Looking for Scripture Explicitly Forbidding Same-Sex Marriage

[Tumah]

And what shall we do with poor David and Jonathan?

Wurt?

 

[Tumah]

What I notice from these two verses Rival posted is that the Bible aims these commands specifically at males. I think it's possible for it to be against male homosexuality while leaving room for lesbians. This would mean women have greater liberty sexually.

From a Jewish standpoint, this is true. And women are only prohibited to engage in homosexual acts by Rabbinical prohibition - which doesn't extend to non-Jews.

 

[Tumah]

Why would God possibly create people with a sin they can't rid themselves of and then condemn them to Hell for it?

Isn't every temptation a sin they can't rid themselves? That's why its called 'temptation'. I can spend my whole life genetically inclined to be attracted to my neighbor's wife as opposed to her husband, but I can't do a thing about it. Everyone has the areas of their life that are harder for them to overcome than others. Its striving against those things that makes us grow.
Hell is not a place to be condemned to. Hell is a place where you get cleansed for the things you couldn't repent for when you were alive. It is a negative thing with a positive purpose.

 

[Tumah]

That verse doesn't specifically forbid SSM though. The forbidding is implied.

From a Jewish POV, its not possible for a Jew to enter into an SSM, because Jewish marriage has certain religious requirements which can't be met in such a marriage (the first stage of marriage doesn't initiate with someone who its prohibited to have relations with, with the exception of a menstruating woman and a woman accused of adultery).

For non-Jews, the prohibition is listed among the 30 Noahide Laws.

IOW I don't even think its implied.

 

[B'ShemYeshua]

It's no secret that according the Bible god made woman for man, and that they should be together.

Genesis 2:22-24 NIV
22 Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
23 The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.”
24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.​

Or that while god doesn't like the idea of men and women having sexual relations, because he created them with sexual urges, it's best that they be married.

1 Corinthians 7:1-2 NIV
"1 . . .It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” 2 But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband.​

However, there are many people who never marry and seem to be quite accepted within the Christian faith. So marriage doesn't appear to be an absolute necessity in Christian theology and in practice. It's not a deal breaker. People don't have to get married to be good Christians.

This seems to be the sum and substance of God's regard for marriage.

1) It's not mandatory.

2) But does serves to forestall "sexual immorality"​

And while the Bible says God doesn't like homosexual activities He doesn't seem to condemn people for being homosexuals. Like wise, while He doesn't like the idea of heterosexuals having sex, (1 Corinthians 7:1-2 ) He doesn't condemn them for being heterosexuals.

So God doesn't really like people having sexual relations be they homosexual or heterosexual; however, He is willing to allow heterosexuals to indulge themselves if they marry one another.

As for homosexuals and their sexual urges________________ nothing! Nothing is said one way or the other about their sexual predicament. My suspicion is that in the scheme of things homosexuals just aren't significant enough to bother mentioning. HOWEVER, it is said in 1 Corinthians 7:8-9

8 Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do.
9 But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
​

which, in addressing unmarried heterosexuals, says that for the sake of one's self sexual control it is better to marry. Marriage, therefore, is treated as nothing more than a means of controlling sexual passion, which I think would reasonably apply to homosexuals as well. Marriage is but an accommodation.

In any case, unless I've missed something, . . .

There's nothing in the Bible specifically about homosexuals marrying
There's nothing in the Bible specifically about homosexuals not marrying.

The Bible is silent. So, just where do people get the idea that God is against same-sex marriage? Where is the scripture that explicitly forbids same-sex marriage?


.

In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul is saying that if you don't have enough self control to resist the temptation of fleshly desires of sexual satisfaction, then it is better for you to be married rather than to fall into sin to sexual immorality. For example, pornography prostitution, lust, masterbation, etc. Paul starts the chapter with "Now concerning the matter about which you wrote", we don't know the question that was asked only the response, but he goes on in vs. 6 to say " Now as a concession, not a command...". I agree with you in saying that it doesn't seem to be a deal breaker, it's not mandatory, as Paul lays out vs. 7 "...one of one kind and one of another".

As far as homosexuality is concerned this is a very big offense as laid out in scripture, they are condemned. Leviticus 18, speaks on the unlawful sexual relations, vs. 6-18 goes through not having sex with those that are close in family aspects. Then vs. 20 you shall not sleep with your neighbors wife, adultery, all these things are sin. Then in vs. 22 " You shall not lie with a male as with a woman, this is an abomination".
24Do not make yourselves unclean by any of these things, for by all these the nations I am driving out before you have become unclean, 25and the land became unclean, so that I punished its iniquity, and the land vomited out its inhabitants.

Leviticus 20:13 13If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.

Romans 1:
18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.
26For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.

This shows that their clearly was condemnation for homosexual acts. This abomination goes against the natural order. Marriage is far from an accommodation, it is a covenant between man and woman with instruction and consequences for not fulfilling your responsibilities. Marriage is so important to the Father that He mirrors it to the believers that are truly His in the end times. The are called the bride of Christ. He calls Israel, his bride on several occasions. Marriage is so dear to His heart that He will not answer a husbands prayer is he is now treating his wife fair.
1 Peter 3:7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with youa of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
Marriage is because when God made Adam, He said it is not good that he be alone. Our wives are our helpmate, our counsel, and when He gives us a wife, then He blesses us with a family. Which was the first commandment, be fruitful and multiply. Genesis 1:28; Psalm 127:4-5.

So the Bible does speak on the penalty of homosexuality. The Bible clearly lays out the instruction of marriage, husband and wife, blessing of children. The Father in Heaven, would never allow anything that is considered an abomination to be ok in his eyes. No matter what laws man puts in place.
Be blessed, I hope this helps.

 

[Skwim]

In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul is saying that if you don't have enough self control to resist the temptation of fleshly desires of sexual satisfaction, then it is better for you to be married rather than to fall into sin to sexual immorality.

No he's not. He makes the unqualified pronouncement, " It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” then, recognizing man's natural urges, he explains how one can get around this dictate: get married.

As far as homosexuality is concerned this is a very big offense as laid out in scripture, they are condemned.

Errr, care to reread what you wrote? You talk about homosexuality, a word commonly taken to denote homosexual activities, and then conflate it with "they" homosexuals, people who are attracted to those of the same sex. I'm not aware of the Bible condemning homosexuals, only homosexual activities: homosexuality.

So the Bible does speak on the penalty of homosexuality.

But not being a homosexual. Just as a heterosexual doesn't need to engage in heterosexual activities to be a heterosexual, neither does a homosexual need to engage in homosexual activities to qualify as a homosexual.

The Bible clearly lays out the instruction of marriage, husband and wife, blessing of children.

Don't care. I'm asking if the Bible explicitly condemns same-sex marriage. So far, nada.


.

 

[Deeje]

Marriage for ancient Hebrews changed over time, mainly because the Bible gives very little specifics about it. The Talmud is what expands on the idea of marriage, and that is reserved specifically for Jews (marriage for Jews, and marriage for Gentiles was different. Gentiles don't have to follow Jewish law, so the ideas change).

However, it wasn't by the simple act of a man taking a woman to the home he prepared for her. There were three conditions, through money, a contract, or sexual intercourse, and the woman has to give her consent.

Yes, I understand that, but the central and characteristic feature of the wedding itself was the solemn bringing of the bride from her father’s home to her husband’s home on the date agreed upon, in which act the significance of marriage as representing admission of the bride into the family of her husband found expression. (Matt 1:24) This constituted the wedding in patriarchal days before the Law. It was altogether a civil affair. There was no religious ceremony or form, and no priest or clergyman officiated or validated the marriage. The bridegroom took the bride to his house or to the tent or house of his parents. The matter was publicly made known, acknowledged, and recorded, and the marriage was binding. (Gen 24:67)

However, as soon as marriage arrangements had been made and the parties were engaged, they were considered bound in marriage. Lot’s daughters were still in his house, under his jurisdiction, but the men engaged to them were termed Lot’s “sons-in-law who were to take his daughters.” (Gen 19:14) Although Samson never married a certain Philistine woman but was only engaged to her, she was spoken of as his wife. (Judg 14:10, 17, 20) Mary and Joseph were not married but their betrothal was viewed as binding and needing a divorce to break it.

Marriages were registered. Under the Law marriages, as well as births resulting from the union, were recorded in the official records of the community. For this reason we have an accurate genealogy of Jesus Christ. (Matt 1:1-16; Luke 3:23-38; compare Luke 2:1-5)

As for the best atmosphere to raise a child. Study after study shows that the best atmosphere is within a two parent household that is stable, and loving. It doesn't matter the sex of the parents.

I disagree. Where I live, a well known business person has just transgendered from a husband and father of three, to a woman. Now, I'm sorry, but how doers that not mess up your children? What do they call this 'woman' now when they have called him Daddy all their lives? A child needs the balance of two parents, one male and one female. Role models are what shape future generations.

A married couple, in a committed relationship, who fight continually, or are drug addicts, is not the best atmosphere. The key is stable and loving.

A Christian marriage would obviously not involve drug addiction or domestic violence. If it does, it is obviously not a Christian marriage.

And while same-sex couples can't "naturally produce children," many opposite-sex couples also can't naturally produce children. So the point really seems moot.

I disagree.....The act that produces children, whether a couple are fertile or not, is not condemned by the Creator of the marriage arrangement. Unnatural sexual practices mock the reason why sex was given to create children and a family unit. It isn't the primary reason for the act....its purpose is noble.

Matthew 19:3-19...
"And Pharisees came to him intent on testing him, and they asked: “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife on every sort of grounds?” 4 In reply he said: “Have you not read that the one who created them from the beginning made them male and female 5 and said: ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and his mother and will stick to his wife, and the two will be one flesh’? 6 So that they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has yoked together, let no man put apart.” 7 They said to him: “Why, then, did Moses direct giving a certificate of dismissal and divorcing her?” 8 He said to them: “Out of regard for your hard-heartedness, Moses made the concession to you of divorcing your wives, but that has not been the case from the beginning. 9 I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except on the grounds of sexual immorality, and marries another commits adultery.”

Laws on marriage and divorce were important. So were laws on homosexuality.

Leviticus 17:22...
“‘You must not lie down with a male in the same way that you lie down with a woman. It is a detestable act."

If a Christian is gay, there is no room for him or her to practice what God condemns. There is no ambiguity there.

Jesus went on to say in Matthew 19:12....
"For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs on account of the Kingdom of the heavens. Let the one who can make room for it make room for it.”

Sometimes it requires a person to become a "eunuch" "on account of the kingdom of the heavens". A deliberate choice to remain unattached in order not to become unacceptable in the sight of a holy God. This is a big sacrifice, but then a sacrifice always costs us something. God is a rewarder of such sacrifices.

 

[Tumah]

However, as soon as marriage arrangements had been made and the parties were engaged, they were considered bound in marriage. Lot’s daughters were still in his house, under his jurisdiction, but the men engaged to them were termed Lot’s “sons-in-law who were to take his daughters.” (Gen 19:14).

Lot's daughters were not Jewish.

Although Samson never married a certain Philistine woman but was only engaged to her, she was spoken of as his wife. (Judg 14:10, 17, 20)

Samson was married to her. See verses 10 and 11. The seven day feast refers to the wedding feast.

Mary and Joseph were not married but their betrothal was viewed as binding and needing a divorce to break it.

Religious betrothal in Judaism refers to the first part of a two stage marriage ritual. Its legally binding and requires a writ of divorce (or death) in order to end it.

 

[The Emperor of Mankind]

Isn't every temptation a sin they can't rid themselves? That's why its called 'temptation'. I can spend my whole life genetically inclined to be attracted to my neighbor's wife as opposed to her husband, but I can't do a thing about it. Everyone has the areas of their life that are harder for them to overcome than others. Its striving against those things that makes us grow.
Hell is not a place to be condemned to. Hell is a place where you get cleansed for the things you couldn't repent for when you were alive. It is a negative thing with a positive purpose.

I'm referring to the Christian doctrine of Original Sin - that we are all inherently sinful, inclined towards evil and we are irredeemably Hell bound without a Hell-bound to take the burden & suffering of our sins on our behalf.

 

[Tumah]

I'm referring to the Christian doctrine of Original Sin - that we are all inherently sinful, inclined towards evil and we are irredeemably Hell bound without a Hell-bound to take the burden & suffering of our sins on our behalf.

Oh you were quoting Rival so I got confused.

 

[Rival]

Skwim's question is really never going to be answered to his satisfaction, because he's looking for a verse that simply isn't there. There is no specific verse that says 'homosexuals cannot marry.' However, Jewish Scripture is informed by Rabbinical commentary et al. and one must remember that the Torah is not the only source of Jewish teaching.

 

[meghanwaterlillies]

It's no secret that according the Bible god made woman for man, and that they should be together.

Genesis 2:22-24 NIV
22 Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
23 The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.”
24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.​

Or that while god doesn't like the idea of men and women having sexual relations, because he created them with sexual urges, it's best that they be married.

1 Corinthians 7:1-2 NIV
"1 . . .It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” 2 But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband.​

However, there are many people who never marry and seem to be quite accepted within the Christian faith. So marriage doesn't appear to be an absolute necessity in Christian theology and in practice. It's not a deal breaker. People don't have to get married to be good Christians.

This seems to be the sum and substance of God's regard for marriage.

1) It's not mandatory.

2) But does serves to forestall "sexual immorality"​

And while the Bible says God doesn't like homosexual activities He doesn't seem to condemn people for being homosexuals. Like wise, while He doesn't like the idea of heterosexuals having sex, (1 Corinthians 7:1-2 ) He doesn't condemn them for being heterosexuals.

So God doesn't really like people having sexual relations be they homosexual or heterosexual; however, He is willing to allow heterosexuals to indulge themselves if they marry one another.

As for homosexuals and their sexual urges________________ nothing! Nothing is said one way or the other about their sexual predicament. My suspicion is that in the scheme of things homosexuals just aren't significant enough to bother mentioning. HOWEVER, it is said in 1 Corinthians 7:8-9

8 Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do.
9 But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
​

which, in addressing unmarried heterosexuals, says that for the sake of one's self sexual control it is better to marry. Marriage, therefore, is treated as nothing more than a means of controlling sexual passion, which I think would reasonably apply to homosexuals as well. Marriage is but an accommodation.

In any case, unless I've missed something, . . .

There's nothing in the Bible specifically about homosexuals marrying
There's nothing in the Bible specifically about homosexuals not marrying.

The Bible is silent. So, just where do people get the idea that God is against same-sex marriage? Where is the scripture that explicitly forbids same-sex marriage?


.

If I read through it; which the bible seems to go around it like a historical record. It reads like it doesn't like gay along side with polygamy, seems to be under the grounds of rape and stemming of where rape is associated. And also an authority or authorities with a guide problem.
Also leads to murder, actually underneath that you tend to get a lot of abuses of women, of children and men period.

 

[atpollard]

The context of the entire verse though negates the idea that they can't enter the Kingdom of Heaven. First, the verse contains just a standard vice list. It contains things nearly everyone is guilty of. More so though, the very following verse states that those who are listening were guilty of those vices, and that there is salvation that can be found. So yes, they can enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Please.
What context completely reverses the explicit statement that those who live like this CAN NOT enter the Kingdom of Heaven to really mean that those who live like this CAN enter the Kingdom of Heaven?

This is nonsense and your reference to Greek is a red herring.
Feel free to reject what the Bible says, millions of people do, but at least be honest about what it says.

 

[Jainarayan]

I know friends who have been born again who thought they were born gay.

They're not changing, they're suppressing and denying. Sexually we are who we are. Nothing will change that.

 

[rusra02]

I believe God makes it clear that marriage is rightly only between a man and a woman. Since homosexual acts are clearly condemned in the Bible, it follows naturally that nothing like homosexual "marriage" was even considered, much less sanctioned or allowed, in the Bible. (1 Corinthians 6:9,10)

 

[rusra02]

I thought "go have sex and get knocked up" was literally like the first 'commandment'.

And what shall we do with poor David and Jonathan?

No evidence suggests that either David or Johnathan were homosexuals. Men can have deep affection for one another without any desire to commit homosexual acts, and so can women, IMO.

 

[Desert Snake]

It wasn't contextual to discipleship. Paul was quite clear that no one should marry, unless they couldn't keep their passions in check. In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul is speaking to the entire congregation, not just to disciples.

1 Corinthians 1:26
1 Corinthians 5:11

Here, he differentiates the Disciples, even from their family.
1 Corinthians 7:12-13

He is talking to a ''specific'' audience, this is made clear throughout the entire text; hence, why some of the rules seem out of the ordinary, so forth, or very specific.

 

[Jainarayan]

I believe God makes it clear that marriage is rightly only between a man and a woman.

Where?

 

[rusra02]

Where?

In the Genesis account. "And Jehovah God built the rib that he had taken from the man into a woman, and he brought her to the man. Then the man said:“This is at last bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh. This one will be called Woman, Because from man she was taken.” That is why a man will leave his father and his mother and he will stick to his wife, and they will become one flesh. (Genesis 2:22-24) I highlighted the words that indicate Jehovah originated the first marriage, and this marriage consists of a man and a woman, husband and wife. There was no provision for same-sex marriage in the Holy Scriptures, and sexual relations between persons of the same sex are strictly forbidden.

 

[Jainarayan]

In the Genesis account. "And Jehovah God built the rib that he had taken from the man into a woman, and he brought her to the man. Then the man said:“This is at last bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh. This one will be called Woman, Because from man she was taken.” That is why a man will leave his father and his mother and he will stick to his wife, and they will become one flesh. (Genesis 2:22-24) I highlighted the words that indicate Jehovah originated the first marriage, and this marriage consists of a man and a woman, husband and wife. There was no provision for same-sex marriage in the Holy Scriptures, and sexual relations between persons of the same sex are strictly forbidden.

Nope. It fails epically. That does not mean that marriage or joining is exclusively between a man and woman. Omission is not exclusion.