which idolatry?
Submitted by F.O.D. on April 11 1999 at 14:32:34
In reply to call me a plagiarist... Submitted by scott on April 09 1999 at 23:58:06
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Hi Scott, that's an interesting explanation of the Lev 18 verse. Yes, I've noticed before the difference in language between the homosexual verse and the other incest and adultery verses. Actually, even my copy of the New Bible Dictionary says that the Lev verse is likely referring to a kind of homosexual idolatrous ritual, rather than homosexuality in general. Since the NBD is supposed to be a reliable repository of conservative evangelical teaching, I suppose we can leave it at that and forget about the Lev verse. (the article maintains that the Romans verse confirms the wrongfulness of homosexuality). Now about the Rom 1 verse, if we take the interpretation you suggested, then there is at least one question left begging. If Paul is only condemning homosexual lust, as opposed to homosexual loving, then why is it that he singles out homosexual relations here? That's what I want to know! He mentions heterosexual lust elsewhere, but why does he not mention it here? If he is only referring to lust as a sign of rejecting God, then why does he keep his argument to only homosexual lust while keeping silent here about heterosexual lust? I have another way of posing the question about the Rom 1 verse. The condemnation is made in the context of idolatry. So then, is the condemnation restricted only to idolatrous homosexuality? (as our good friends the conservative evangelical theologians said about the Lev verse) Or are we supposed to understand same-gender sex to be an act of idolatry (rejecting God) in and of itself? I saw what I thought to be a good analysis of Rom 1 at http://php.iupui.edu/~jtownsle/gay.html About throwing stones, Jesus certainly gives us the freedom to learn the best way to serve God, without fear of condemnation for stuffing up along the way, but that doesn't mean it's an admirable thing to keep stuffing up. Remember his final words to the woman "go now and leave your life of sin". F.O.D. 62¢ huh? - wow, is that inflation or what? |