There are a great many things I would rather do than write on this topic. However, I do so for a number of reasons.
I am concerned for homosexuals. If what the Bible says is true, then genuine compassion for homosexuals must involve a concern for their salvation. Homosexuals are not well served by being shielded from God’s truth.
I am concerned for Christians. In an increasingly hostile world, it can be very difficult taking a minority position. Without good information, Christians will feel confused and oppressed by the other views they hear so often. There is a huge amount of misinformation around this topic. Christians need to know what is true.
I am concerned that Christians don’t know how to respond to the arguments that are so often repeated.
I am concerned that, because of that constant repetition, those arguments are so often believed to be true despite their many weaknesses.
I am concerned that Christians do not know how to love homosexuals. Contentious debate leads to polarisation rather than relationships. Christians have not had opportunities to, or have not been encouraged to, or have chosen not to, love homosexuals.
I am concerned that the church has frequently not behaved well towards homosexuals and has sometimes been judgemental and even hateful. One needs only to read some of the comments online to see “Christians” who are thoroughly nasty in the way they treat homosexuals. We need to rethink what is the Christ-like response.
I am concerned that homosexuals have not always behaved well towards the church. Even when the church has genuinely loved homosexuals, just by virtue of maintaining biblical standards, it has been accused of being hateful and homophobic.
I am concerned that the church is divided over this issue and seems to be deeply confused. I am concerned that the discussion is so infrequently biblical and so often based on philosophical or emotional arguments. I am concerned that even some of those who profess to be Bible-believing Christians seem to not believe the Bible on this issue but are swayed by where society is going.
I am concerned for our society. I do not believe we can disobey God with immunity. There will be consequences – consequences that God, in His grace, always urges us to avoid.
I am concerned for young people – Christian and non-Christians – who, because of the normalising of homosexuality, are persuaded that it is right and healthy.
We need to know the truth.
Of course, I am aware that what I claim to be truth, others – even other Christians – will disagree with. I do not believe we should therefore give up or assume there is no truth. My desire is to simply look at the scriptures on the understanding that they are God’s word to us.
I intended it to be quite brief but it has grown. Nevertheless, there are much fuller materials available and some of the discussion does need to deal with the nuances. I will list some resources at the end of this site.
Political correctness dictates that I shouldn’t say some things and that I should list resources supporting all positions. My concern is not political correctness but truth. Political correctness is a major contributor to the confusion when people feel they cannot speak plainly the truth as they understand it. I will list only resources that I believe are faithful to the biblical material. Other views are readily available if you want them.
Of course, I do not expect to “force” you to agree with me. I can’t do that and wouldn’t want to. Your beliefs must be freely chosen. I can however give you information so that your choice is informed. My hope is that you sincerely want to know what God says and that you will pray that He will reveal His truth to you in such a way that it becomes your conviction.
The material is presented as a series of short chapters grouped into some main sections, in the hope that you can either read it through it from beginning to end or use it as a reference, finding information that is relevant to your particular question.
Because I will present views contrary to my own, I will try to make it clear which is which by prefacing views that I believe are not based on the Bible with the word “Objection”.