Posted on 05/02/2007 4:41:20 AM PDT by Phil Magnan
Hypocrisy of Hating Homosexuality, While Ignoring Cohabitation and Adultery
Contact: Phil Magnan, Director, Biblical Family Advocates, 011-36-1-246-2587, phil@bfamilyadvocates.com
BUDAPEST, Hungary May 2/Christian Newswire/ -- Statistics show that 25% of unmarried "born again" Christians are living together. This reveals an apparent hypocrisy in condemning homosexuality, while not condemning heterosexual immorality. Sad to say, co-habitation is on the increase and its participants also include the Catholic and Christian community.
BFA believes there is also a need to condemn not only adultery in its blatant form of cheating on a spouse, but its camouflaged form by easy divorce to pursue second and third marriages. This has been done by those who describe themselves either as Catholic, Evangelical and even more startling the born again Christian.
"There is no doubt that homosexuality is immoral before God, we see that in the scriptures, but the very same scriptures hate the immorality of unbiblical divorces and cohabitations. God does not wink at sin just because it's a heterosexual committing it" says Phil Magnan, Director of Biblical Family Advocates. "Apparently heterosexuals are setting the example for the homosexual community thinking that if you are 'loving and monogamous,' it must be acceptable before God."
"How can we as Christians have any moral credibility before God and man when we are practicing the very thing we condemn in the form of immoral marital practices? Until we show as much hatred for our own sin in our churches and demand repentance we will continue to destroy the sanctity of marriage, even more than same sex marriage proponents. We have not been a very good example of morality or godliness before God and man."
BFA is pleading with the Christian community to begin times of repentance and reflection as we take up the banner of morality and righteousness in Christ's name. If the Christian community cannot show true repentance and transformation in their own churches, how will they be able to offer Biblical and loving help to those who wish to escape their own bondage of sin?
I’m happy to condemn all sex outside of marriage, as this is the authentic Christian teaching on sexual morality.
Most church accept adultery because most will not accept what Jesus said;
Mat 19:9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.
Second, the fact that one group takes political or legal action to legitimize their immoral behavior has no bearing on the immorality of other behaviors. But in regard to cohabitation and adultery, our culture has tacitly condoned it for years.
Finally, all sin is worthy of God's wrath. While some sins are commonly viewed as more vile than others, all deserve His just judgment. But it seems, out of our desire to justify ourselves and our depraved nature, that we categorize some sins as more abhorrent than others.
God knows her heart and knows everything she’s been through. I do believe He is totally merciful. Homosexuality is not the unforgivable sin and since you are a Christian, you know this. I think as Christians we often tend to focus on sins that are more outward rather than sins we cannot see, not to mention sins that are sins of omission. Ever notice how everyone forgets about the sins we commit by NOT doing things.
Anyway, God’s blessings to you. One thing is for certain; she has a mom who obviously loves her deeply and cares about her as a person. It is quite apparent by reading your post that you not only care about her soul but you care about her personhood.
Thanks — I get the reasoning from a Catholic standpoint, but I don’t think “born again” Christians share that view. But, looking at it from a Catholic standpoint, how many Catholics condemn homosexuality (presumably for the reason you state) yet see nothing wrong with using artificial birth control against the teachings of the Church?
Oh many I believe. It seems there are plenty of Catholics having sex outside of marriage and using birth control. The Church rarely speaks of sexual sins at the pulpit and the seriousness of them. I would prefer that the priests get into the seriousness of these sins as opposed to giving a “feel good” homily about how much God loves people. Of course God loves people, and that is important for everyone to know, but God doesn’t love peoples’ sins. I would love to see a revival in my life time of Catholics and other Christians alike reverting back to following all of the true teachings of Christianity.
Oh many I believe. It seems there are plenty of Catholics having sex outside of marriage and using birth control. The Church rarely speaks of sexual sins at the pulpit and the seriousness of them. I would prefer that the priests get into the seriousness of these sins as opposed to giving a “feel good” homily about how much God loves people. Of course God loves people, and that is important for everyone to know, but God doesn’t love peoples’ sins. I would love to see a revival in my life time of Catholics and other Christians alike reverting back to following all of the true teachings of Christianity.
Yeah — I think we’re getting to the point where the tail is starting to wag the dog. There are many Catholics who want to approach Catholicism as a democracy or a cafeteria, rather than the top-down organization that it is. We have a new priest that is pretty unabashed. I haven’t heard him speak on this subject yet, but we shall see.
I just shake my head back and forth with sadness when I see all my fellow heterosexuals on FR try to justify their sins.
Jesus does not discriminate with adultery. That is all I will say.
You are correct that certain laws were only applicable to the people of Moses. but bear in mind that some of the laws of Moses are still quite in place for at least 3 reasons.
1. What the New Testament affirms of the any commands from the Old Testament are still binding on Christians, like “thou shalt not kill, You shall love the Lord your God,
etc.
2. The entire world is accountable to God regarding the law of God. Paul states this in Romans 3.
3. Paul states that ALL Scripture is inspired and profitable.
The Law that is meant to be written on our hearts cannot go against what is defined and declared by God in the Bible. In other words, the Law on your heart as a believer will not contradict what God has clearly taught in the New Testamant and any other command in the New Testament that affirms a law from the Old Testament.
The Book of Hebrews says that Jesus hated lawlessness, so we are challenged to make sure that as believers we do not promote lawlessness, nor create the idea that the laws of God do not apply to us.
Take care, Phil
Dear mpackard,
I am sorry for the great difficulty in dealing with this issue with your daughter. All of our children break our hearts many times. Sometimes that gives us an idea what God goes through every day watching all of human kind.
A great guy to talk to regarding the matter of your daughter has an organization as an outreach to homosexuals. Stephen Bennett Ministries is a compassionate organization that is headed by Stephen who was a homosexual for at least 10 years and since finding Christ has been delivered from homosexuality. He is married with 3 children.
I hope and pray that one day your daughter will join the thousands who have left that lifestyle for Christ.
God bless, Phil Magnan
I should have specified that my item one is still in force.
I agree that sin is sin; God does not rank them.
The difference between the homosexual deviants and the others is that homosexuals have organized in an effort to normalize their behavior, and force society in general, and Christians in particular, to call their behavior good. Those who practice adultery and co-habitation do not attempt to force everyone to call their behavior good.
We must stand against those who would force sin upon us and our children. That is precisely what many deviant homosexuals desire.
Yes, as a matter of fact He does--and He doesn't join two together without it being legal. Marriage is, and has been from time memorial, a socially recognized legally enforcible union between a man and a woman. In our society this requires a judge or a preacher. Practically, otherwise the division of property--and/or children should the couple break up becomes a serious issue, evidenced by the legal partnership cases which have happened in California and other places. Marriage was established by God, but He delegated the administration of it to various governing authorities.
Did David commit adultery when he took another mans wife?
Ummmm, yep, that one is pretty obvious and easy. Read the 10 Commandments (Exodus 20).
What about when he took many wives?
Polygamy is not adultery per se, as in ancient times one was as obligated to provide and be committed to one's 2nd or 3rd wife as he was his first. Morally however, polygamy was never blessed by God, and if one looks at the various bible stories regarding polygamous families--it was nothing but headaches for all, wives, children and the husband. Practical problems prevail in polygamy--besides not following the model of creation--of Adam with Eve...(not Adam, Eve, Joan, Jennifer, and Susan). The Early Church finally banned the practice of polygamy--a tradition legally upheld in all culturally Christian societies today.
Which ones did he commit adultery with or against?
Only Bathsheba, and her husband Uriah...murdered by secret orders.
Did Jacob commit adultery against Leah or Rachel or maybe against both their servant girls.
No. Again, polygamy is not adultery, even though it is also not good. Having concubines--that is servant wives, was also a less-than-good ancient near east practice, tolerated by God at the time--but eventually banned by Christians, with polygamy.
Its so confusing.
It's not that confusing....unless you want to be confused.
The "Scripture" of the early Church was primarily the Old Testament (along with the writings of the Apostles) and they were not merely guided by conscience and the commands of the 1st Jerusalem Council of Acts 15. For Christians the Old Testament the Civil laws for theocratic Israel don't apply--even though we can learn something from them in their principles--nor do the Ceremonial regulations regarding worship (animal sacrifices and diet) still apply--since Christ is the final Lamb of God, who fulfilled these things. The moral regulations however--such as those found in Leviticus 19, still apply. Often the moral laws are mixed in with Civil and Ceremonial--and it takes a little adult analysis to sort it out (as in the case of shellfish).
Otherwise, to just ask your average Roman Gentile to avoid sexual impurity might mean to him to just keep his wife informed about his mistresses, according to his conscience. The Old Testament moral laws are needed to inform and rebuilt a damaged conscience. The moral laws of the Old Testament, even in the laws of Moses, help Christans who already have salvation through union with Christ by faith, learn to live a holy life.
The Acts 15 rules were not a replacement to Moses' Moral law (or then why do Christians dare to eat (non Kosher) food with blood in it?) but rather a general advisory for that time--which Paul adjusts later in the food-sacrificed-to-idols controversy.
Nowhere in the New Testament are the moral laws of the Old done away with--instead the Gospel is that we are saved by grace through faith (not by law-keeping) for the purpose of then living lives of good works...which are outlined in Moses' moral laws, especially the 10 Commandments. Christianity is not, nor has it ever been, antinomian, that is anti-law.
This is important and very relevant today, as for example in the homosexual issue people try to cloud the issue and ignore Old Testament moral law saying it doesn't apply.... Laws against incest, homosexuality and worse sexual sins are not explicitly mentioned in the New Testament--one must know the Old Testament to know what these are. This is one reason why Christianity has always kept the Old Testament as foundational Holy Scripture--to be understood through the lens of the New Testament AND to understand the New Testament. Both Testaments are mutually dependent on the other.
The laws before Moses still apply, and the MORAL laws of Moses (minus the Civil and Ceremonial laws) still apply.
Christians are free from condemnation of the moral laws...since we are justified by faith in Christ--however our faith is to the purpose of living a life pleasing to God, and with our damaged consciences we can only know what that is by looking into the "perfect law of God" (to quote James) found in all the Old Testament MORAL laws.
So she would be “sure” it would work out.
This is in Iowa, not a big city, but the “conventional wisdom” is that you need to live together and probably have a kid before you get married.
Which is nuts.
So are you saying that The Bible gives us hints and the rest of the interpretation is up to whom?
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