Why Gay Should Not Be Ordain in the Church

Homosexuals Should Not Be Ordained Into the Christian Ministry

To believe that the laws written in the Bible came directly from God, as Christians do believe, is also to accept that all the laws stated in the Bible should be obeyed and that it is not up to man to decide what laws in the Bible should be obeyed and which can be ignored. While some attempt to justify lifestyles by stating the Bible does not apply to the modern world, these individuals fail to understand the consequences of these views. Though many have chosen to accept homosexuality and argue that same sex marriages and even ordination to the ministry should be acceptable, 1 Corinthians states, "Don't you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don't fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or worship idols, or commit adultery, or who are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves are greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people -- none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God." (1Cor. 6:9-20 NLT). There is no room for misunderstanding here as the message is obvious. Homosexuality is expressed as an unacceptable act throughout the Bible. For example, both in the books of Romans and Corinthians Paul discusses this very issue of homosexuality. "And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned wit lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved." (Rom. 1.27 NLT). Paul focuses on the points of the act as being both shameless and in error to emphasize the point that any act of homosexuality should be considered sinful and God will condemn those involved. Paul continues to clearly state that homosexuals are not "acknowledging" God and God's will as they are being unfaithful to the will of the Lord. "Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done." (Rom. 1.28 NLT). It is essential to acknowledge that God does not like sin and homosexuality is a sin. It cannot be justified that some sins are not as evil as others or that God is accepting of sin just because he shows mankind grace and mercy. This does not give man permission to sin. Through man's fallen nature, he is going to sin and God is aware of this sinful nature, but that should not be confused with sin being acceptable. Man should make every effort to omit sin from his life. However, practicing homosexuality is considered an act of habitual and willful sin. Therefore, anyone living a lifestyle of habitual sin, such as homosexuality is not walking with the Lord and that individual should not be ordained in his ministry.

Research shows that "sexual preference is predominantly a socially learned response, not an orientation fixed from the outset by genetic or hormonal factors."[footnoteRef:1] Though this might be a debated point, there is no reference that homosexuality was accepted in any culture during any period and especially in the Christian Church regardless of the reasons for engaging in such acts. In other words, historically speaking this has not been an accepted behavior and only in modern times has anyone is society advocated the rights of those practicing these acts. Though homosexuality has existed since the fall of man, it does not make it permissible as it listed as detestable behavior along with other sins. "Homosexuality is simply one expression among many of the basic disordering of human life; all lust, whether heterosexual or homosexual, violates the divine law and reflects man's fallen nature."[footnoteRef:2] In Genesis, God purposefully created both man and woman to live together. When man was in need of a partner, Lord God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.'"(Gen 2:18 NLT). In addition to being his companion, the purpose of this union was to "be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it." (Gen 1:28 NLT). In was not God's intention for same sex sexual relations to occur. This was something that only came into existence after the fall of man. There can be little debate that homosexuality is contradictory the will of God. Those purposefully engaging in such activity should not be ordained. [1: Davis, John Jefferson.2004. Evangelical Ethics. Philipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing p. 117] [2: Ibid 122]

The Bible is quite clear in its position on homosexuality. "Do not practice homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman. It is a detestable sin." (Lev. 18:22 NLT). The use of the word detestable is a fervent statement highlighting it's abomination to God and stressing the fact that he will denounce those who disobey these commands. In fact, the consequences are severe; "If a man practices homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman, both men have committed a detestable act. They must be put to death, for they are guilty of a capital offense." (Lev. 20:13 NLT). However, it should be noted that homosexuality is not the only offense punishable by death under Mosaic law, as according to the bible there are other serious sins that are similarly punished such as "cursing one's parents…adultery, incest and intercourse with a menstruating woman." [footnoteRef:3] Though in today's world these sins may not be punished by death, it does not make them less serious in the eyes of God. Though these Mosaic laws are no longer in effect in today's society, there is also no indication that it is not considered a sinful act just as the other laws and commandments listed in the Bible are still followed and accepted today as law. Though some opponents will still argue that the Bible does not specifically condemn homosexuality, there are very specific passages about homosexuality and one of the most notable examples in found in Genesis 19. The Lord God, along with two angels, appear as men one night in the city of Sodom. Lot, demonstrating his hospitality, invites them to spend the night there in his own home. However, before they went to sleep that night, a number of local men of the city of Sodom surrounded Lot's house and yelled to him. "Where are the men who came to spend the night with you?" they demanded of Lot. "Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them" (Gen. 19: 1-5 NLT). When Lot denied their demands, they accused him of being wrongly judgmental. "This fellow came to town as an outsider, and now he's acting like our judge!" (Gen. 19:9 NLT). Though the sins of Sodom were many, these sexual impurities were compelling factors in the ultimate decision of God to destroy the city. The Lord heard the outcry of immortality rampaging through the city and ordered for it to be destroyed demonstrating the seriousness of following his commands. It is important to understand that the purpose of these Biblical stories is not to state that homosexuals should be killed and the sexual perversions were only one of the sins perpetuated in the city and these sins ran rampant throughout the entire city. God also provides warnings before destruction but those too were ignored. "The Bible nowhere teaches that homosexuality is an unforgivable sin; churches must reject the sin but be willing and ready to be used by God in the reclamation of the sinner."[footnoteRef:4] In other words, churches are there to help those who are living in sin and save them rather than persecute them. One practicing homosexuality would not be in a position to save others as he himself would not be saved. It essential that anyone acting in a position of authority in the church be leading a Christian life. [3: Hekminiak, Daniel A., Ph.D. What the Bible Really Says about Homosexuality. Episcopal Bishop of Newark NJ. 1994, 44] [4: Davis, John Jefferson.2004. Evangelical Ethics. Philipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 132]

One primary purpose of the Christian Church is to follow the laws of God to the best of its ability. Engaging in homosexual activities would not follow this purpose as there are numerous passages in the Bible providing evidence that it is considered perverse behavior not acceptable to God. Opponents will argue that any sinful act is unacceptable to God and that as all humans are sinful, it is not fair to single out homosexuality and that following those standards no one would be fit to be ordained. Therefore, it essential here to define how the term homosexuality is being used and considered in this context. "Homosexual is understood as one who in adult life is motivated by a 'definite preferential erotic attraction to members of the same sex and who usually (but not necessarily) engages in overt sexual relations with them.'"[footnoteRef:5] In other words, it is not just considered an act, but a willful lifestyle. This is a key concept to understand because it is this continual and willful sinful nature that is problematic. It should be noted that anyone living in habitual and/or willful sins should not be ordained in the ministry. The study of John makes it clear that one cannot live in the light and live in sin at the same time. "Everyone who sins is breaking God's law, for all sin is contrary to the law of God." (1 Jn. 3:4 NLT). However, more importantly, "Those who have been born into God's family do not make a practice of sinning, because God's life is in them. So they can't keep on sinning, because they are children of God." (1 Jn. 3:9 NLT). No one is without sin and it is not for man to determine whether one sin is more severe than another, but a sinful lifestyle should prevent one from becoming an ordained into the clergy because as John incontestably states, that person is not a child of God. [5: Davis, John Jefferson.2004. Evangelical Ethics. Philipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 114]

There is much debate over whether or not homosexuality is chosen or biologically predetermined. In some sense this is an important consideration because if it is not a choice, then it could be considered a mental issue or perhaps something God has defined for that particular individual. "Biologically, preferential homosexuality is a maladaptive sexual orientation."[footnoteRef:6] There are those that firmly believe homosexuality is not a choice and that it is "Something neither chosen nor changeable; heterosexuals who have made their peace with homosexuals have often done so by accepting that premise. The very term 'sexual orientation'…implies biology." [footnoteRef:7] However, even if this were the case, "The church cannot compromise the fundamental biblical teaching: homosexuality is contrary to the divine will for human sexuality."[footnoteRef:8] One who lives contrary to the laws of God should not be a member of the ordained ministry even if that lifestyle is the result of a mental disorder. That individual may be pardoned by God and granted mercy by the Lord, but that individual would still not be capable of leading a congregation if the individual is not mentally stable. Additionally, those who argue it is a predisposition one is born with is still an invalid argument in regard to ordination. One effect of the fall of man and his sinful nature is illness, sin nature and the existence of disease and evil in the world. Even one who is born inflicted because of this fallen nature is not exempt from consequence. Here again, any argument that states the individual is incapacitated in any way by choice or by birth is not a valid argument for ordination in the church. This is an extremely important difference because it impedes the individual from being able to excel in the ministry unless that behavior is changed by God. [6: Ibid 116] [7: Siker, Jeffery S. Homosexuality in the Church: Both Sides of the Debate. Westminster John Knox Press Louisville, Kentucky. 1994. 117] [8: Davis, John Jefferson.2004. Evangelical Ethics. Philipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 131]

One who lives in sin and believes in the Lord should have faith in God's ability to work in one's life. "If the resources of divine grace and the power of the Holy Spirit become part of the therapeutic process, then who can say that the homosexual who desires change has no real hope of success?"[footnoteRef:9] In other words, one who truly asks God to change his sinful ways will received God's healing. Therefore, an individual who is still living in habitual sin does not truly know the Lord and should not be leading a congregation. It not only demonstrates that the individual does not follow God's will, but it also portrays a lack of trust and faith in the Lord as well. Therefore, that same individual cannot be trusted as an ordained minister to make ethically and morally sound judgments. John Frame discusses the importance of a normative perspective in which he states the ethical question that needs to be asked is what does God want us to do or what is our duty? [footnoteRef:10] It is essential for Christians to consider the ethical and moral implications in all decision making processes. "In general, a Christian ethical decision is the application of God's revelation (normative) to a problem (situational) by a person (existential)."[footnoteRef:11] In order to make strong ethical decisions, the individual must be well versed in God's word in both knowledge and in practice. A minister is called to guide and counsel a congregation and it is expected that such an individual not be living a life of sin. This is the most prevalent argument against allowing homosexuals, or any individual living in habitual sin, to become an ordained minister. [9: Ibid 119] [10: Frame, John M. 2008. The Doctrine of the Christian Life. Philipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 239] [11: Ibid 131]

John Frame expresses that "God's very nature is normative."[footnoteRef:12] What this means is that God is powerful and the ultimate authority. There is no one with a greater authority. "This is the message that we have heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all." (1 Jn 1:5 NLT). The scripture here clearly states that in addition to his authority, God has no evil in him and he has complete moral purity. Therefore, his word which is recorded in the Bible, is the ultimate authority and morally pure. This is an important distinction because there is no room for argument or contradiction to God's decisions. As the Bible has determined homosexuality to be a sin, then living a homosexual lifestyle is sin that goes against the will of God."So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth." (1 Jn. 1:6 NLT). One who has a sinful nature cannot counsel and lead Christians in a morally and ethically sound lifestyle. God calls Christians to be in the light with him and avoid improprieties. "Wash yourselves and be clean! Get your sins out of my sight. Give up your evil ways.' (Isa. 1:16 NLT). God commands man to stop his evil ways and rid himself of sin. Those living in sin and guilt must first deal with this in their own lives before being able to lead others. [12: Ibid 133]

Another area of concern is that which John Frame refers to as situational perspective. How can we change the world in order to bring glory to God? "That is simply to say that everything we experience in the world enables us in some way to apply God's norms to our lives."[footnoteRef:13] This is the next important step to consider after determining what is normative, how are Christians to change the world to follow this moral example? Frame clarifies this point further when he states "As the normative perspective focuses on God's lordship attribute of authority, the situational perspective focuses on his lordship attribute of control."[footnoteRef:14] What this refers to is taking control and bringing God's authority to the world. The role of minister is to take the lead and implement change in the world. In order to apply biblical doctrine to the modern world, that individual must be morally sound. One of the keys in morally living is exemplified in how one lives and how one applied God's Word. Frame again emphasizes this point stating that this "situational perspective focuses on the use of that extrabiblical data, without forgetting that scripture provides necessary directions for interpreting and using that data."[footnoteRef:15] What Frame is focusing one here is the important of being able to interpret scripture ethically and morally and applying it to situations in everyday life. Here again, one who is living in habitual sin is not living in the light and is living in the darkness as discusses in 1 John. One living in the dark cannot be trusted to interpret scripture. [13: Frame, John M. 2008. The Doctrine of the Christian Life. Philipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 241] [14: Ibid 240] [15: Ibid 240]