Homosexuality in the New Testament
Randy Harshbarger
Genesis 19 has become a battleground in the
discussion about homosexuality. This chapter records
the visit of two angels, or messengers, to Lot, the
nephew of Abraham, who was living with his family in
Sodom. These envoys from the Lord came to Sodom
to carry out the Lord’s judgment against the wickedness
of the city (19:13) which had been hinted at earlier
(18:20). Lot showed hospitality to the men, inviting
them into his house where he provided food and other
social amenities. Before it was time for bed the men of
Sodom surrounded Lot’s house demanding that Lot
produce his guests for those gathered there. “And they
called to Lot and said to him, ‘Where are the men who
came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may
have relations with them’” (Genesis 19:5 (NASB). The
New International Version renders this verse: “They
called to Lot: ‘Where are the men who came to you
tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex
with them.’” The American Standard Version says:
“And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are
the men that came in to thee this night? bring them out
unto us, that we may know them.” What does Genesis
19 teach?
D. Sherwin Bailey, in his book Homosexuality and
the Western Christian Tradition (published in 1955),
argues that “to know” in Genesis 19 does not refer to
homosexuality. He says the phrase is used only 15
times in the OT in a sexual sense, while “to know” is
used some 900 times in its ordinary sense. Hence, “to
know” does not refer to homosexuality; it only refers to
the desire of the people of Sodom to show hospitality
toward Lot’s two visitors. Clearly, the men of Sodom
were interested in “knowing” Lot’s two visitors sexually.
This is made clear when Lot (for reasons not now
discussed) offered his two daughters to those gathered
there. “Now behold, I have two daughters who have not
had relations with man; please let me bring them out to
you, and do to them whatever you like; only do nothing
to these men, inasmuch as they have come under the
shelter of my roof” (19:8). The desire “to know” sexually
is expressed in Judges 19:22: “While they were celebrating,
behold, the men of the city, certain worthless
fellows, surrounded the house, pounding the door; and
they spoke to the owner of the house, the old man,
saying, ‘Bring out the man who came into your house
that we may have relations with him.’” Appeal is sometimes
made to passages such as Jeremiah 23:14 and Ezekiel 16:49-50,
where Sodom and Gomorrah are
condemned for adultery, lying, refusing to repent,
pride, etc., but not for homosexuality. Genesis 13:10
and Deuteronomy 29:23 say that Sodom and Gomorrah
were destroyed as an expression of divine judgment.
God’s anger was kindled against the Cities of the Plain.
Their destruction is a constant reminder that God hates
sin and judges accordingly.
The book of Leviticus is concerned with community
holiness and purity. It contains regulations, often specific
and detailed, that differentiated Israel from the
nations of the land of Canaan. Leviticus contains more
than requirements about ritual purity; it contains prohibitions
against certain behaviors, such as homosexuality.
“You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a
female; it is an abomination” (18:22). “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” (20:13). God said that homosexuality is
forbidden. It is an abomination before the Lord (verses
26,27,29); God hates or abhors such behavior (Prov.
6:16). Some argue that homosexuality is prohibited
only when idolatry is also involved. The Leviticus passages
say that such behavior must be avoided, period.
The sexual practices that characterized the Canaanite
people defiled them before God and would defile the
people of God when they engaged in such behavior.
Sexual perversion served to undermine the very structure
of the family, the core block of Israelite society. To
engage in such behavior caused a loss of identity as
the people of God. So it is today.
The moral abandonment of God’s holiness standard
brought shame and reproach upon those rebellious
souls who resisted doing God’s will. Abuses of
God’s will, whether homosexual or heterosexual, must
not be condoned. The debate of whether homosexuality
is right or wrong was over a long time ago. God’s
word condemns such behavior. Sadly, that is not
enough for many people to abandon such sinful conduct.
The discussion will continue. “Let God be found
true, but every man a liar” (Romans 3:4).