Homosexual relationships in the BIBLE

The Bible, if read carefully can give us some stories about same-sex love, which is more than friendship, but appear to promote a deep loving relationship and commitment. One of these stories is the Biblical story of David and Johnathan.

"it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father’s house. Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle."- 1 Samuel 18:1-4

The Hebrew word for Covenant is betit which means "to bond" and in Greek as in syntheke which  literally means "binding together". It cannot be denied that in Biblical times, MARRIAGE WAS CONSIDERED A COVENANT TOO.
This verse is the closest that may resemble same-sex marriage between TWO MEN. 
Secondly Johnathan immediately DISROBED in front of David after the covenant was formed and this provides a clear sign of Submission between a relationship, which is very unlikely to happen in a "deep friendship" and "brotherly relationships".

" And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded.
And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, for as much as we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, The LORD be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city."- 1 Samuel 20:41,42

Johnathan and David had a very close relationship in which they showed physical affections, emotional love and they were clearly bonded beyond friendship. 

I know you have chosen the son of Jesse - which is a disgrace to yourself and the nakedness of your mother!

—Jonathan's father, 1 Samuel, 20:30

Did Jesus bless a GAY couple?

For many centuries before Matthew and Luke wrote their Gospels, the Greek word pais was commonly used to refer to the younger partner in a same sex relationship. The younger partner was often an adult male but was sometimes a teenager

The use of pais in this social and historical context leads some to believe that the story of the Roman centurion and his pais in Matthew 8 and Luke 7 tells the real story of the day Jesus met and blessed a gay man. Although this understanding of the text is controversial, it is important for us to discuss and understand it in our conversation about the BIBLE and HOMOSEXUALITY.

As we begin our study of this true story about a gay Centurion, from Matthew 8:5-13 & Luke 7:1-10, it is important to remember that we are two thousand years removed from these events. For that reason, traditionalists cannot prove their contention, that the centurion and his pais-servant, were not same sex lovers. It is equally impossible to prove to everyone’s satisfaction, that this was a gay centurion and his pais-beloved-gay lover.

If we cannot prove, to everyone’s satisfaction, that this story is about a gay centurion, why bother discussing this controversy?


The short answer is that scripture is important and what we believe, based on scripture, is important. For centuries, the organized church has insisted gay people are never presented in the Bible in a positive light.

Many Christians refuse to believe that God would include a positive story about a gay Centurion in the Bible. In recent centuries, many openly gay Christians have been excluded from the spiritual life of the church.

Our goal is to examine the available evidence. If the evidence and a faithful, believing approach to scripture supports the understanding that this story is about a gay centurion and his pais-same sex lover, that dramatic fact should be public knowledge.

While it may be impossible to prove to the satisfaction of everyone, that this is a story of a centurion who was GAY, it is certainly possible to make a principled judgment based on the weight of the evidence.

The Roman Emperor Augustus instituted a ban on heterosexual marriage for serving Roman soldiers, before the birth of Christ.

The Roman marriage ban lasted until AD 197, when Septimius Severus ended it, because they believe that it may have encouraged SAME SEX RELATIONSHIPS in the first century Roman Empire!

Those who believe that the Centurion’s pais was only a servant and not the same sex partner of the homosexual Centurion, cite Greek lexicons to prove their case. Since most biblical Greek lexicons do not mention beloved or same sex lovers, as possible meaning of pias  most nongay Christians insist same sex lover could not possibly be the meaning of pais.
Is there cultural, historical and linguistic evidence which indicates that beloved or same sex lover is the probable meaning of pais in Matthew and Luke’s story of the centurion?

Pais conveyed the idiomatic meaning of same sex lover. The idiomatic meaning of words derives from the way a particular culture uses a word. First century Greek and Roman culture often used the word pais with the meaning of "same sex lover."

Idiom refers to a way of using words that is natural to native speakers of a language but which does not convey the literal meaning of the words. An idiomatic expression uses a word in a way different than its literal meaning, such as using the word for servant to mean something more than servant, like same sex lover. Servant is a literal meaning. Same sex lover is the idiomatic meaning. For example:

1. We say ‘I’m going to keep tabs on’ a person. We don’t mean literally putting tabs on someone. We mean we are going to observe or track the activity of the person.
   
2. We say ‘Get lost!’ meaning Leave me alone, not literally to become unaware of one’s location.
   
3. If we’re feeling sick, we say we’re “under the weather” yet the idiomatic expression for feeling sick has nothing to do with weather.
   
4. If someone dies, we say he “bought the farm” or “kicked the bucket”yet dying has nothing to do with literally buying a farm or kicking a bucket.

Just so, the Greek word pais carried an idiomatic meaning for native Greek speakers for many centuries prior to Matthew writing his Gospel. The well-known, widely recognized idiomatic meaning of pais was "beloved or same sex lover."

That Matthew and Luke possibly used pais with the meaning of same sex lover raises the interesting possibility that Jesus met and blessed a gay centurion who was honest enough to tell Jesus he was gay.

Remember, in our story, the Centurion uses the word pais to describe his sick "servant." He is an utterly honest man and refuses to insult Jesus by asking for healing under false pretences. The gay Centurion openly admits to Jesus that he is a gay Centurion by using the Greek word pais to describe his servant.

What would you do in Jesus' place?  

What if you were in Jesus' place and the gay Centurion came to you, asking healing for his pais-beloved-partner?

Would you get in his face and tell him "You're going to roast in hell like a marshmallow if you don't stop being gay?"

Would you tell him "Sure I'll heal your partner if both of you promise to join Exodus International and become Ex-Gay"?


Or would you do like Jesus did and simply heal the beloved partner of the gay Centurion and affirm his remarkable faith in God?

We conclude that God can and does bless loving homosexual relationships like the one between a gay Centurion and his pais-beloved, as long as those relationships are within the Biblical moral framework - committed, faithful, non-cultic.

Homosexuality and Creation of God

Most gay people claim that they are homosexuals for as long as they can remember. They didn't choose to be homosexuals...But they were Born that way.

However... Many Conservative Christians Believe that gay people must not get married because they believe that marriage is a Union of A MAN and A WOMAN which can lead to procreation and continue the human race.
They use The most Common Phrase like:

They say that homosexuality is wrong because God created man and woman.

So, what about Hermaphrodite people and Intersex people?
without surgery, who were they allowed to marry?

More over procreation is no more a mandatory rule in marriage since in Matthew 19:11,12, Jesus said that Eunuchs can get married.

God in the beginning created MAN and WOMAN.
But God created no more variations after that, No more men or women were created!


In the beginning, The main Goal was to populate this earth! Hence, for this cause, God Himself, allowed INCEST to achieve this, but changed his design, when more people were there on the earth!

This could be True for his Creation of gays and Lesbians... many gays and lesbians adopt unwanted children and raise them as their own. So, they still have a purpose in Child rearing. 

Hebrews 13:4 Again says that marriage is honorable to ALL!!!

Hence Procreation can not be a mandatory law in marriage since we have Hermaphrodite, Intersex and even some impotent people born that way!
Marriage is based on only LOVE and MUTUAL RESPECT!
Its a UNION of 2 SOULS, which become 1, not a law that states that a union specifically between a man and a woman. Since in the End every believer will be a BRIDE in heaven and Jesus will be the FINAL GROOM!

Love all and accept all...
God loves you all!

Timothy and Corinthians: mistranslation and HOMOSEXUALITY

Most of the Conservative Christians Assume that Homosexuality is listed as one of the sins in the Bible. But most of them do not know that the word HOMOSEXUALITY was not around in Biblical times.

The word Homosexual was first printed in 1869 in a book and was later used in the Standard Version Bible in 1946.


The original Greek word that has been now adopted as meaning homosexual is translated from ARSEN, KOITAI, which literally means "Man, Bed".


This is very vague and could mean many things (male prostitutes, masturbation, etc).
The other Greek word that has been modernly translated to Homosexuals is MALAKOS which literally means "soft".


For 1900 years, Arsenkoites and Malakoi were never translated as Homosexuals. The scripture can not mean now, what it did not mean then...


Lets take a look at the first word "ARSENKOITES" 
Apostle Paul made up this term and didnt give any definition.
Arsenkoites Comes from the word pair that literally means "man-beds".


It was listed only twice in the entire Bible in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 and 1 Timothy 1:9-11 in the context of a vice of sins. 
after Paul, it was only 76 times in non-biblical Greek writings within 2000 years of Greek history...many times in a way that it would be impossible to mean homosexual.
Example: Some do it (arsenkoites) with their own mothers and foster sisters or goddaughters. In fact men even commit arsenkoites with their wives!
(-John, the faster. Patriarch of Constantinople. 575 AD)

If you can commit Arsenkoites with your mother and goddaughters, it Obviously Cannot mean GAY SEX!


But, Many Theologians believe that Arsenokoites Clearly means homosexuals because it was taken directly from Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13!

But they do not tell us that the word pair "arsen"  and "koitai" 37 other Greek Old testament without any possibility of meaning homosexual sex.


Hence due to this, their argument is invalid!


The first English translation of Arsenkoites in the wycliffe Version (1380) states "they that do lechery with men".
That means a person who has an excessive indulgence in sexual activity, not all homosexuals or heterosexuals!


The King James version (1611) Translated it to "abusers of themselves with mankind"


This changed to "sexual perverts" and "Sodomites". (Sodomy is a modern term)


Finally in 1946, The Standard Version changed it to "Homosexual Offenders".

The New Standard Version (1996) recanted their translation ad changed it to "male prostitutes" which culturally seems accurate.
As we know, in Biblical times, Heterosexual men had sex with the Shrine priests to give their sperm as a sacrifice to their Gods.

This DOES NOT describe ALL GAYS AND LESBIANS!


Hence we cannot CLAIM that arsenkoitas definitely means Homosexuals!






Now Lets take a look at the word "Malakos"


malakos is used in the New Testament in Matthew 11:8 and Luke 7:25 to describe "soft" clothing.

It was used only one other time in 1 Corinthians 1:9 in the "vice of sins".


The Wycliffe Translation in 1380 uses the phrase as "lechers against Kind"


Tyndale ( 1525) changed the meaning of malakos to "Weaklings" as in lazy people


King James Version (1611) changed it to effeminate which could be assumed for homosexuals when thinking stereotypically. (remember: Not all GAY men or LESBIANS are  Effeminate)

So, who is always effeminate, if not Gays and Lesbians?


Prepubescent boys are always effeminate!
Boy shrine Prostitutes were used in idol worshiping rituals, so effeminate could mean this form of child molestation.


The New American Version (1941) changed it to "Boy Prostitutes".


The New American Bible (1970) changed it to "Male Prostitutes".


Now many translations have chosen to state "Homosexuals"  in its place. 


Because arsenloitai and malakos have had so many changes in translations, We cannot say in Good conscience that They do definitely mean homosexuals.
Stating otherwise is biblically irresponsible! 
the truth is that "Arsenokoites" mean "man-beds" and "malakos"  means "soft"! 

Homosexuality and Romans 1:26,27

Many Christians believe that the "NEW TESTAMENT" also says that HOMOSEXUALITY is a sin due to ROMANS 1:26,27.
But most Chrsitians fail to see the verse in context!

"for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature
And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet"
Lets take a closer look at the verses before 26,27
"To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 1:7)

HERE... PAUL IS WRITING TO THE ROMANS!
"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." (Romans 1:21)

 SOME OF THE ROMANS KNEW GOD, BUT REJECTED HIM
"And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things." (Romans 1: 22)
THEY EXCHANGE GOD FOR IDOLS

"Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:" (Romans 1:24)
BECAUSE OF THEIR LUST IN IDOL WORSHIP, GOD GAVE THEM UP.

"Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen" (Romans 1:25)
THIS SPECIFIC GROUP CHOSE IDOLS OVER GOD!


Till now, we see that Paul is Writing to a specific group of Idol worshiping Romans Who Used to worship God.
NOT GAYS AND LESBIANS


Secondly is a cultural fact that in Biblical times Heterosexual men would have sex with the shrine priests to give their sperm as a sacrifice to their Gods in Idol worshiping.

It says that they "exchanged their natural function and abandoned their natural function."
Exchange = (Greek - metallasso) = "to change" 
Abandon = (Greek - apheimi) = "to give up"


Hence its clear that heterosexuals were acting AGAINST their feelings. They did which was unnatural to their own sexual orientation, which was done for the sake of IDOL WORSHIPING.


"For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections:"
For their sin of Idolatry and unclean worship rituals, God gave punished them by handling them to their own Lustful unclean rituals.


"for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:"
Also women performed unconventional sex with MEN, not with women.
Women had anal sex with men.


In other words women changed their natural way of male/female intercourse into unconventional male/female anal intercourse!


"And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, -Males having sex with the SHRINE PRIESTS .
 burned in their lust one toward another; -LUST, Not monogamous loving relationships.
men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet."- Men having sex with men (FOR IDOL WORSHIP) which was unnatural for them (since they are HETEROSEXUALS) and in this way they received their punishment from God for their sin of Idol worship and Unclean rituals.


This is against nature because they were all Heterosexuals.
The Greek meaning of Unnatural doesnt mean sinful or immoral or wrong, but Unusual or unconventional!


ROMANS 11:24 States that GOD HIMSELF ACTED UNNATURAL. Hence unnatural can never mean Immoral!


So, The sin that was carried over from the Old Testament was:
1. Adultery
2. Idolatry
3. Bearing false witness (by rejection of the True God)


This incident doesn't describe the modern same-sex monogamous loving relationships.


It speaks of a heterosexual group of people who performed dirty rituals in worship to God, for which God punished them by Giving them permanent attractions towards the same sex.
Hence Romans 1:26,27 are not condemning homosexuality!