1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (NIV)
9Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. [my emphasis]
The APA, of course, is speaking from political expedience rather than any sort of scientific or professional rigor. Like “justice” in America, “science” is whatever makes important people feel more important—almost always at the expense of making some other group feel less important.
How do you know you’re dealing with charlatans? It’s the oldest trick in the quack’s little black bag; the “science cannot prove” dodge:— “There’s no evidence… ” a proponent of the APA report says, that remedial therapy is of any use for those whose homosexual tendencies conflict with their religious beliefs.
The report advises “…therapies that do not attempt to change sexual orientation, but rather involve acceptance, support and identity exploration and development “.
When advocates of various sorts of sexual “diversity” first began to co-opt the momentum of the Civil Rights movement of the ’60′s and ’70′s (I first heard these sorts of arguments at the U. of Texas, in around ’73), they steered public consciousness down a dark alley. As far back as the early ’80′s, we were already seeing attempts by advocates of pedophilia to construe themselves as a disadvantaged “lifestyle”. The collective decision of politically influential people and groups to go in this direction will have—actually already have had— consequences—what sorts of other behavior will receive public acclaim and advocacy next? There are, in fact, studies which almost reasonably argue that murderers and other criminals are genetically predisposed—have a “natural tendency” —to their “lifestyle”. I mean, why not?
Of course, Paul’s list in 1 Corinthians (the Biblical letter, not the South American soccer club) includes all sorts of behaviors, in addition to homosexuality, which are destructive to the Church and society in general; thieves, swindlers, and even malicious gossipers are included. Paul also makes no distinction of the degree of evil these behaviors represent, and they all have the same outcome. Those practicing these things will destroy themselves, unless they repent and pursue God’s way (see also Phillipians 3:12-14 ). Paul makes it clear that people in the Church at Corinth had been guilty of the behaviors listed, but that faith in Christ had brought them out of those things. Now they are new people (2 Corinthians 5:17), and the old, destructive ways no longer enslave them.
Political and social expedience has had its say in the matter, and has proved to be a complete waste of time and peoples’ lives for centuries—”maybe it will work this time”, but it’s not a good bet.
Jesus gave us a way to set aside behaviors and ways of thinking that can only destroy us, and move toward rescue and rebirth, hope and a new life, safely guided by His Spirit toward an eternal home. Ignore what the “important people” say—we have a choice!
—Christianity: No more pretensions, con’d
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Posted in Biblical & Related Commentary, Christian, Christian News