The Episcopal Church recently held a convention in Minneapolis and decided to ordain a practicing homosexual — the Reverend Gene Robinson — as a bishop in the church. The convention also opened the way for same-sex "marriages" in the Episcopal Church. Many have commented on the significance of these events. Evangelicals, in particular, have expressed alarm due to the departure from Biblical principles reflected by the action of the Episcopal Church. Certainly, the decisions made at this convention are completely out of line with the Bible. However, we believe that the action is consistent with the whole history of development of Christian doctrine and practice. We will attempt to support this position in this article.

First, we must look at the straight-forward position set forth in the Bible concerning homosexual practices. We will use references from both the Hebrew and the Messianic Scriptures in order to indicate that, from God's perspective, there has been no evolution in His position. The Torah declares: "You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination" (Leviticus 18:22). Also, "If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act; they shall surely be put to death. Their bloodguiltiness is upon them" (Leviticus 20:13). About 1,500 years later, Paul addressed the issue in his letter to the church at Rome: "For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error" (Romans 1:26-27). So, we conclude that from a Scriptural position, homosexual activity is strictly forbidden. The individual practicing such things brings the severe judgment of God upon himself.

Many ask, in light of the Scriptural patterns described above, how could the Episcopal Church take such a step? Observers of the conference cite the fact that Episcopal Church practice is based on the Bible, church tradition, and reason. Obviously, whenever anything beyond the Bible is used as a reference, practices will evolve along with changing concepts of morality in the host society. Also observed at the convention was the language of a new "gospel of inclusion and affirmation". This "new gospel" is based on an unscriptural view of who Jesus is and what His mission is. Certainly homosexuals crave inclusion and affirmation because they have denied the natural function of their own physical makeup.

The real problem goes far beyond that of the Episcopal Church. Christian doctrine has drifted from Biblical standards because it is man-centered. It focuses on what man needs rather than what God is doing and what He requires of those who would become participants in His activities. For example, the early Church Fathers (~100-425 AD) developed the "gospel of salvation" in place of "the message of the Kingdom of God", which was preached by Jesus. Today, the "gospel of salvation" is almost universally accepted in the Church even though Jesus would not recognize it in relation to the message He proclaimed.

Another area where Church doctrine has departed from simple Biblical standards is the view of Torah [the Church uses the term Law for Torah]. The Church Fathers were anxious to distinguish themselves from Israel. Since the covenant that God cut with Israel is interwoven in the Torah, Torah had to be rejected in order to dismiss Israel's covenant. In its place the Church Fathers imagined a "new law in the Spirit" but never defined what this new law required. Therefore, the "new law" became "non law". It was left to each individual group to define acceptable and unacceptable practices. Eventually, this function was usurped by the Church Councils.

The practice of defining acceptable and unacceptable behavior independent of the revelation of God in the Scriptures has allowed the Church to assimilate into whatever culture it finds itself. Thus we read of the Christianization of the Roman Empire (or was it the Romanization[1] of Christianity), of Christian Europe and, now, of Christian America. So as American popular culture (or the lack of it) embraces the homosexual lifestyle, Christianity is not far behind. In this regard, the Episcopal Church is the vanguard of things to come; others will soon follow.

What is the answer to this problem in the Church? The Church must repent. It must return to the juncture where it departed from simple Biblical revelation. It must embrace Torah. It must embrace its identity as a subgroup of Israel. It must proclaim the "message of the Kingdom of God". Simply stated, it must return to the vision set forth by the apostles in the first century Church. Christianity in the days of Paul was known as a sect (of Judaism) called the Way (Acts 24:14).

How could such a thing be accomplished? It won't be accomplished by the major Christian denominations which will continue in their apostasy. It will only be accomplished by individuals — by you — who are determined to serve God without regard to the cost. It can only be done by an honest and systematic study of the Scriptures and history. This is the purpose of the Tzemach Institute for Biblical Studies. Please see our announcement concerning registration for fall courses. Don't delay any longer!

[1] Please forgive the fabrication of new words.

Related Materials
Audio/Video Tapes:

• Human Rights and the Apostasy
• The Church: Man Initiated or God Initiated
• Constantine and Church Doctrine
• Humanistic Emphasis of the Modern Church
• Accountability
• Separation of the Church from Israel

Articles Online:

• To Approach God
• Freedom In Messiah
• Constantine: An Anti-Christ?

  [ Published: 21 August 2003 ]