At least in my own experience, it seems that homosexuality has been considered by many Christians, as the worst sin anyone could commit. I know brethren, who have held out this lifestyle, as the chief of sinful behavior. Yet, these same folks seem to wink at adultery and divorce. Many of us have friends, perhaps even family members, who have been divorced, once, twice, perhaps even three times, but, while we associate freely with these folks, we don’t associate with gay people. We befriend folks we know, who have beaten their wives or who have committed adultery, at times even listening to their bragging about their sexual escapades, but who would want to listen to a gay’s night out? Gay bashing is also forgivable, because, after all, they deserve it—don’t they? Jesus died for adulterers, murderers, thieves, idolaters, but not gays—God hates gays—doesn’t he (John 3:16)? Do we really get to choose whose sins are the greatest, or who is and who isn’t forgiven?
Christians are not under the Law of Moses. The Law of Moses was like the Jews’ constitution. It was their national law. We have our national law, and as Christians, we need to respect and obey the laws of the land, but we are not under the Law of Moses. As a covenantal law, it ceased to exist in AD 70. We are under the New Covenant, and the Old Covenant has passed away (cp. Hebrews 8:13), so it has no power or authority over anyone today, not even Jews; all folks everywhere are called to obey the Gospel, not Moses.
Nevertheless, what does all this mean in terms of what is and what is not the word of God? Paul tells us that the Law defined for us, what sin actually is (Romans 7:7). Nevertheless, if I am forgiven, does this mean I have a covenantal right to continue to sin (Romans 6:1)? The scriptures tell me, I have no such right (Romans 6:2). Therefore, although the Old Covenant has been removed, and no one is under its power, it continues to be valuable “for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,” because all scripture was given by the inspiration of God (2Timothy 3:16).
In this context, therefore, let’s consider what the Mosaic Law tells us about homosexuality, but before we do, I need to correct one glaring error that is used against homosexuals. The account we are given in Genesis 19 about Sodom is about violence, not homosexuality. Rape is not consensual sex. It has nothing to do with sexual pleasure. It is all about power. The scriptures tell us that Sodom and the other cities of the plain had rebelled against the Mesopotamian cities that had power over them (Genesis 14:1-4), and although Sodom and the cities with her lost the war, Abraham turned defeat into victory (Genesis 14:13-16). What occurred in Genesis 19 was Sodom intimidating and boasting its power over eastern pilgrims and merchantmen. It had absolutely nothing to do with sexual pleasure. God **never** personally intervened in human affairs to judge any sin but violence. The Lord’s judgment upon Sodom and Gomorrah occurred, because of the violence and the brutality, in which the cities of the plain greeted peaceful merchants and immigrants. That said, let’s look into the Law of Moses.
According to the Law, a number of different types of sexual relations are forbidden in Leviticus, chapter 18. Among those prohibited is a man who lies with mankind, as is done with womankind; it is an abomination (Leviticus 18:22). This seems clear and to the point to a modern reader, but, in reality, the waters are muddy here, because exceptions exist prior to the giving of the Law.
Reuben lay with his father’s, Jacob’s, concubine (Genesis 35:22), which is forbidden in Leviticus 18:8. Abraham took his sister, his father’s daughter, but not his mother’s (Genesis 20:12), and this is also forbidden in Leviticus 18:11. Again, Judah lay with his daughter-in-law, Tamar (Genesis 38:24-26), forbidden in Leviticus 18:15. Interestingly, God chose to bring the Messiah through this sexual relationship rather than through the “legitimate” son, Shelah (according to the Law of Moses; cp. Genesis 38:30 and Matthew 1:3). Moreover, after Jacob married Leah, Laban’s daughter, he married Rachel, her sister (Genesis 29:21-23, 25-28), forbidden by the Law of Moses (Leviticus 18:18).
One may say, “But homosexuality was punishable by death in Leviticus 20:13.” While this is true, so were the acts of Reuben, Judah and Abraham (Leviticus 20:11, 12, 18 respectively). Consider that all the “exceptions” occurred prior to the giving of the Law, which seems to indicate Abraham, Jacob, Reuben and Judah were not “under the Law.” Therefore, if we put the above in this context, vis-à-vis “not under the law,” if believers in Christ are, also, not “under the Law,” can we truly say that Leviticus 18:22 or 20:13 applies to anyone today?
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