Changes

While Lv. 18:22; 20:13 is the  primary injunction against homoeroticism (same gender sexual relations)in the Old Testament, Romans 1:26,27 is the main condemnation of such in New. But as with the former, it is part of a larger discourse.  

While Lv. 18:22; 20:13 is the  primary injunction against homoeroticism (same gender sexual relations)in the Old Testament, Romans 1:26,27 is the main condemnation of such in New. But as with the former, it is part of a larger discourse.  

 

=== Overview===

=== Overview===

Craig R. Koester also notes, “His [Paul's] statements do not finally depend on the notion - now often disputed - that homosexual relations are more lustful than heterosexual ones. Paul's comments reflect a scriptural understanding of who God created people to be as male and female. Second, Paul did not single out homosexual behavior for special condemnation, but extended his argument to proclaim a judgment on all humanity. By including covetousness, malice, envy, and other common forms of sin in his list, Paul showed that all are "without excuse" before God<ref>The Bible and Sexual Boundaries, by Craig R. Koester. On Paul's use of a rhetorical strategy that effectively condemns all humanity see Hays, "Relations Natural and Unnatural," 195</ref>   

Craig R. Koester also notes, “His [Paul's] statements do not finally depend on the notion - now often disputed - that homosexual relations are more lustful than heterosexual ones. Paul's comments reflect a scriptural understanding of who God created people to be as male and female. Second, Paul did not single out homosexual behavior for special condemnation, but extended his argument to proclaim a judgment on all humanity. By including covetousness, malice, envy, and other common forms of sin in his list, Paul showed that all are "without excuse" before God<ref>The Bible and Sexual Boundaries, by Craig R. Koester. On Paul's use of a rhetorical strategy that effectively condemns all humanity see Hays, "Relations Natural and Unnatural," 195</ref>   

Bahnsen states that Rm. 1:26f reveals both "sin and punishment for sin", with it being opposed to all forms of homosexuality. He further writes, "Gay liberation is symptomatic of a culture abandoned by God to destruction, and a church provoking the Lord with abomination."<ref<Greg L. Bahnsen, Homosexuality" A Biblical View, pp. 47-61</ref>

Bahnsen states that Rm. 1:26f reveals both "sin and punishment for sin", with it being opposed to all forms of homosexuality. He further writes, "Gay liberation is symptomatic of a culture abandoned by God to destruction, and a church provoking the Lord with abomination."<ref>Greg L. Bahnsen, Homosexuality" A Biblical View, pp. 47-61</ref>

Having revealed homoeroticism as a fruit of departure from the revelation of God and His order, traditional exegesis recognizes further fruits of idolatry in moral declension being described, beginning in Rm. 1:28, similar to the fruits of the flesh seen in Gal. 5:19-21, in which Paul reminds Christians later they were manifesting, “fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others”,  (Eph. 2:3) the end of which is spiritual death. (cf. Rm. 8:13)  Gagnon comments, "Those who disoriented themselves by a turn from the true God were more likely to be disoriented in their behavior...Gentiles were rendered liable because they sinned against the revelation about God and God’s will available to them in creation/nature.<ref>[http://www.leaderu.com/theology/paulandsexuality.html Robert A. J. Gagnon, The Apostle Paul on Sexuality: A Response]</ref>  

Having revealed homoeroticism as a fruit of departure from the revelation of God and His order, traditional exegesis recognizes further fruits of idolatry in moral declension being described, beginning in Rm. 1:28, similar to the fruits of the flesh seen in Gal. 5:19-21, in which Paul reminds Christians later they were manifesting, “fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others”,  (Eph. 2:3) the end of which is spiritual death. (cf. Rm. 8:13)  Gagnon comments, "Those who disoriented themselves by a turn from the true God were more likely to be disoriented in their behavior...Gentiles were rendered liable because they sinned against the revelation about God and God’s will available to them in creation/nature.<ref>[http://www.leaderu.com/theology/paulandsexuality.html Robert A. J. Gagnon, The Apostle Paul on Sexuality: A Response]</ref>