Expert: Phillip Senn - 2/19/2006

Question
Two simple questions; If a government were to impose the death penalty for homosexual behavior, wouldn't it be consistant with the bible? After all the bible is the word of God, some refer to the bible as calling it an abomination but stop short of saying what the penalty is, why? Also what do you think of Christians who support abortion, do they really think Jesus would find it acceptable? I find that most Christians I talk to are driven by convenience rather than conviction, they prefer to believe in a watered down, sugarcoated, editted version of what they think Christianity is, thank you.....Frank

Answer
Frank,

Thank you for your important questions.

The answer to your first question is "yes", it would be consistent with the teachings of the law to put to death those that would practice that type of behaviour. The same would be true concerning the woman that was taken in adultery. Jesus was approached by the Pharisees in an attempt to trap Him with the question concerning her. He simply stooped down, wrote something (we don't know what), then said to them, "Ye that are without sin, cast the first stone". The Christian's response is always to seek reconcilliation rather than destruction. The law was given to those who were already failing to meet God's expectations of them. Even today, that law condemns those that have not trusted in Christ. Our responsibility is to get the message of Christ to as many as possible, so that they can have Eternal Life, and not death.

In answer to your second question (this also goes along with the first), our response should always be to stand and boldly, but not pridefully, proclaim God's Word. His Word is clear that homosexuality and abortion are both wicked acts. They are sins against our Lord and what He stands for. Anyone, whether Christian or not, that encourages others to sin, are failing in their responsibility to Him. Not only so, but when we fail to take a stand against immorality, we fail Him also. Failure to stand is also a sin. That is why Scripture makes it clear that ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Our goal is to be more like Him, but we continue to fail in our performance. That is why we must humbly seek His face and ask Him to work in us to be what we need to be. Jesus said, "Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote (splinter) out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the  beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye."

Our first actions should be to examine ourselves. Then, and only then, will we be able to help those that have yet to examine themselves. That should always be our ultimate goal: to minister to others.

I hope this has been a ministry to you as we work together to reach people with the message of Christ.

With Love In Christ,
Phillip Senn