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Three Reasons a Biblical View of Gender is Important
In today’s cultural landscape, LGBT and gender issues have taken center stage in public discourse. Stories from the not-so-distant past have included headlines about gender-neutral bathrooms, transgender athletes, and reports of professionals—such as doctors—facing repercussions for upholding a traditional understanding of gender. Although there has been some reprieve in the cultural moment, the cultural pressures still mandate that we examine how we think about gender and its role in society. While many in the culture dismiss the Bible’s views as antiquated, outdated, or merely a relic of a bygone, patriarchal era, it remains critical to remember that the Bible presents a comprehensive and divinely inspired perspective on the nature and purpose of gender. In other words, the Bible reveals what God thinks about gender. The Secular Influence on the Church From a secular worldview, gender is often seen as a mere social construct—a label with no intrinsic value beyond what…
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Does the Bible Command a Woman to Marry Her Rapist?
Critics of the Bible often say Scripture is anti-women when it comes to the issue of rape. After all, doesn’t the Bible command a woman to marry her rapist? This is a common argument, and critics point to Deuteronomy 22:28–29 as evidence that the Bible is hopelessly out of touch with ethical norms and common decency. Deuteronomy 22:28–29 reads as follows: “If a man finds a girl who is a virgin, who is not engaged, and seizes her and lies with her and they are discovered, then the man who lay with her shall give to the girl’s father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall become his wife because he has violated her; he cannot divorce her all his days” (NASB). Does this passage teach that a girl who is a rape victim must marry her rapist? Some would argue there is no rape in Deuteronomy 22:28 on the…
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Does the Bible Say Same Sex Attraction is Sin?
Although some would argue that any same sex relationship is a good thing if it doesn’t harm anyone, in Christian circles there is usually a more clandestine approach to encourage acceptance of the gay lifestyle. This approach says that same sex attraction itself is not a sin, it is following through on the attraction that is the sin. In other words, to be attracted to the same sex is not a sin as long as one does not act on those impulses. In one sense, there is a difference between the gravity and consequences of following through on the attraction, but the real question is whether desires themselves can be sinful? People will often differentiate the issue between orientation and behavior. Some people will say that it is not sinful to be a “gay Christian.” It is only necessary to live celibate. However, there are two significant reasons that same…