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Christians and
"Disputable Matters" An Examination of Romans 14 as Applied to the Homosexuality Issue
The conservative Christian Church is divided over the question of "Is
homosexuality, within the confines of same-sex marriage, a sin?" Even though
there have been notable exceptions, the majority of the fundamental churches
judge homosexuality to be a sin and gay people to be sinners needing
redemption. Martin Luther spoke of agreeing on the essentials, while
disagreeing on the non-essentials. I submit that Romans 14 speaks to that
very issue, and has a present day message to the Church regarding the
homosexuality issue.
For this discussion, homosexuality shall be defined as same- sex union within
a committed relationship, i.e. marriage. I shall not deal with the scriptures
that have traditionally been used to prove that being gay is a sin; those have
been aptly treated elsewhere. But I shall focus on Romans 14, as I believe
this offers wisdom as to our relationships, as Christians, whatever our sexual
orientation.
In Romans 14, Paul is speaking of subjects pertaining to conscience,
judgement, proper attitude toward other believers, preventing divisions, and
loving and acting with each other in spite of differences. In this passage, he
teaches specifically on matters of eating meat, or not; and keeping, or not,
the same day of the week as the "holy" one. It is clear that these two
specific issues he addresses are examples only, representative of the abuses
of some in the Roman Church, and that the principles set forth are inclusive
of similar problems.
Let us take the example of eating meat, or not. This speaks to the larger
issue of the tension and struggle between the Jews and Gentiles in the
establishment of the Church. The Jews felt very strongly that the Gentiles
should keep, at least, parts of the Levitical law (see Acts 10), and the
Gentiles felt just as strongly that they were free from the necessity from
keeping the law. So then enters Paul to bring peace! Paul sets the stage in
verse 4, "Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he
stands or falls....". This keynote admonishment brings the truth to bear that
judgement of others must stop, and TRUST must reign to know that God can take
care of and lead His children. He then continues to specifically explain verse 4
in verses 5-12, and elaborates that each person on either side of the issue,
loves and worships God and stands or falls on their "relationship" with Him,
not on what side of the issue they are on. It is clear that the issue of
eating meat is a "non-essential" one to Paul.
Then in verses 13-14, Paul says an amazing thing! "Therefore let us stop passing
judgement on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling
block or obstacle in your brother's way. As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I
am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself...."
For Paul, who knew the Levitical prohibitions against certain foods (read
Leviticus 11), and who had followed them all his life, to state that to him NO
food was unclean in itself, is truly extraordinary and significant. It means
that Paul is convinced that the person who demands that his brother keep the
law, is the "weaker", and those who feel free to eat anything in the Lord are
then, "the stronger" or more mature, but are NOT to flaunt their freedom in
front of the weaker. What Paul is saying is consistent with the covenantal
view that the Old Testament gave us the "letter" of the law to show us our
need for God; while the New Covenant presents to us "the Spirit of the law",
so that the law is written upon our hearts. That is why Jesus could say,
"All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments" (Matt.
22:37-40). This also fulfills Ezekiel 11 when the prophet says that the heart of
stone would be removed, and the heart of flesh given. Paul continues in vs.
22, "So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.
Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves."
The conclusion can be easily drawn from Paul's example, that judging others by
applying the laws from the Old Testament, is wrong, and that there is a "more
excellent way" (see I Cor. 12:31 and I Cor. 13)
Obviously, I have said all of that to say this- that whether one is gay or
not, is a matter between oneself and God, and Christians are not to pass
judgement, but to realize, "that by his own master he stands or falls" and not
to "put obstacles in your brother's way." The danger here is that gay,
lesbian and transgendered people are staying away from the church because of
the hate and judgement that they feel, and that this is an "obstacle" in the
path of those who need salvation. As Christians judge "disputable matters"
and pass judgement upon those who practice homosexuality, they form a
"stumbling block" that is very spiritually harmful to gay and lesbian people.
If Paul can state that the passages concerning eating or not eating certain
foods in the law were not binding upon him, surely Christians today can
present a similar "grace", and allow us ALL as Christians to have different
views about issues, especially homosexuality,
and to love and fellowship with one another, regardless of those differences.
And now, the hard part, if this applies one way, it must apply the other. We
as gay Christians must love our brothers and sisters who may "condemn" and
judge us, and allow them the "freedom", painful as it may be to us, to believe
that what we do sexually, is wrong. But we must NOT allow Christians to tell
us we are not saved, for that gives the "Blood of Jesus" limits, and makes
nil the power and grace of God. Another person's salvation must NOT be
judged, and disputable matters be handled with love, understanding,
forgiveness and grace.
"Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves". This
powerful verse means that if one accepts their homosexual orientation, that
they are BLESSED if they do not yield to the pressure to change or recant
their beliefs, knowing there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus. And Paul
states in verse 17, that the Kingdom does not consist of these things, but in
"righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit". Truly this is the issue,
that the fruit of the Spirit shall leap forth out of a Christian's life,
whether we are gay or straight, male, female or transgendered, rich or poor,
or American or Arabic. The day is coming when we will ALL know, that there is
room at the Cross for us all.
William Stephenson is a former conservative pastor from 1978-1985, most
recently with Maranatha Christian Church in FL. and in N.M. He is am now a
businessman in Albuquerque, and making his way through life with much excitement
and thanks to God.
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