh, a thing which God told them not to do (Leviticus 19:28).

· The Old Testament prohibition against marking the flesh was part of the law that set the Israelites apart from other nations, not part of the moral law which is permanent.

· The prohibition against marking the body has not been reiterated in the New Testament. Therefore, for the New Testament Christian – getting a tattoo is not prohibited.

So, if tattoos are not inherently evil, I should get a tattoo? Maybe, maybe not.

Author Lorne Zelyck lists a number of compelling questions that a Christian might consider before getting a tattoo.

“1. What is your motivation for getting a tattoo? If you got a tattoo, would it violate your conscience or the conscience of your family members, friends, and fellow believers in Christ? Would this tattoo be considered by others as aesthetically pleasing? Is it legal in your state and at your age to be tattooed?”

2. Could this tattoo permanently harm your body? Is the tattoo parlor you go too certified? Is it clean? Have you seen other tattoos which your artist has done? How long have you thought about getting this particular symbol? Are you prepared to have this symbol marked on your body permanently? Are you addicted to tattoos? Are you able to not get the tattoo?

3. What will your parents think of your tattoo? If you are married, what would your spouse think? What would your fellow church members think? Is your tattoo auspicious? Are you able to cover it up? How will you feel about your tattoo in 10 years? 50 years? Will this tattoo hinder future relationships? Will this tattoo prevent you from getting a job in the future? Will this tattoo prevent you from accomplishing God’s will for your life?

4. What is the meaning of your tattoo? Does it symbolize a Biblical truth? Would God be honored by this tattoo? Does this tattoo symbolize something which is relevant to your relationship with Christ? Would this tattoo benefit or hinder your relationship with Christ?” (“The (Im)Morality of Tattoos”, by Lorne Zelyck).

“23“Everything is permissible”—but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”—but not everything is constructive. 24Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others” (1 Corinthians 10:23-24 NIV).

Homosexuality and the Bible

RESPONSE TO MEL WHITE

This is written partially in response to Mel White’s “What the Bible Says – And Doesn’t Say – About Homosexuality”. Mel White was a ghost-writer for a number of big-wig Christian evangelists. He had problems with same-sex attraction, and after years of failed attempts to “exterminate his homosexuality” he accepted that he will always be a homosexual and that sexual identity is acceptable in God’s eyes. He has since gone on to organize and lead openly homosexual churches.

Mel White begins his paper by stating his credentials. He says that he has more than 50 years of experience in reading, studying, memorizing, preaching, and teaching from the sacred texts. He’s got a master’s and doctoral degrees from a conservative biblical seminary. He’s learned Hebrew and Greek for working with the original texts of the Bible. One wonders how he can miss the obvious context surrounding some of the passages that he interprets incorrectly.

He has not arrived at the conviction that homosexuality is okay by studying the Bible. He has decided that since he has the feelings and desires of a homosexual man – those feelings and desires, in part at least, define him as a person. But he was a Christian first, and has no desire to abandon that part of himself. So he has decided to twist and re-interpret the Bible to fit his feelings, desires and actions.

White therefore attempts to explain away Bible testimony. He does this in numerous of ways. Here are a few of the ways White attempts to explain away the passages condemning homosexual practice.

· The Bible’s prohibitions against homosexual activity are outdated “holiness rules” that apply only to other people (like Old Testament priests), and not to regular people.

· God’s judgment on homosexual people was actually because of OTHER sins they committed, not because of their sexual actions.

· Mysterious customs from the ancient world underlie the actual words of the Bible passages concerning homosexual activity. These customs make it possible to re-interpret passages in a way that points the guilt away from homosexual activity.

But some of the passages are so clear that he cannot explain them away. White reveals the true origin of his conclusions by saying that the Holy Spirit sometimes speaks through modern science and personal experience to show us which things from the Old Testament are outdated and no longer applicable to us. He states,

“There is a growing body of evidence from science, psychology, history, psychiatry, medicine, and personal experience that leads to a clear verdict: Homosexuality is neither a sickness nor a sin. Unfortunately, the church has always been slow, if not the last institution on earth , to accept new truth” (“What the Bible Says – and Doesn’t Say – about Homosexuality”, Mel White).

Mel White says that the sinful world has known the truth for years and years, but this truth from God has remained a mystery to most of God’s people.

So, is Mel White right? Has the church just got it wrong all this time? What does the Bible really say when allowed to speak for itself? Let’s find out.

GOD SPEAKS ABOUT SEXUALITY

When God speaks about sexual relationships acceptable to Him, he doesn’t ever talk about men with men and women with women. If homosexuality is really acceptable to God, this is puzzling, because He certainly speaks about sexuality between men and women.

“1Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good for a man not to marry. 2But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband. 3The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4The wife’s body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband’s body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. 5Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6I say this as a concession, not as a command. 7I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.
8Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am. 9But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion” (1 Cor. 7:1-9 NIV).

In the Greek the word “aner” is used both for “man” and husband “husband”. Like a woman might say today, “He’s my man”. The word “gunae” is used both for “woman” and “wife”.

While the Bible is not primarily about human sexuality, God does speak about human sexuality in the Bible. He talks about misuses of sex like adultery, fornication and bestiality. He talks about temptation to sexual sin and how having a spouse helps to avoid sexual sin. Sex is rightfully enjoyed only in the marriage bed. It is God’s MARRIAGE gift.

“4Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.” (Hebrews 13:4 NIV).

God also speaks directly about homosexual relations.

Genesis 19:1-14 (NKJV) Sodom and Gomorrah

1Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them, and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground. 2And he said, “Here now, my lords, please turn in to your servant’s house and spend the night, and wash your feet; then you may rise early and go on your way.”
And they said, “No, but we will spend the night in the open square.”
3But he insisted strongly; so they turned in to him and entered his house. Then he made them a feast, and baked unleavened bread, and they ate.
4Now before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both old and young, all the people from every quarter, surrounded the house. 5And they called to Lot and said to him, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may know them carnally.”
6So Lot went out to them through the doorway, shut the door behind him, 7and said, “Please, my brethren, do not do so wickedly! 8See now, I have two daughters who have not known a man; please, let me bring them out to you, and you may do to them as you wish; only do nothing to these men, since this is the reason they have come under the shadow of my roof.”
9And they said, “Stand back!” Then they said, “This one came in to stay here, and he keeps acting as a judge; now we will deal worse with you than with them.” So they pressed hard against the man Lot, and came near to break down the door. 10But the men reached out their hands and pulled Lot into the house with them, and shut the door. 11And they struck the men who were at the doorway of the house with blindness, both small and great, so that they became weary trying to find the door.
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Mel White declares that the sin which brought judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah was primarily a greedy, selfish and uncaring attitude toward others. He bases this on the following passage from Ezekiel.

“48“As I live,” says the Lord GOD, “neither your sister Sodom nor her daughters have done as you and your daughters have done. 49Look, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy (Ezekiel 16:48-49 NKJV).

Certainly this passage speaks of the people of Sodom as selfish. But that wasn’t their only sin. White ignores Jude 1:7 which says,

“7In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire” (Jude 1:7 NIV).

He also fails to mention 2 Peter 2 which says,

“4For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; 5and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; 6and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; 7and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked 8(for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)—9then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment, 10and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries, 11whereas angels, who are greater in power and might, do not bring a reviling accusation against them before the Lord” (2 Peter 2:4-10 NKJV).

Amazingly, White attempts to redefine “sodomy” as “selfishness”. Look up “sodomy” in a dictionary and see what it has meant in language after language ever since the actual city of Sodom was destroyed. The term “sodomy” does not refer to “selfishness” but primarily to anal sexual intercourse between men.

Lastly, look at the passage which comes directly after the passage White quotes. It has a very important word in it.

“50And they were haughty and committed abomination before Me; therefore I took them away as I saw fit” (Ezekiel 16:50 NKJV).

This is the same Hebrew word that is found in the next two references. White speaks some about this word saying that homosexual activity was an “abomination” to the Jews, but that’s not who is talking here. This is God speaking. What the men of Sodom did was an abomination to God.

This brings up the question, what does White believe about the Bible? He says that he takes it seriously, but what I’d like to know is, does he believe that it is God’s Word, authored by the Holy Spirit and written down by man? Does he believe that it is inerrant and inspired? Or does he believe that it is man’s word, containing pious, but human opinion that may change and evolve?

Leviticus 18:22 (NKJV) God’s Moral Law

22You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination.

Leviticus 20:13 (NKJV)

13If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them.

White wants to say that these passages are part of a “holiness covenant” applicable only to Old Testament priests. First of all, back up and read the full chapter. Verses 1-5 tell us that this chapter is a message from God for the people of Israel, not just for the priests.

“1Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2“Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘I am the Lord your God. 3According to the doings of the land of Egypt, where you dwelt, you shall not do; and according to the doings of the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you, you shall not do; nor shall you walk in their ordinances. 4You shall observe My judgments and keep My ordinances, to walk in them: I am the Lord your God. 5You shall therefore keep My statutes and My judgments, which if a man does, he shall live by them: I am the Lord” (Leviticus 18:1-5 NKJV).

White draws attention to the fact that not all laws in the Old Testament are still in effect. This is true. God chose the Israelite people to be His special people. The Messiah would be born from their nation. He gave them three types of Law to follow. Moral Law, which stands for all people for all time. Ceremonial Law, which was how God wanted Israel to worship Him. Civic Law, which was God’s laws for Israel, that, though chosen by Him, was made up of believers and non-believers, wicked and righteous people.

The New Testament tells us which Laws are still in effect for us – those which fall into the category of Moral Law. We don’t have to follow all the Jewish worship laws. Nor are we obligated to follow the Civic Laws meant specifically for Israel.

“13When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. 15And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
16Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ” (Colossians 2:13-17 NIV).

Secondly, look at the stuff around the verse about homosexuality.

“20Moreover you shall not lie carnally with your neighbor’s wife, to defile yourself with her. 21And you shall not let any of your descendants pass through the fire to Molech, nor shall you profane the name of your God: I am the Lord. 22You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination. 23Nor shall you mate with any animal, to defile yourself with it. Nor shall any woman stand before an animal to mate with it. It is perversion” (Lev 18:20-23 NIV).

If these were merely “holiness covenant” than it stands to reason that it would be alright for non-priests to have sex with their neighbor’s wives, sacrifice their children to Molech, and mate themselves with animals.

Also, there weren’t any female priests in ancient Israel, yet the end of verse 23 speaks directly to females. Clearly, White is wrong in teaching that this is a holiness covenant meant only for Old Testament priests.

Furthermore, God explains that these things were not just wicked if Israelites did them, they were wicked if any people did them.

“24“‘Do not defile yourselves in any of these ways, because this is how the nations that I am going to drive out before you became defiled. 25Even the land was defiled; so I punished it for its sin, and the land vomited out its inhabitants. 26But you must keep my decrees and my laws. The native-born and the aliens living among you must not do any of these detestable things, 27for all these things were done by the people who lived in the land before you, and the land became defiled. 28And if you defile the land, it will vomit you out as it vomited out the nations that were before you” (Lev 18:24-28 NIV).

Romans 1:26-27 Men with Men, Women with Women

26Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. (Romans 1:26-27 NIV)

All you have to do is read the actual words of the Bible here. Mel White doesn’t really address them. He relies completely on importing meaning into the text. He claims that this section refers to people who made sex their God in pagan temples, and that’s why their actions were bad. But the sentences above are clear enough. Lust and indecent acts - men with men, women with women.

At the end of White’s interpretation of these passages in Romans, white says,

“Even after he describes the disturbing practices he has seen, Paul warns us that judging others is God’s business, not ours”

Truly, God doesn’t want us to judge with outward and shallow perception. But to say that God rules out all judging done by man is just ridiculous.

“Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment” (John 7:24 NKJV)

Is it sinfully judging a person to say, “Your having sex with your father’s wife. That’s not right in God’s eyes”?

Is it sinfully judging a person to say, “You’re blaspheming God with your words. That’s not right in God’s eyes”?

Yes this is judgment. But not sinful judgment. And really, not judgment that originates with Christians either. When we hold up God’s Word and judge human lives according to it, God is pronouncing the judgment. Right judgment is made by God’s standard, not by man’s. We are COMMANDED by God to judge those among us who claim to follow Christ, but live opposed to what His Word says.

“9I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. 10Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. 11But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person.
12For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? 13But those who are outside God judges. Therefore “put away from yourselves the evil person.”” (1 Cor. 5:9-13 NKJV).

“18Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, 19holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith. 20Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.” (1 Timothy 1:18-20 NIV).

White says science and experience prove that same sex sexual relations are quite natural. White’s statement here is really, “Man knows better than God.”

The problem is, we live in a broken world. Our natural inclination isn’t necessarily right. Sinners are drawn to all sorts of emotions, desires and behaviors that are not right. Lies, gossip, stealing, hating, lusting – you name it!

Sinners like me and you are naturally inclined to sins – but that doesn’t make them right. We’re naturally inclined to these because we’ve been born in the image of Adam – Sinful. Not knowing God’s will perfectly any longer. We need to look to the Bible for guidance. We walk unstable ground when we allow our feelings and experiences to define what is right instead of relying on God’s Word.

1 Corinthians 6:9 (NIV) Mysterious Words?

9Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
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White claims that the two words underlined above are mysterious words which have been assigned the meaning “homosexual” but really nobody knows for sure what they mean. Really?

The first word is translated “male prostitutes” in the NIV. This word is used to refer both to things and people. When used of things it means, “soft”. For example, it is used in Luke 7:25 by Jesus.

“25But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings’ courts” (Luke 7:25 NKJV).

But this adjective is also used of people. What does it mean to be a “soft” person? Well, look at the context first of all. It’s a sinful thing, whatever it is. And it comes sandwiched between terms for sexual sin: sexual immorality, adultery and homosexual acts.

It is true that sometimes a word is difficult to define because it is seldom used in ancient literature. However, the most trustworthy lexicon of Koine Greek has the following entry for this word,

“Soft. 1) of things: clothes 2) of pers. Soft, effeminate, esp. of catamites, men and boys who allow themselves to be misused homosexually” (“malakos” entry in “A Greek English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature” Bauer, Gingrich and Danker)

Other lexicons support this definition. It’s also important to remember here that many if not most of the men and women who specialize in Biblical languages are NOT Christians. The study of Bible languages is a job for them, not a conviction. They come to these definitions primarily on the basis of researching words and uses of words in the literature of the period in which it was written and surrounding periods.

White admits the above meaning, but points only to the sexual abuse of children as being the sin – minimizing the fact that this word refers to same sex relations.

The second word which is translated “homosexual offenders” is even clearer. It is a word made by sandwiching two words together. One meaning “male” and one meaning “bed”. The lexicon entry here is,

“a male who practices homosexuality, pederast, sodomite” (“arsenokoitai” entry in “A Greek English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature” Bauer, Gingrich and Danker)

Both roles in a homosexual act are spoken of here, both the receiver and the giver.

BUT HOW CAN LOVE BE WRONG?

Love is not wrong. Sex outside of marriage is.

Love is not wrong. Sexual thoughts outside of marriage are.

Love for a person of your same sex is not wrong. Same gender sex acts are.

Christ came to set us free from sin by suffering our punishment for sin on the cross and dying in our place. Faith in Christ means freedom from the fear that God is going to punish us when we fail to keep His Moral Law. Christ means freedom from guilt when we fail to keep His Law. Christ mean freedom FROM sins which enslave and control us, not freedom TO sin.

By faith in Jesus we are placed above the Law. Christ took suffered our punishment on the cross. Our sentence for sin has already been served. But that doesn’t mean we lie and steal and murder and rape and gossip etc. No way! We walk in step with the Holy Spirit – walking according to God’s Moral Law.

Does this mean that we won’t have sexual feelings for inappropriate people? No. We still have Original Sin, the inner traitor, living inside us. He causes all sorts of sinful thoughts and emotions to come from inside. But we also have the New Man inside, created by the Holy Spirit and still assisted by God the Spirit. The New Man fights against the Old Man.

Maybe you believe that you were born a homosexual. That’s fine. Maybe you were. But that doesn’t change God’s Moral Law as expressed in His Word. I was born a sinner. If you knew the things that my mind thinks sometimes you’d be disgusted. Violent things. Perverted things. Petty things. Lustful things. Utterly selfish things. God’s Word tells me these things are not right, even though they come naturally to me, and are sometimes accompanied with intense emotions.

There is help. But there is no “solution” for same sex attraction apart from continued repentance and prayer to God. Continued looking to Jesus for forgiveness and asking God’s Spirit for help. Help to cleanse your thoughts of sexual sin. Help to not put yourself in positions of sexual temptation. Help to align your life according to Jesus’ will and the Holy Spirit’s guiding with His Word.

Can a homosexual be a Christian? Yes. Just as a sinner can be a Christian. But no unrepentant sinner will ever enter heaven. You can’t be cleansed of the sin you clutch in your hand and refuse to let go of. If a homosexual continues to refuse to acknowledge homosexual thoughts and actions are sin, than they have chosen sin over the Savior and God and His Word have no place in their life.

“5This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives” (1 John 1:5-10 NIV).

Caleb Schaller
Pastor, Redemption Lutheran
Lynnwood, WA