Lacey Mclachlan Mclachlan 1

Haliey Haffey

English 2850

April 28,2017

Bible as an Anachronism: Reference to Homosexuality

The first context of the bible was written several millenniums ago; Is it relevant to

todays standards? There has been a lot of backlash controversy with the bible and the

discussion of homosexuality. Although, is this relevant argument even if its earliest context was

written during the Egyptian era. Many religions make the argument that the bible tells me so;

making the argument that the bible explicitly says that homosexuality is a sin. With many

translations of the bible it is hard to know what truly is stated on concerns of homosexuality.

Most people in religion takes theses terms too literal in a sense they take it take it from word

from word. With most of these statements can be taken as a metaphor. Diving deeper within the

meaning of each time that it references homosexuality in the bible; dissecting each one of them

seeing if it can translate into the modern era.

While discussing the bible having to talk about the creation story; how we were created

by god. Within the Genesis it discusses that humans were created out of the image of god.

Making humans the rulers of all animal kind and keepers of the earth. In the Genesis 2 it

discusses how man shall not be alone, The LORD God said, It is not good for the man to be

alone. I will make a helper suitable for him. (New International Version, Gen. 2:18) God taken

the mans rips while he was asleep; thus, making woman out of the rips. Therefore, god created

woman out of mans image; a helper for man and not to be alone. Many make an argument with
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these statements saying the reason why a woman was created because a man will not be a

suitable partner. Having a male partner will not be a good substitute from being lonely.

The Old Testament Genesis 19:5 has been a subject of mistranslation throughout several

versions of the bible. With the New International Version, it states, They called to Lot, Where

are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them.

(New International Version, Gen. 19:5) This makes a reference of homosexual gang rape. Gang

rape of men by men was used as a common tactic of humiliation and aggression in warfare and

other hostile contexts in ancient times. It had nothing to do with sexual orientation or accretion;

the point was to shame and to conquer. (Vines, pg.4) Instead of these men they try to offer

virgin women to replace them; not wanting to sleep with the men. While the most popular King

James Version states, And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which

came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them. (King James

Version, Gen. 19:5) This translation references to knowing the people who have sinned; Bringing

out these men so they can punish them. From each translation, it can change it to a complete new

meaning.

Leviticus 20 punishment for sins and Leviticus 18 unlawful sexual relations. If a man

has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is

detestable. They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads. (New

International Version, Leviticus 20:13) Many controversy have come from this single passage;

saying that lying with another man is considered an abomination. Leviticus 18 states the

following, Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman;that is

detestable. (New International Version, Leviticus 18:22) Both these verses have been used to
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condemn homosexuality; quoting these verses to make an argument against homosexuality.

Although, quoting these passages do not have meaning into a modern-day context. Most of these

passages about unlawful sexual relations are all procreation based; it is unlawful to have sex for

pleasure, only for breeding based. If a man has sexual relations with a woman during her

monthly period, he has exposed the source of her flow, and she has also uncovered it. Both of

them are to be cut off from their people. (New International Version, Leviticus 20:18) Incents

also have a strong negative view with sexual relations; also declaring it a sin, Do not have

sexual relations with your sister, either your fathers daughter or your mothers daughter, whether

she was born in the same home or elsewhere. (New International Version, Leviticus 18:9)

The New Testament Romans passage make several statements about homosexuality. A

popular one that is against homosexuality is Romans 1:27. In the same way the men also

abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men

committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their

error. (New International Version, Romans 1:27) In the New Testament it is against

homosexuality.

The bible in a modern-day context; can it be related to today? As each argument has been

used against homosexuality is because the bible has stated it is a sin. The bible has stated many

sins that are irrelevant in to todays context like; wearing two different fabrics within clothing,

having your hair under a certain length and giving all your money to the poor. Most of these

statements against sexual behaviors is due to sex being procreation base. Making it a sin to have

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sex unless it is for reproductive reasons. Many people even assume that it is sinful to use a form

of birth control; making couples have sex that isnt just for having children.

God created us in his image; flaws and all. As stated above god did not want us to be

alone; so, being happy with the same sex companionship. God is stated to be a loving individual;

even with making humans with flaws he still puts us in good light. Jesus didnt have any context

with dealing with people who are gay; although, he looked over people who are outcasts,

mistreated and minorities. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some

people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. 3 Continue to remember those in

prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you

yourselves were suffering. (New International Testament, Hebrews 12:2-3)

Pulling verses and making an understated argument. People pull verses saying that they

have read the bible but they pull these out of context to make their own statement. Saying that

homosexuality is an abomination; none of them have taken consideration of how it was written at

a time of great poverty. With many people in this faith not reading the bible; nor, following the

teachings of the bible. Like its unlawful for getting a divorce within the bible; having this be

sinful, it is a form of adultery. He answered, Anyone who divorces his wife and marries

another woman commits adultery against her. 12 And if she divorces her husband and marries

another man, she commits adultery. (New International Testament, Mark 10:11-12)

Many people still argue that homosexuality is still a sin; it clearly states it within the

bible. Even if the bible was written several millenniums ago; it still is considered gods teaching.

Too much is at stake. This means it is an oversimplification to say that Christians or

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conservative evangelicals are simply against homosexuality. We are against any sin that

restrains people from everlasting joy in God, and homosexual practice just gets all the press

because, at this cultural moment, its the main sin that is so freshly endorsed in our context by the

powers that be. (Parnell; pg. 1) A common argument against homosexuality; many states that

they are against homosexuality because they cannot go to heaven; since homosexuality is a

sin.

With these statements about the bible are very irreverent to this time period. Believing

that the bible really cant be put into todays context; with our modern society more fast

developing we are putting new ideas within our society. Making this the time of revolution

putting old ideas and changing them into new ones; like women were not allowed with in the

workplace and meant to bare children. Same can be said with homosexuality we are changing

our views to fit a more modern era.

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References:

N.p.: n.p., n.d. Bible Gateway. Web. 1 May 2017. https://www.biblegateway.com .

"25 Top Bible Verses about Homosexuality - Scriptures." Bible Study Tools. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 May

2017.

"Christians Hardly Read the Bible Themselves. Why Do They Try so Hard to Force It on

Others?" Barrierbreaker. N.p., 26 Oct. 2015. Web. 02 May 2017.

"Why Homosexuality Is Not Like Other Sins." Desiring God. N.p., 21 Apr. 2014. Web. 02 May 2017.

Taylor, J. Glen. "The Bible and Homosexuality." (n.d.): n. pag. University of Toronto. Web. 1 May

2017.

Spong, John Shelby. "Sins Of Scripture." (n.d.): n. pag. Web. 1 May 2017.

White, Mel. What the Bible Says - And Doesn't Say - About Homosexuality (n.d.): n. pag. Web. 1 May

2017.

Vines, Matthews. "The Gay Debate: The Bible and Homosexuality." (n.d.): n. pag. Web. 1 May 2017.