Raven wrote on Apr 29
th, 2017 at 3:35am:
Aussie wrote on Apr 26
th, 2017 at 7:31pm:
Quote:both Jesus and Paul condemned homosexuality, 2,000 years ago.
Really? What did they say about it, Yadda?
Paul says one thing: KJV 1 Corinthians 6:9 - Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor
effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
Jesus says something else: KJV Matthew 19:11 - But He said to them, “Not all men can accept this statement, but only those to whom it has been given."
Matthew 19:12 "For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it."
Eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men is pretty self explanatory
Eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs are men who foreswear marriage to better serve God.
But eunuchs born from their mother's womb is an interesting turn of phrase. During the time of Jesus the term "born a eunuch" was a term to describe
effeminate men, commonly associated with homosexual desire. It was a widely used term and Jesus would have been familiar with it's meaning.
He lists people born gay alongside another honoured class (eunuchs for the kingdom), and accepts them as a natural part of God’s creation order.
Jesus said that most people are created for heterosexual marriage. But he does not see this as the only honourable way to live. He acknowledges that some human beings have been created by God to follow a less common, but equally legitimate path. There are some who have been eunuchs from birth — made that way by God.
So who you going to believe? Paul or Jesus?
Jesus was not 'discussing' homosexuals nor homosexuality.
Jesus mentioning 'eunuchs', is not talking about homosexuals.
n.b.
The definition of the word eunuch, implies a person who is 'non-sexual' or asexual [i.e. not sexually active].
And both Jesus and Paul suggested that for men who choose to seek/serve God, it was better to choose not to marry.
Or in your words; "men who foreswear marriage to better serve God."
Matthew 19:9
And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.
10 His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife,
it is not good to marry.
11 But he said unto them,
All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.
12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men:
and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.
1 Corinthians 7:27
Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed.
Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.
28 But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned.
Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.
29 But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;
30 And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not;
31 And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.
32 But I would have you without carefulness.
He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:
33
But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.
Matthew 6:24
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.