Why adhere to some parts of the Bible but not others?

Question

Leviticus 18:22 says homosexuality is wrong and Conservative Christians use that to condemn it. But Leviticus and Exodus also sanction slavery (Lev 25:44; Exo 21:7), yet we hear nothing promoting that practice, why? If you say that the slavery verses pertain to another time, then why can't you say the same about the homosexuality verse? Are you not simply following the parts of the bible that suit you and dispatching with what doesn't? Didn't Jesus say love thy neighbor and let he who has never sinned cast the first stone? Yet today's Conservative Christians would willingly put to death a gay man if they could get away with it (as they did in Wyoming in 1998).

It's fascinating how many people who responded don't actually answer the question.

Answer 1

Quite simply because people pick and choose which parts of the bible they wish to take notice of

Answer 2

This is a very honest and legitimate question and one that cannot be answered in just a few paragraphs.

Let me say at first I am a Catholic and accept Scripture to be divinely interpreted - yes, all of it!

The simple answer would be that the Bible is made of lots of different books, each with a different purpose and style and each with a different spiritual and historical context, but each book is about truth and can be useful to us.

For example, the books of Psalms is not very "dogmatic" that is it does not contain many teachings, but it is full of beautiful hymns to God that have been used over the centuries by the Church in her worship and in private devotion.

In contrast, the Gospel of John is a historical narrative that explains the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, so you will find many proof texts there for dogmas like Transubstantiation, Confession to a Priest, Apostolic Authority, etc.

The example of homosexuality you used is a good one and very relevant to our times. There are some things the Bible "mentions" but does not "sanction" or "command." There is a big difference so watch the words you use. Solomon had many wives but the Bible does not teach "thou shalt have more than one wife" but clearly says "a man and a woman become one flesh" and "thou shalt not commit adultery." You have to look at the context.

Same thing with homosexuality. Throughout the Bible it is consistently condemned both in the Old and New Testaments. Slavery, on the other hand, is mentioned quite frequently because it was a historial fact, but no where does the bible teach "slavery is right" or "thou shalt enslave others."

You have to take Leviticus 25:44 in context. Slavery in ancient Israel was different than the slavery practiced in the U.S. Slaves in Israel were not "2/3 of a person" like blacks were labeled in our country, rather they were considered to be human beings, could own land and property and buy their freedom.

You must realize, too, that many slaves in Israel had actually sold themselves into slavery as this was a way to pay off debts. When the debt was paid the person was free again.

Slavery was a historical reality then (and not just in Israel) and now (people all over the world are still slaves) and so of course the Bible is going to address the issue. God gave Israelites guidelines in the proper treatment of other human beings that were in a state of slavery. Nowhere does God condone the horrendous colonial practices of regarding slaves as chattel, beating them cruelly, splitting up families and such. In fact, if you will read the entire passage instead of taking just that verse out of context you will see that God is ensuring that for those who are enslaved for a time, their families and property will be protected.

Try finding such treatment for slaves in PAGAN cultures!

Note also that verse 40 says of the slave "He is to be treated as a hired worker or a temporary resident among you."

If you'd like to chat with me more about specifics, feel free. [e-mail] As I said, there's a lot in your question that can't be answered quickly.

It is a grave injustice to God's word to pull out random verses with no background or knowledge and use those verses to make biased assumptions. The Bible must be studied properly and thoroughly and we can "lean on the shoulders of giants" who have gone before us like Augustine, Aquinas and other Church fathers.

Answer 3

There is actually a pretty simple answer to this. Christians follow the New Covenant because we see the Old Testament as an agreement between God and the Jews to separate them as a race pure enough to be blessed with the Messiah. Now that the Messiah has come He has brought a New Covenant one of grace not of the law. You must look at the Bible as two seperate agreements for two different times (pre-Messiah and post- Messiah). Laws must be reiterated in the New Testament to be binding on Christians. THats we can eat pork.
Homosexuality was mentioned as an abomination in multiple places in the New Testament therefore it is still wrong. Slavery as we think of it was never practiced by the Jews. If you study up on Jewish slavery it was a seven year servitude to pay a debt or to be forgiven for another wrong done to a neighbor but in the Year of Jubillee all slaves were freed so it was not a permanent slavery like that performed by those misinterpreting the Bible in later years (US and Europe). It would be like a debters prison only you would just work for seven years under whoever you owned and couldn't pay back.
Your question about homosexuality is a good one but even though it is condemned as wrong the death penalty is never sanctioned for this in the New Covenant unlike Islamic Law. Sex is a great gift given to us by the creator but He never meant it to be abused. Any type of sex outside of marriage is unlawful. THis gift helps us be fruitful and multiply. It isn't merely for fun or for confused people who want to stick in random orifices. Christians are called to love these people regardless and you are correct on that.

Answer 4

Because some parts of the Bible support our beliefs and other parts do not.

Slavery is still in effect. It is now called minimum wage. You are a slave to all those creditors that you owe money. You work to increase their profits. Do not be fooled slavery still exists. However like in Ancient Israel it is not based on race it is based on debt.

The Bible does not say being a homosexual is punishable by death. It says that having sex with a member of the same gender is wrong. You can be a homosexual all day long but unfortaitely you cannot act upon it.

Do not get me wrong I am not a Christian. I could care less if you want to have homosexual sex. It makes no difference to me, as long as you pay your credit card bill you slave.

Answer 5

No, you do not understand. First off, we are to obey all parts of the Bible. God did not condone slavery, but it was a practice then, and He tried to tell them if they were to continue it, that they had certain things they had to do. He never sanctioned it, approved it and said it was the way to go. Just like He doesnt believe in divorce, but He will tell us if there is divorce, some things we can and cant do. You must really study the Bible to understand it, and God will show you.
and no Christian wants to pay a gay man to death, tho it is an abomination to God. God was clear on it and we are to warn them. But, Christians, true Chrsitians will tell anyone that is sinning wht to do to be saved. A gay man must stop what he is doing, or a gay woman, repent, ask for forgiveness and never go there again. Then forgivness comes instantly> And yes, God can heal this horrible lusts. Most just dont want it. We tell them its sin because God loves them and so do we. God loves us too much to leave us in a sin filled Condition. HE will weep over every lost one. So will we.
And you are correct, we cant just follow what we want in scripture and ignore the rest. I see this in so many churches today. no. God says we must be fully His to be saved, to love Him enough to obey ALL He tells us, not just the parts we are confy with. sin is sin, and the sin of disobedience, is jsut as bad as the sin of homosexuality.
Hope you do make a few ppl think even tho I doubt you and I would agree on much.
The ppl seeking death for someone arent Chrsitains. A true Chrsitian wont even believe in the death penatly. We believe in prayer and trying to help other go to God for change and salvation, even the very worst of the sinners. Thats Gods plan and it must be ours too. For every person doing horrible things, someone has once hurt them. doesnt execsue it but we must see them as the victims at one time too, to love them as God loves them, and pray for healing and deliverance, for all. not just ones we are comfy with.
IF we cant do that, we arent followers of Jesus Christ.

Answer 6

We never get a clear answer to this question. I can only assume that it serves a purpose, but I have no idea what that purpose is.

Answer 7

THE BIBLE SAYS WE SHOULD NOT ADD ANYTHING TO IT NEITHER SHOULD TAKE SOME OUT. SO ANY BODY WHO OBEY SOME AND DISOBEY SOME IS SINNING. BE IT AMERICA OR IRAQ, BUSH OR CASTRO.