I HAVE listened, but have never got a clear answer on this question:?

Question

Leviticus 20:13 (Man shall not lie w/ another man...paraphrased)

Many Christians point to this as God's law, and therefore homosexuality is wrong

Deuteronomy 21:18-21 (A rebellious son is to be executed...paraphrased)

Why don't Christians feel that this is God's law, and that allowing a disobedient child to live is wrong?

(This question can also apply to many of the other classic examples, like trimming your beard, or mixing fabrics, or women wearing jewelry, etc)

Please, no obnoxious answers, insults, or ignoring the question to preach. I'm looking for an intelligent, logical Christian answer. Thanks.

Kickin Cutie - Thanks for the answer, but that baits a few problems that I'll email you about.

For those saying that the OT doesn't apply anymore, I have 2 problems with that:

- That would mean that being gay is no longer a sin

- Jesus said something along the lines of, "I am not here to change the old laws, but to fulfill them"

Simple things Chris - I think that's an answer I can live with.

Answer 1

Well see the reason that we use that is because the same principle is repeated in the NT. Now some do not realize this and do use that and there is a problem. See when Jesus came He fulfilled the laws of the OT. And God made us a new covenant NT, and that is what we follow. But Homosexuality is still repeated in the NT. (romans 1:27, 1 cor. 6:9).

I am with the atheists on this one. I mean some christians use the ot for that and then skip other ones. This is find very strange and weird. but this is repeated in the nt and therefore still homosexuality is wrong in our religion based on the nt.

Answer 2

Honestly, Leviticus is not the ONLY verse that is referenced. It is usually only used as a backup to Romans showing how God has made other comments regarding homosexuality being wrong.

While the Old Covenant (including Leviticus and Deuteronomy) has been "fulfilled" and those laws are no longer valid, it does show that God has given strong statements against homosexuality. Romans is the be all and end all of verses against homosexuality, and the only real arguments against it basically revolve around the Bible not being the ultimate word of God.

So, those laws of the OT are no longer valid (Christ having fulfilled the old covenant), they don't need to be followed, but if you want to support something in the NT, you can show how God has commented on the issue before in the OT.

Answer 3

Christians do not live under the Old Covenant (Testament). This is called the Law of Moses. Christians live under the New Covenant (Testament). The Law of Moses (laws you've quoted) were for the ancient Hebrew/Israelite people only. It is not for anyone else. Christians live under another law, the law of the Spirit. Most of the laws of Moses are 'null and void', so to speak. But the major laws (such as the ten commandments, minus the Sabbath law) and a few others that are spiritual in nature, are still in effect.

See:

Matthew 19:18-19
Mark 12:28-34
Romans 13:9
James 2:8

Answer 4

Leviticus is referring to being lazy which is one of the seven deadly sins. Lie is not sexual phrase but is referring to being a sloth. Only modern revisions state that it is sexual experience. What is being said is that mankind needs to be productive around other men who should all be working to build a great society for there King. To lie around unproductive like when the women arrive and brings food and drink is in defiance of the king as the cities would not be built and man would be put to death. This passage is referring to Slaves and is describing history, which was the present time when it was written.

Deuteronomy is discussing the new laws to obey by newly conquered lands, which again was written in the past describing current events. Don't forgot that it also describes how to handle your two wives on 15.

I hope this helps. Best Regards, M.G.S.

Answer 5

I was given an answer to the homosexual question just a couple of days ago. I was told that Leviticus 20:13 were rules laid out for the Levite priests to prevent any chance of them doing anything impure. I have downloaded a PDF from this site for more answers on that question. There are many things in the Bible that have made no sense to me, so I'm thrilled to finally have an answer to one of my questions (though I haven't looked at the pamphlet yet).

http://www.soulforce.org/article/homosexuality-bible

I'm interested in the answers to those other questions as well. I hope someone can provide a few.

Answer 6

The old law has been fulfilled. They were to follow traditions which were physical now we follow spiritual laws. So now we don't follow the law of an eye for an eye or give blood sacrifices but sacrifrice worldly things for the Lord and love one another.
The New testament also shows that homosexuality is against Christ.

1 Tim 1:10. 10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;

Rom. 1: 26-28
26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

1 Cor. 6: 9-10
9 Know ye 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,

Jude 1: 7-8
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 evengeance of eternal fire.
8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities

So don't thing the Lord has changed His mind on that one!

Answer 7

Well it seems that you dont really read the Word of God for understanding, there are some things that are in the Word that were "provisional" at certain times due to the present culture of that day. Some are commands that are still in effect today. But as far as your questions go, keep your questions in context, that always helps. The one on "a rebellious son" is one that goes to say that it is a continuous action, not just a one time rebelliousness, in that environement in that cultural setting that was the law, for the Israelites were to be a holy people. They were to teach the Laws of God to their sons, and daughters and to the foreignors in the land so that God's people would remain to be God's people, the law was established to keep children to be obedient to parents. Look at our own present society! That will give you enough examples of what rebelliousness in children is causing.

About man lying with other men, this in the Old Testament was viewed as an abomination, and the individuals that did such were to be stoned. The same with those who drank blood, and who lay with animals as one did with women. These practices were detestable in the sight of God. That is the reason God destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gemorrah!

The trimming of beards, the mixing of fabrics, the wearing of jewelry and such, was due to the fact that in ancient cultures these were paganistic practices, that invoked blessings by the deities of that area. There were done to bring about blessings from them, or to be made favorable to them. God told the Israelites to never never ever do what they did, nor to adopt their practices in worship of Yahweh, but to totally destroy those nations because they were totally reprobate in their worship of other gods.

However, we are under new testament gospel, for the old was fading away and was found to be inadequate to curb sin, and it became useless, so Christ came to put into effect the way that would not only do away with such attitudes and nature but to change man from the inside out! God would live with men and be their God, He would give them a new heart to follow Him and be obedient to Him, He would take out the heart of stone (ie. stubborness, rebelliousness, sinfullness) and replace it with a new heart, an obedient one, one that would follow God wholeheartedly. Thus man would be house the Spirit inwardly, abiding and increasing in such activity.

Hope this helps if not let me know.

Answer 8

Hello, Doug:

You must understand that God was in the process of forming a Theocracy by purging out the wicked.

That land was promised to Abraham 400 years earlier, but he was told their iniquity was not full. But when God's judgments came, he notes: Leviticus 18:24 "Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you" and that included homosexuality, see verse 22.

Your question on disobedient children in THIS THEOCRACY is answered by God Himself: "So shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear." You have heard, even in the N.T.: If a man does not work, neither shall he eat."

Thus, when the Kingdom of heaven is established, the lazy gluttons will not be a burden there; in fact, they will be destroyed--it is a sin to steal from others who work.

As for the other rules you mention, they were for Israel as a theocracy. I've answered this question before, so hope this satisfies you and I won't have to answer it again.

And God will certainly not clear the guilty, and a Bible code tells when the conflict is over at http://abiblecode.tripod.com

Blessings, Balaam

Answer 9

Well, I'm not a Bible scholar - but I did go to the New Living Translation and you're right. In Moses' time homosexual men (no mention of women) and rebellious sons (no mention of daughters) could be put to death. Stoned to death, actually. Old Testament law. Christians don't follow Old Testament law with regard to capital punishment (among other things). Christ said many times that we are no longer under law, but under grace. (read Galatians and Ephesians - they are pretty short books in the New Testament). The grace He brought to us with His birth, death and resurrection. That doesn't mean that we don't have to follow any laws, but the punishments are certainly not so severe and there is always forgiveness through Christ. This does not mean, however, that we won't pay a consequence for wrong actions - especially worldly consequences ( generally going to jail or paying fines). Sometimes we pay with our health - it's not a crime to smoke, but it sure harms your body - you pay the consequence.

(sorry, didn't mean to preach - just trying to answer)

The law, as given to Moses was very harsh and no one could live up to all of those laws - at least I couldn't have done it. They (the laws) were given to keep the people safe and healthy in the time that they lived. Putting someone in jail for a crime is a modern invention - the only punishments in biblical times seemed to be banishment, ostracism, and death - and there were lots of reasons that one could earn a stoning - self-control was imperative, wouldn't you say?

All I can say from here is that I am very glad that Jesus Christ came and that I am saved by His grace from having to live under the law as given to Moses - AND that I am reconciled with God by Jesus' sacrifice.

(I know, got a little preachy at the end)

Anyway - hope I answered to your satisfaction and I hope you read Galatians and Ephesians.

God Bless.

Answer 10

Your question points out the reality that all scripture is read and interpreted, and must be. People who insist that the Bible can be read literally and "applied," are incorrect. Just as our understanding of the world has evolved and changed, so does our understanding and interpretation of scripture. Take the issue of slavery-it was common and part of society/culture in NT times, but Christianity began to realize that it was against the ultimate spirit of the Gospel. The scripture remains the same, but our understanding of it changes, and has to.