A Biblical Examination of Homosexuality:
Exposing the Myths of Gay Ideology and Theology
Dr. Jim Cecy
I. Introducing the Issue
• 2 Timothy 4:3-4 “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have
their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will
turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.” (cf. 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 4:1-2)
• Myth = an imaginary thing spoken of as though existing.
• The Role of Pastor-Teacher = Myth Buster
• Prescriptive Ethics vs. Descriptive Ethics
“You can forget trying to persuade the masses that homosexuality is a good thing. But if only you
can get them to think that it is just another thing, with a shrug of the shoulders, then your battle for
legal and social rights is virtually won.”
• Ephesians 4:14; 5:3-11
• Fundamentally homosexuality is a biblical and theological issue.
• The Gay Rights Agenda: “The first order of business is desensitization of the American public concerning
gays and gay rights. To desensitize the public is to help it view homosexuality with indifference instead of
with keen emotion.” (“The Overhauling of Straight America,” by Marshall Kirk and Erastes Pill. Guide
Magazine, November 1987)
II. Defining Our Terms
• Homosexual = one who engages in sexual relations with someone of the same sex
• Heterosexual = one who engages in sexual relations with someone of the opposite sex
• Bisexual = one who engages in sexual relations with both sexes
• Lesbian = a female homosexual
• Sodomite = an old term for homosexual (based on the account in Genesis 19)
• Transsexual = one who has had a sex-change operation or believes he/she is a member of the opposite sex
• Transvestite = one who wears the clothing of the opposite sex
• Effeminate = a male who takes on the behaviors of a female
• Gay = a modern term used by those in the homosexual community
• Homophobia = the fear of homosexuals/homosexuality.
“Informed disapproval does not constitute homophobia.”
• Gay Theology (Pro-Gay Theology)
The religious counterpart to pro-gay ideology that teaches that the Bible embraces homosexuality
as a legitimate form of human inter-relationship.
• Gay Theology affirms the basic premise of Christianity and the authority of Scripture (but with a
revisionist approach to homosexuality). It also asserts that Scriptural references to homosexuality have
been mistranslated, misinterpreted and misunderstood.
III. Exposing The Myths
Myth #1 “There are tens of millions of homosexual people in the U.S.”
• My Answer: There may be as many as 2-3% of sexually active men and 1-2% of sexually active women
are homosexual. This does not reflect the percentage of all Americans. Even if a majority of Americans
practiced homosexuality does not give it validation.
Myth #2
“Homosexuals are born that way.” The Genetic Theory/The Gay Gene Debate.
• My Answer: There no valid scientific evidence that homosexual character traits and behaviors are
determined by the genes. Even pro-homosexual scientists have discredited the “gay gene” research. All of
us were born with a bent and desire to sin (e.g. The Doctrine of Total Depravity)
• Mark 7:21 "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts,
murders, adulteries…”
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Myth #3 “Perhaps they have a chemical imbalance.”
The Hormonal Theory (i.e. homosexuality is a function of bio-chemistry)
• My Answer: Again, there is no valid scientific proof for this. They can't even produce homosexuality
with hormone injections. Again, even if it could be proven, this does not validate the behaviors.
Myth #4 “Homosexuals are the product of their environment.”
The Psychogenetic Theory (Gender Identity Disorder)
• Gay Ideology: Sexual orientation is shaped for most people at an early age through complex interactions
of biological, psychological and social factors. (The American Psychological Association)
• My Answer: Most researchers (who are both pro and anti homosexuality) admit that homosexuality is an
acquired, learned behavior. cf. Romans 1:25 – Homosexuality has its root in a rejection of the truth of God.
Myth #5 “Once a homosexual always a homosexual.”
• My Answer: This is one of the most devastating of myths. It suggests that if a person were to come to
admit that homosexuality is, in fact, wrong they could (and should) never change. It destroys any hope for
deliverance. But there is hope…
• 1 Cor. 6:11 “And such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were
justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God.”
Myth #6 “Homosexuality is just as ‘natural’ as heterosexuality.”
• My Answer: Same-sex relations violates God's natural order (Gen 1:27; 2:23-25; Heb 13:4)
Rom. 1:26-27 “For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the
natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural
function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent
acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.”
Myth #7 “Homosexuality doesn’t negatively affect a society.”
• My Answer: Look at what it did to Sodom (Genesis 19; Jude 7) Consider what has happened in
America…e.g. Battle over same-sex marriage/re-defining the family)
“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.” (Proverbs 14:34
Myth #8 “Homosexuality is not condemned in the Bible.”
• My Answer:
• Homosexuality is a sin that has it’s root in idolatry. (Romans 1:18-32)
• Homosexuality is another expression of sexual sin born out of sinful lust. (Ja.1:13-16; Gal. 5:19)
• Holy God condemns any sexual act outside of heterosexual marriage.
• "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness,
slanders.” (Matt. 15:19)
Myth #9 “Even if homosexuality is sinful, the Bible does not make it a major issue.”
• Gay Theology: There is no mention of it in the Prophets, the Psalms or the Gospels.
• My Answer: Although Jesus did not specifically talk about homosexuality, in Matthew 19:4-6 He did
speak of the fact that sexual relations are to be shared only by male and females who are married. His
silence may be because it was not an issue with the Jews of His day. They agreed that homosexuality was
forbidden. It didn’t need to be mentioned. Homosexuality only has to be condemned in one place in the
Bible for it to make us accountable. (cf. James 2:10 “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in
one point, he has become guilty of all.”
Myth #10 “Homosexuality is no worse than any other sin in the Bible.”
• Gay Theology: “…biblical references to sexual practices should not be viewed as binding just because
they are in the Bible.”
• My Answer: All sin falls short of the glory of God (as the Apostle Paul states in Romans 3:23) However,
the Bible is also very clear about the heinous nature of homosexual sin (as well as a number of other sins)
In particular, it is an “abomination” and a “detestable act” deserving severe judgment.
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• Lev. 18:22-23 “You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination. Also you
shall not have intercourse with any animal to be defiled with it, nor shall any woman stand before an
animal to mate with it; it is a perversion.”
• Lev. 20:13 “If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have
committed a detestable act; they shall surely be put to death. Their bloodguiltiness is upon them.”
(Note: An abomination is anything which dishonors God and violates His commandments.)
• In other Old Testament passages we find male prostitutes, transvestites, and transsexuals condemned (Dt.
23:17-18; 1K 14:24; 15:12; Dt. 22:5; Dt. 23:1)
Myth #11 “The Old Testament regulations against homosexuality are not
regulations for today.”
• Gay Theology: Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; etc. were cultural and time bound. “We must distinguish between
moral judgments regulating same-sex activity in biblical times and in our own times.”
• My Answer: Ceremonial and civil laws are no longer binding but the clearly stated moral laws are still in
affect (e.g. “Thou shalt not commit adultery.) The basic commands regarding the sin of homosexuality are
re-stated in the New Testament. (cf. Romans 1; 1 Cor. 6:9-11; etc.)
• 1 Cor. 6:9-10 “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be
deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves,
nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.”
Myth #12 “The Bible only condemns homosexual perversion and not homosexual
love.”
• Gay Theology: “exploitive homosexuality” vs. “loving homosexuality.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 and
1 Timothy 1:10 refer to perverted homosexuality (e.g. rape, etc.)
• My Answer: The Greek word used for homosexual in both 1 Cor 6:9-10; 1 Tim 1:10 is "arsenokoitai" arsane (male) and koite (bed) = males bedding together
Myth #13 “The sin of Sodom was not homosexuality”
• Gay Theology: The true sin of Sodom (Genesis 19) was pride, false worship, injustice, wickedness,
materialism and greed, lack of compassion and even a lack of hospitality. They refer to Is. 1:10-11; Jer
23:14; Ez. 16:29, 48-49
• My Answer: Although it is true that God judged Sodom for these other sins, this does not suggest that He
did not also judge the city for its rampant immorality, including homosexuality. (cf. Gen. 19:5 “Bring them
out to us that we may have relations with them." (Literally: that we may know them (Hebrew: yada = often
of sexual relations.) cf. Judg. 19:22-23; Jude 1:7; 2 Pet. 2:6-8
Myth #14 “God blessed homosexual lovers like David and Jonathan.”
• Gay Theology: David and Jonathan were practicing homosexuals (1 Sam.18:1-4; 19:1;20:30; 2
Sam.1:26)
• My Answer: All of these Hebrew words that speak of their love and delight are used of everyone
(cf. Prov. 18:24 = ahab = loving friend)
Myth #15 “The New Testament teaches that the heterosexual or homosexual
should not try to change what he/she is.”
• Gay Theology: Romans 1:26-27 only teaches that the sin condemned is not accepting our God-given
sexual orientation. Homosexuality is only a sin for those who weren’t born that way.
• My Answer: This is an obvious twisting of text. (See the answer to Myth #2)
Myth #16 “One can be a practicing homosexual and an obedient, Christ-honoring
Christian at the same time.”
• My Answer: A practicing Christian will not be a practicing homosexual, nor a sexually active single
heterosexual -- “If I were a Christian homosexual, this one question would bother me most. Am I
interpreting Scripture in light of my proclivity or should I be interpreting my proclivity in light of
Scripture?” (Dr. Paul Morris)
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Myth #17 “What’s the harm? They are not hurting anybody. Why not just leave
them alone?”
• My Answer: Consider the consequences…
a. The Physical Results (e.g. AIDS, other sexually transmitted disease, etc.)
Romans 1:24 “…their bodies would be dishonored among them.”
Rom. 1:27 “….receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.”
1 Cor. 6:18 “Flee immorality…. the immoral man sins against his own body.”
b. The Emotional Results (e.g. the higher percentage of suicides in the homosexual community)
c. The Spiritual Results cf. Romans 1:26-32
Myth #18 “This matter really has nothing to do with the church.”
• My Answer: “The church must be reminded that it is neither the master of the State nor the servant of the
State; rather it is the conscience of the State. (Martin Luther King Jr.) cf. Revelation 2:14, 16, 29
• The Church must repent of its own sin (especially immorality)
• The Church must repent of its hostility toward people who practice homosexuality.
• The Church must repent of its allowing itself to be intimidated.
cf. 1 Pet. 3:13-17
• Personal Holiness lived out in the Church
• Christ-like love extended to the Sinner
• Boldness and humility in proclaiming the Truth to the World
Myth #19 “There is nothing that can be done to help those involved in
homosexuality.”
• My Answer: Like any sin, homosexuality is a sin from which anyone may turn. Every born-again
Christian is an ex-something or other! 1 Cor. 6:11 “Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you
were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.”
1. There is SALVATION through Jesus Christ
2. There is SANCTIFICATION by the Holy Spirit
3. There is SUPPORT from the people of God
cf. 1 Thess. 5:14
IV. Offering Our Help
• Go to our web site at www.campusbiblechurch.com
• Exodus International
• Love in Action
• Etc.
V. One Final Myth To Dispel
“A great deal of hate, in fact, seems to surface whenever this subject is discussed. Some people, including
some people who profess to follow Christ, clearly hate homosexuals. They are not only the object of
occasional acts of violence motivated by hate, but are often reviled by people who simply loathe them. In
turn, some homosexuals just have clearly hate anyone, especially conservative Christians, who question or
criticize their lifestyle. Christian churches and individuals have in recent years become targets of
harassment by militant homosexuals who go out of their way to offend and intimidate people whom they
perceive – rightly or wrongly – as hating them. Indeed, homosexuals who favor a more brazenly alternative
lifestyle are sometimes hostile toward homosexuals who seek a more ‘mainstream’ fit into the general
culture….One of the favorite slogans of the homosexual rights movement and those sympathetic to them is
‘Hate is not a family value.’ It is not a Christian value, either.”
“…we have no desire to add fuel to the fire of anyone’s hatred of homosexuals. The goal of thinking about
this and any other ethical issue is not to give ‘us’ ammunition against ‘them,’ but to understand our own
moral responsibilities first of all and then enable us to stand up for our convictions and honestly ‘speak the
truth in love’ (Eph. 4:15) to anyone who will listen.” (“All That Heaven Allows: Homosexuality and the
Meaning of Love.” by Kenneth Boa)
© 2006, Dr. James M. Cecy, Campus Bible Church of Fresno, CA.
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