Homosexuality & OT Law

[Fidei Defensor]

How exactly do you go about explaining this? I have come across people who claim that since OT law was "abolished" that homosexuality was no longer a sin, and that God magically condoned it.

I gave this example:

Murder is against the Law. If the Government would abolish that law, then you would no longer be punished for murdering anyone. But, this does not mean that murder is good, or that you should do it. It is the same with the old laws. The law said that you would be killed for homosexual relations. But that was dropped, so you would no longer be killed for it. But, that doesnt mean it was not a sin. It just means that instead of being killed, you could seek the forgiveness and mercy of God.

Any suggestions or .. anything?

[Fides_et_Ratio]

OT law was never abolished. Do they not read the NT?

Matthew 5:17 "Do not think that I have come to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to destroy but to fulfill."

Furthermore, homosexuality is addressed in the NT:

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 "Do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor abusers, [b]nor homosexuals[/b], (10) nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God."

1 Timothy 1:9-11 "... [b]the law is not made for a righteous one, but for the lawless and [u]disobedient[/u][/b], for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, (10) for fornicators, [b]for homosexuals[/b], for slave-traders, for liars, for perjurers, and anything else that is [b]contrary to sound doctrine[/b], (11) according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust."

[phatcatholic]

how anyone could not be aware of the NT verses is beyond me. add this to what fides provided:

[b]Rom 1:26-27[/b]
[b]26 [/b]For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. Their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural,
[b]27 [/b]and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in their own persons the due penalty for their error.

[Era Might]

The Old Covenant and the New Covenant have an essential divergence, namely, Jesus Christ.

The Old Covenant was a manifestation of how low man had truly brought himself. The justice of God was highlighted throughout the Law. Blasphemers were put to death, for example. This had a practical dimension, in that it kept the nation of Israel within proper boundaries. But it also served to show the NEED for mercy, and ultimately, the need for a redeemer.

The New Covenant inaugurated an age of grace and mercy. No longer was man's fall to be highlighted. Rather, his restoration in Christ was to be accomplished; (as we pray in the Eucharistic canon, "you wonderfully created us in your image, and still more wonderfully restored us"). The harshness and severity of the law was FULFILLED in the good news of reconciliation. As St. James tells us, "mercy triumphs over justice".

This age of grace and mercy is not eternal, of course. "Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord". Whereas, in the Old Covenant, God's justice was inflicted through the nation of Israel, by death, the New Covenant culminates in God himself dealing out justice to the nations, reward for those who obeyed, but punishment for those who did not capitalize on the time of God's favor. In the meantime, we announce the good news of God's mercy to all sinners (homosexuals, murderers, etc.). God will deal with their choice to obey or disobey the truth.

Edited August 14, 2005 by Era Might

[phatcatholic]

maaan, ur on point era might!

[Fidei Defensor]

Thank you, so very much. Its nice to have intelligent minds back here. I am getting quite tired of the mindless geniuses whom I debate with.

Such is life.

Thanks again.

[phatcatholic]

[quote name='fidei defensor' date='Aug 14 2005, 08:59 PM']Thank you, so very much. Its nice to have intelligent minds back here. I am getting quite tired of the mindless geniuses whom I debate with.

Such is life.

Thanks again.
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hehe, charity brother, charity