Door of Hope Church, Pastor Angie Sandquist (doorofhopechurch.net)
Revised 9/2009

The intensity of the moment and the time period that we are currently living in; I have felt the need to revise this article again with some new stats and to include where this thing is headed. No doubt in the last days the sin of homosexuality will escalate in epic portions, and we will see this sin transform many nations, churches, denominations, educational systems, and individuals into the kingdom of darkness.

In this article you will see Scriptures that the pro gay theology includes, and uses to back their lifestyle. Included you will see how they address Jesus' lifestyle and different relationships found in the Bible such as; David and Jonathan, Ruth and Naomi. You might think of their use of Scripture as absurd but a whole religious movement is riding on the back of the theology expressed below. Church, we have much to be concerned about in considering the pro gay movement. Many souls are being dragged into the kingdom of darkness.

Pro Gay Theology

Isaiah 5:20 "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil; who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness: who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!"

1 Tim 4:1-3 "Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry"

John 8:32 "And you shall know the TRUTH and the
TRUTH shall make you FREE!"

2 Thessalonians 2:11 "For this cause God shall send them strong delusion that they should believe a lie"

The pro-gay movement has installed their own denomination, while some main line denominations (such as UMC, Lutheran ELCA, UCC) has affirming churches (of the pro- theology), and resorting (transformation churches- that help people get out of homosexuality) churches.

There are many elements that contribute to this disarray but the largest one is the pro gay theology and churches are NOT STANDING on the Word of God or do not stand in the fear of the Lord. We rather embrace people, than have God embrace us. We (church) have embraced such words as tolerance, loving, supportive and nice! It is one thing to be those things or to embrace these things- it is another to compromise the Word of God. Humans seem to place a high cost on acceptance by one another; rather than acceptance by a Holy God. The most loving thing we can do (as believers) is to tell people the Truth.

The Pro Gay Theology promises love, it promises liberty, it promises that a person will be satisfied, and that person can do whatever he or she wants to. "While they promise them (others, people) liberty they (false teachers, false shepherds) themselves are slaves of corruption (literally means depravity, sin) for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is bought into bondage" (2 Peter 2:19). False teaching is leading people into bondage, and leading people to hell. Honestly nothing has changed since the Garden of Eden. The enemy still operates in the same fashion today as he (satan) offers his promises of freedom and liberty but in all reality his promises are placing shackles on people and locking them away in "cells" of sexual perversion and humanism.

There seems to be an ongoing theme in pro gay theology, which is God's standards seem unfair and unjust; therefore they must not be God's standards at all. This is the argument that satan used against Eve in the garden; "Is it really fair for God to not want you to be like Him" (Genesis 3:4-5). What occurred in the Garden still occurs today, (satan) tries to make men and women believe that God is depriving them from something better, so satan lures people away, and distracts them from the truth- and people follow the lust of their eyes and flesh. As people are led away they lose more and more of their freedom and are taken into bondage- a life of misery and suffering.

The heart lies

In discussing the matter of homosexuality on the streets of inner cities, at Mardi Gras, on college campus, and coffee shops across America I find that those often caught in homosexuality will say that they prayed earnestly about it and feel in their heart it is the right thing to do. Others have said that the Holy Spirit/ God have told them it is okay. Many times I challenge the individual asking them, "has your heart ever lied?" Has your heart ever told you a feeling that was not true? It is a scary thing to allow our hearts to make discussions for us.

There is a reason that God gave us the written WORD, because He knew we would have a hard time discerning the Word especially on matters of our heart, lust, and flesh. Our heart, lust, and flesh often want us to come into agreements with lies where satan can build a stronghold. We must remember that God does not change culture to culture- for He is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

Jeremiah 17:9 "The heart is deceitful about all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?"
Ecclesiastes 9:3 "This is an evil in all that is done under the sun; that one thing happens to all. Truly the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil; madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead."
Matthew 15:19-20 Jesus said, "for out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies, these things defile a man."(Cross Reference Mark 7:21-2).

Pro-gay Theology Scriptures

Below you will find a Scripture, this Scripture is used in the pro-gay theology to help make (or defend) their position, after I will define the pro-gay theology stance, and then define the Word of God. The cross reference mention in each Scripture section is not exhausted, but can be used as an aid in your personal studies.

Hebrews 13:4 (marriage)

Hebrews 13:4 "Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge"
Cross Reference- Genesis 2:23-24, Ephesians 5:22-33 Christ and the Church, Symbolic of Marriage

Pro- Gay Theology stance- a man can marry another man and a woman another woman as long as they are monogamous.

Response: In order to guard against sexual immorality, God has ordained the sacred relationship of marriage. Undefiled contains more than an approval of conjugal relationship, but also entails the married couples' (male and female) responsibility to preserve their intimacy from the perverse and debasing practices of a lewd society.
"Homosexual acts are associated with increased risks of tissue injury, organ malfunction, and infectious diseases. These and other factors result in a significantly shortened life expectance that is greater than smoking two packs of cigarettes a day. The medical evidence also indicated among homosexually active individuals an increased incidence of drug and, or alcohol dependence, compulsive sexual behavior, anxiety, depression, and suicide." (Dr. Gene Rudd- Associate Executive Dtr, Christian Medical Association).

Genesis 1:27-28, 23-24 (Created and Created Intent)

Gen 1:27-28 "So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them. [Col 3:9, 10; James 3:8, 9.] 28 And God blessed them and said to them, Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it [using all its vast resources in the service of God and man]; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and over every living creature that moves upon the earth". Cross Reference- Genesis 5:2, Matthew 19:4-5

Pro Gay Theology stance- The creation account is irrelevant. It does not forbid homosexuality; it simply does not refer to it in these passages. A gay couple could hardly begin the population process. But these verses cannot be seen as a model for all couples. Many heterosexual couples are childless or unable to have sexual relations. Are they in sin because they do not conform to the Genesis account?

Response- Made in the Image of God. We are God's image bearers! How do homosexuals populate? God provides us with a primary model for sexuality in these verses. God's intention for human sexual relationships is limited to heterosexual union between one man and one woman in marriage.

Genesis 18:17-19:29 (The doom of Sodom and Gomorrah).

Gen 19:4-9 "But before they lay down, the men of the city of Sodom, both young and old, all the men from every quarter, surrounded the house. And they called to Lot and said, where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us, that we may know (be intimate with, have fleshly relations with) them. And Lot went out of the door to the men and shut the door after him. And said, I beg of you, my brothers, do not behave so wickedly. Look now, I have two daughters who are virgins; let me, I beg of you, bring them out to you, and you can do as you please with them."

Cross Reference Jude 7, Ezekiel 16:49-50, 2 Peter 2:6-7, Judges 19 (Gibeah- homosexual capital of the Benjamites) Link to Luke 17:28, 2 Peter 2:6-7 and Jude 7. [Outside resources- Josephus 1.11.1, and apocryphal books 3 Maccabees 2:5, and Jubilees 16:6)

Pro Gay Theology stance- This was a miss representation of hospitality. They believe the Hebrew in this verse does not refer to sex at all- yet merely a request to become acquainted with Lot's guests especially since they are outsides. Sodom was destroyed only because of the way the angels were treated. Sodom was destroyed because of attempted homosexual rape, not homosexuality. Violence, not homosexuality, was the reason of the fall and destruction.

God's Truth- Sodom and Gomorrah had given themselves over to pride, lawlessness, violence, drunkenness and homosexuality. Lot's response in verse 7 "do not act wickedly"- hardly a comprehensive statement if all the men wanted to do was meet Lot's guest and starts a conversation. Also Lot offers them his two daughters (verse 9). Verse 20 states that the acts committed here were exceedingly grave.

Leviticus 18:22, 20:13 (The Levitical Law)

18:22- "You shall not lie with a man as with a woman; it is an abomination". 20:13- "If a man lies with a male as if he were a woman, both men have committed an offense (something perverse, unnatural, abhorrent, and detestable); they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them".

Pro Gay Theology stance- The practices mentioned in these two chapters have nothing to do with homosexuality but idolatry. The use of the word abomination denotes ritual uncleanness that was occurring in the temple and believers lives (so it was only subjugated to those people- in that culture). They strongly contend that homosexuality itself was not the problem but its association with idolatry and, at times, the way it was practiced as a part of idol worship. So in other words, God was not prohibiting the kind of homosexuality we see today; He forbade the sort that incorporated idolatry.

Response- The prohibitions against homosexuality in these verses in both chapters 18 and 20 appear alongside other sexual sins- adultery and incest- which is forbidden in both the Old and New Testament. This verse is also mention in the New Testament. Please note in Levitical law, homosexuality was one of many abominable practices punishable with death.

Romans 1:26-28a (What is natural for one individual is not natural for another)

Study Note from the Spirit-filled Bible regarding Romans 1:27 p. 1551 Godliness and moral purity. The Bible says that it is an abomination for a man to lie with a man as with a woman or a woman to lie with a woman as a man (Lev, 18:22, 20:13). The Bible says that because of certain abominations such as homosexuality, a land will vomit out its inhabitants (Rom. 18:25). The apostle Paul called it "shameful", the result of being given up by God to "vile passions" (Rom. 1:24-27).

In the Old Testament, those who practiced these things were removed from the congregation of Israel by execution. We are told in the New Testament that those who practice homosexuality will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:9, 10). The apostle Paul shows homosexuality as a final order of rebellion against God. When people exchange the truth of God for a lie, and begin to worship the creature instead of the Creator, they are given up to evil. When values are turned upside down and moral anarchy appears, men burn with lust for other men and women burn for women, and they will receive in their own bodies the punishment for their actions (Rom. 1:22-27). From a biblical standpoint, the rise of homosexuality is a sign that a society is in the last stages of decay.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10, 1 Timothy 1:9-10 (Arsenokoite) 1 Cor. 6:9-10, "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God".

1 Tim. 1:9-10, "realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching..."

Response - Paul uses 179 terms in the New Testament that he "coined" and you will not find elsewhere! The meaning does not change just because it is an "original" word. He did derive this word directly from Lev. 18:22, and Lev. 20:13).

Response- This argument is misleading and illogical for four reasons:
1. The argument assumes that the Gospels are more authoritative than the rest of the books of the Bible.
2. The argument assumes that the Gospels are more comprehensive than they really are.
3. This argument is inaccurate in that it presumes to know all of what Jesus said.
4. This argument wrongly assumes that because Jesus said nothing specifically about homosexuality, He said nothing about heterosexuality as a standard. [Mark 10:6-9 God's intent for human sexuality]

Pro Gay Theology Stance- given by the MCC church statement of faith (which is a pro gay church). These Biblical Relationships are reflective of the view of the pro-gay movement, many homosexuals base their lifestyles from the misinterpretation of the below relationships.

Jesus Lived an Alternate Lifestyle
Relationships of Jesus in the gospels differ greatly from the contemporary so-called nuclear family. Jesus loved Lazarus, Mary and Martha. What drew Jesus to this very non-traditional family group of a bachelor brother living with two spinster sisters? Two barren women and a eunuch are Jesus' adult family of choice. Are we to assume they were all celibate heterosexuals? What if Mary and Martha were not sisters but called each other "sister" as did most lesbian couples throughout recorded history?

John's gospel refers no less than eight times to the "one whom Jesus loved", also called the "beloved disciple". Scholars rarely explore that fact that Jesus obviously had a particularly close friendship with one man. Whether or not Jesus was gay, homophobia has silenced exploration of this relationship.

The Bible, in fact, knows almost nothing of the Post-Reformation ideal of monogamous, lifetime romantic heterosexual marriage. The Bible portrays marriage in terms of property and business transactions, polygamy, extended family, tribal groupings, Levirate marriage and other lifestyles. The anti-marriage bias in the New Testament and sex-negative emphasis of early theologians is well known by historians and students of human sexuality.

The new Christian community in Acts includes childless widows, former prostitutes, social outcasts, celibates, married people, eunuchs, blacks, Jews, and Gentiles. Those previously excluded were now fulfilling the promise of Isaiah 56: "My house will be called a house of prayer for all the people. Jesus Chooses a New "Family"
Jesus Christ, the fulfillment of Isaiah 53, was "cut off" from his people in two ways: he was executed as a criminal and died without heirs. He was a functional, if not physical, eunuch. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ redefined eternal life, dissociating it from the necessity to produce children.

Once, when confronted by his biological mother and brothers, Jesus pointed to his disciples as a new family, saying: "For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother." (Mark 3:31)

Ruth and Naomi

The Book of Ruth is a romantic novel but not about romance between Ruth and Boaz. Naomi is actually the central character, and Ruth is the "redeemer/hero." Boaz' relationship with Ruth, far from being romantic, is a matter of family duty and property.

This story contains the most moving promise of relational fidelity between two persons in all of the bible: "And Ruth said, 'Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whether thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God". (Ruth 1:16)

Although used in heterosexual marriage ceremonies for years, this is a vow between two women! When their husbands die in battle, Ruth makes this vow to Naomi, her mother-in-law. Ruth marries Boaz, a close relative, and redeems Naomi's place in her own family, also bearing a child for Naomi. Did Ruth and Naomi have a lesbian relationship? There's no way to know, but it is clear the two women had a lifelong, passionate, committed relationship celebrated in Scripture.

David and Jonathan

This tragic triangle of passion, jealousy and political intrigue between Saul, Jonathan and David, leads to one of the most direct expressions of same-sex love in the Bible: "I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; you have been very pleasant to me. Your love to me was more wonderful than the love of women." (II Samuel 1:26)

The author is clearly attuned to David's classic male beauty (I Samuel 16:12) in this story of love and loyalty marked by romance (I Samuel 18:1-5), secret meetings (I Samuel 20:1-23; 35-42), kissing and weeping (I Samuel 20:41), refusal to eat (I Samuel 28:32-34), and the explicit warrior/lover covenant which David keeps after Jonathan's death (I Samuel 20:12-17; 42).

One cannot read this account without discerning that Jonathan was the love of David's life. Centuries of homophobic Biblical interpretations have kept them in the closet too long!

I was born Gay- The Compatible Theory.

General Religious Argument- "I am a born again believer and I'm a homosexual."
How can it be wrong to be both?

Many have said they are born this way, and always have "felt" more comfortable with the same sex. They have always had an attraction to the same sex. Their statement of I am gay and a Christian solidifies that a person can be both. The crutch of this argument being if a person is truly born again and homosexual the two have to compatible.

One's salvation does not legitimize their sin. One may profess to be homosexual and gay but there is no proof that homosexuality and Christianity are compatible- the opposite is true. There is no proof that sin and Christianity are compatible. Example of this would be Ananias and Sapphira, husband and wife who were born again believers that committed the sin of hypocrisy (pretending to give their money to the church). Their sin cost them their lives. We cannot justify our sin to fit our lives so we can feel comfortable with it or make excuses for it. God decides what is sin and what is not sin, God is the Righteous Judge. God is God and we are not. Please remember when Christians sin or fall this does not automatically make them a non- Christian, just because of their sinning. We are saved by grace through faith; however grace does not give us a license to sin.

Since I can remember, I have felt this way!
This is another statement that people will hear when dealing with someone caught in same sex attraction or homosexual behavior. When dealing with any stronghold(s) in a person's life (or any sin), we have to consider where did the devil get legal entrance into someone's life.

The Counterfeit Love which is LUST

This is a very disturbing part of dealing with any sin (and in dealing with homosexuality), that what we are actually involved in might be a counterfeit. Satan is all about counterfeit, he is establishing counterfeit churches, counterfeit doctrines, counterfeit theology (i.e. the pro gay theology), counterfeit marriages (same sex marriage), counterfeit relationships, and counterfeit loves (including love of money, drugs, sex, the exchange of love for LUST). The Word of God says that satan comes (ONLY) to KILL, STEAL, and DESTORY (John 10:10). We are also told in the Word of God; that the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8).

Many homosexuals will say they are in love with their partner, that they cannot live without their partner, that they feel completely accepted. Satan will present something as loving, as acceptance, as something that will 'completely' satisfy us. Behind each lie of satan is darkness, destruction, emptiness- because the counterfeit can never bring true love, and never bring true acceptance. That is why sin is only pleasurable for a sin, because it is a counterfeit- and will leave you empty.

Many homosexuals do not believe they are in a counterfeit relationship, despite how they might feel we cannot neglect spiritual truth. We cannot neglect how satan is devouring a generation of people because he has presented a lie and they have swallowed it hook, line and sinker. The counterfeit is also desensitizing the church and culture in presenting that homosexuality as normal and should be accepted. Leaving many in church and in society in confusion.

The best thing to do with someone that is hooked into a counterfeit love is show them what true love is. Show them how true love operates, speak true love to them. I believe that prophetically speaking over the individual will begin to break the lies over their life. "God who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did" (Romans 4:16). A person's character, behavior or lifestyle may not match what you are saying (or praying over the individual) but it is a POWERFUL tool that God uses to set Truth in motion in people. Example in Abraham and Sarah, Gideon, Jonah, etc.

Church- Jesus always confronted sin; rather it be in the temple (in our religious institutions- Matthew 21:12-17) with the money changes, his own disciples, the religious people (priest, pastors or ministries) of that time, or while He was ministering one on one with another person. Jesus never "winked" at sin and let sin go; He always addressed the heart issue and helped people overcome their sin by speaking the TRUTH! Some chose not to be helped (i.e. such as the rich young ruler- Luke 18:18-23) but others that wanted His help. He told them that their sin was forgiven, and to go and sin no more (i.e. women caught in adulterous relationship- John 8:10-12). Jesus loved others so much that He desired for them to be set free from sin and live an abundant life. Church we need to do the same. The homosexual groups have silenced our tongues by declaring that we are homophobic and bigots- but nothing could be further from the truth! We must not let lies silence the Truth- we must proclaim the truth. We must be the salt of the earth. There is a generation counting on us, and there are people caught in homosexuality that are counting on us to rise up in the Truth of Jesus Christ and set them free, there are parents who are counting on the church to STAND and declare the truth so their sons and daughters may be set free. Church it is time to arise! This is not the time for a wimpy Gospel or a wimpy Jesus to be portrayed- but for the ALMIGHTY to be declared and followed! We cannot bypass the fallen nature, sin, and obedience.

Forbidding Marriage

1 Tim 4:1-3 "Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry"

The Inside Exposed

There is a powerful truth that is taught in Daniel 4 when King Nebuchadnezzar is driven out into the wilderness away from men and ate grass like an oxen, and his hair had grown like eagles, and his nails like birds' claw (Daniel 4:33). King Nebuchadnezzar declared "those who walk in pride He is able to put down" (Daniel 4:37). In mercy God was exposing something to a Gentile king! A Gentile King wrote part of the cannon "I thought it good to declare the signs and wonders that the Most High God has worked for me" (Daniel 4:3).

God was showing King Nebuchadnezzar something, He was showing him really what was on the inside of him. Inside of King Nebuchadnezzar was insanity, a delusion of power, pride, anger, and rage. He was in this state for seven seasons (Daniel 4:32). If God did not show mercy to King Nebuchadnezzar and expose really what was inside of him- it would have destroyed the king. King Nebuchadnezzar needed to know there was a higher King than him that ruled over the nations, and also over him, one that King Nebuchadnezzar needs to bow his knee to. At the end of his seven seasons King Nebuchadnezzar declares as he lifted his head toward heaven "For HIS (God's) dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His Kingdom is from generation to generation... He does according to His will in the army of heaven… no one can restrain His hand" (Daniel 4:34-35). King Nebuchadnezzar turns and worships God.

Beloved, God just might be doing this to the church in this hour. As the ELCA (In Minnesota, August of 2009) decides to allow gay clergy, as other dominations are embracing this shift- God might be showing mercy and exposing what really lies between the walls of the church. He just might be exposing it so the church can have a "King Nebuchadnezzar moment" and turn fully back to GOD before it is too late. This just might be God's kindness of allowing this beast to be exposed in the open so millions are not lost in wrath forever. This just might be HIS hand saying turn back to me. Now we have seen what is in our churches and it is time, time to turn and repent.

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