     |
Romans 1 And Homosexuality - What Is The Biblical Context Of Romans 1?
A statue honoring Cybele, the ancient Middle Eastern fertility goddess who was called the Mother of the gods by the Romans. Romans 1 and homosexuality. Is homosexuality the focal point of Paul's argument in Romans 1? The common sense answer is No. Many Christians assume things about homosexuality and the Bible which are simply not true. For example, most of the forty-four Old Testament references to Sodom and its cognates (related words), sodomite, sodomites, male prostitutes of the shrines, Job 36:14 and shrine prostitutes, Hos 4:14 NIV, signify idol worship and shrine prostitution, not homosexuality.
Romans 1 and homosexuality? No. The statue on the right depicts a priest of Aphrodite, another fertility goddess worshipped by ancient Romans. Aphrodite was the Greek and Roman version of Ashteroth, the Canaanite fertility goddess. No reference to Sodom in the OT mentions homosexuality. Same sex rape and shrine prostitution are condemned in the OT but nowhere does scripture condemn exclusive, monogamous, homosexual relationships as we know them today. Therefore, to assume that Paul is talking about homosexuality in Romans 1, when homosexuality is not the issue, is a theological dead end. Romans 1 and homosexuality? Early Christians who lived within two or three centuries of Paul, believed he was talking about the shrine prostitution related to idolatry, which was so prevalent in first century Rome. As in the Old Testament, all ten New Testament references to Sodom also neglect to mention homosexuality. Romans 1 and homosexuality? In the opening chapter of Romans, Paul reminds his readers about Gentile idolatry and the shrine prostitution which accompanied it, not homosexuals and not lesbians. Paul’s express purpose in Romans 1 is to show that everyone, Jew or Gentile, is equally guilty. Romans 1 and homosexuality? Romans 1 is not an argument against homosexuality.
Cybele, Mother of the gods and Protectress of ancient Rome, in her chariot, pulled by lions. This particular fountain is in Spain. Romans 1 and homosexuality. Idolatry, not homosexuality and not lesbianism, is the pivot point of Paul’s argument in Rom 1. Paul Talks About Gentile Idolatry In Romans 1, Not Homosexuals And Not LesbiansFor this cause [idolatry] God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: Idolatry is the hook that catches Gentiles and Jews and allows Paul to declare everyone guilty before a holy God, Romans 3:23. Throughout the Old Testament, Gentile idolatry manifested itself in shrine prostitution. God repeatedly warned Israel not to practice heathen idolatry. God specifically linked shrine prostitution to His prohibition of male same sex activity in Leviticus 18:21-22. Idolatry and the shrine prostitution which accompanied it are the specific context of Romans 1. Paul Heard Stephen Preach Against The Molech Idol In Acts 7:43 And It Stuck In His Mind. Years later, when Paul writes Romans, he has in mind fertility goddess worship, which, in the Old Testament, is addressed under the rubric of Molech worship. Paul does not name Molech in particular because first century Romans worshipped multiple fertility goddesses, Cybele and Aphrodite, for example.
The stoning of Stephen. The Apostle Paul was present to hear Stephen's sermon against Molech worship and watched him die a martyr's death. Stephen's sermon in Acts 7, in which he mentioned Israel's wicked worship of Molech, made a deep impression on Paul, who got saved, Acts 9, within a few months of Stephen's martyrdom. When Paul writes Romans 1, he even repeats Stephen's phrase about "God giving them up." Romans 1 and homosexuality? No. Paul's words in Romans 1:26-27 better fit the context of Paul’s experience of hearing Stephen preach against idolatry and Molech, Acts 7:43. That context plus the intertextual echoes from Old Testament passages, link the idolatry of Romans 1 one to the shrine prostitution of first century Rome (not to homosexuality). Gay Christian 101 - Spiritual Self-Defense For Gay Christians. goes into more detail on this topic. Romans 1 and homosexuality is a false correlation which is not supported by the historical context or the Biblical context. God revealed Himself to the Gentiles through their conscience. Long before He gave the Law on Mt. Sinai, God’s law was: “written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts... accusing or... excusing one another.” Romans 2:15. Romans1:20 - “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:” The human race is without excuse because God revealed Himself to us through:
Romans 1:21-22 - “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,” As the Gentiles reject the truth God showed them, God begins to reject the Gentiles. The Law of Cause and EffectPaul lists three causes,
which produce three effects.
Now think about it for a moment. Romans 1 is clear - God gave them up because of idolatry, not because of homosexuality or lesbianism. The same sex practices Paul mentions were the result of idolatry. The same sex practices were shrine prostitution in worship of the fertility goddess. The most prominent fertility goddess in first century Rome was Cybele, who even appeared on Roman coins.
The stoning of Stephen.When Paul frames his argument about Gentile idolatry, he has in mind Stephen's sermon in Acts 7. Stephen preached against Molech worship in the last sermon of his life. 1. The Gentiles made idols, v. 23. “God gave them up... to dishonour their own bodies between themselves” [one of the primary manifestations was the illicit sexual practice of shrine prostitution], v. 24. How much more clear can Paul make it? Idolatry is connected to the illicit sexual practice Paul references in v. 24. 2. The Gentiles worshipped idols, v. 25. “God gave them up unto vile affections” [one of the primary manifestations was the illicit sexual practice of shrine prostitution], v. 26, 27. 3. The Gentiles did not like to retain God in their knowledge, v. 26-27. “God gave them over to a reprobate mind,” v. 28, [24 additional sins listed, vs. 29-32]. Paul Lists Three Exchanges Of Truth For ErrorRomans 1 and homosexuality? No. Paul carefully lists three causes linked to idolatry (not homosexuality), in which the Gentiles exchange truth for error. Just as carefully, Paul lists three corresponding effects of idolatry, in which God gives up the Gentiles to their error. Romans 1 and homosexuality? No. Many Christians believe that Paul suddenly injected into his Romans letter, a universal condemnation of lesbianism and homosexuality in Romans 1:26-27, a condemnation unrelated to idolatry. This attempt to link Romans 1 and homosexuality, downplays the context of idolatry and wrongly makes lesbianism and homosexuality the focus of Paul’s argument.
Cybele, a fertility goddess whose temple atop the Palatine Hill loomed over ancient Rome, was worshipped by Romans in the first century AD, when Paul wrote Romans. The shrine prostitution Paul describes is part and parcel of his larger argument about idolatry. Romans 1 and homosexuality? The context of all three exchanges is idolatry, not homosexuality and not lesbianism. Citing idolatry to differentiate between Gentiles and Jews was a common rhetorical device in the first century. Romans 1 and homosexuality? No. In Romans 1, Paul's comments seem to echo the pseudepigraphal book Wisdom of Solomon, using a similar three part statement about Gentile idolatry. Wisdom of Solomon was a well-known book in the first century so it fits historically that Paul would allude to something with which his Roman readers were familiar. “For the worshipping of idols not to be named is the beginning, the cause, and the end, of all evil.” Wisdom of Solomon 14:28. Idolatry and shrine prostitution, not homosexuality and lesbianism, are primarily what Paul addressed in Romans 1. Romans 1 and homosexuality? Paul grounds his Romans 1 argument in historical fact, describing what Christians witnessed every day in Rome, the idolatry and shrine prostitution which surrounded the worship of false gods. Idolatry, not homosexuality and not lesbianism, is the specific context of Paul's argument in Romans 1.
Too many Christians read their own presuppositions into scripture and attempt to make the Bible say something it does not say. The Romans 1 and homosexuality misinterpretation is a perfect example of that. When read in historical context and in the context of Paul's life experience, we come to a very different conclusion. Romans 1 is talking about shrine prostitution in worship of the fertility goddess. Shrine prostitution was practiced in Rome in the first century. Shrine prostitution is certainly how Paul's first century readers understood his words in Romans 1 and that is how we ought to understand Romans 1. Gay Christian 101 - Spiritual Self-Defense For Gay Christians. Jesus identified the sin of Sodom and it was not homosexuality. Did you know that Christians are not required to keep the Old Testament Law to be right with God?
|
