Mark Sandlin wrote an article titled “Clobbering ‘Biblical’ Gay Bashing” in defense of homosexuality. (1) In recent years, this subject has increasingly captured the attention of people of all lifestyles. Sandlin remarked upon attitudes frequently associated with this subject and expanded them to include other issues commonly abbreviated LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transvestite, queer).
In his article, he commented upon several passages from the Bible that address same sex issues. Sandlin attempted to deny that these Biblical references had any anti-homosexual or LGBTQ concepts in them. He concluded his article with the assumption that he had clearly proved false all of the references that he analyzed.
Any analysis of the Bible must begin with a clear understanding of its message. In it, God reveals himself to mankind. Along with God's self-revelation comes the disclosure of his plan for his creation, including humans. The Bible answers the critical questions that mankind asks themselves.
The content of the Bible came from God to humanity through human instruments as directed and inspired by the Holy Spirit. That makes it inerrant and infallible in all matters to which it speaks. It gives us the wisdom of God as well as his commands for his creatures. The Bible describes God's plans and purposes for people like you and me.
To accomplish this purpose, God's word comes to us as a meta-story through a variety of writings. The meta-story of the Bible follows an overarching chiasmus:
creation/perfection
sin/judgment
old covenant redemptive event
new covenant redemptive event
judgment/removal of sin
consummation/perfection (2)
You cannot interpret the Bible like a cafeteria menu, picking and choosing what you like and rejecting what you do not like. A proper interpretation of the Bible and the interrelationship of one section with another must consider its overarching metastory. Otherwise, misunderstandings and misinterpretations occur. As a result, Sandlin erred in his conclusions, in part, because he failed to follow the Bible’s metastory.
Further, because of its self-attesting nature, the Bible stands above human criteria for its veracity. Therefore, it, and it alone, sets the standard(s) by which mankind must live in relationship to God, to creation, and to other humans. (3)
Because of the inherited sinful nature that all humanity possesses, we cannot understand the Bible with our own capacities. It appears foolish to us, and we cannot know its meaning. God has provided his Holy Spirit to reveal his message to mankind, so we gain understanding only by revelation to us by God's Spirit.
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:12-14 (KJV)
God has revealed himself to humanity and has made himself plain to them in a variety of ways: the Bible, his son Jesus Christ, and creation. (4) But, the ungodliness and unrighteousness of humans cause us to suppress the truth of God.
Yet, those who come to God through faith in Jesus Christ as their savior find forgiveness for sin and reconciliation back to God. He places his Holy Spirit within Christ followers who then have within them the Spirit whom God sent to reveal his word to them.
Those readers of this article who have experience God's salvation, know the reality of this truth. If you have not trusted in God's provision for sinners like you and me, his son Jesus Christ, who died as a substitute for people like us, I urge you to trust him today. He will prove to you the certainty of his promises.
References
1. To view Mark Sandlin’s article, click here. 2. Grier, James M. “Lecture Notes: Grand Rapids Theological Seminary, Homiletics II”. March 2011. 3. Bahnsen, Greg L. Presuppositional Apologetics, Stated and Defended. The American Vision, Inc., Powder Springs, GA, and Covenant Media Press, Nacogdoches, TX. 2008. 4. Romans 1.18-23; Hebrews 1.1-4.
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Personal Information: Tom began writing a newsletter in 1981for a small audience of friends. In 2008, he began to write a blog on his web site. Every month, thousands of visitors from all over the world come to his web site and view his blogs. In 2009, he published the book, Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing, available online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and his web site, www.masterministries.org (including eBook format). To invite Tom to speak at your college, church or group contact him by email at hill_tom@att.net.
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