Hermeneutical Essay Homosexuality/Same Sex Marriage Introduction How is the Scriptures correctly to be applied in our consideration about homosexuality

y and same sex marriage? In April 2013, France has become the 14th country to leaglise the same-sex marriage law. Same-sex marriage is one of the greatest social, moral, spiritual arguable issues in both the western and eastern countries. It is tearing not only country but also churches apart and threatens to fracture whole denominations today as never happened. Is the Scriptures able to speak to Christians puzzlement on this issue on homosexuality and same sex marriage? This essay I will compare several positions that represent the spectrum of thinking on the homosexual issue by examining on the specific biblical references relevant to homosexuality. The genuine issue here, then, is not simply same-sex marriage and homosexuality, but how the Scripture informs Christians moral/ spiritual livestyle in such a polalized world. The debate over homosexuality/same-sex marriage is a remarkable opportunity, because it raises in an especially acute way how we interpret the Bible, not in this case only, but in numerous others as well. 1 Through this

kind of hermeneutical deliveratons of the Bible, we will understatad God's will more clearly and will apply correctly to our daily life.
The term used in the Bible While the Bible deals with sexual principles in many verses but only few biblical texts mention with homosexual behaviours in Genesis 19:1-25, Leviticus 18:22 & 20:13, Judge 19, Romans 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, 1 Timothy 1:9-11 and Jude 7. The Conservative Christian understand these verses prove that God judges and condemns any form of homosexual activities. Genesis 19 account is where the term Sodomite and Sodomy came from. What about the story of Sodom and Gomorrah? Is the sin of Sodom homosexuality? By the Conservative point of view, Genesis 19:1-29 often cited in connections with homosexuality and it is quite clear in the Judges account because the word used literally means intercourse.2 The term that is used is so that we may know them. 3 The liberal Christian argues that ordodox Christian are obsessed with reading the Bible too literally and they are trying to reconcile conflicting texts which are against one another. The conservative views that the result of judgement was homosexuality but the liberal suggests that both the Genesis and the Judges texts are actually irrelevant and not referring to homosexuality at all, but it is referring to a breach of hospitality etiquette without sexual overtones.4 Richard Hays comments that The gang-rape scenario exemplifies the wickedness of the city, but there is nothing in the passage pertinent to a judgment about the morality of consensual homosexual intercourse. Indeed, there is nothing in the rest of the biblical tradition, save an obscure reference in Jude 7, to suggest that the sin of Sodom was particularly identified with sexual misconduct of any kind. In fact, the clearest statement

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33.homosexual and Christian faith The New American Standard Bible has a footnote on the word relations which states that literally the word is intercourse. ASV,Gen 19:5. D.F. Wright, The Christian Faith and Homosexuality. (Edinburgh: Rutherford House, 1994), 7

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about the sin of Sodom is to be found in an oracle of the prophet Ezekiel 16:49. 5 Another two texts are found in the Holiness Code in Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13. 6 Richard Hays emphasized that a translation of the Hebrew mishkav zakur (lying with a male), derived directly from Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13 and used in rabbinic texts to refer to homosexual intercourse.7 The liberal Christian disagree on the application of Levitical law since Jesus Christ came to abolish the law so they insists that the Holiness Code are no longer observed in todays world, because of Pauls teachings about our newfound freedom in Christ. 8 The next two texts that we should consider are found in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 and 1 Timothy 1:9119 In both of these texts Paul uses the same word which has been translated as homosexual behaviour. The last text that we need to have a look at is found in Romans 1:26-27.10 It is important to note that this text is the only text where both kinds of homosexuality are specifically mentioned. It has been argued that the people that are referred to in these verses are actually heterosexuals who have abandoned their natural sexual orientation for the unnatural homosexual orientation. But surely this argument cannot stand because neither Paul nor anyone else in antiquity had a concept of sexual orientation. To introduce this concept into this passage (by suggesting that Paul disapproves only those who act contrary to their individual sexual orientations) is to lapse into anachronism.11 However, the liberal Christian argues that main point of this text is about the fallenness of humanity and to warn the idol worship for the Jews and it is not about homosexuality. Romans 1:26-27 paul is describing pagan, same-sex religious rites that were perverse and that sometimes involved frenzied public castrations or homosexual activities. That might explain Pauls strong condemnation of this kind of behaviour, but there is no mention of idolatrous homosexuality in the text. In general, this passage condemns people who worship something other than God. 12 From this very brief survey of the Biblical texts that do mention homosexuality, many of the liberal Biblical scholars would even agree that we should see clearly that the biblical understanding of homosexual behaviour is univocal. Homosexuality activity is not consistent with the will of God; it is not merely a sin but evidence of sin, and there is no way to read the Bible as condoning homosexual acts. 13 In addition, the conservative Christian insists that sexual activity under any other

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The moral vision of the New Testament : community, cross, new creation / Hays, Richard B. (1996) 381.

ASV. Lev 18:22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination. Lev 20:13 And if a man lie with mankind, as with womankind, both of them have committed abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. 7 Hays, R.B, The Moral Vision of the New Testament (Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1996), p. 382.
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Authen Human Sexuality,91.

ASV, 1Co 6:9 Or know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with men, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 1Ti 1:9 as knowing this, that law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and unruly, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10 for fornicators, for abusers of themselves with men, for menstealers, for liars, for false swearers, and if there be any other thing contrary to the sound doctrine; 11 according to the gospel of the glory of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
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ASV, Rom 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile passions: for their women changed the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another, men with men working unseemliness, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was due.
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D.F. Wright, 388-389 380. Christian counselling Soards, M.L., Scripture & Homosexuality (Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1995), 24

curcumstances (with or without actual intercource) is sin. 14 The only context in which sexual expression is ever morally acceptable is the creation ordinance of heterosexual marriage. It is incompatible with Gods created order. And since that order (heterosexual monogamy) was established by creation, not culture, its validity is both permanent and universal. 15

Conclusion The term of homosexuality is mentioned only seven times in the Bible, and in each case the reference is relatively brief. Every time it is mentioned negatively, usually in the context of sinful actions.16 It is hard to interpret and apply to modern society. However, in front of the concern of homosexuality, Christian do not judge that the homosexuality are inferior but Christian should understand their situations with a great compassion because we are all brother and sister in the name of Jesus Christ. The central message of the Bible is the love of God, we must respond to the homosexual in love and not condemn them. Our opportunity lies in bringing the changing power of Christ to them. However, we must look at the whole of the Bible to get the big picture regarding homosexuality. The Bible is the only authority for Christian life and ethics. We must deal with questions of biblical interpretation; with homosexual origins and behaviour; with the historical dimension, and with practical and pastoral implications.17 We are free in Jesus Christ but we should control our attitude and guide by the Holy Spirit. Jesus emphasizes that "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. 18 Gods purpose for us is that we live as male or female, reflecting the image of God in the world together as that image is made new in Christ Jesus.19

Bibliography Brash, A.A. Facing Our Differences. Geneva: WCC Publications, 1965. Hays, R.B The Moral Vision of the New Ttstament Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1996.
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33.what christian think about

John Stott Issues Facing Christians Today. (London: Marshalls, 1984), 313

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397.genesis 19:1-11, Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Judges 19:22-25; Romans 1:25-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9, 1 Timothy 1:10, five other passages refer to homosexuality in the context of male prostitution Deuteronomy 23:17, 1 Kings14:24; 15:12;22:46;2 Kings 23:7
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Faith, hope and homosexuality. 11 NIV. Matthew 5:17. Don. Williams,132.

Soards, M.L. Scripture & Homosexuality. Lousville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1995. Stott, John. Issues Facing Christians Today. London: Marshalls, 1984. Williams, Don. The Bond That Breaks: Will Homesexuality Split The Church? LA:BIM,1978. Wright, D.F. The Christian Faith and Homosexuality. Edinburgh: Rutherford House, 1994.