Introduction

The culture we live in is changing rapidly. In Pride and Prejudice, a BBC classic drama set in rural England at the turn of the 19th century, there is a scene where one of the family’s daughters moves in with a man outside of marriage and elopes. It is assumed the family reputation and their future will be completely ruined. Today, cohabitation is widely accepted and even encouraged, a far cry from the way things used to be. This shift in attitude is reflective of the larger changes that have taken place in society regarding LGBTQIA+ issues.

LGBTQIA+?

What does LGBTQIA+ stand for? It stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer/questioning, asexual. The + holds space for the expanding of different sexual identities.  Gender decisions have been classed as LGBTQIA+ to incorporate all the different alternatives people are now using to define their gender. This list has grown so large that the last time I checked, Facebook gave you 71 possible gender choices, with that number likely to increase.

The Church and LGBTQIA+ in the media

A few years ago, in a landmark tribal council on the “Survivor” reality TV show, where people vote to remove members of their tribes, the host skipped the voting and effectively removed a tribe member for ‘outing’ another who was transgender.

Chart-topping musician Sam Smith recently revealed in a BBC interview that he is now non-binary, saying that he does not identify as either male or female. In his words: “You are just you. You are a mixture of all different things. You are your own special creation. That’s how I see it. I’m not male or female. I think I float somewhere in between. When I saw the word ‘non-binary’, and I read into it, and I heard these people speaking and I was like, ‘that is me’.”

Well known, and somewhat controversial, TV show host Piers Morgan said in response, “I am now choosing to be Sam Smith, so that I can get his royalties.”

A number of schools in Birmingham, UK, closed recently due to protests from parents (mostly Muslim) against the No Outsiders lessons, which teach children about LGBTQIA+ people. A pro-LGBTQIA+ writer for the Independent Newspaper in the UK states that the No Outsiders project is not about sex education; it simply informs children that LGBTQIA+ people exist.

As part of this project, students are taught about the positive values of diversity, tolerance, and acceptance in a broad curriculum that includes LGBTQIA+ rights, same-sex relationships, gender identity, race, and religion. Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education) inspectors have deemed the lessons to be “age-appropriate.”

In Australia, lobbyists are pushing for a baby to be aborted if the parent doesn’t like the sex. Then, when the baby is born, the child is able to choose their own sex, rather than the one assigned to them at birth.

Moral relativism

Moral relativism suggests that there’s no universal truth about right or wrong. It argues that each person’s moral beliefs depend on their own experiences and values. The problem with individual moral relativism is the absence of a clear set of guiding principles for right or wrong. This results in an “anything goes” mentality, where people are free to decide what they believe is right or wrong without objection, as each person’s “truth” is considered relative to their own experience and values.

This lack of moral consensus leads to confusion and conflict, as people may have vastly different ideas about morality. At its extreme, moral relativism can even lead to a breakdown of social order.

Moral relativism raises a puzzling question: why are some things universally seen as morally wrong, such as cold-blooded murder, while others, such as a 6-month abortion or a woman deciding to identify as a man, are deemed acceptable by society? 

In a situation where individuals are free to make moral decisions without a universally accepted moral truth, the fundamental question persists: what is the ultimate basis for these individual moral choices?

Irrespective of religious beliefs, discussions on this topic tend to elevate blood pressure, drive people apart, and impede constructive dialogue. The matter of sexual identity sparks polarisation, with individuals taking divergent stances both within and outside religious institutions, and across various faith traditions.

LGBTQIA+ in the church and 5 common responses

• Those exploring the Christian faith may feel that defining yourself as LGBTQIA+ is wrong.
• Those exploring faith may see no problem at all with someone taking an LGBTQIA+ position.
• Professing Christ followers may not see anything wrong with an LGBTQIA+ relationship, or may be actively pursuing an LGBTQIA+ relationship.
• Professing Christ followers may have a deep sense that identifying as LGBTQIA+ is wrong, but may have desires for the opposite sex.
• Professing Christ followers may be attracted to the opposite sex.

We will examine the biblical perspective on this topic and address each response with a clear biblical position and a way to engage in conversations in society. You may not agree with this position, but it is biblical. Regardless of which response you feel best fits you at present, it is important to remember that we all have a choice in life: either we are the ultimate authority and the Bible must conform to our beliefs, or we choose to submit to God and His Word in its entirety. 

As Christ followers, our position is that scripture, all of it, including the things we like and don’t like, is God-breathed and is the cornerstone that we build our lives on.

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God[ may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

What does the Bible say?

24 Therefore God delivered them over in the desires of their hearts to sexual impurity, so that their bodies were degraded among themselves. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served what has been created instead of the Creator, who is praised forever. Amen. 

26 For this reason God delivered them over to disgraceful passions. Their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. 27 The men in the same way also left natural relations with women and were inflamed in their lust for one another. Men committed shameless acts with men and received in their own persons the appropriate penalty of their error.

28 And because they did not think it worthwhile to acknowledge God, God delivered them over to a corrupt mind so that they do what is not right. Romans 1 vs 24-28

The Bible outlines God’s design for marriage and His blessing of sexual relations exclusively within the confines of a heterosexual marriage, as detailed in Genesis 2:24. It clearly states that this blessing is reserved for marriages between a man and a woman, without making allowances for same-sex relationships.

Throughout the Bible, the union of a man and a woman is celebrated, whereas homosexual acts are consistently portrayed in a negative light. The Old Testament explicitly condemns homosexual acts as abominable (Leviticus 18:22, 20:13), a stance that is echoed in the New Testament, which includes homosexual acts among the behaviors that would prevent individuals from entering the kingdom of God, unless they repent and turn to Christ for purification (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).

Other Biblical references include Genesis 19,Romans 1:18-32, 1 Timothy 1:8-11, and Jude 7. It’s crucial to differentiate, however, that the condemnation is aimed at homosexual acts and deliberately indulging in such fantasies, not the involuntary feelings one might experience.

External Influences

Our upbringing has a massive effect on how we see the world. It may not necessarily be right or wrong, but it can have a profound impact on our values, beliefs, and behaviors.

For example, someone who was raised in a religious household may be more likely to believe in God than someone who was raised in a secular household. Similarly, someone who was raised in a family that values education may be more likely to pursue a higher degree than someone who was raised in a family that does not value education.

Our upbringing can also affect our personality traits. For example, someone who was raised in a supportive and loving household may be more likely to be trusting and optimistic, while someone who was raised in a neglectful or abusive household may be more likely to be distrustful and pessimistic. Our experiences, our interactions with others, and our own thoughts and feelings all play a role in shaping our beliefs and values.

In some cases, these subjects are not of great importance, while in others, they are. For example, children don’t grow up racist, they are taught that. Their understanding of right and wrong can be warped and twisted by parents and peers. When it comes to this debate – we need to approach the subject realising that our own past, our own personal upbringing, the circumstances in which we live, our faith background and our experiences all have a huge impact on the way we see this subject.

We need to set those influences aside and look at scripture, and ask God to help us apply correct biblical interpretations in this area of our lives.

9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practise homosexuality,10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. 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. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

The Bible unequivocally asserts that identifying as LGBTQIA+ is considered inappropriate, and morally wrong. This standpoint aligns with the beliefs of both seekers of faith who deem it wrong and those experiencing both same-sex and heterosexual attractions but perceive it as morally unacceptable. For individuals who openly profess themselves as followers of Christ and find no issue with identifying as LGBTQIA+, this may provide some clarity.

Often Christianity alone comes under fire for this perspective. But we must understand that disapproval of LGBTQIA+ identification extends beyond Christianity. Similar sentiments exist in Judaism, Islam and other faiths. This perspective isn’t isolated to the Christian faith, although our stance on this subject should remain unchanged regardless of other religious beliefs, if we truly believe that God is who He says He is, and has our best interests at heart.

God’s stance on the matter is very clear. The important question of “why” now becomes significant.

Why would God say that?

18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a helper corresponding to him.” 19 The Lord God formed out of the ground every wild animal and every bird of the sky, and brought each to the man to see what he would call it. And whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name. 20 The man gave names to all the livestock, to the birds of the sky, and to every wild animal; but for the man[l] no helper was found corresponding to him. 21 So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to come over the man, and he slept.

God took one of his ribs and closed the flesh at that place. 22 Then the Lord God made the rib he had taken from the man into a woman and brought her to the man. 23 And the man said: This one, at last, is bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh; this one will be called “woman,” for she was taken from man. 24 This is why a man leaves his father and mother and bonds with his wife, and they become one flesh. 25 Both the man and his wife were naked, yet felt no shame. Genesis 2:18-25

Our sexuality is created by God, not us or our own choices. God establishes the distinctions between male and female. God intentionally created our sexual organs to complement each other, male and female. Our identity is not determined by our feelings, our upbringing, or external morally relevant opinions. Rather, it is defined by God and his design.

Some may argue that God could have created a man as a helper for Adam, or that He may not mind if men and women choose differently later (though this perspective conflicts with Romans 1 and 1 Corinthians 6). However, from the creative order set in place by God, it is evident that His intention is for us to be distinctly male or female, and to experience attraction toward each other (as indicated in specific verses).

Furthermore, there is no doubt that God has designed the union between men and women to reflect Him and the relationship between Christ and the church. This divine reflection is not achievable in the context of same-sex attraction. God addresses this in Ephesians 5 – let’s explore that passage.

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing[b] her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.

29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— 30 for we are members of his body. 31 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”[c] 32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. Ephesians 5-25-33

The profound strength of marriage lies in the union of the distinct opposites found in men and women. Wives may express, “He is so peculiar,” and men might say, “I don’t understand her.” In contrast, same-sex attraction may seem easier to some people, given the shared thoughts and feelings. However, this doesn’t align with God’s design for Himself and the Church, where different, polar opposites are intended to come together for His great purpose. There is a picture here of God creating us as men and women, that is far bigger than just us.

Consider also the procreative aspect of men and women being together. If same-sex attraction were deemed right and normal, it is unlikely we would be having this discussion, as none of us would exist. Moreover, it is undeniable that, physically, we have been uniquely shaped to fit together, a dynamic that does not occur in same-sex relationships.

This is helpful for all groups, but particularly for those who don’t see anything out of alignment with same sex attraction. This passage provides a healthy starting point to God’s creative work and design.

How should we respond?

Over the years, numerous young men and women have battled same-sex attraction. They’ve earnestly sought change in this aspect, questioning why they feel this way and bearing the weight of profound shame. It has been both heartbreaking and humbling to stand beside remarkable men contending with this struggle, and undoubtedly, there are parallel narratives among women.

Firstly, it’s essential to recognize that, regardless of societal messages and encouragement, God provides a clear standpoint on this matter, as evidenced in scripture.

Secondly, if you identify as a Christ follower, understand that your struggle does not diminish your identity as a follower of Christ; that is no question.

Sam Alberry is a Christian Pastor who experiences same-sex attraction. He actively contributes to the Gospel Coalition, is involved in church leadership and has a far reaching impact in evangelical circles. In a recent interview conducted by Desiring God, he shared the following;

“As a Christian, one of the key things for me is realising that identity as Christians is not something that we discover in ourselves, nor is it something we create. It’s something we receive and are given by the only person who can know our actual identity, which is the God who made us. So my identity as a Christian comes from the fact that I’ve been created by God and redeemed by him through the saving work of Jesus.

So this is where I need to have a different understanding than our culture. Our culture says, ‘You are your sexuality,’ that the sexual feelings that you have are the most you — that is, the real you. For me, that’s just not the case. I want to use language that can describe an aspect of what is going on in my life, but which doesn’t imply that that is what defines me, or what is the centre and heart of who I am.

The language of ‘same-sex attraction’ perhaps is less familiar to people outside of Christian circles. It’s a bit more clunky. But I think it’s less prone to being misunderstood. I use it because I don’t want to imply that a particular set of sexual temptations is where I see who I am. It’s not the lens through which I understand myself. That’s why I tend to use the language of being same-sex attracted.”

Thirdly, even though Sam has reached a point of embracing, living with, and maintaining purity in the process before God, it should be emphasised that God has the ability to bring about supernatural transformation. While society may encourage embracing one’s innate identity and claim that it’s an inherent aspect, it is possible that you may experience a change in attraction! Nevertheless, you can still find complete fulfilment as a follower of Christ if you remain with same sex attraction for all your life. Jesus was the most fulfilled person in History and remained single all His life.

As recently as 2015, the American Psychiatric Association made this statement “Some people believe that sexual orientation is innate and fixed; however, sexual orientation develops across a person’s lifetime.” While the reasons for experiencing same-sex attraction remain unclear, there is currently no scientific evidence supporting the notion that individuals are born with such orientations. 

Fourthly, harbouring attraction to the same sex and acting upon those feelings, whether in thought or action, is not considered the ultimate sin above all others. While it is acknowledged as a sin, there’s no denying that sexual sin, including same-sex attraction, can have a devastating impact on individuals. This is partly because, as stated in Romans 1, it involves an idolatrous focus on ourselves, a fractured sense of identity that warrants our attention.

However, it falls within the broader category of sin in general. Sin is sin, and though consequences may vary, the essence remains the same. The question arises: Do we address it equally in the church? Whether dealing with issues such as a drinking problem, premarital intimacy, cohabitation, gossip, or tax evasion, the principle remains constant—sin is sin.

Embracing Complexity

Let’s revisit 1 Corinthians 6. It emphasises that it’s not a singular sin that keeps you out of the Kingdom of God. If that were the case, none of us would be eligible, given the likelihood of having committed at least one of those sins. The passage suggests that willingly engaging in such actions, rejecting God’s guidance, refusing submission to Him, and not pursuing Jesus, demonstrates a lack of transformation by Him and, consequently, places us outside His Kingdom.

If you are a Christ follower struggling with same sex attraction – your struggle for purity is the same as for someone with heterosexual desires.

Sam Alberry has been instrumental in the ongoing UK discussions. It’s essential to understand that there is no debate on God’s design for marriage between a man and a woman. Sam has strongly upheld this principle, asserting that there is no room for homosexual marriage or the pursuit of a homosexual relationship.

The church ought to be a haven of openness and support for those experiencing same-sex attraction. As followers of Christ, they can find complete fulfilment, Jesus Himself remained unmarried, and Paul even suggested that marriage might divert attention from God’s calling. Breaking the stigma is a goal, where a Christ follower feels comfortable openly acknowledging same-sex attraction while actively pursuing Christ and maintaining purity, receiving support for their commitment.

For those who profess to be Christians, the crucial question is whether you are embracing or acknowledging sin, be it related to sexual conduct or in other areas. For those cohabitating, the directive is clear: move out, stop sexual activity, and pursue a life of purity.

The church should be seen as a welcoming space for individuals who are not Christ followers and are engaged in or pursuing same-sex relationships. The emphasis in this context should be on offering love and acceptance first, mirroring the model of Jesus with figures like the lady prostitute and Zacchaeus. However, any anticipation of a change in lifestyle is suggested to be rooted in the internal transformation resulting from encountering Christ.

How should we respond to objections?

Addressing objections to these biblical principles necessitates a commitment to directing attention toward Christ as the primary concern. These debates can easily become distractions, emphasising the need to prioritise what matters most. Jesus instructs us to speak the truth with love, meaning our approach should be characterised by kindness, thoughtfulness, and humility. However, we should also stand firm in our beliefs without succumbing to fear. Ensure that there is no judgmental attitude within you but rather a genuine love for people, irrespective of their stance on this issue.

You may be told that you are homophobic, or any other horrible things, and that is okay. This only aligns with Jesus’ prediction that persecution will come to those who follow Him.

My greatest prayer is that of the heart of God that no one would perish and all would be saved. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. If we have that heart as the local church – we will see people who don’t know Christ, living as LGBTQIA+ community come to faith and see their lives transformed.

Resources 

See www.livingout.org, where pastors and leaders help people, churches and society talk about faith and sexuality. 

Desiring God. (n.d.). Homosexuality. Desiring God. Retrieved February 27, 2024, from https://www.desiringgod.org/topics/homosexuality