“I don’t believe homosexuality is wrong! You do, don’t you?” I was the recipient of this comment and question from a teen girl several weeks ago at an event where I spoke. In response, I suggested to her that, rather than proclaiming my beliefs, we first look at what the Bible has to say about this topic. She then stated, “I don’t believe in everything the Bible says.”
Recently, I have seen a growing number of teens (and adults) adopting a similar philosophy about Scripture. It is what I call the “i-pod approach to the Bible” – shuffling the scriptures like a playlist in search of ones that appeal to their listening pleasure, and deleting those that leave a sour note in their ear. This is a growing dilemma I see among a generation that no longer views right and wrong as absolutes; scripture as relevant; God’s ways as fully accurate.
Consider this: If the Bible is only partly right, then how are we to know what part is right and what part wrong? If there are inconsistencies throughout the Scriptures, who do we deem worthy to discern for us which verses are legitimate and which are false? Or consider, if the Bible is not fully accurate, then how can any part of it be legitimate and true?
To say that parts of the Bible are accurate, other parts inaccurate, is a contradiction. Because if various verses throughout the Bible are wrong, then God is nothing more than a liar. And if He is a liar, then we cannot accept any part of the Scriptures because, as 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness…” Key word being “all.”
The point is, if any part of the Bible is not true, then none of the Bible can be considered right.
The Scriptures are not simply a collection of stories written on various thoughts and ideas. The Bible is the story of God’s creation, man’s choice to turn on God, and God’s pursuit to bring man back into fellowship with Him through the sacrifice of His own Son, Jesus.
In short, the Bible is a story from beginning to end of God’s love for us, and redemptive plan for all mankind. For one to deny that any part of this story is wrong, inaccurate, or no longer relevant must include a denial of all the Scriptures.
In case you are wondering my take on homosexuality, I believe the Bible says that such a choice is a sin in God’s eyes. However, it is important to note, that sin is sin – my sin, your sin, and everyone’s sins are no different, no less, no more than another’s.
Whether we are talking about a choice to adopt a homosexual lifestyle, a choice to cheat on a test, lie to a parent, or drive above the speed limit, wrong is wrong – period. Though I believe fully that the Bible clearly states that to embrace such a lifestyle is wrong, I also believe that it is equally wrong to not fully embrace the one caught in the homosexual lifestyle with the same love we offer to those closest to us.
If we chose to do this more, then maybe, just maybe the true message of the Bible – God’s love for all – would become a message accepted from cover to cover rather than shuffled from one playlist to the next.
