Thursday, May 31, 2012

Is Being Gay A Sin?

Is Being Gay A Sin?
Lots of people are taking the time to read through my blogs, and I'm totally flattered. Thank you to everyone that has sent emails, notes, and words of thanks or encouragement. I sincerely appreciate it. I've even received a couple of texts. But I do realize that they are long, and they are very detailed. So, here is a synopsis or an "overview" for people to have a quick reference guide that links them to the more detailed writing. I've compiled a short list of the scriptures used to describe being gay as a "sin" below and given links to the associated blogs and lexicon references.

Cheers,
#JustBeingMichael

What are the actual scriptures used when people refer to being gay as a sin? Where are they getting this? Why is it such a problem? Well, they are usually just repeating information and paraphrasing sentences given to them by their spiritual leaders, their parents, their friends, or the like. Very few actually know the scriptures for themselves or can even correctly quote the scriptures. And that's not good. And the rebuttals that are given to them are not that great, either. Telling someone that you can't eat shrimp, if I can't be gay, is ludicrous. Neither are sins.

Take that in. Reread that. Calm down, and say it to yourself: Neither. Are. Sins. Read for yourself.
  • Genesis 19:5 – “Bring them out so we may know them” (KJV)
    "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." (NIV)
    "and they called to Lot, ‘Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us, so that we may know them.’" (NRSV)
    • There are so many things that "know" means, but the main definitions from the Lexicon are that "know" is from the Hebrew word "yada" and doesn't always mean "sex". It is used almost 1,000 times in the Old Testament and only about 3 times is it in reference to sex. In the case of Sodom and Gomorrah, the mob mentality to interrogate, beat, and rape the angels were the sin of Sodom. Not being gay.
    • http://scripturetext.com/genesis/19-5.htm
    • Part Two - Sodom and Gomorrah
  • Leviticus 18:22 – “You shall not lie with a male as those who lie with a female; it is an abomination." (KJV)
    "Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable." (NIV)
    "You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination." (NRSV)
    • Where to start with this one? Well, let's start with "as one lies" - there are several key points in play.
      • Men can't sleep with other men on a woman's bed. Since women are unclean and it would cause ritual cleanliness issues for the man.
      • Men can't buy male temple prostitutes and sleep with them so that Baal would bless their crops. (Incidently, women were forbidden to buy them also.)
      • The word abomination is translated from the Hebrew word "tow`ebah" and is specific to issues of idolatry and idol worship. (See above in 1 and 2, don't become unclean so you can't go to Temple, and don't buy whores in church from a false god to hedge your agricultural bets.)
    • http://scripturetext.com/leviticus/18-22.htm
    • Part Two - Levitical Law

  • Leviticus 20:13 – “If a man lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination and they shall surely be put to death." (KJV)
    "If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads." (NIV)
    If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall be put to death; their blood is upon them. (NRSV)
    • Okay, the words are very similar to the other Leviticus scripture in 18:22. However, Leviticus 18 is about Idolatry and pagan/heathen/NON-Jewish practices of sexual relations. Chapter 20 is about the PUNISHMENTS for breaking the Jewish Law in Leviticus. There is a very distinct difference. There are still some translation, context, and point of view in an ancient world things happening. 
      • For instance, the word translated as "lie with" is used for resting, resting but with a sexual connotation, and dead, or resting beside a dead body.
      • Again, "abomination" is translated from the Hebrew word "tow`ebah" and is specific to issues of idolatry and idol worship. And again, straight Jewish men were buying male temple whores from different gods and sleeping with them on their altars so that the other gods would bless them. And men were having sex with other men in their marriage beds and where women slept. There are lots of reason that was considered a no-no. Such as women were viewed as lesser beings, women's resting places were considered ritually unclean because of mentration, etc.

  • Romans 1:26-27 – “For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions: for their women exchanged the natural use for that which is against nature.  And in the same way also the men abandoned the natural use of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty for their error." (KJV)
    Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. (NIV)
    For this reason God gave them up to degrading passions. Their women exchanged natural intercourse for unnatural, and in the same way also the men, giving up natural intercourse with women, were consumed with passion for one another. Men committed shameless acts with men and received in their own persons the due penalty for their error. (NRSV)
    • Besides the entire issue with Paul and the fact that his writings are like listening to one side of a conversation - he wrote Romans from Corinth. There were so many different religions happening at the second largest city of the Roman Empire. It was a cultural crossroads and the idolatry and sexual rituals going on around him were probably quite perverse. However, they are not about two gay boys. They are about straight people having sex with the same sex in pagan rituals and in ways against their nature and not pleasing to the Christian God.

  • I 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," (KJV)
    "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders" (NIV)
    "Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived! Fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, sodomites," (NRSV)
    • Again, reading Paul is tricky, effeminate and homosexual were not real words at the time the Bible was written, and the words used to translate them are being bastardized. It was still in reference to pagan rituals, and "effeminate" is translated from "soft, vulnerable" not "sissy" or "nelly". "Homosexual" is slung together from "male" and "bed" and not at all clear since it's not used anywhere else in the New Testament. "Sodomite" is not even a real word in reference to sexual acts. The word Paul used is incorrectly translated and should have been a temple prostitute.


  • I Timothy 1:9-10 – “Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;" (KJV)
    "We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine" (NIV)
    "This means understanding that the law is laid down not for the innocent but for the lawless and disobedient, for the godless and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their father or mother, for murderers, fornicators, sodomites, slave-traders, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to the sound teaching" (NRSV)
    • Paul is still writing and we only see HIS side of the conversation, but the same is as above: effeminate and homosexual are not real words. They were oddly translated in the 1600's for King James, and the NIV version in 1984 isn't translating the original into it's true words but into an assumed meaning. The word "sodomite" and "sodomy" (from the NRSV) in reference to a sexual action is ridiculous because a "Sodomite" was someon from "Sodom". And to use it in law books and in reference to sex is a breach of separation of Church and State.
    • http://scripturetext.com/1_timothy/1-10.htm
    • Part Two - Oh, Paul... Nobody Likes Prison Rape

That’s it. That’s all. This is the big fuss that has plagued mankind for centuries and caused untold division and grief. And this has been occurring and happening on both side of the argument. When you have time to read and study, please consider reading the full blogs at the links below:

Part One - Why and Introduction
Part Two - Sodom and Gomorrah
Part Two - Levitical Law
Part Two - Romans Road To Salvation
Part Two - Oh, Paul... Nobody Likes Prison Rape
Part Two - Wrapping Up the "Big Six" Scriptures
Part Three - WWJD, Y'all? What Would Jesus Do?
Part Three - Better Run Tell Somebody!
Part Four - Same Sex Activity In The Bible
Part Five - Common Christian Beliefs
Part Five - One Anglican View Against Being Gay
Part Six - Examples of Gay Couples in The Bible
Part Six - David and Jonathan - A Love Story
Part Seven - Conclusions, Recaps, and References
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Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Is Being Gay A Sin? Part Seven - References, Recap and Conclusion


Is Being Gay A Sin?
We are in Part Seven of the blog series, "Is Being Gay A Sin?" By now, we've covered the major study of the "Big Six" scriptures, we covered what Jesus and Paul had to say in the New Testament. We have reviewed the major types of Christianity in today's society and their belief structures. We'ven even covered what the Bible indicates as Gay or Same Sex Couples. So what do you believe?

"Know what you believe. Know who you are."

I've learned for myself that I believe even more strongly in God. I am a better, more informed Christian after doing this research, and I firmly believe that God loves me. Did he favor anal rape for deposed kings? No. Did he want you to buy whores in church so that your crop would grow? No. Did he want you to have sex with another man on some unclean woman's bed? No. Did the translators keep in 100% accurate? No. But I have faith. I have faith that the scripture in Timothy 2:15 "Do your best to win full approval in God's sight, as a worker who is not ashamed of his work, one who correctly teaches the message of God's truth." I have faith that God honors our diligent and feverish research in trying to figure out what is right and wrong, and what is God's will. I have learned to be a little more quiet, and listen better. Between the research, the prayer, and the scripture, God is MORE than willing to show you things you thought you might never see or hear.

I do realize that it's not that simple for everyone and I really do hope that you, the Reader, will study, pray and research for yourself. That you take this and work towards educating yourself and buidling your own relationship with God. As a Christian, it is our duty to prayerfully study and understand what God was trying to communicate to His people, not only in ancient Hebrew times, the more recent Greek and Roman times, but througout ALL time.

May God bless you and keep you safe and in His peace,
#JustBeingMichael

Please read:
Part One - Why and Introduction
Part Two - Sodom and Gomorrah
Part Two - Levitical Law
Part Two - Romans Road To Salvation
Part Two - Oh, Paul... Nobody Likes Prison Rape
Part Two - Wrapping Up the "Big Six" Scriptures
Part Three - WWJD, Y'all? What Would Jesus Do?
Part Three - Better Run Tell Somebody!
Part Four - Same Sex Activity In The Bible
Part Five - Common Christian Beliefs
Part Five - One Anglican View Against Being Gay
Part Six - Examples of Gay Couples in The Bible
Part Six - David and Jonathan - A Love Story
Part Seven - Conclusions, Recaps, and References

They will help you in reading this work in context and in the flow it was intended.


References
The following information sources were used in research and preparation for the blogs, letters, and information I used in creating these pieces of information. The hyperlinks are not necessarily still active today.
  1. Rabbi Gershon Caudill, "A Heterosexual Jewish Rebbe's View on the (Supposedly) Homosexual Texts in the Hebrew Bible," at: http://www.affirmation.org/
  2. The NGPA has merged with Apostolic Intercessory Ministry; both groups are now known as Apostolic Restoration Mission. See: http://www.apostolicrestorationmission.4t.com/
  3. "Legislature chaplain comes out as gay; position eliminated," People for the American Way, at: http://www.pfaw.org/
  4. Fred Tasker, "What does the Bible say about homosexuality? Church people of differing beliefs debate the words -- and their meaning then and now," Philadelphia Inquirer, 1997-JUL-13. Online at: http://members.aol.com/
  5. Ben Witherington III, "Was Sodom into Sodomy? What the Bible says about sodomy, homosexuality and sin," The Word's Worth, Beliefnet.com, at: http://www.beliefnet.com/
  6. Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, "Homosexuality Is A Religious Sin, Not An Ethical One Fighting gay sex--or even homosexual unions--only distracts from making straight marriage better," Beliefnet.com, at: http://www.beliefnet.com/
  7. J.S. Spong, "Dallas, Texas: A new vision," A new Christianity for a new world, 2006-OCT-18. Bishop Spong described an event at a gay pride parade where "... a group of Bible-wielding counter demonstrators ... with voices screaming and faces contorted by anger promised us the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah."
  8. William Sloane Coffin, "Commentary: It's clear that homophobia was reason for ad's rejection," United Church News, 2004-DEC-15, at: http://news.ucc.org/
  9. Walter Wink, "Homosexuality and the Bible" at: http://www.bridges-across.org/ba/wink.htm
  10. LBGT and Poly Information. "The Big Eight" at:  http://www.imsa.edu/~jgable/lbg/eight.html
  11. Jimmy Creech, "Response to the Judicial Charge" at: http://www.libertynet.org/~iwg/creech.html
  12. Jim W. Martyn, "A Plea for Christian Understanding & Support of Human Rights" at: http://www3.sk.sympatico.ca/jmartyn/dec97.htm Although written for a Canadian audience, and containing some Canadian political references, the message is universal. Unfortunately, this essay appears to be no longer on the Internet.
  13. Dr. Rembert S. Truluck, "Steps to Recovery from Bible Abuse" is "a response to the abusive use of the Bible against Gays and Lesbians and all others oppressed and alienated by religion." See: http://www.truluck.com
  14. John Boswell, "Christianity, Social Tolerance, and Homosexuality : Gay People in Western Europe from the Beginning of the Christian Era to the Fourteenth Century, " University of Chicago Press (1981)
  15. Paul Thomas Cahill,"An Investigation Into The Bible and Homosexuality" at:http://www.yougogirl.com/gaychristians/cahill0.html
  16. Loren L Johns, "Homosexuality and the Bible: A case study in the use of the Bible for ethics," at: http://bc.bluffton.edu/~johnsl/Homosexuality.htm
  17. Rembert Truluck, "The Bible and Homosexuality," at: http://www.truluck.com/html/the_bible_and_homosexuality.html
  18. Christopher Levan, "Does the Bible condemn homosexuality? In an honest approach to the scriptures, the challenge is to suspend biases," Edmonton Journal, 1995-MAY-27. Online at: http://www.ualberta.ca/~cbidwell/cmb/bibl-ho.htm 
  19. The Reconciling Congregation Program publishes and distribute a pair of books: "Claiming the Promise Bible Study: An Ecumenical Welcoming Bible Study Resource on Homosexuality."  One is a study book, the other a leader's guide. They "can be used for group or individual study. Planned for seven one- to two-hour sessions." See http://www.rcp.org/ctp.html
  20. "Anti-homosexual passages in Bible reflect authors' biases, speakers say,"  PCUSA News #00397, issued 2000-NOV-9 
  21. Rick X, "An annotated Bible sermon for the gay boy and girl," at: http://rickx.com/sermon/ 
  22. "Born-again adults remain firm in opposition to abortion and gay marriage," Barna Research, at: http://www.barna.org/cgi-bin/
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Is Being Gay A Sin? Part Six - David and Jonathan... A Love Story

Is Being Gay A Sin?
We are in Part Six of the blog series, "Is Being Gay A Sin?" So, we have seen some examples of same sex couples. Along the way of this blog series, we've covered alot of ground. We've talked about translations from the Old Testament in Hebrew, the New Testament in Greek and some Aramaic. We've covered some Judean politics and how modern (+/- 200 years) have their own passions and reasons for altering translations. And we've seen what the Bible had to say about being gay. Let's look a great love story. And example of two men that genuinely loved one another. As a Christian, it is our duty to prayerfully study and understand what God was trying to communicate to His people, not only in ancient Hebrew times, the more recent Greek and Roman times, but througout ALL time.

 

Please read:

They will help you in reading this work in context and in the flow it was intended.

Cheers,
#JustBeingMichael

David and Jonathan… A Love Story
Passages in 1 Samuel & 2 Samuel describe, among other events, a extremely close bond between David and Jonathan. Jonathan was the son of King Saul, and next in line for the throne. But Samuel anointed David to be the next king. This produced a strong conflict in the mind of Saul.

Interpretation:
  • Religious conservatives generally view the friendship of David and Jonathan as totally non-sexual. They find it inconceivable that God would allow a famous king of Israel to be a homosexual.
  • Some religious liberals believe that David and Jonathan had a consensual homosexual relationship - in many ways, a prototype of many of today's gay partnerships. Some important verses which describe their relationship are:
Part 1 : I Sam 17:57-18:9: They Meet and Fall in Love
On David's return from killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul, with the head of the Philistine in his hand. Saul said to him, "Whose son are you, young man?" And David answered, "I am the son of your servant Jesse the Bethlehemite." When David had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was bound to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father's house. Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that he was wearing, and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt. David went out and was successful wherever Saul sent him; as a result, Saul set him over the army. And all the people, even the servants of Saul, approved. As they were coming home, when David returned from killing the Philistine, the women came out of all the towns of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with songs of joy, and with musical instruments. And the women sang to one another as they made merry, "Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands." Saul was very angry, for this saying displeased him. He said, "They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands; what more can he have but the kingdom?" So Saul eyed David from that day on. [many people "eyed" David it seems - Saul's daughter Michal also falls in love with David in chapter 18]

1 Samuel 18:1 "...Jonathan became one in spirit with David and he loved him as himself." (NIV) "...the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul" (KJV) Most translations use the term "soul" rather than "spirit" to describe the bond. They speak of an "immediate bond of love", their souls being "in unison," their souls being "knit" etc. Genesis 2:7, as written in the original Hebrew, describes how God blew the spirit into the body of Adam that God had formed from earth, so that Adam became a living soul. This means that "soul", in the ancient Israelite times, represents a combination of body and spirit. Thus the two men appear to have loved each other both physically and emotionally.

1 Samuel 18:2 "From that day, Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father's house." (NIV) David left his parent's home and moved to Saul's where he would be with Jonathan. This is a strong indication that the relationship was extremely close. It echoes the passage marriage passage in Genesis 2:24: "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."

1 Samuel 18:3-4 "And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt." (NIV) Since people in those days did not wear underwear, Jonathan stripped himself naked in front of David. That would be considered extremely unusual behavior (then and now) unless their relationship was sexual in nature. 

1 Samuel 18:20-21 "Now Saul's daughter Michal was in love with David, and when they told Saul about it, he was pleased. 'I will give her to him', he thought, 'so that she may be a snare to him and so that the hand of the Philistines may be against him'. Now you have a second opportunity to become my son-in-law" (NIV) In the King James Version, the end of Verse 21 reads: "Thou shalt this day be my son-in-law, in the one of the twain." (KJV) Saul's belief was that David would be so distracted by a wife that he would not be an effective fighter and would be killed by the Philistines. He offered first his daughter Merab, but that was rejected, presumably by her. Then he offered Michal. There is an interesting phrase used at the end of verse 21. In both the NIV and KJV, it would seem that David's first opportunity to be a son-in-law was with the older daughter Merab, and his second was with the younger daughter Michal.

The KJV preserves the original text in its clearest form; it implies that David would become Saul's son-in-law through "one of the twain." "Twain" means "two", so the verse seems to refer to one of Saul's two daughters. Unfortunately, this is a mistranslation. The underlined phrase "the one of" does not exist in the Hebrew original. The words are shown in italics in the King James Version; this is an admission by the translators that they made the words up. Thus, if the KJV translators had been truly honest, they would have written: "Thou shalt this day be my son-in-law, in the twain."

In modern English, this might be written: "Today, you are son-in-law with two of my children" That would refer to both his son Jonathan and his daughter Michal. The Hebrew original would appear to recognize David and Jonathan's homosexual relationship as equivalent to David and Michal's heterosexual marriage. Saul may have approved or disapproved of the same-sex relationship; but at least he appears to have recognized it. The KJV highlight the re-writing of the Hebrew original by placing the three words in italics; the NIV translation is clearly deceptive. 

Part 2: 1 Sam 19:1-7 Jonathan Puts David Before his Family
Saul spoke with his son Jonathan and with all his servants about killing David. But Saul's son Jonathan took great delight in David. Jonathan told David, "My father Saul is trying to kill you; therefore be on guard tomorrow morning; stay in a secret place and hide yourself. I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are, and I will speak to my father about you; if I learn anything I will tell you." Jonathan spoke well of David to his father Saul, saying to him, "The king should not sin against his servant David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his deeds have been of good service to you; for he took his life in his hand when he attacked the Philistine, and the LORD brought about a great victory for all Israel. You saw it, and rejoiced; why then will you sin against an innocent person by killing David without cause?" Saul heeded the voice of Jonathan; Saul swore, "As the LORD lives, he shall not be put to death." So Jonathan called David and related all these things to him. Jonathan then brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence as before.

Part 3: 1 Sam 20:1-42 The Adventure - Jonathan Saves David
[Saul turns against David and tries to attack and kill him] David fled from Naioth in Ramah. He came before Jonathan and said, "What have I done? What is my guilt? And what is my sin against your father that he is trying to take my life?"
He said to him, "Far from it! You shall not die. My father does nothing either great or small without disclosing it to me; and why should my father hide this from me? Never!" But David also swore, "Your father knows well that you like me; and he thinks, 'Do not let Jonathan know this, or he will be grieved.' But truly, as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, there is but a step between me and death."
Then Jonathan said to David, "Whatever you say, I will do for you." David said to Jonathan, "Tomorrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king at the meal; but let me go, so that I may hide in the field until the third evening. If your father misses me at all, then say, 'David earnestly asked leave of me to run to Bethlehem his city; for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family.' If he says, 'Good!' it will be well with your servant; but if he is angry, then know that evil has been determined by him. Therefore deal kindly with your servant, for you have brought your servant into a sacred covenant with you. But if there is guilt in me, kill me yourself; why should you bring me to your father?"
Jonathan said, "Far be it from you! If I knew that it was decided by my father that evil should come upon you, would I not tell you?" Then David said to Jonathan, "Who will tell me if your father answers you harshly?" Jonathan replied to David, "Come, let us go out into the field." So they both went out into the field. Jonathan said to David, "By the LORD, the God of Israel! When I have sounded out my father, about this time tomorrow, or on the third day, if he is well disposed toward David, shall I not then send and disclose it to you? But if my father intends to do you harm, the LORD do so to Jonathan, and more also, if I do not disclose it to you, and send you away, so that you may go in safety. May the LORD be with you, as he has been with my father. If I am still alive, show me the faithful love of the LORD; but if I die, never cut off your faithful love from my house, even if the LORD were to cut off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth." Thus Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, "May the LORD seek out the enemies of David." Jonathan made David swear again by his love for him; for he loved him as he loved his own life.
Jonathan said to him, "Tomorrow is the new moon; you will be missed, because your place will be empty. On the day after tomorrow, you shall go a long way down; go to the place where you hid yourself earlier, and remain beside the stone there. I will shoot three arrows to the side of it, as though I shot at a mark. Then I will send the boy, saying, 'Go, find the arrows.' If I say to the boy, 'Look, the arrows are on this side of you, collect them,' then you are to come, for, as the LORD lives, it is safe for you and there is no danger. But if I say to the young man, 'Look, the arrows are beyond you,' then go; for the LORD has sent you away. As for the matter about which you and I have spoken, the LORD is witness between you and me forever."
So David hid himself in the field. When the new moon came, the king sat at the feast to eat. The king sat upon his seat, as at other times, upon the seat by the wall. Jonathan stood, while Abner sat by Saul's side; but David's place was empty. Saul did not say anything that day; for he thought, "Something has befallen him; he is not clean, surely he is not clean." But on the second day, the day after the new moon, David's place was empty. And Saul said to his son Jonathan, "Why has the son of Jesse not come to the feast, either yesterday or today?" Jonathan answered Saul, "David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem; he said, 'Let me go; for our family is holding a sacrifice in the city, and my brother has commanded me to be there. So now, if I have found favor in your sight, let me get away, and see my brothers.' For this reason he has not come to the king's table."
Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan. He said to him, "You son of a perverse, rebellious woman! Do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame, and to the shame of your mother's nakedness? For as long as the son of Jesse lives upon the earth, neither you nor your kingdom shall be established. Now send and bring him to me, for he shall surely die." Then Jonathan answered his father Saul, "Why should he be put to death? What has he done?" But Saul threw his spear at him to strike him; so Jonathan knew that it was the decision of his father to put David to death.
Jonathan rose from the table in fierce anger and ate no food on the second day of the month, for he was grieved for David, and because his father had disgraced him. In the morning Jonathan went out into the field to the appointment with David, and with him was a little boy. He said to the boy, "Run and find the arrows that I shoot." As the boy ran, he shot an arrow beyond him. When the boy came to the place where Jonathan's arrow had fallen, Jonathan called after the boy and said, "Is the arrow not beyond you?" Jonathan called after the boy, "Hurry, be quick, do not linger." So Jonathan's boy gathered up the arrows and came to his master. But the boy knew nothing; only Jonathan and David knew the arrangement. Jonathan gave his weapons to the boy and said to him, "Go and carry them to the city."
As soon as the boy had gone, David rose from beside the stone heap and prostrated himself with his face to the ground. He bowed three times, and they kissed each other, and wept with each other; David wept the more. Then Jonathan said to David, "Go in peace, since both of us have sworn in the name of the LORD, saying, 'The LORD shall be between me and you, and between my descendants and your descendants, forever.'" He got up and left; and Jonathan went into the city.

Part 4: 1 Sam 23:14-18 Jonathan and David Meet for the Last Time - and Renew Their Vows.
The pursuit of David has began] David remained in the strongholds in the wilderness, in the hill country of the Wilderness of Ziph. Saul sought him every day, but the LORD did not give him into his hand. David was in the Wilderness of Ziph at Horesh when he learned that Saul had come out to seek his life. Saul's son Jonathan set out and came to David at Horesh; there he strengthened his hand through the LORD. He said to him, "Do not be afraid; for the hand of my father Saul shall not find you; you shall be king over Israel, and I shall be second to you; my father Saul also knows that this is so." Then the two of them made a covenant before the LORD; David remained at Horesh, and Jonathan went home.

Part 5: 2 Sam 1:1-27 David's Lament for Jonathan
[David wins the struggle with Saul, but both Saul and Jonathan are killed] After the death of Saul, when David had returned from defeating the Amalekites, David remained two days in Ziklag. On the third day, a man came from Saul's camp, with his clothes torn and dirt on his head. When he came to David, he fell to the ground and did obeisance. David said to him, "Where have you come from?" He said to him, "I have escaped from the camp of Israel." David said to him, "How did things go? Tell me!" He answered, "The army fled from the battle, but also many of the army fell and died; and Saul and his son Jonathan also died."
Then David asked the young man who was reporting to him, "How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan died?" The young man reporting to him said, "I happened to be on Mount Gilboa; and there was Saul leaning on his spear, while the chariots and the horsemen drew close to him. When he looked behind him, he saw me, and called to me. I answered, 'Here sir.' And he said to me, 'Who are you?' I answered him, 'I am an Amalekite.' He said to me, 'Come, stand over me and kill me; for convulsions have seized me, and yet my life still lingers.' So I stood over him, and killed him, for I knew that he could not live after he had fallen. I took the crown that was on his head and the armlet that was on his arm, and I have brought them here to my lord."
Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them; and all the men who were with him did the same. They mourned and wept, and fasted until evening for Saul and for his son Jonathan, and for the army of the LORD and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.
David said to the young man who had reported to him, "Where do you come from?" He answered, "I am the son of a resident alien, an Amalekite." David said to him, "Were you not afraid to lift your hand to destroy the Lord's anointed?" Then David called one of the young men and said, "Come here and strike him down." So he struck him down and he died. David said to him, "Your blood be on your head; for your own mouth has testified against you, saying, 'I have killed the Lord's anointed.'"
NOTE: This is also a great point of where “Don’t Kill The Messenger” comes to mind…
2 Samuel 1:26: "I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother; you were very dear to me. Your love for me was wonderful, more wonderful than that of women.” In the society of ancient Israel, it was not considered proper for a man and woman to have a platonic relationship. Men and women rarely spoke to each other in public. Since David's only relationships with women would have been sexual in nature, then he must be referring to sexual love here. It would not make sense in this verse to compare platonic love for a man with sexual love for a woman; they are two completely different phenomena. It would appear that David is referring to his sexual love for Jonathan.


David intoned this lamentation over Saul and his son Jonathan
(He ordered that The Song of the Bow be taught to the people of Judah; it is written in the Book of Jashar.)
Your glory, O Israel, lies slain upon your high places! How the mighty have fallen!
Tell it not in Gath, proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon; or the daughters of the Philistines will rejoice, the daughters of the uncircumcised will exult.
You mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew or rain upon you, nor bounteous fields! For there the shield of the mighty was defiled, the shield of Saul, anointed with oil no more.
From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan did not turn back, nor the sword of Saul return empty.
Saul and Jonathan, beloved and lovely! In life and in death they were not divided:
they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.
O daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you with crimson, in luxury, 
who put ornaments of gold on your apparel.
How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan lies slain upon your high places. I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; greatly beloved were you to me; your love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.
How the mighty have fallen, and the weapons of war perished!

Part 6: 2 Sam 9:1-13 David Keeps his Vows to Jonathan
[Although they loved each other, both David and Jonathan also were married and had children. David made certain to support Jonathan' child, who was disabled and in need of protection.]
David asked, "Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul to whom I may show kindness for Jonathan's sake?" Now there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba, and he was summoned to David. The king said to him, "Are you Ziba?" And he said, "At your service!"
The king said, "Is there anyone remaining of the house of Saul to whom I may show the kindness of God?" Ziba said to the king, "There remains a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet." The king said to him, "Where is he?" Ziba said to the king, "He is in the house of Machir son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar." Then King David sent and brought him from the house of Machir son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar. Mephibosheth son of Jonathan son of Saul came to David, and fell on his face and did obeisance. David said, "Mephibosheth!" He answered, "I am your servant." David said to him, "Do not be afraid, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan; I will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul, and you yourself shall eat at my table always." He did obeisance and said, "What is your servant, that you should look upon a dead dog such as I?" Then the king summoned Saul's servant Ziba, and said to him, "All that belonged to Saul and to all his house I have given to your master's grandson. You and your sons and your servants shall till the land for him, and shall bring in the produce, so that your master's grandson may have food to eat; but your master's grandson Mephibosheth shall always eat at my table." Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. Then Ziba said to the king, "According to all that my lord the king commands his servant, so your servant will do." Mephibosheth ate at David's table, like one of the king's sons. Mephibosheth had a young son whose name was Mica. And all who lived in Ziba's house became Mephibosheth's servants. Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he always ate at the king's table. Now he was lame in both his feet.
These texts describe the relationship between David and Jonathan. You may not interpret them as homosexual, but I do, and I think I have valid reasons to do so. Note especially: the "friendship" between David and Jonathan. The relevant passages: 1 Samuel 18:1-4; 20:3-4, and especially, 20:41 and 2 Samuel 1:25-26, quoted here: "And as soon as the lad had gone, David rose from beside the stone heap and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed three times; and *they* (David and Jonathan) KISSED ONE ANOTHER, and wept with another, until David recovered himself" (1 Sam. 20:41 New International Version).  It's really amusing to see the Fundamentalists try to dismiss the obvious passion in this episode!
"(David speaks:) 'Jonathan lies slain... I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; very pleasant have you been to me; YOUR LOVE TO ME WAS WONDERFUL, PASSING THE LOVE OF WOMEN'" (2 Sam 1:25-26, New International Version)

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Is Being Gay A Sin? Part Six - Examples of Same Sex Couples in the Bible



Examples of Same-Sex Couples in The Bible
As Gay People, we are not given great role models, at least we haven’t been given consistently great role models as kids. Most generic people have tons of examples growing up, their parents, friends, other family, the Bible characters, sports celebrities, and the like. Well, the Bible describes three emotionally close relationships between two people of the same gender. They appear to have progressed well beyond a casual friendship. There is, however, no evidence that they were sexually active relationships. But there is no proof that they were NOT. The individuals are:

Ruth and Naomi
Ruth 1:16-17 and 2:10-11 describe their close friendship. Perhaps the best known passage from this book is Ruth 1:16-17 which is often read out during opposite-sex and same-sex marriage and union ceremonies:

"Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me." (NIV)

Ruth 1:14, referring to the relationship between Ruth and Naomi, mentions that "Ruth clave onto her." (KJV) The Hebrew word translated here as "clave" is identical to that used in the description of a heterosexual marriage in Genesis 2:24:

"Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." (KJV)  

This book was probably only included in the Hebrew Scriptures because King David was one of the descendents of Ruth. Although this same-sex friendship appears to have been very close, there is no proof that it was a sexually active relationship.

Daniel and Ashpenaz
Daniel 1:9 refers to Ashpenaz, the chief of the court officials of Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylon.

Various English translations differ greatly:
  • "Now God had caused the official to show favor and sympathy to Daniel" (NIV)
  • "Now God had brought Daniel into favor and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs" (KJV)
  • "Now God made Daniel to find favor, compassion and loving-kindness with the chief of the eunuchs" (Amplified Bible)
  • "Now, as it happens, God had given the superintendent a special appreciation for Daniel and sympathy for his predicament" (Living Bible)
  • "Then God granted Daniel favor and sympathy from the chief of the eunuchs" (Modern Language)
  • "Though God had given Daniel the favor and sympathy of the chief chamberlain..." (New American Bible)
  • "God made Ashpenaz want to be kind and merciful to Daniel" (New Century Version)
  • "And God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs" (Revised Standard Version)
  • "God caused the master to look on Daniel with kindness and goodwill" (Revised English Version)
Interpretation:
Religious conservatives generally view the friendship of Daniel and Ashpenaz as totally non-sexual. It is inconceivable that God would allow a famous prophet of Israel to be a homosexual.

Some religious liberals detect the possibility of a homosexual relationship here. The Hebrew words which describe the relationship between Daniel and Ashpenaz are chesed v'rachamim The most common translation of chesed is "mercy". V'rachamim is in a plural form which is used to emphasize its relative importance. It has multiple meanings: "mercy" and "physical love". It is unreasonable that the original Hebrew would read that Ashpenaz "showed mercy and mercy." A more reasonable translation would thus be that Ashpenaz "showed mercy and engaged in physical love" with Daniel. Of course, this would be unacceptable to later translators, so they substitute more innocuous terms. The KJV reference to "tender love" would appear to be the closest to the truth. One might question whether Daniel and Ashpenaz could sexually consummate their relationship. They were both eunuchs. Apparently, when males are castrated after puberty, they still retain sexual drive. It is interesting to note that no other romantic interest or sexual partner of Daniel was mentioned elsewhere in the Bible.

And of course, there is David and Jonathan. Their story will get its very own blog.


Is Being Gay A Sin?
We are in Part Six of the blog series, "Is Being Gay A Sin?" Are there any examples of gays in the Bible? Did the gays just spring into creation in the past 50 years? No. That's not feasible. Gays have always been around. Gays have been around since the dawn of time. They have not always been in the forefront, they have not always been celebrated, but they haven't always been quite THIS persecuted either. Greeks and Romans certainly had their tolerances and acceptances, and there are other cultures in the world that are quite ancient that had their moments. So... did the ancient Jews? Did the Judean God love his creation when they were gay? This religion and its systems are the foundation for today's modern Christianity. Were there any real examples and couples that were promoted from the Bible? In History? As a Christian, it is our duty to prayerfully study and understand what God was trying to communicate to His people, not only in ancient Hebrew times, the more recent Greek and Roman times, but througout ALL time.

Please read:

They will help you in reading this work in context and in the flow it was intended.

Cheers,
#JustBeingMichael

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