Silence is not acceptance. Silence is violence is a common phrase used by those on the Left concerning a lack of speech (or social media reaction) to a perceived social justice violation. Now, according to California Representative Ted Lieu, the silence of Jesus regarding homosexuality in the New Testament equates to Him accepting it. Furthermore, in response to some Major League Baseball players’ refusal to wear rainbow logos on their uniforms in celebration of Pride Month, Rep. Lieu Tweeted:
Pitcher Jason Adam should read the New Testament. This is what Jesus said about homosexuality: ” “.
Jesus is about love, not about hating people who are different from you.
With all due respect to Rep. Lieu, please stay in your lane regarding theological matters. The absence of “what Jesus said” regarding homosexuality is not the same as therefore Jesus has no problem with homosexuality or Jesus is fine with homosexuality. The interpretation of Jesus’ lack of word by Rep. Lieu is a blatant misinterpretation.
Jesus on Sexuality
It is perfectly clear from the Gospels that Jesus, the 1st century Jew, held traditional views on human sexuality and marriage. Such views preclude support of or a lack of concern for homosexuality.
He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? (Matthew 19:4-5)
It is precisely because God created them “male and female” that the male and female leave their parents and become “one flesh.” This “one flesh” eventually takes on reality in the form of a newly created human.
Go and Sin No More…
Moreover, another instance of Jesus addressing sexual sin is found John chapter 8, regarding the woman caught in adultery. In this chapter, the Pharisees bring a woman they caught in adultery before Jesus to catch Him in a trap. The Law called for her stoning. What Jesus does next surprises everyone. He asked that the one without sin cast the first stone. All leave, beginning with the oldest. Eventually, Jesus turns to the woman and says,
Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”
Jesus does not condemn the woman. He does not condemn her, and He commands her to “sin no more.” This example shows two realities: 1) Jesus is merciful and 2) Jesus does not shy away from calling sexual sin, sin.
Conclusion
Rep. Lieu misrepresented Jesus on the floor of the House of Representatives. Rep. Lieu filled the silence of Jesus on homosexuality with meaning that does not belong there. A clear understanding of Jesus in the context in which he lived shows that He would vigorously disagree with this assessment of His view on human sexuality. Representative Lieu, please take your own advise and read your Bible again.
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