Letter to the Editor:

“What the Bible Really Says About Gays”

When I was in my early days of schooling I learned rather quickly that my teacher could tell when I had read the book I was giving my report on, and she could even tell if I understood what I was reading. I felt that way when I read Leonard Pitts column on the Bible and gays—he hasn’t read the Book very well nor understood it. Having studied and ministered from the scriptures for over forty years in their original languages I can tell you that we need to be clear on just what God has and has not said about homosexuality.

The message of the Bible is as clear and consistent on this subject as it is on murder, lying and other basic moral topics that seem to be up for grabs in our revisionist society. From the early chapters of the Bible to next to the last book, the message is clear: “All sexual sins are an affront to our Holy God and must be repented of, and this includes sexual relations between same sex individuals.” [Gen. 19; Lev. 18:22, 20:13; Ezek. 16:43; Mt. 19:4-6; Rom. 1,4-5; I Cor. 6:9; I Tim. 6:10; Jude 7]

Having laid the Biblical view out, there are several things most of us forget that need to be emphasized because the Bible places its emphasis here: (1) Homosexual sin is not treated any differently from any other sexual sin. (2) Forgiveness can be received following real repentance from any sin. (3) It is important to make the distinction between homosexual attraction and homosexual sexual relations, just as in all other sinful temptations. (4) It is no sin to be tempted, but rather the sin comes in yielding to the temptation. Let us care enough for each other to tell the real Biblical truth in love. The ultimate criteria is not our love as humans for each other, but rather our love for God our Creator and whether we are willing to follow His Laws laid down in love for us.

Pastor George M. McGuire

First Presbyterian Church

Russellville, AL 35653