It came across my desk again... another article... this time it was a group of conservative Jewish leaders considering relaxing the 3,000 year-old views of homosexuality and premarital sex. It was with regard to the issue of homosexuality that I especially took notice. The article stated, "it was important to address [the issue of homosexuality] in light of modern research which sees homosexuality as 'so much a matter of nature.' "
Some of our Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian friends, to name a few (or at least a good number in their ranks), and now the Conservative Jews, are all making the claim that because recent studies have concluded that homosexual orientation is inherent or a "matter of nature" therefore it becomes imperative on the religious community to accept such behavior as legitimate - and beyond merely being legitimate, that such behavior, when practiced in a committed relationship, be blessed.
The usual reaction by the conservative Christian community is that such behavior is not natural but a learned behavior and as such, an abomination to God. There is little question but that the Bible makes clear such behavior is an abomination to God, but I also believe the Bible would side with the view that such behavior is a "matter of nature."
The Bible teaches that all are "...sinful at birth, sinful from the time... [of conception]" (Psalm 51:6) As a result, "there is no one righteous.. no one who understands... no one who does good..." (Romans 3:10ff). And because humankind is sinful at the heart... sinful behavior results. "The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord , jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like..." (Galatians 5:19-21a).
But we must also note what follows these words. "I warn you... that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God." (v. 21b). This is the case... this is the truth, whether or not one wants to accept it... whether or not it 'makes sense to us.' In fact Scripture deals with the issue of one's understanding also. "The man without the Spirit [what we are by nature] does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned."
So Scripture too, like so many in our day, informs us that, yes indeed, issues like homosexuality, same sex marriages (but let us not forget all the other sins we often would like to place in some other category), all are in fact, "a matter of nature" ... a matter of fallen human nature. But note also, that, rather than excusing or justifying such things because they are "a matter of nature," the Bible - and for that very reason - condemns such things. And further forbids our continuing in such things, "Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! ... We were... buried with him through baptism into death in order that... we.. may live a new life." (Romans 6:4).
It is true as we confess (or is it merely words?) in the corporate confession, "we are by nature, sinful and unclean, and we have sinned against You by thought, word and deed." It is true as found in the Brief Order, "We confess that we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word and deed..." As members of the human race, we are all sinners who stand in need of God's forgiving grace and mercy, and of his power to make new.
It is God's power at work in us that will give us a new understanding of what "a matter of nature" really is, and in addition, that same power will give us a new understanding of what "a matter of the Spirit" is all about.
"Do 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 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And 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." 1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
