Theology for Everybody: Romansنموونە

Set Free: Escaping Rebellion

Today, we are beginning to discuss the theme of God’s wrath as it is spoken of in relation to the idolatry of sexual sin, including the clearest prohibition against homosexuality and the only mention of lesbianism in the entire Bible. Before we do, it is important to make note of all the sexual acts forbidden in the Bible.

1. Fornication (Genesis 38:24; cf. Leviticus 21:9; Deuteronomy 22:21; 1 Corinthians 6:18, 7:2; Hebrews 13:4). Fornication is sex before marriage, which is both corrupt and common. To be honest, it is what I was doing with my wife, Grace, when we started dating. We stopped when I became a Christian.

2. Adultery (Exodus 20:14; Deuteronomy 5:18; Proverbs 6:32; Matthew 5:27–32, 15:19; 1 Corinthians 6:9–11). Adultery happens when you’re married but have sex with someone else. This includes swingers and people with an open marriage who are both adulterers and co-conspirators.

3. Polygamy (Genesis 2:1–8 cf. Matthew 19:4-6; Genesis 4:19-24; 1 Kings 11:1-9; 1 Timothy 3:2, 12). Polygamy is a sexual relationship with more than one person, which causes great turmoil throughout the Old Testament. Polygamy includes polyandry, which is one woman with multiple husbands.

4. Rape (Genesis 34:1–31; Judges 19:1–30, 2 Samuel 13:11–14). Rape is forcibly, sexually imposing upon another human being. It is an act of aggression and oppression.

5. Incest (Leviticus 18, 20, 27). Incest is sexual relations with a close family member. Believe it or not, this type of relationship is actually growing in prevalence, and pornographers now promote it.

6. Homosexuality (Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Romans 1:26–27; 1 Corinthians 6:9). I will address homosexuality in more detail later, but it is sexual relations between two people of the same sex.

7. Bestiality (Exodus 22:19; Leviticus 20:15–16; Deuteronomy 27:21). Bestiality is sexual relations or contact between human beings and animals.

8. Prostitution (Leviticus 19:29,; 21:9; 1 Corinthians 6:16). Prostitution is paying someone for sexual services.

9. Sexual Immorality (Matthew 19:9; 1 Corinthians 6:13, 6:18; Ephesians 5:3; 1 Thessalonians 4:3). The Greek word porneia refers to numerous sexual sins, including pornography, repeatedly appearing in the New Testament. It is a broad category of sexual sins, including our thought life.

10. Pagan Sexual Activity (Exodus 32; Isaiah 57:7–8; Hosea 4:12–14; Ephesians 5:5; Colossians 3:5). Demonic spirituality often includes sex in worship. In Exodus 32, sex was part of the worship of the golden calf. In the New Testament, pagan temples hosted sex as worship. God forbids any sex in conjunction with a demonic spirit or religion. (Continued on Day 37 ...)

Today’s Reflection

Which acts are considered “normal” in today’s society?