I spend a lot of free time in the Christian Apologetics alliance’s discussions on facebook. During two recent discussions, the point was raised that the New Testament doesn’t address the issue of Christians struggling with attractions to members of the same gender.

Of course, the New Testament has a lot of similar issues it doesn’t directly address – it does not, for example deal with the problem of the woman who had an adulterous affair, who is trying to be reconciled with her husband but is still receiving phonecalls from her former illicit lover. It does not address the question of the heroin addict who is converted to Christianity, but still suffers from the physical symptoms of withdrawal.

And yet, if it does not address these things directly, there are applicable Scriptural principles. Matthew 18 and 2 Corinthians 2 discuss elements of the discipline process that are important for this discussion Matthew 18:15-20 discusses the process of discipline and excommunication.[1] At every stage, upon repentance the process stops and reconciliation (and when needed counseling) commences instead. Paul in 2 Corinthians 2:4-6 similarly referred to a disciplined member of the church at Corinth. He argues that this person should be welcomed into fellowship.

The issue of gay marriage is not about those who struggle against same sex attraction – the very existence of a struggle tells us that they accept God’s law and seek to live in accordance with that law. The issue is about those who argue that God’s law doesn’t apply to them, or doesn’t apply to anyone, at all. It is for those who deny that human beings are sinners by nature.

To someone struggling with same sex attraction, there is hope. Joe Dallas and other people have come past this temptation, others live lives of celibacy to honor our Lord. Is it a difficult burden to bear, well yes, but then, I did not marry until I was in my mid-thirties, and celibacy as a single man was not easy at all times either, but I am a Christian.

This is not the question faced by the Church from those outside. For that question, my kindle pamphlet Offering Incense to the Emperor is still free until June 12^th.

            [1] There is a textual variant in this passage that affects the interpretation of this passage ( a rare thing in general). One of the canons of textual criticism reads that the shorter reading is to be preferred, because scribes tended to expand the text with explanatory notes as they moved forward, and there are a few other, more technical elements involved in this discussion.