Tackling Tradition 84: The 1946 Argument, the Bible, & Homosexuality

The 1946 argument is just a distraction.       It amounts to looking at one or 2 trees in the forest & not the forest itself.       The argument centers on the meaning of 2 words in 1 Corinthians 6.     Those 2 words are derived from Leviticus 18, where the subject matter is most certainly homosexual behavior done in the service of one or more pagan pseudodeities, so the issue isn’t whether or not the words refer to homosexuality.   The issue is what sort of homosexual behavior are in view.  There’s a history to the translation of “maltakoi”    & “arsenakoitai,” in 1 Corinthians 6 & 1 Timothy 1.    Ask yourself what readers of the Geneva Bible thought the term “buggerers” meant or what “abusers of mankind” meant in the days of King James.      In other words, focusing on these 2 words translated as “homosexuals” in the ESV doesn’t really do anything to confute the tradition bound view e...
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Matthew 5:41 - 48 & Representative Democracy

State Senator Ralph Hise says he does not represent Democrats. 

By way of reply…

The Bible teaches the 3fold use of the Law & Gospel.   The Sermon On the Mount comes to us in the form of a suzerain covenant.  Therefore, its precepts obtain for individuals, ecclesiastical, & civil institutions.  Matthew 5:41 - 48 is clear: 

…if someone forces you to go one mile,p go with him two miles.q 42Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

43You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’r and ‘Hate your enemy.’ 44But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,s 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even tax collectors do the same? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even Gentiles do the same?

48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

O LORD, Hear our prayer(s)! 

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