The topic of homosexuality is addressed in several passages throughout the Bible, and it has been a subject of theological discussion and debate within the Christian community. From a conservative Christian perspective, the Bible presents a consistent view on homosexual behavior, which is often interpreted as contrary to God's design for human sexuality.

Old Testament References

1. Genesis 19:1-11: The account of Sodom and Gomorrah is frequently cited in discussions about homosexuality. The men of Sodom sought to engage in sexual relations with the male visitors (angels) who came to Lot's house. This event is often interpreted as an example of the sinfulness of homosexual acts. The city's destruction is seen as divine judgment against such behavior.

2. Leviticus 18:22: "You must not lie with a man as with a woman; that is an abomination." This verse is part of the Holiness Code, which outlines various laws for the Israelites. It explicitly prohibits male homosexual acts, labeling them as detestable.

3. Leviticus 20:13: "If a man lies with a man as with a woman, they have both committed an abomination. They must surely be put to death; their blood is upon them." This passage reiterates the prohibition found in Leviticus 18 and prescribes a severe penalty for such acts.

New Testament References

1. Romans 1:26-27: "For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. Likewise, the men abandoned natural relations with women and burned with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error." The Apostle Paul describes homosexual behavior as a result of humanity's rejection of God, leading to moral and spiritual degradation.

2. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10: "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 men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God." This passage lists various behaviors that are inconsistent with inheriting God's kingdom, including homosexual acts.

3. 1 Timothy 1:9-10: "We realize that law is not enacted for the righteous, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for killers of father or mother, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave traders, for liars, and for perjurers, and for anyone else who is averse to sound teaching." Here, Paul includes homosexuals in a list of those who act contrary to sound doctrine.

Theological Considerations

From a conservative standpoint, the biblical texts are interpreted as affirming that God's design for sexual relationships is between one man and one woman within the covenant of marriage. Homosexual behavior is viewed as a deviation from this divine plan. The emphasis is often placed on the possibility of redemption and transformation through faith in Jesus Christ, as highlighted in 1 Corinthians 6:11: "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."

Pastoral Care and Ministry

In addressing the topic of homosexuality, many conservative Christian communities focus on offering pastoral care and support to individuals who experience same-sex attraction. The approach often involves encouraging individuals to live in accordance with biblical teachings while extending love, compassion, and grace. The goal is to foster an environment where individuals can pursue holiness and find their identity in Christ.1 John 4:7
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loves is born of God, and knows God.
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1 John 4:16
And we have known and believed the love that God has to us. God is love; and he that dwells in love dwells in God, and God in him.
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Leviticus 18:22
You shall not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.
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Jude 1:7
Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
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Romans 1:26-27
For this cause God gave them up to vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
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Romans 5:8
But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
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2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
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Leviticus 20:13
If a man also lie with mankind, as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be on them.
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1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Know you not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
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1 Timothy 1:10
For fornicators, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for enslavers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;
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Genesis 19:1-38
And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;
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733a. arsenokoites -- a sodomite
... a sodomite. Transliteration: arsenokoites Short Definition: homosexuals. Word Origin
from arsen and koite Definition a sodomite NASB Word Usage homosexuals (2). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/733a.htm - 5k

Faith and Works
... statement of the same Paul himself: "Do not err," he says; "neither fornicators,
nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor the unmanly, nor homosexuals, nor thieves ...
/.../augustine/handbook on faith hope and love/chapter xviii faith and.htm

The Letter of Saint Polycarp,
... are in the world, for "every passion of the flesh wages war against the Spirit,"
[344] and "neither fornicators nor the effeminate nor homosexuals will inherit ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/the letter of saint polycarp.htm

Homosexuals (2 Occurrences)
...Homosexuals (2 Occurrences). ... Don't be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor
idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexuals, (WEB NAS). ...
/h/homosexuals.htm - 7k

Immoral (16 Occurrences)
... Don't be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers,
nor male prostitutes, nor homosexuals, (WEB RSV NIV). ...
/i/immoral.htm - 11k

Sexually (10 Occurrences)
... Don't be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers,
nor male prostitutes, nor homosexuals, (WEB NIV). ...
/s/sexually.htm - 9k

Homosexual (1 Occurrence)
... Don't be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers,
nor male prostitutes, nor homosexuals, (Root in WEB NAS NIV). ...
/h/homosexual.htm - 6k

Honest (34 Occurrences)

/h/honest.htm - 18k

Kidnapers (1 Occurrence)
... 1 Timothy 1:10 for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave-traders, for
liars, for perjurers, and for any other thing contrary to the sound doctrine ...
/k/kidnapers.htm - 6k

Offenders (4 Occurrences)
... Don't be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers,
nor male prostitutes, nor homosexuals, (See NIV). ...
/o/offenders.htm - 7k

Liars (14 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 1:10 for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave-traders, for
liars, for perjurers, and for any other thing contrary to the sound doctrine ...
/l/liars.htm - 10k

Inherit (98 Occurrences)
... Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes,
nor homosexuals, (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/i/inherit.htm - 38k

Idolaters (5 Occurrences)
... Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes,
nor homosexuals, (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/i/idolaters.htm - 8k

Is it possible to be a gay Christian? | GotQuestions.org

Can a person be born gay? | GotQuestions.org

Why are Christians opposed to marriage equality? | GotQuestions.org

Homosexual: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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