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The Bible and Homosexuality



Eunuchs for the Kingdom
By Jagannatha Prakasa (© August 3, 2006 (last updated April 15, 2017)

Matt. 19: 10 His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.
11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.
12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.

A common question people ask is what Jesus had to say on the subject of homosexuality. People who support biblical homosexuality usually say something this: Those who believe homosexuality in any form is a sin usually say something like this:

Both positions are based on silence. The fact that Jesus never mentioned a given thing doesn't necessarily mean it is biblically acceptable or unacceptable. The truth is, Jesus never commented on homosexuality either way.

He did make an informative point concerning eunics however:

Matt. 19:

There are lots of people who believe this instruction is a reference to gay men (mainly because of the line: "For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb"). The argument being that as a fetus obviously cannot be castrated, either literally or figuratively, the reference must to something else. The obvious one, this view holds, is natural homosexuality. This would support not only Jesus' acceptance of homosexuality, but also that some people are born that way.

Personally, I don't believe this teaching is speaking of homosexuality but of celibacy. For some people celibacy is VERY difficult, for others its the easiest thing in the world (it has never been a big deal to them and so living a life of celibacy in order to be a missionary -- which is the context -- was easy for them). I think the phrase is a figure of speech. By the way, there are LGBT AND heterosexual people this is true for.

It is, however, a very good counter position to the "Adam and Steve" argument, i.e. that unless one marries an opposite gendered person one is not in God's will or design.

Here Jesus clearly says that there are those who renounce their sexuality and dedicate themselves body, soul and mind to God and that this is a good thing (this by the way is part of how the Catholic Church supports the idea of a celibate priesthood; personally I think they take this idea a bit too far, its a noble option, a personal choice, not a requirement).

Paul goes even further with this idea:

Paul renounced married life after his conversion and lived as a celibate missionary. That lifestyle, he believes, is the best, however realizing the power of human sexuality, he grants that it is better to 'marry than to burn' in ones sexual needs. Such people should not become eunuchs for the kingdom in other words.

Like the eunuchs, God accepts everyone who comes in faith. Wont you come?

Peace, Love, and Light!