Much has been said by conservative pundits that Christian Values must be, by their very definition, set in opposition to same sex marriage and homosexuality. I started to wonder about that and set out to determine if that is true.
My first stop was the book of Leviticus, chapter 18, verse 22. This is one of the key verses that is quoted as a proclamation against homosexual relationships in general (note that the verse prohibits sexual relations between men, specifically). A quick review of the surrounding verses reveals that this verse is part of a laundry list of forbidden sexual activities which include incest, sex with close relations, sex with animals, and other such things. According to this chapter of Leviticus, these types of activities will defile a person.
I continued to read through these laws into chapter 19. There are many valuable laws there including laws that prohibit idolatry, stealing, lying, deception, fraud, using false measures, withholding wages, cursing deaf people, tripping blind people, perverting justice and showing favoritism in court, slander, endangering your neighbor's life, hating your brother, seeking revenge, holding a grudge, mating different kinds of animals, planting different kinds of seeds in one field, wearing clothing woven from two kinds of material, eating meat with blood in it, making your daughter a prostitute, etc. There is much useful guidance in these verses, and many things that are forbidden.
A couple of other laws that I find interesting, and relevant, are these: don't get tattoos, and don't cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard.
Let's just take these last two as examples. I don't think anyone would argue that it is incorrect to take words out of context and use them to your advantage. So, to be fair, if you are going to invoke Leviticus 18:22 as an argument against homosexuality, based on the same standard, shouldn't all the men who argue this also have long hair on the sides of their heads and unclipped beards. And shouldn't anyone who supports that position have no tattoos?
So, there must be more to these arguments. Are all Christians today bound by all the laws set down in Leviticus? If they are, it's pretty clear that we are all falling short in many places. What does the New Testament have to say about this?
In Matthew 5:17, Jesus states: "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them...until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished." Now, this verse has been the subject of many debates and many scholars disagree about its application. I'm no scholar, so I'll just use a plain reading interpretation based on what appears to be the main stream of thought on the subject.
The Law of the Old Testament has not been abolished. But, what did he mean when he said he came to fulfill them? Most people interpret this to mean that he abided by all of them. Thus, he led a sinless life as measured by his obedience to these laws. He then died as a sacrifice for all the people of the world so that everyone could be freed from the punishment of death for the sins they commit during their lives. Thus, he fulfilled the Law.
When asked about the Law and the Law of the Prophets by a lawyer, Jesus answered: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
Based on Jesus' answer, the modern Christian should center his belief system on these two commandments. A modern Christian should focus on loving God and loving his neighbor - this will put him in the right place according to Jesus. Jesus could not have made it more simple to understand - yet, as most of us know - very difficult to follow. Remember, too, when Jesus was pressed by a lawyer as to who would be defined as a "neighbor", Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan. Luke 10:25-37. This parable defines "neighbor" as someone we encounter who is in need.
Christians are also warned about judging others. "Do not judge, or you too will be judged." Matthew 7:1-5. So, the Christian who judges someone else for their apparent sins will be judged by the same standard. Christians are advised to look into their own lives, first, and be sure they are not being hypocritical in their judgments - which, in most cases, they are. Instead, Jesus teaches us to love others and to forgive others. Luke 17:1-4.
I have reviewed surveys that say that the Christian community has a divorce rate that mirrors or even exceeds that of the secular community. In other words, Christian marriages break up around 50% of the time, just like non-Christian marriages. I wonder about that because Jesus taught that the only justification for a man to divorce his wife is for adultery. Matthew 19:9 (this verse specifies that a man who does this and marries another commits adultery - it does not comment on women).
Now, I wonder, based on these principles, how many Christians, if they follow Jesus' advice, are without sin and can judge someone else?
One of the greatest teachers on the tenants of Christianity, Paul (St. Paul, Apostle Paul - as you like), also talked about the application of the Old Testament laws to our lives. Paul teaches very specifically that Christians are not under the Law.
"But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."
Romans 3:21-24. Not only do these verses teach that Christian salvation is accomplished outside or apart from the law, but that the Law and the Prophets testify to it. This echoes the statement from Jesus that he came to fulfill the Law. In addition to that, there are a couple of immensely important statements here.
First, this salvation is for "all who believe." All, everyone, no matter your race, place of birth, color, sexual orientation, height, weight, age, hair style, etc qualify. To underscore this statement, Paul says that "there is no difference." Why, because all, everyone, has sinned. Everyone. Everyone on both sides of the current debate has sinned. And, we all know it.
Of course, the good news is that we are all "justified freely by his grace through the redemption" by Jesus if we believe. As I said, this redemption knows no boundaries. It extends to people on both sides of this debate, if they believe. And, if they do, they are called upon to love each other as they love themselves.
Paul did not teach us to judge others by the law, but inspired us to tell others about the freedom that is offered by Jesus' fulfillment of the law.
Jesus spoke a lot about love. So did Paul. I challenge everyone with this statement by Paul:
"Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. The commandments, 'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not murder,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not covet,' and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law."
Romans 13:8-10. This is a powerful statement. And, in terms of the laws of Leviticus, puts them in a different perspective. Paul lists some of the specific laws contained there and then uses an all encompassing statement "and whatever other commandment there may be" which would include the commandment about homosexuality, and says it is summed up by the rule: Love your neighbor as yourself.
Well, if, as a Christian, I am going to love my neighbor as myself, then I want for my neighbor the same rights, freedoms, privileges, and life that I want for myself. So, what if my neighbor is gay? Think of the Samaritan. Do you think that Jesus' message would have been any different if the Samaritan was gay? I don't.
Is the Old Testament irrelevant? No. It is a guideline for behavior. It can be a measuring stick to use when we want to know what is right and wrong. Is it fair to single out a particular passage and build a doctrine around it or, for that matter, a political platform? No, I don't think so.
Because, if it is, then every man who does that ought to have long hair on the sides of his face and an untrimmed beard and should not be divorced unless his wife committed adultery. And, for all of them, man or woman, none should have a tattoo. Remember, you will be judged as you judge. If you hold others up to a standard, then you must also be able to live by that standard, yourself.
As for me - I am going to do everything in my power to love my neighbor as myself. I hope to bring a little peace and happiness to those around me by doing so. And, don't worry, I won't judge you for how you live.
Bob Vogel
rlvogel@robertvogellaw.com
I agree, my view comes more from the historical setting. I think trying to force "Biblical" views on people is much like the actions of Constantine in trying to convert people by force or government. Jesus always dealt with the heart first, from there change occurred as the gospel spread and was applied throughout the person's life. To merely deal with the fruits is to fight a loosing battle, one must also deal with the roots, and Jesus went to the root. Ex: Samaritan woman at the well.
ReplyDeleteMany people will cite that America is/was founded on Christian thought (although this isn't as widely accepted now), regardless of that, it isn't now. We need to deal with the now and not try to force people into a behavior model, the group that did that in the Bible was the Pharisees. The Gospel always deals with the heart and the inside out, The Law and legalism delt with the outside in.
I think these are good points. I should have recalled the example of the Pharisees, it strengthens the argument. I am trying to learn - as much as you can teach an old dog new tricks - to deal with the "heart issues." Thanks for the input.
DeleteWell done Bob!!!! I am truely thankful I have such fierce friends in you and your wife that have such educated opinions on such matters. If we as a society are ever going to become more harmoniuos, then we will need more people like you.
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