Anonymous Asks (311)

“Why are Christians homophobic?”

Homophobia is a ridiculous pejorative that applies literally to almost no Christians in the real world. It fails miserably as language, in that if it means anything at all, it means “fear of that which is the same”. The term is a convenient way to deflect arguments that address the dangers and evils of a lifestyle that exalts sodomy. I do not use it.

That said, if you don’t celebrate perversion, anyone who inquires why that might be will probably use the word, so we may as well formulate an answer for them.

Fear vs. Disgust

Godly fear may actually not be the most inappropriate reaction when dealing with those who make sin a lifestyle and identity. Jude writes, “To others show mercy with fear [phobos, from which we get “phobia”], hating even the garment stained by the flesh.” Maybe we should see a little more of that godly reserve among believers talking about same-sex behavior. The fact is, we don’t. Many so-called Christian denominations accept homosexuals as members. Others, especially in the last few generations, don’t see homosexuality as a major issue, and wonder why older Christians make such a big deal of it.

If I had to pick an existing word to describe the ordinate, biblical Christian reaction to a lifestyle characterized by forbidden sexual relationships of any sort, it would be disgust or revulsion rather than fear, and frankly, I see too little of that rather than too much. We live in a day when we are supposed to be blasé about everything. A little blatant revulsion is terminally uncool.

The High Hand

Let me tell you why militant homosexuality is a big deal. The Law of Moses made provision for the forgiveness of sins. When you acknowledged your guilt and brought the appropriate sacrifice, God would overlook almost anything in anticipation of the sacrifice of Christ, which would cover it forever.

What the Law didn’t even attempt to deal with was sins committed “with a high hand”, not out of weakness or temptation but defiantly, as an act of rebellion. There was no sacrifice for such a person. Israel was to cut him off. He had made his choice deliberately in the face of God’s law, thumbing his nose at heaven.

So then, there was hope for an Israelite who, overwhelmed by lust, acted inappropriately and came to regret his behavior and seek forgiveness. There was no hope for a man who made a sinful lifestyle his ongoing objective.

John and the Practice of Sin

John addresses this issue in the New Testament. He starts by saying everyone sins, including believers, and anyone who says otherwise is a liar. He adds that when we confess our sins, God forgives and cleanses us. Later, he is equally clear that nobody who is born of God — no genuine believer — makes sin a practice. That is to say, he does not call his sin an “orientation”, a “lifestyle” or an “identity”. He does not expect or desire to carry on in that sin indefinitely. He hates his fleshly impulses and wishes they would stop. He does not excuse his slips. He is like the man in Romans 7, struggling with his desires but agreeing with God about their sinfulness. He is the furthest thing from “high handed”.

What makes homosexuality (and other kinds of ongoing sexual immorality, witchcraft, chronic dishonesty or any other sinful lifestyle) so dangerous is not the act itself but the defiance that accompanies it; the insistence that we will see more of this, and that it’s just fine. The closeted homosexual, wracked with guilt and shame, is far closer to the kingdom of heaven than the rebel activist who claims his conduct is not only unsinful but admirable.

Militant Homosexuality = Idolatry

High-handed sin is essentially the worship of another god. Militant homosexuals are engaged in the high-handed sin of idolatry. Their urges occupy the throne of their lives and are given a place that belongs only to deity. Christians who understand this will learn to state the truth of God clearly when given opportunity, then wisely keep their distance, just as Old Testament believers would have kept their distance from the prophets of Baal.

The only thing that comes of associating with idolaters is idolatry.