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Question and Answer | Gender and Homosexuality

What does Paul have to say about gender and homosexuality?

The rejection of both authority and absolute truth are characteristic of the postmodern age in general, and of the millennial generation in particular. Unfortunately, authority today is often associated with “oppression” rather than “order.” Meaning is considered relative rather than objective, even though people think their relativistic beliefs are absolute. Therefore, it is not that millennials actually reject authority; instead, they are substituting one authority for another they find acceptable: Their own authority. That is, in saying, “Paul is wrong; I cannot believe him,” in effect they are placing their judgment over the words of Paul; they are placing themselves in authority over Scripture. So, wisely, one should ask a Christian millennial who rejects the authority of Scripture, “Should I therefore agree with the authority of your words, or the authority of those who have determined that their belief is greater than the words of Paul?”

The goal is not to banter back and forth endlessly with a fool, as Proverbs indicate (Prov. 26:4–5; 29:9). Instead, the intent is to help the millennial see that their basis for rejecting Scripture is a preference to believe something palpable; it is not that Scripture is wrong, but that the millennial doesn’t like how this instruction feels. Again, therefore, it would then be good to ask such a Christian millennial another question: “Do you believe the words of Romans 10:13: ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved?’”

If yes, then the person should embrace the rest of Paul’s words as equally true. If no, then the person needs you to explain the gospel to them.

BY Dr. Eric C. Redmond

Dr. Eric C. Redmond serves as a professor of Bible at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago and as associate pastor of adult ministries at Calvary Memorial Church in Oak Park, Ill. He is married to Pam and they have five children. He is the author of Say It!  Celebrating Expository Preaching in the African American Tradition (Moody Publishers), Where Are All the Brothers? Straight Answers to Men's’ Questions about the Church (Crossway), a commentary on Jonah in the Christ-Centered Exposition Series (B&H Publishers), and a study guide on Ephesians in the Knowing the Bible series (Crossway).

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