> Russell wrote:
>
> "It is not a matter of what "Christians hold." We ought to discuss what
> the
> Bible teaches..... I'd appreciate it if
> you would show me where my biblical arguments are incorrect. "
>
> Russell:
>
> I'll send you my notes on the two books I mentioned.
> (Available to anyone else who wants them, of course).
Yes, I'd like to see your notes.
>
> My point is simple. Christians differ on this issue. The issue is:
>
> I1. Does Scripture proscribe ALL acts of homosexual contact, or does it
> not?
>
> If it does, than we may assume God disapproves accordingly.
> If it does not, then we must make other arguments about whether
> specifically:
I'd really like to know what you have to say about the texts I cited which,
I think, show that sexual union in one-man-one-woman marriage is to be
compared with Christ, the bridegroom, making the church his bride. These
texts are only a sample of what Scripture teaches: Matthew 9:15; Paul in
Ephesians 5 as he quotes the origin of the sexual union in Genesis 2:4;
Ephesians 25 and 32; and Revelations 21:2-3.
> I2. homosexual acts performed exclusively within the context of
> a loving, long term, monogamous, adult relationship
> are disapproved by God.
>
> Helmaniak deals only with I1, above; Schmidt deals with both I1 and I2.
>
> Note that the answer may differ if one differentiates between male and
> female acts.
See my response above. I think the Bible's teaching about the two relations
covers all cases.
> "Science" also comes in with data. Homosexuality is not unknown among
> animals. Some differences (very small and not very significant, IMO) have
> been observed between heterosexuals and homosexuals.
Surely natural scientific data do not overrule the biblical teaching. I
realize that scientific results can sometimes help us understand the Bible
better. I do not understand how homosexuality among animals has anything to
do with the question at hand.
> What I see is that a relatively strong case can be made for a "no" answer
> to I1, but not a convincing case. What I also see is a polarization of
> people on the issue which is dependent on how "conservative" or "liberal"
> they are. I do not argue for either position myself.
Burgy, I appreciate your comments. I hope to hear from you again.
Russ
Russell Maatman
e-mail: rmaat@mtcnet.net
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Sioux Center, IA 51250