Resolution 80:02: The Proliferation of Sexual Perversions
King Solomon, by divine inspiration, taught that there is nothing new under the sun. Fallen humanity is rife with sexual perversion; this is nothing new. In all ages, the Church of Jesus Christ must faithfully address these issues with both the Law of God (which condemns) and the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ (by which God saves sinners, including the sexually perverse). Our desire is, in this generation, to witness faithfully to God’s holy standards and also to the redeeming power of Jesus Christ.
God created humanity after His own image, in two genders (male and female) with the command to multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it (Genesis 1:26-8). This fundamental biblical assertion about human sexuality implicitly rules out homosexuality, revealing it as a clear perversion of God’s created natural order. God, however, does not leave us to inference, for homosexuality is explicitly condemned numerous times in the Scripture (Leviticus 18:22, Romans 1:24-7), as are many other sexual (and other) sins.
God’s creation of humanity in two genders also implies that gender categories are set and not fluid: God created them male and female, not male or female. Again, and quite thankfully, God does not leave us without more direct testimony in His Word. In Deuteronomy 22:5, God is clear that He wants His men not only to be men, but even to look like men, and the same for His women. This sentiment is reinforced in the New Testament when Paul instructs men and women regarding their appearance and garb in worship (1 Corinthians 11:2-16). The categories of man and woman are, therefore, distinct. The idea that one could “become” or “identify as” a member of the other sex is “against nature.” That is, transgenderism and similar perversions are against God’s created order (Romans 1:26, 1 Corinthians 11:14) and are under the wrath of Almighty God.
Sexual perversions (including heterosexual ones) and people who practice them are under the wrath of almighty God: “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor drunkards, no revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). These sinful perversions lead to death and eternal condemnation. Accordingly, the offices of the Bible Presbyterian Church are not open to those who practice such perversions. Further, any church member engaged in these who remains unrepentantly involved would be subject to church discipline.
The Fall of mankind into sin opened the floodgates to all manner of wickedness, including sexual perversion. Thus, there are people who are confused about their own sexuality. This confusion tortures people inwardly and also sets them at odds with a just society. These struggles are real and painful. We, therefore, with compassion and deep sympathy for those who are confused about their own sexuality must testify to the truth of God. We speak of God’s condemnation, but we must also speak of God’s amazing grace. After asserting that the sexually immoral (along with all other non-repentant sinners) will not inherit the kingdom of God, Paul goes on to offer true hope: “And such were some of you [Corinthian Christians]. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11). There is hope for all sinners, including homosexuals and those confused about their own sexuality, in Jesus Christ and in Him alone. We, therefore, admonish and plead with those caught in this trap of sexual perversion to turn from and reject these sins, and to look in faith to the crucified, risen Lord Jesus Christ. In Him, there is reconciliation with God and power to overcome sin.
Many politicians and social activists have capitalized on this sexual confusion, attempting to foist much sexual perversion upon the populace, seeking to normalize all manner of perversion. These wicked leaders especially target impressionable children. This is deplorable before God and an offense to humanity. These leaders will be held accountable by God himself. Instead of helping the poor, confused souls, such leadership prefers to use these people for their own aims. These most wretched leaders fall under the prophet Isaiah’s condemnation: “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter” (Isaiah 5:20)! Their condemnation is just. And, yet, they are not beyond redemption, if they would humble themselves, repent of their vile wickedness, and turn to the Lord of life and forgiveness, Jesus Christ.
Be it, therefore, resolved by the 80th General Synod of the Bible Presbyterian Church, meeting in Cincinnati, Ohio, August 4-9, 2016, that we affirm God’s created order (revealed in nature and in Scripture) and reject the proliferation of sexual perversions which have arisen and gained popularity in our day. We affirm the saving power of Jesus Christ, and we call such sinners to turn from the path of utter destruction to the joy and salvation, reconciliation and peace of Jesus Christ.
Be it further resolved that the same General Synod of the Bible Presbyterian Church, in the name of God Almighty, calls upon all civil rulers to use their authority to protect the vulnerable, particularly women and children, from sexual predators masquerading as “transgendered” in our public facilities.