The Fallacy from Leviticus
Next is the fallacy from Leviticus and that homosexuality was condemned only under the OT Law. Cramer asks the question, “I wonder if Paget would thus view the eating of shrimp and pork to be a similar detestable sin based upon the clear evidence of Scripture.” (1)
Cramer is applying the same mistake that so many others make who desperately want the Bible to affirm homosexuality when it does not. Ray Paget did a solid job showing the NT teaching that homosexuality continues to be condemned as sin.(2) The truth is that homosexuality is called sin and condemned as sin from beginning to end in the Bible. There is no confusion over that on the pages of the Scripture. The confusion comes from teachers who intentionally and dishonestly distort what the Bible clearly says. Only an intentionally dishonest approach to these NT passages would in any way recast them as ambiguous or actually approving of homosexuality.
But in regards to this matter, a somewhat concise answer can be given. First, dietary laws are revoked in the NT but the law against homosexuality was not (Mark 7:18-23; Acts 10:14-15; Col 2:16; 1 Tim. 4:3-5). Secondly, the NT is not silent about homosexuality and rather continues to condemn it along with the OT (Rom. 1:26-27, 32; 1 Cor. 6:9). It needs to be understood with these first two points that God has the prerogative to establish and revoke laws as He sees fit. I assume Cramer would agree as he affirms the primacy of Scripture. This means that we agree that God is the One who has the authority to say what is holy and what is not. By His authority the dietary restrictions have ceased and by His authority homosexual restrictions have continued. Thirdly, Jesus Christ taught that what makes a man evil is not what goes into his stomach but rather what comes out of his heart and causes his evil actions (Mark 7:18-23). That’s why all food is now “clean” whereas behaviors (like homosexuality) continue to be called sin.
Cramer also makes the comment: “Surely he’d [Paget] say something about how we are under grace and so the laws of Leviticus no longer apply.”(3) Cramer’s statement is equivalent to saying that grace gives us freedom to do what we want. It is interesting that Cramer is making this point in regards to sexuality. This is exactly the kind of teacher and teachings that Jude warned the Church about when he said, “Dear friends although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.” Grace according to Cramer is a license for immorality.
But grace is not a license to live how we want. Grace is power to live apart from sin. Titus 2:12 says, “[Grace] teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.” Homosexuality would be an ungodly and worldly passion that grace empowers people to live separate from.
What’s worse is that if he is consistent with his approach to Scripture, then he would also say that everything in the OT law no longer applies. After all, he is the one who said, “we are under grace and so the laws of Leviticus no longer apply.” If Cramer applied that principle to the rest of Leviticus what would he say? Would he also say that adultery (Lev. 20:10), murder (Lev. 24:21), stealing (Lev. 19:11), lying (Lev. 19:11), incest (Lev. 18:6-10), sacrificing children (Lev. 18:21), bestiality (Lev. 18:23), and so on are now permitted because of “grace”? He should say “yes” if he is consistent with his logic.
But, if he would say “no”, then I would ask on what basis? Would he say “the teachings of the New Testament”? If so, then he would be inconsistent. He already rejects the NT where it agrees with Leviticus and condemns the practice of homosexuality. Would he then turn around and agree with the NT when it condemns the other things that are also in Leviticus? This would be grossly inconsistent. It would strongly suggest that he does not actually believe in the “primacy of Scripture”, but, rather in the primacy of his own opinions. It would seem that he is among those who intentionally distort God’s Word and use it selectively to fit their own agendas.
In conclusion of this point, it must be understood that the Law was to show forth the righteousness of God. Actions condemned by the law are condemned because they do not express the righteousness of God. Instead they are against the righteousness of God. Now, in Christ, we are no longer slaves of sin, but, slaves of righteousness (Romans 6:14). Grace, as already said, is not a license to live un-righteously, but, a license and a new power to live righteously. What is my hope for this community (including practicing homosexuals) is that all would see that God’s righteousness is unachievable by ourselves but attainable in Christ. In other words, because we are sinners, we cannot live up to God’s law because of our sin. Seeing this should then cause us to look to God for a righteousness that does not come by our own efforts and instead look in faith to the Lord Jesus Christ. By trusting in Him we will be given His righteousness (2 Cor. 5:21) that is acceptable to and worthy of God.
Romans 10:13-14 says, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the One whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” This is a message homosexuals desperately need to hear. I wonder how many homosexuals would call on the name of the Lord and be saved if they only heard the true Gospel? By not proclaiming the true Gospel and instead affirming them in their sin, Cramer is leading many homosexuals to destruction. He needs to repent.
(1)Cramer, Jared. “Scripture, sexuality and the Church’s call to faithfulness and reform.” The Grand Haven Tribune, [Grand Haven, MI] 24/06/2012: 24 Jun. 2012, http://www.grandhaventribune.com/content/cramer-scripture-sexuality-and-church%E2%80%99s-call-faithfulness-and-reform.
(2)Paget, Ray. “God’s sure Word in an unsure world.” The Grand Haven Tribune [Grand Haven, MI] 30/05/2012: 30 May 2012, http://www.grandhaventribune.com/content/guest-column-god%E2%80%99s-sure-word-unsure-world
(3)Cramer, Jared. “Scripture, sexuality and the Church’s call to faithfulness and reform.” The Grand Haven Tribune, [Grand Haven, MI] 24/06/2012: 24 Jun. 2012, http://www.grandhaventribune.com/content/cramer-scripture-sexuality-and-church%E2%80%99s-call-faithfulness-and-reform.
Next is the fallacy from Leviticus and that homosexuality was condemned only under the OT Law. Cramer asks the question, “I wonder if Paget would thus view the eating of shrimp and pork to be a similar detestable sin based upon the clear evidence of Scripture.” (1)
Cramer is applying the same mistake that so many others make who desperately want the Bible to affirm homosexuality when it does not. Ray Paget did a solid job showing the NT teaching that homosexuality continues to be condemned as sin.(2) The truth is that homosexuality is called sin and condemned as sin from beginning to end in the Bible. There is no confusion over that on the pages of the Scripture. The confusion comes from teachers who intentionally and dishonestly distort what the Bible clearly says. Only an intentionally dishonest approach to these NT passages would in any way recast them as ambiguous or actually approving of homosexuality.
But in regards to this matter, a somewhat concise answer can be given. First, dietary laws are revoked in the NT but the law against homosexuality was not (Mark 7:18-23; Acts 10:14-15; Col 2:16; 1 Tim. 4:3-5). Secondly, the NT is not silent about homosexuality and rather continues to condemn it along with the OT (Rom. 1:26-27, 32; 1 Cor. 6:9). It needs to be understood with these first two points that God has the prerogative to establish and revoke laws as He sees fit. I assume Cramer would agree as he affirms the primacy of Scripture. This means that we agree that God is the One who has the authority to say what is holy and what is not. By His authority the dietary restrictions have ceased and by His authority homosexual restrictions have continued. Thirdly, Jesus Christ taught that what makes a man evil is not what goes into his stomach but rather what comes out of his heart and causes his evil actions (Mark 7:18-23). That’s why all food is now “clean” whereas behaviors (like homosexuality) continue to be called sin.
Cramer also makes the comment: “Surely he’d [Paget] say something about how we are under grace and so the laws of Leviticus no longer apply.”(3) Cramer’s statement is equivalent to saying that grace gives us freedom to do what we want. It is interesting that Cramer is making this point in regards to sexuality. This is exactly the kind of teacher and teachings that Jude warned the Church about when he said, “Dear friends although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.” Grace according to Cramer is a license for immorality.
But grace is not a license to live how we want. Grace is power to live apart from sin. Titus 2:12 says, “[Grace] teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.” Homosexuality would be an ungodly and worldly passion that grace empowers people to live separate from.
What’s worse is that if he is consistent with his approach to Scripture, then he would also say that everything in the OT law no longer applies. After all, he is the one who said, “we are under grace and so the laws of Leviticus no longer apply.” If Cramer applied that principle to the rest of Leviticus what would he say? Would he also say that adultery (Lev. 20:10), murder (Lev. 24:21), stealing (Lev. 19:11), lying (Lev. 19:11), incest (Lev. 18:6-10), sacrificing children (Lev. 18:21), bestiality (Lev. 18:23), and so on are now permitted because of “grace”? He should say “yes” if he is consistent with his logic.
But, if he would say “no”, then I would ask on what basis? Would he say “the teachings of the New Testament”? If so, then he would be inconsistent. He already rejects the NT where it agrees with Leviticus and condemns the practice of homosexuality. Would he then turn around and agree with the NT when it condemns the other things that are also in Leviticus? This would be grossly inconsistent. It would strongly suggest that he does not actually believe in the “primacy of Scripture”, but, rather in the primacy of his own opinions. It would seem that he is among those who intentionally distort God’s Word and use it selectively to fit their own agendas.
In conclusion of this point, it must be understood that the Law was to show forth the righteousness of God. Actions condemned by the law are condemned because they do not express the righteousness of God. Instead they are against the righteousness of God. Now, in Christ, we are no longer slaves of sin, but, slaves of righteousness (Romans 6:14). Grace, as already said, is not a license to live un-righteously, but, a license and a new power to live righteously. What is my hope for this community (including practicing homosexuals) is that all would see that God’s righteousness is unachievable by ourselves but attainable in Christ. In other words, because we are sinners, we cannot live up to God’s law because of our sin. Seeing this should then cause us to look to God for a righteousness that does not come by our own efforts and instead look in faith to the Lord Jesus Christ. By trusting in Him we will be given His righteousness (2 Cor. 5:21) that is acceptable to and worthy of God.
Romans 10:13-14 says, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the One whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” This is a message homosexuals desperately need to hear. I wonder how many homosexuals would call on the name of the Lord and be saved if they only heard the true Gospel? By not proclaiming the true Gospel and instead affirming them in their sin, Cramer is leading many homosexuals to destruction. He needs to repent.
(1)Cramer, Jared. “Scripture, sexuality and the Church’s call to faithfulness and reform.” The Grand Haven Tribune, [Grand Haven, MI] 24/06/2012: 24 Jun. 2012, http://www.grandhaventribune.com/content/cramer-scripture-sexuality-and-church%E2%80%99s-call-faithfulness-and-reform.
(2)Paget, Ray. “God’s sure Word in an unsure world.” The Grand Haven Tribune [Grand Haven, MI] 30/05/2012: 30 May 2012, http://www.grandhaventribune.com/content/guest-column-god%E2%80%99s-sure-word-unsure-world
(3)Cramer, Jared. “Scripture, sexuality and the Church’s call to faithfulness and reform.” The Grand Haven Tribune, [Grand Haven, MI] 24/06/2012: 24 Jun. 2012, http://www.grandhaventribune.com/content/cramer-scripture-sexuality-and-church%E2%80%99s-call-faithfulness-and-reform.
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