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This is an \u201couttake\u201d from my book, The One-Minute Apologist<\/em><\/a>. I have expanded it, adding commentary on Jude 7.<\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n The Bible clearly condemns homosexual acts as intrinsically, gravely sinful. Desperate attempts to explain away this prohibition are futile; the Bible is too clear.<\/p>\n For those who believe that the Bible is God\u2019s inspired word, this issue is easily resolved. Catholics and other Christians didn\u2019t make this rule; God did. But if one denies that the Bible is inspired, then, of course, none of the following proof texts will matter:<\/p>\n Leviticus 20:13 <\/strong>(RSV):\u00a0If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall be put to death, their blood is upon them. (cf. 18:22)<\/p>\n Judges 19:22-23<\/strong>:\u00a0. . . behold, the men of the city,\u00a0base fellows, beset the house round about, beating on the door; and they said to the old man, the master of the house, \u201cBring out the man who came into your house, that we may know him.\u201d And the man, the master of the house, went out to them and said to them, \u201cNo, my brethren, do not act so wickedly; seeing that this man has come into my house, do not do this\u00a0vile thing.\u201d (emphasis added)<\/p>\n 1 Kings 14:24<\/strong>:\u00a0and there were also male cult prostitutes in the land. They did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD drove out before the people of Israel. (cf. 15:12; 22:46; Dt. 23:17; 2 Ki. 23:7)<\/p>\n Romans 1:24-27<\/strong>:\u00a0Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed for ever! Amen. For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. Their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural, and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in their own persons the due penalty for their error.<\/p>\n 1 Timothy 1:8-11<\/strong>:\u00a0Now we know that the law is good, if any one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, immoral persons,\u00a0sodomites, kidnapers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with the glorious gospel of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted. (emphasis added)<\/p>\n Jude 7<\/strong>:\u00a0just as\u00a0Sodom and Gomor\u2019rah\u00a0and the surrounding cities, which likewise acted immorally and indulged in\u00a0unnatural lust, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire. (emphasis added; cf. Gen. 19:4-7 and 2 Pet. 2:4-10; the latter describes the behavior of the Sodomites as not merely violent rape but \u201clicentiousness of the wicked\u201d and \u201clust of defiling passion\u201d)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Commentary on Jude 7:<\/strong><\/p>\n A. T. Robertson, Word Pictures of the New Testament<\/em> (Jude 1:7<\/a>):<\/p>\n Having given themselves over to fornication<\/b>(ekporneusasai<\/b><\/span>). First aorist active participle feminine plural of\u00a0ekporneuw<\/b><\/span>, late and rare compound (perfective use of\u00a0ek<\/b><\/span>, outside the moral law), only here in N.T., but in LXX (\u00a0Genesis 38:24<\/a>\u00a0;\u00a0Exodus 34:15<\/a>\u00a0, etc.). Cf.\u00a0aselgeian<\/b><\/span>\u00a0in verse\u00a0Jude 1:4<\/a>\u00a0.\u00a0Strange flesh<\/b>\u00a0(sarko etera<\/b><\/span>). Horrible licentiousness, not simply with women not their wives or in other nations, but even unnatural uses (\u00a0Romans 1:27<\/a>\u00a0) for which the very word \u201csodomy\u201d is used (\u00a0Genesis 19:4-11<\/a>\u00a0).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Ralph Earle, Word Meanings in the New Testament<\/em> (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1984):<\/p>\n [T]he noun porneia<\/em> . . . includes all \u201csexual immorality\u201d (NIV) or \u201cgross immorality\u201d (NASB). This is further enlarged here by the additional \u201cgoing after strange flesh,\u201d which rather obviously suggests homosexuality.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Navarre Commentary<\/em>\u00a0(Catholic):<\/p>\n The inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah were particularly depraved (cf. Gen 18:20ff): their sins \u2014 including unnatural vice (\u201csodomy\u201d) \u2014 were proverbial (Jer 23:14; Ezek 16:48\u201350). The whole region was destroyed (cf. Gen 19:24\u201325) and its cities have always been cited as the classic example of the severity of God\u2019s punishment of evildoers (cf. Jer 49:18; 50:40; Amos 4: 11).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Barnes\u2019 Notes on the Bible<\/em><\/a>:<\/p>\n Going after strange flesh \u2013 Margin: \u201cother.\u201d The reference seems to be to the unusual sin which, from the name Sodom, has been called \u201csodomy.\u201d Compare\u00a0Romans 1:27<\/a>. The meaning of the phrase \u201cgoing after\u201d is, that they were greatly addicted to this vice. The word \u201cstrange, or other,\u201d refers to that which is contrary to nature.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary<\/em><\/a>:<\/p>\n going after strange flesh\u2014departing from the course of nature, and going after that which is unnatural. In later times the most enlightened heathen nations indulged in the sin of Sodom without compunction or shame.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Matthew Poole\u2019s Commentary<\/em><\/a>:<\/p>\n Strange flesh;\u00a0<\/span>margin, other flesh; he means male flesh, which is other than what God appointed for that use they made of it; or, as we render it,\u00a0strange flesh,\u00a0<\/span>i.e. that which is strange, improper, and unfit for such an end. It is the description of the unnatural filthiness of the Sodomites,\u00a0Genesis 19:5<\/a><\/span>: see\u00a0Romans 1:26<\/a>,27<\/span>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Pulpit Commentary<\/em><\/a>:<\/p>\n given themselves over to fornication, and gone after strange flesh.<\/span>The verbs are selected to bring out the intense sinfulness of the sin \u2013 the one being a strong compound form expressing unreserved surrender, the other an equally strong compound form denoting a departure from the law of nature in the impurities practiced. The sin has taken its name from the city with which the Book of Genesis so fearfully connects its indulgence. It forms one of the darkest strokes in the terrible picture which Paul has given us of the state of the ancient heathen world (Romans 1:27<\/a>).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n See also:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cWhat Does Jude 7 Mean By \u2018Other Flesh\u2019?\u201d<\/a> (Kevin DeYoung, The Gospel Coalition<\/em>, 5-22-15)<\/p>\n \u201cHomosexuality and \u2018Strange Flesh\u2019 \u201c<\/a> (Dave Miller, Apologetics Press, 2004)<\/p>\n \u201cEWTN Catholic Q&A: Jude 7 & homos sarx<\/em>\u201c<\/a> (Fr. John Echert, 6-11-03)<\/p>\n * * Therefore, this objection collapses. As for the desire itself, Catholics don\u2019t believe it is inherently sinful, as long as it isn\u2019t acted upon (Catechism of the Catholic Church<\/em>, #2358-2359), just as heterosexual lust, fornication, and adultery must be rejected in the will, by God\u2019s grace, in order to avoid sin. Everyone has more than enough temptations to resist and overcome.<\/p>\n St. Paul in Romans 1 makes an explicit argument against homosexual sexual acts, as an unnatural practice; he also presents a similar argument in 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, by stating that excessive appetite for sex (and also food?) amounts to being \u201censlaved\u201d (6:12). There is a created reality and natural order beyond mere physical pleasure, which must not be violated.<\/p>\n Certain things are wrong by their very nature. Sex outside of marriage \u2014 whether heterosexual or homosexual \u2014 belongs to that category (6:18-20). Again, he casually assumes that sodomy is intrinsically wrong in 1 Timothy 1:8-11.<\/p>\n C. S. Lewis (Anglican apologist):<\/strong><\/p>\n The disciples were not told why (in terms of efficient cause) the man was born blind (Jn. 9:1-3): only the final cause, that the works of God should be made manifest in him. This suggests that in homosexuality, as in every other tribulation, those works can be made manifest: i.e. that every disability conceals a vocation, . . . The homosexual has to accept sexual abstinence just as the poor man has to forego otherwise lawful pleasures because he would be unjust to his wife and children if he took them.\u00a0(in\u00a0A Severe Mercy<\/em>, by Sheldon Vanauken, New York: Harper & Row, 1977, Bantam Books edition, 1979, 146; letter of 14 May 1954; abbreviations removed)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Related Reading:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nMARRIAGE AND FAMILY<\/strong><\/div>\n*
\nThe Catholic Church is wrong to condemn homosexuality, because it is natural<\/strong><\/div>\n*
\nNo Church has any right to tell people what to do with their own bodies<\/div>\n*<\/div>\n<\/div>\nInitial reply\u00a0<\/strong><\/div>\n*<\/div>\nExtensive reply\u00a0<\/strong><\/div>\n*<\/div>\nObjection\u00a0<\/strong><\/div>\n
\nWhat is condemned in the Bible is selfish, abusive, forcible sex (of any kind), not homosexual acts, which are simply the result of the natural desire of some people. We know much more now about genes and psychology than they did in biblical times.<\/p>\nReply to Objection\u00a0<\/strong><\/div>\n
\nGod doesn\u2019t change. If He states that something is sinful and never permissible, then that prohibition applies at all times. Secondly, it isn\u2019t true that the Bible only condemns homosexual rape and not such acts by mutual consent. All the passages above, excepting Judges 19:22-23 and 1 Timothy 1:8-11 condemn consensual homosexual acts. Jude 7 mentions \u201cunnatural lust\u201d and 2 Peter 2:4-10 states similarly.<\/p>\nPaul\u2019s \u201cNature\u201d Argument as Regards Homosexual Acts<\/a><\/div>\n*<\/div>\nWould Jesus Prohibit Homosexual Acts?<\/a><\/div>\n***<\/span><\/div>\n*<\/span><\/div>\n\nPractical Matters<\/em><\/strong>: Perhaps some of my 3,900+ free online articles (the most comprehensive \u201cone-stop\u201d Catholic apologetics site) or<\/span>\u00a0fifty books<\/a>\u00a0have helped you (by God\u2019s grace) to decide to<\/span>\u00a0become Catholic<\/a>\u00a0or to<\/span>\u00a0return to the Church<\/a>, or better understand some doctrines and<\/span>\u00a0why<\/em>\u00a0we believe them<\/a>.<\/div>\n*<\/span><\/div>\nOr you may believe my work is worthy to support for the purpose of apologetics and evangelism in general.\u00a0If so, please seriously consider a much-needed financial contribution. I\u2019m always in need of more funds: especially\u00a0monthly<\/em>\u00a0support. \u201cThe laborer is worthy of his wages\u201d (1 Tim 5:18, NKJV). 1 December 2021 was my 20th anniversary as a<\/span>\u00a0full-time Catholic apologist<\/a>, and February 2022 marked the 25th anniversary of my blog.<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n*<\/span><\/div>\nPayPal donations<\/a>\u00a0are the easiest: just send to my email address: apologistdave@gmail.com. You\u2019ll see the term \u201cCatholic Used Book Service\u201d, which is my old side-business. To learn about the different methods of contributing, including 100% tax deduction, etc., see my page:\u00a0<\/span>About Catholic Apologist Dave Armstrong \/ Donation Information<\/a>.\u00a0Thanks a million<\/em><\/strong> from the bottom of my heart!<\/span><\/div>\n