Page 990 … Truth #2: Clobbering the Clobbers – 1 Corinthians
°Clobber Passage E) 1 Corinthians 6 … This is another passage frequently used by conservatives to rationalize judging homosexuals to be “sinners”. It states in part that, “Fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, sodomites, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, revilers, robbers—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10) … Here, once again, I can understand why someone biased against homosexuality would feel justified in using this verse to sanctify their condemnatory agenda, and yet – as is so often the case – a closer examination of the Scriptures reveals quite a different story … Consider first of all that it is not homosexuals or homosexual couples (or even homosexual desires) that are condemned in this passage, but rather arsenokoites – a Greek word (translated as “sodomites” in some texts – and incorrectly as “homosexuals” in others) that literally means “a male who is engaging in same-gender sexual activity” (see Strong’s #733) … As such, once again, we here have a verse that does not apply whatsoever to homosexuals who are not actively engaged in homosexual sex, and thus a verse that does not apply at all to the original image of Oliver Clyde Allen and his husband that started this conversation – and thus a verse that cannot be used to rationalize not going to hear Oliver preach the Word of God on Sundays!
Secondly, these two verses have Paul listing quite a few other equally “wicked” sins that also keep those committing them from entering the Kingdom of God – among them adultery, greed, drunkenness, slander, and swindling. Especially in light of Jesus redefinition of adultery to include all those who even so much as fantasize about sleeping with someone other than their husband or wife (see Matthew 5:27-28), these other, primarily heterosexual transgressions are far more common and indeed far more insidious than homosexual sex is or will ever be. And as such, it is a clear expression of bigotry (and for most, a clear expression of hypocrisy as well) to focus solely on the latter one at the exclusion of the former many …
(Refer as well to 1 Corinthians 6:13-18 – where Paul focuses not on gay sex or homosexuality at all, but rather condemns all forms of fornication as the sin that all of us should first & foremost avoid. In addition, Galatians 5:19-21 has Paul also blasting the sins of hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy – many of which are committed by conservative Christians every time they themselves condemn homosexuals!)
Thirdly & finally, and for this thread most importantly, while 1 Corinthians 6:9–10 does include “sodomites” in a list of those who will not have a part in God’s Kingdom, verse 11 goes on to say, “Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.” And this verse is very important for the following reason: this thread is not about gays in general, but is specifically about two Christian gays (one of them an ordained minister, no less). As such, according to this very verse, Oliver Clyde Allen has already been appropriately “washed”, “sanctified” and “justified” – and this, even according to conservatives’ own interpretation of the Scriptures! For this reason alone, any fellow Christian should feel able to humble him or herself and go listen to him preach!