homosexuals Archives - Colin Dye

France to Replace 'Mother' and 'Father' With 'Parents' on Official Documents

Colin Dye — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 10:01:21 +0000

Yet another attack from the secular state on the Godly institution that is marriage…

French pr?sident Fran?ois Hollande

The governing body of France has stated that should the government pass legislation redefining the historical interpretation of marriage, current words used to describe parental figures could be removed and replaced with gender-neutral wording.
Francois Hollande, the French President, pledged to introduce legislation that would legalize same-sex marriage while he was running for president. Opponents have voiced their concern over the proposal to remove the words “mother” and “father” from official documents should the country adopt same-sex marriage.

The change would only permit the use of the word “parents,” which would be used in marriage ceremonies for both heterosexual and homosexual ceremonies.

source

The question is, what does God have to say about all of this?

The sexual revolution of the sixties and seventies has paved the way for the lifting of censorship restrictions at a number of levels. Sex education in schools is but one example. But what has all this sexual ?liberation? and so-called ?freedom? meant in practice? In the twenty-first century we are now reaping the fruits of that of our past carelessness. The institution of marriage itself is under threat; the ?normal? family unit is under threat; it is common for people to indulge in ?alternative? lifestyles.

The Roman Catholic church taught that marriage was a sacrament, a view also adopted by the Anglican church at a certain point. This sounds good initially, because of the inference that marriage is sacred ? and of course it is a sacred institution. But I have a feeling that the motivation behind such teaching was not so much to protect the sanctity of marriage, but to try to shield Christian marriage from the common sensual, pleasurable approach to human relationships that was prevalent in society at the time. Such teaching tried to suggest that marriage was such a holy thing that the physical aspect of it was irrelevant, other than for producing children.

The covenant of marriage is first mentioned in Genesis 2:24: ?Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.? This original covenant of companionship was given by God in the context of the great creation mandate to fill the earth and to subdue it; to multiply and have dominion. It was a covenant of complete companionship at every level, including the physical, sexual level. But it cannot be compared with the covenant of companionship that one can enjoy with a person of the same sex ? that companionship operates on an entirely different level.

The marriage covenant necessarily entails two people of the opposite sex being ?joined together? and becoming ?one flesh? in the context of sexual intimacy ? which God has only ever sanctioned and blessed within the confines of marriage. No other relationship can be a substitute for that.

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The Boundaries of Same Sex Relationships

Colin Dye — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:44:33 +0000

Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, two straight Hollywood stars, are well-known for their friendship, or "Bromance"

The Bible is very clear about this. Sexual intimacy is solely for husband and wife within the bounds of marriage. What this clearly tells us is that there are boundaries in same sex relationships that must not be crossed. To some readers this may be obvious, but to many this very fact is a stumbling block, since society has so strongly promoted the view that freedom only comes through the removal of boundaries.

For many, the way to have fun is to do whatever you want with whoever you want, without any boundaries. But the truth is, in our relationships with God and each other, the real blessing is released when we operate within God-given boundaries.
The boundaries of same sex relationships are this: no matter how deep or intense or loving the relationship is (and we have seen that such relationships can be so powerful as to extend beyond the grave and to the generations to come), there is no evidence in Scripture- taking even the most sympathetic view- that any form of sexual expression can be sanctioned between people of the same sex.
There are many examples of love and closeness between members of the same sex in the Bible, but not one of them has any sexual connotations.
John the beloved disciple rested on the breast of Jesus at the Last Supper. Such a physical expression of love reveals a deep friendship, even a level of intimacy that some friends would not be comfortable with. But it would be wrong to move from such signs of affection (the Greek philos) to homoerotic acts ( the Greek eros love). For people who see that in the relationship between Jesus and John, it tells us more about them than it does about Jesus and John. We must be careful not to read into the Bible what isn?t there, or what we would like to be there.
So, the Bible includes many strong expressions of love, even of physical contact, but they always stop short of erotic intimacy. It is physical closeness, but never sexual. The modern world cannot comprehend a level of physical closeness without an underlying sexual agenda.
The Bible is clear about the fact that same sex relationships are intended for friendship, companionship, mutual encouragement, and to fulfil the purposes of God.

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Were David and Jonathan homosexuals?

Colin Dye — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 11:12:14 +0000

David and Jonathan, the story of a godly friendship

In this article I want to dispel the ignorance on the topic and also to answer some comments on my previous post. Many of you reacted when you read this part of the interview:
Question: “You mention same-sex relationships. Could you just briefly outline the Bible view on this subject?”
Colin:? “This is a very big subject. I find that there seems to be two kinds of viewpoints, even amongst Christians. There is the legalistic approach, which is very moralistic with a heavy emphasis on the scriptures, which seems to condemn all forms of homosexuality out of hand. Then on the other hand there is the more liberal emphasis where people seem to suggest that it does not matter – homosexuality is as acceptable as heterosexuality. I actually think that the Bible is midway between these two viewpoints. First of all, the Scriptures honour same sex relationships and hold them in high esteem. In my book I mention Ruth and Naomi, and David and Jonathan. There is a particular place in God’s heart for strong and intimate covenant relationships between members of the same sex. However, it is my view that the Bible falls short of allowing these relationships to enter into an explicitly sexual area. I think that the display of affection and love between members of the same sex can have a real context in the plan of God. However, the Bible seems to steer us away from taking such relationships further into sexual acts.”
I made it quite clear in my answer that God honours same sex relationships as long as they are in line with God?s plan. It is very clear in the Bible that God, as I have already said, steers us away from taking such relationships further into sexual acts.

David and Jonathan?s story is an amazing example of a same sex relationship, between two men.
Looking at their relationship it is immediately evident that it was completely in line with God?s messianic purposes and the establishment of the Davidic dynasty. It paints a very positive picture of a same sex relationship- all the more so because this relationship was theologically significant. Again, it was about much more than two people being friends, sharing together and enjoying one another?s company- as great as it is. God blessed their friendship and out of that covenant revealed His kingdom to the world.
Just like Naomi and Ruth, the relationship between David and Jonathan was not a substitute for marriage. Marriage is God?s chief covenant of companionship, designed to be fruitful and produce multiplication, but it does not preclude the possibility of same sex friendships which can be so precious and important. It is really important that we all have close relationships with people of the same gender, where we can enjoy great fellowship before the Lord. Everyone should have that blessing.
“Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.?^2?Saul took him that day, and would not let him go home to his father?s house anymore.?^3?Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.?^4?And Jonathan took off the robe that?wason him and gave it to David, with his armor, even to his sword and his bow and his belt.”
(1Samuel 18:1-4)
You will not find a more touching, more affirming, or a more blessed picture of a same sex relationship anywhere. I don?t think God could speak any louder or more clearly than this: He is saying that He honours and blesses committed same sex relationships which are submitted to His purpose and His will.
David and Jonathan obviously had a deep relationship.
First of all they were close friends and they had a love for one another that resulted in a covenant. Their love covenant caused each to put the other person first. As far as we can tell from Scripture, the two men were of a similar age and so effectively like brothers. Their relationship was very intense, and it was multi-generational. David and Jonathan?s relationship survived into future generations.
Finally David and Jonathan?s relationship served the purposes of God. It wasn?t selfish. Jonathan saved David?s life even though he knew it would prevent him from becoming king.
I wish in our modern culture we understood friendship, loyalty and love like that. We?d be much healthier as human beings, and much more of a witness for Jesus Christ if we had more David-Jonathan, or Naomi-Ruth type relationships.

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