Homosexuality
Q: Is being gay sinful? If it is, how can this be when you are born that way? (~LS, Tennessee; Jan. 2008)
A: First of all, thank you for your question to our website. Yes, homosexuality is a sin (Lev. 18:22; 20:13; Rom. 1:24-32; 1 Cor. 6:9-10; 1 Tim. 1:10). Sodom and Gomorrha were destroyed for "going after strange flesh" (Jude 7). God does not approve of homosexuality.
People are not born homosexual. In condemning homosexuality, Paul wrote, "even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature" (Rom. 1:26). Notice, these women were not born that way, they changed! Paul listed several sins that will keep people from the kingdom of heaven, including homosexuality, and said, "And such were some of you" (1 Cor. 6:11).
Homosexuality is condemned by God. Just as all other sins, a person has the ability to choose to engage in the its' activity or not.
Drinking Alcoholic Beverages
Q: Is it wrong to drink intoxicating wines?
A: Yes, it is wrong to drink intoxicating wines (Prov. 20:1; 23:29-35; 1 Pet. 4:3). Paul warned that drunkards will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:10; Gal. 5:21).
Q: The Bible says that it is wrong to get drunk, I can drink an occasional beer at a ballgame or social function, right?
A: Wrong! 1 Peter 4:3 reads, "For in the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries." The three highlighted items in the list (excess of wine, revellings & banquetings) describe three different stages of the indulgence of intoxicating beverages. The "excess of wine" refers to being drunken and out of control of one's senses; "revellings" refers to the stage of drunkenness that one becomes the life of the party while he yet has some control of his senses, this term is often described as 'buzzed'; "banquetings" refers to drinking in a social atmosphere, whether it be wine at dinner, a beer at the ballgame, or a beer in the backyard. The drinking of all intoxicants is condemned as sin in the Bible.
Q: If drinking alcohol is wrong, why did Jesus turn water into wine?
A: Yes, Jesus did turn water into wine (Jn. 2:1-10). However, the word "wine" is used in the Bible to describe both fermented and unfermented grape juice. There is no biblical evidence to believe that He created fermented wine at the marriage feast. In fact, we read, "Woe unto him that giveth his neighbor drink" (Hab. 2:15). Since Jesus condemned drunkenness, does it seem logical that He would not only allow the indulgence in, but provide for, an activity that has eternal consequences? Since Jesus lived a sinless life, we can be confident that He did not transgress God's law by giving his neighbor drink.
Isiah 65:8 says, "As the new wine is found in the cluster..." calling the juice contained within the grape still on the vine as 'wine.' With this proof text, we can know that all wine is not that which has been fermented. Jesus did not create an intoxicant at the Wedding Feast in John 2.
Q: If drinking alcohol is a sin, why did Paul tell Timothy to drink wine?
A: Timothy had a stomach problem. It was said to be a "frequent sickness" (1 Tim. 5:23). Therefore, Paul told him to try a little wine. There are two important factors to consider: (1) There is no biblical evidence to believe that this was fermented wine. (2) This was suggested for medicinal purposes. If this was alcoholic wine, it was strictly used for medicinal reasons.
One other point to consider in this instance, Timothy recognized the Lord's will concerning the affects of intoxicants that it took a command from an apostle to consider the use of wine for a medicinal use.
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