Homosexuality: A Biblical View

by Greg L. Bahnsen

Book Overview

Bahnsen steps out of the political, legal, and social maelstrom into which Christians have been pulled and returns to the central question: What does the Bible really say? He answers accusations that... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0875521169
• ISBN13: 9780875521169
• Release Date: January 1978
• Publisher: P & R Publishing
• Length: 152 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Bahnsen is a tough guy.

Bahnsen - Homosexuality a biblical view. He establishes homosexuality as a sin. This guy is hard, very hard, the gays will hate him. But I like him, which probably makes me homophobic (which is an ad hominem argument, by the way). Published in 1978 when Bahnsen was 29, he died an untimely death in 1995 when he was only 47; he was author of 13 books and many articles, including the book "Theonomy in Christian ethics". The book is biblical and it will not bring much comfort to those who argue that homosexuality is not a sin. The book is surprisingly modern in that he refutes the very same arguments used by pro-gay apologists today to justify homosexuality. Bahnsen lays down the biblical framework to show that homosexuality is a sin; he has to do this since Jesus died for sinners not the righteous. Ch 1 (Basic commitments) here he talks about scripture (the authority of God's revealed word) and the Law. "Many disputes over the morality of homosexuality turn on another question: will Scripture be the Christian's normative guide or must it yield that position of authority over ethics... to some other standard". He argues that the moral law is still binding now although the ceremonial law was fulfilled in Christ. Ch 2 (Homosexuality as a sin) he discusses Genesis, Sodom, the Levitical prohibitions and Rom 1. 1 Cor 6:9 and 1 Tim 8-10 are discussed later in Ch 4. Although brief, he discusses and refutes the main objections to these passages and I found it interesting that the main gay arguments that one finds today were available even back then. These scripture passages are often called the "clobber" passages by gays, and Bahnsen wields the mallet here and in much of the book. However, Bahnsen has to teach the Law before the gospel can be heard. There is a large bibliography of the books and articles which were available then, which unfortunately are not cited in the footnotes which consist almost entirely of scripture references. Ch 3 (The act/orientation distinction and causes of homosexuality) he argues that both the act and the orientation are sinful, because Paul also condemns homosexuals being "inflamed with desire" for each other. They are censured for having "impure lusts" and "shameful passions". This is unusual, since most people distinguish between the act and the orientation; for example a heterosexual may be tempted by sexual immorality, but not commit the act. He devotes a whole chapter on the act/orientation issue and the causes. Ch 4 (The response of the church: hope for homosexuals). "(The church) must manifest severe disapproval of homosexuality, but like the Redeemer it must also seek out the lost and show saving concern for them". The hope for the homosexual comes in 1 Cor 6:11 ("And such were some of you" past tense). The church in Corinth had the former sexually immoral (including homosexuals), thieves, drunks and swindlers among its members. Here he also includes a discussion of malakoi and arsenokotai (1 Cor 6:9). He fa

Homosexuality: A Biblical View

Bahnsen confronts the emotionally-charged issue of homosexuality and the fundamental issues related to it - individual rights and biblical authority. In the face of social pressures to allow homosexual practice without legal restraint, Bahnsen clarifies personal freedom under both the law and spiritual directives. Bahnsen's case is solidly evangelical amid divergent attitudes toward homosexuality within the Christian church. But churches are encouraged nonetheless to accept and support homosexuals who repent and confess Christ as Savior. --- from book's back cover