Much false teaching and false representation of Christianity exists in America today.
One recent example is the distribution of free condoms by Chicago Theological Seminary, an affiliate of the United Church of Christ (UCC). At last week’s 2015 Wild Goose Festival attendees received condom packages designed with a colored image of a rainbow flame, an LGBT variation of the UCC’s logo.
Printed above the flame were instructions: “Chicago Theological Seminary, Take Two (For the second coming!)”. The text blatantly suggests Jesus Christ’s second coming relates to one needing two condoms for multiple partners or multiple orgasms.
In other words, a “Christian” seminary is likening the Second Coming of Christ to gay sex.
Nothing could be further from Biblical truth. But such claims are inherent to blasphemy, heresy, and obvious hatred of God and his Word.
Throughout the New Testament Jesus’s apostles specifically addressed sexual behavior, identifying specific acts as immoral, evil, against one’s human nature, and against God. They witnessed it and repeatedly warned new Christians to stop; (“[of which] I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past (ἅ προλέγω ὑμῖν καθὼς [Receptus, καθὼς καὶ] προεῖπον); even as I did forewarn you”).
Speaking directly to churches from Asia, to Bithynia, Cappadocia, Colossi, Corinth, Ephesus, Galatia, Pontus, Rome, and Thessalonica, Jesus Christ’s apostles clearly admonished new Christians to stop participating in sexual depravity, specifically gay sex and orgies, because it was not of God.
To the Corinthians Paul urged, “Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.” (1 Cor. 6:18).
To the Colossians, “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.” (Col. 3:5; “It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that even pagans do not tolerate: A man is sleeping with his father’s wife.” (2 Cor. 5:1)).
To the Ephesians, “But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.” (Eph. 5:3).
The apostles knew what Matthew Henry clarifies, “A man cannot be brought to greater slavery than to be given up to his own lusts. As the Gentiles did not like to keep God in their knowledge, they committed crimes wholly against reason and their own welfare.” (Commentary on Romans 1:26-32).
Yet the apostles’ admonition extended beyond prohibition, but to righteous living through the grace of Jesus Christ. They repeatedly called for self-examination, which hopefully would lead to remorseful conviction of sin and the realization for the need of deliverance, healing, and renewal.
Genuine Christians, the apostles claimed, would exude the fruits of the Spirit, not self-destructive and community destroying behavior (Galatians 5).
To the Thessalonians Paul encouraged, “Walk worthily of God who called you into his own kingdom and glory.” (1 Thess. 2:12).
To the Ephesians, “to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” (Eph. 4:1).
Only an apostate Christian and apostate church could celebrate or encourage gay sex or orgies. Only an apostate Christian and apostate church could advocate being “LGBTQ friendly.” Apostasy is inherently anti-God.
Apostasy promotes lies and causes individual and societal harm. Revelation 9 and 21 make quite clear the consequence of sexual depravity (all sorts of uncleanness; not only simple fornication, but adultery, incest, sodomy, and all unnatural lusts) at the time of Christ’s return: death.
Genuine Christians couldn’t promote harmful activities; it goes against their nature. The outworking of the Gospel and salvation is healing, restoration, and renewal in all areas of life; a desire to cultivate life-giving behavior and positively contribute to the flourishing of society.
Jesus Christ’s return is infinitely more important and incomparable to a joke printed on condom package. Genuine Christians, who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, joyfully and anxiously await his return. But Christians are instructed to warn others (Ezek. 33), knowing His return is no laughing matter.
July 14, 2015