Homosexuality and the Natural Function

Dr. Couch, I have noticed that Paul, when writing about homosexuality, in Romans 1:26-27, speaks of the issue of the "natural function" that the homosexuals go against. What does this mean? ANSWER: When Paul speaks of the "natural" he is speaking about that which is normal, right, or correct. In regard to sin, it is only in these passages where Paul writes that the sin of homosexuality is actually going against what is natural. The Greek word "phusikos" means "natural" and is used in Romans 26 and 27. The word "phusis" is translated as "nature" and is used also in verse 26 with the preposition "para" as "against nature." Homosexuality is against nature; no other sin is so described. In a very broad sense, Paul says that we all, before salvation, were "by nature the children of wrath" (Eph. 2:3). Yet he still focuses down on this sin and writes that those who practice such are going against what is really abnormal! The apostle uses two words in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 to describe sodomy. He uses the word "effeminate" which means "soft" and is describing the male who plays the part of the women in the homosexual relationship. And he uses the word "homosexuality" which here is the Greek word that means "man-bed," referring to the man who takes another man to bed. The grace of God can save any sinner because Paul goes on and writes "And such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in (by) the Spirit of our God" (v. 11). All that Paul says on the subject shows that homosexuals are not just "made" that way, they are actually going against what God made naturally when they give in to this sin. Since the laws in early America had their orientation from Scripture, until lately on the law books, homosexuality was called sodomy, in reference to this sin that is described so clearly in Genesis. But now the laws have been changed, and God is adding a penalty to the sin by the scourge of AIDS. While AIDS can spread to the innocent woman or child, it is still known as the homosexual sin. The black population, and those living in Africa, is virtually being self-destroyed with the promiscuity of sex, both by what is natural sex (though will multiple partners), and by homosexuality. It costs billions of dollars now to fight AIDS, though it is almost a lost cause. Millions are dying because of sin. The foolishness of mankind who lives by "degrading passions" (Rom. 1:26) and by the "depraved mind" (v. 28). Dr. Mal Couch (Jan., 10)

America's Collapse

Dr. Couch, why have things collapsed so quickly in our country, on every level—political, social, theological, cultural, etc.? ANSWER:  Things were building up more quickly than we could imagine—we just didn't notice the changes coming. Theologically, I believe this is a judgment from God upon an apostate nation, and world. We are moving rapidly toward the end times. America for some time now has walked away from the Lord. But on the human level, there are some things we can observe that I believe are part of God's judgment.    (1) We have for some time now departed morally. Drugs, abortion, homosexuality, etc. has been destroying us from within for decades. (2) The mixing of cultures that did not have the Judeo-Christian morality behind them. And, those who have Christianity as a heritage have apostatized into immorality anyway. The founding of the nation, and our Reformation European heritage has been long ago lost to this culture. (3) Our secular state universities have moved toward liberalism and socialism, and these views have been fed to our young people now for decades. (4) And, our young people have been so brainwashed from grade school to buy into the lies of Satan. And as well, the repudiation in our schools of any form of recognition of Christianity.    In many schools, they have discarded Christianity but have honored Muslim and Hindu holidays in place of Christian traditions. Now I know having a holiday does not make our nation "Christian" but there is still a principle being trashed. And we will pay a price for that.    I know for a fact that many of my school friends came to Christ because Bibles were passed out at school and there were plays and musicals given over to Resurrection Sunday and Christmas. Everyone knew that America's morality had its origins from the Word of God, even though they may not have been born again or went to church on Sunday. Without doubt, we have departed on one level or another, and we are going to pay the price.    Someone recently sent me an article about a paper written by a chaplain in the Army saying that the real enemy in this country is premillennialism. Premillennialists, he said, see things black and white, and this is causing problems with those who are conciliatory on issues. We knew that this argument would be coming—blaming the facts of Scripture for how we are perceived in the world. Pray that this will not bring more havoc on those who are proclaiming the truth in our culture.    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch (Dec., 09)

Manhattan Declaration

Dr. Couch, what do you think about the Manhattan Declaration and the statement put together by the leadership of Chuck Colson? ANSWER:  A few months back I wrote online about the fact that Christians need to stand together on immoral issues being imposed upon us by the culture and by our government. Colson has put together a consortium of leaders from the Protestant churches, Catholic and Greek orthodox assemblies. The three issues focused on are:    (1) homosexuality, (2) marriage is the union of one man and one woman, and (3) the issue of abortion.    Some ask, "Should we join hands even with different Christian groups that are so doctrinally diverse?" Because of the urgency of the times, I'm rethinking some of the positions we all have taken in the past.    For example, if I joined and came aboard with the Manhattan Declaration, would I have to compromise my doctrinal beliefs and distinctions? Would I still be free to share the gospel as I understand it from Scripture? And as far as I can tell, those coming on board do not have to compromise such distinctions and beliefs. If that is the case, maybe it is time for us to join forces in order to present a united front. Compromising doctrinal issues is not part of the requirement. I can still believe what I wish to believe and witness to the Scriptures as I see fit.    One of the things that Colson is pushing for is that those who buy into the Manhattan Declaration will stand firm even if it means losing tax-exemption for ministries, and even facing arrest by being accused of promoting "hate crimes." I think many believers in Christ are reaching the point where "enough is enough"! We have taken it long enough, and, it is only getting worse!    Someone has rightly said that none of us makes a firm stand on issues until our own interests are at stake; until what we believe becomes threatened, then we move! And maybe we have arrived where our own circle is threatened.    I would like for those reading this to send me an email on your opinion on what I have just written, and on your opinion on the Manhattan Declaration. We will use your name, or not, whatever you desire. Please let me have your thoughts quickly!    Dr. Mal Couch (Nov., 09)

The Sin of Sodom and Gomorrah

Dr. Couch, I recently debated a woman on the internet who argued that the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah was not about homosexuality but rather about the attempt of gang rape of the visitors [the angels] who had come to these cities, specifically the angels who came and spoke with Lot (Gen. 19:1-29). How do we answer?

ANSWSER: First of all, I would not argue with a woman. They are more emotional and are not to be Bible teachers according to Paul. The apostle writes in 1 Timothy 2:12-15: “I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet [that is, not to be flapping the jaw]. Because it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being quite deceived, fell into transgression.”

Women are emotionally fooled whereby men are simply sinful by the evilness of the heart. This is why we don’t want women pastors. They can so quickly mislead, thus this woman you debated with!

Today, people, even Christians, are misled by the culture. They foolishly buy into the cultural arguments and do not think for themselves. Satan is “the god of this culture” and controls even what many Christians think on doctrinal issues (John 16:11; Eph. 2:2; 2 Cor. 4:4). Satan “is the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.” He is “the god of this culture who has blinded the minds of the unbelieving.” He can pull the wool over the eyes of Christians as well as the unbelieving.

To argue that the story of Sodom and Gomorrah is not about homosexuality is not only stupid but just plain evil, and, it is quoting what the homosexuals want to say about the passage in order to justify their sins of the most evil and the most filthy of practices. This issue is not really worth answering!

Thanks for asking.
Dr. Mal Couch

Newsweek Magazine Against the Bible?

Dr. Couch, I understand Newsweek Magazine has a scathing editorial against the Bible and the issue of homosexuality. What's going on? ANSWER: What is happening is clearly the advancement of the prophesied apostasy of the culture, or technically, the further degradation of the culture down the moral slippery slop in the end time. The church is indeed specifically going apostate as the world falls into the pit. In other words, (1) the world is getting worse morally and in its rejection of revelation, and (2) the church is apostatizing morally and spiritually.     We are not going to stop this, and, I do not expect a revival or a turning back to God. The world (specifically the West) now has no biblical orientation as it once did to know to a degree a certain spiritual conviction. But of course, that spiritual conviction is not natural. It is given by the sovereignty of God and He now is turning away from the culture. He is preparing the world for the wrath.    By the way, the Newsweek editorial shows how the Bible can be misconstrued when the reader (the lost or even the Christian) does not understand dispensationalism, and how the Word of God must be so interpreted. You have to understand that the world was different under the OT economy, and how God worked with the world differently, under the period of the law over against how He deals with the world today under the age of Grace. If Christians don't get it, they go silent because they do not see the changes within the different ages of biblical history. And they cannot answer the criticisms of the culture against the Bible!    I am more and more getting tired of the old apologetics because it no longer answers the new charges against the revelations found in Scripture. You cannot have a biblical apologetic without understanding the prophecies concerning Israel and the restoration of the Davidic Kingdom. I have a bunch of friends who are just fascinated with the field of "Reformed" apologetics but it's as if they are working in the backroom and have not come out to the front room to present the Scriptures that proclaim that God is working against with the nation of Israel. Reformed apologetics needs to be put to bed and we need so new men, premillennialists and dispensationalists, who bring apologetics up to snuff! I know what I'm talking about. I went through the standard graduate apologetic courses in grad school! We need some thinking young dispensationalists to plow new ground!    So we dispensationalists are right. The Covenant guys have few answers in being able to put the Scriptures together, in making clear how our day is different from the days of the OT.    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch

Does The Word "Dog" in Scripture Refer to Homosexuality?

Dr. Couch, I have heard some Bible teachers say that the word "dog" in some places in Scripture is referring to homosexuality. Is this true?

ANSWER: This is probably true and it is held by many Bible scholars, such as my Hebrew teacher, the great Dr. Merrill F. Unger. He writes in his commentary on Deuteronomy 23:17-18: "The harlot is the female religious prostitute and the sodomite is the male religious prostitute, the homosexual. "The price from the dog" is the fee paid to a male prostitute or "catamite." A catamite is a boy who has sexual relations with a man! God refuses to accept their offerings given to the tabernacle, or later to the temple! Ellicott agrees that this is the meaning of dog in these verses: "The prostitute and the sodomite" he writes.

Revelation 22:15 also refers to the "dogs," probably referring to homosexuals. The passage reads: Outside the new eternal Jerusalem "are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters." John is not saying that in eternity there will actually be such people outside the city. All sin will be eradicated and all sinners will be cast into hell at this time. John is simply using a literary device that is making the point of their exclusion from the new heaven and the new earth! In my Handbook to the Book of Revelation (Kregel), I write on this verse and on 21:27: "Some have mistakenly assumed that the verse is saying that sinners are nearby, dwelling just outside the city walls of New Jerusalem. However, John was simply saying that the issue of sin is over. The sins of the pagan world have been purged forever. We will never look up and see sinful beings coming into the eternal, holy city."


Thanks for asking.
Dr. Mal Couch

Same Sex 'Romantic Love'?

Dr. Couch, I saw on this website comments about homosexuality and wondered if you consider all things 'same sex' a sin, even same sex romantic love? 

 

    The Christian authority on all moral and spiritual matters is God’s Word, not the word of man. The Bible is the authoritative Word from the God of creation. It is He who says that homosexual relations are immoral and constitute aberrant behavior. The homosexual community likes to talk about different life styles. Homosexuality is not a different life style. All humans exist pretty much the same. Homosexuality is about a foreign and different sex style that violates even basic biology, much less the commands of God. 

    Sex, man to man or woman to woman, is not romance, and it is God who determines what true romance is, not human beings. It is God who has said, "a man (not a woman) shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife (not a him); and they (male and female) shall become one flesh" (Gen. 2:24-25). "Become one flesh" is more than romance and emotion, it is the union between two who are sexually interactive, not sexually the same. 

    All the men of Sodom, young and old, wanted to have "relations" with the two angels who came to Lot. The city, "this place," was polluted by the immorality of the people. The angels said, "the Lord has sent us to destroy" the city. The entire region was destroyed because it had become so spiritually tainted (Gen. 19). The Mosaic Law too, given by God, is against homosexuality. 

    The authoritative word from the Lord is that He is against the man who plays the feminine role in the homosexual relationship, the one who is "effeminate" (the soft one) and against the homosexual who plays the male part, the one who takes another man to bed (1 Cor. 6:9). The Greek word for homosexual is "arsenokoital" which means "man/bed." No more vivid description could be given! 

    It does not matter what the world, the culture, tells us is okay. It is God who sets the standard. And it is God why says we are all sinners, straights and homosexuals, who need a Savior. Christ died for all of our sins, and we can be liberated by just trusting in His sacrifice at the cross for our evilness. God loves all people, but all must be honest about their sins, and accept the painful death of Christ in place of us, the sinners! 

    Thanks for asking.

    Dr. Mal Couch