Sex and Moral Law
The “sciences” of secular psychology and psychiatry have stated their position on homosexuality, which stands in stark contrast to the biblical standard of sexual morality. The official web site for the American Psychological Association states, “The reality is that homosexuality is not an illness. It does not require treatment and is not changeable.” It goes on to warn that conversion therapy is poorly documented and could cause potential harm. The American Psychiatric Association’s web site adds, “There is no published scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of ‘reparative therapy’ as a treatment to change one’s sexual orientation.”
There is now! Christian psychologists Stanton Jones and Mark Yarhouse have conducted research in conjunction with the organization Exodus International (now defunct) over several years. They tested the impact of ex-gay programs on participants – whether they actually experienced change, and whether the attempts to change caused additional stress. Their findings as of this writing have contradicted the established professional consensus, which they report in their book, Ex-Gays? A Continuing Study of Religiously Mediated Sexual Orientation Change in Exodus Participants.
Dealing with sexual sins is not a scientific or a political issue. It is a moral and spiritual issue. God created us to be male and female. He did not create anyone to be a homosexual, and the Israelites were commanded under the Law to maintain gender distinctions. “A woman must not wear men’s clothing, nor a man wear women’s clothing, for the Lord your God detests anyone who does this” (Deut. 22:5). Homosexual “marriages” and sexual relations were clearly forbidden; “Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable” (Lev. 18:22), and even stronger words are recorded in 20:13, “If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.” It is important to note that adultery was also a capital offense under the law. Tomorrow we will consider sexual bondage under the New Covenant of Grace.
Dr. Neil
For Spanish, see http://www.ficmm.org/blog
