How are Christians to interpret Old Testament commandments to execute people for sexual sin? My upcoming sermon at the Red Brick Church will address this question.
Short of hiding in a cave – – and a cave without Internet at that – – no one has been able to escape the heated debates taking place over the definition of marriage. Dr. Albert Mohler recently noted that we know an issue is in the news when Time Magazine features the story on its cover.
There is a part of pastors that would choose to sit this controversy out. We have friends and family who will disagree with our position – – whatever our view – – and no wise person looks forward to disagreement. Picture taking a walk in a hailstorm.
Yet, for pastors, remaining silent on this issue is not an option. When the Bible speaks clearly on a matter- – and it speaks clearly on this one – – pastors do not have the luxury of avoiding controversy. To do so would be to commit the sin of some Old Testament prophets who remained silent about difficult matters (Lamentations 2:14).
So, in God’s providence, this is my week to grasp the nettle. D.V. On Saturday I will preach on homosexuality at a conference. (Below you can watch a video in which I give some orientation to my thought going into the conference).
Sunday, we will continue our series on the Sermon on the Mount at the Red Brick Church and the question of how New Testament Christians view the Old Testament Law with its harsh statements about sexual sin. It is easy to quickly dismiss Old Testament passages that call for executions. But given that Jesus stressed that he did not come to abolish the law (Matt 5:17-18), we need to consider how we are to interpret the Law. That is to say, “How should we understand the combination of the below verses?”
You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination. Leviticus 18:22
If a man commits adultery with the wife of his neighbor, both the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death. Leviticus 20:10
If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them. Leviticus 20:13
[17] “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. [18] For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. [19] Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. [20] For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:17-20
You might expect for me to wade into the thicket regarding my position on this post – – but I’ll hold off until Sunday. As always, it is our plan for the sermon to be available online.
