I encourage you to check out my collection of articles addressing the claims of famous leaders in the ex-vangelical or progressive Christian movement, a movement that is Christian in name only. They all have similar messages, and they're having a powerful influence in our world. Beware of Ex-vangelical Teachings.
When I read Bart Ehrman's article called Jesus and "Homosexuality", it was filled with such erroneous claims that I could not help but write this article refuting them.
Ehrman Claims Jesus said nothing about LGBTQ relationships
Ehrman's first claim:
“I start with Jesus. And here the conversation is quite easy. In our surviving records Jesus says nothing about same-sex acts or sexual orientation. Nothing. Nada.” ~ Ehrman
I'll let Jesus respond to Ehrman:
“Haven’t you read,” [Jesus] replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Matthew 19:4-5 ~ Jesus
Jesus defines marriage and sexual intimacy between one man and one woman, pointing out that it's how God created us, and how God joins us in marriage.
If Ehrman only trusts what Christ says, he should also trust what He doesn't say. Christ knew how controversial this subject would become. If Christ had wanted to affirm gay relationships, He would have addressed them specifically so we wouldn't trust all of the Old Testament and New Testament commands that call gay lifestyles sinful, harmful, unnatural, and shameful. To read those passages see: What Scripture Says about Homosexuality.
Name-calling
Joel Osteen followers might believe his statement about personal wealth, but they don't represent conservative evangelicals. And I'm not aware of any Christians who oppose government programs to help the poor. What Ehrman is doing is bigoted stereotyping, claiming that if you don't agree with his specific political views about the handling of welfare, you don't believe in helping the poor. And what does that have to do with the subject of his article? Nothing.
Abortion
And the irrelevancy continues as Erhman emphasizes abortion claiming that Jesus says “NOTHING about abortions,” so being pro-life is “nonsense.” Ehrman continues: “Jesus never says that abortion is murder, and the vast majority of people in the ancient world (or in the world throughout history) did *not* consider it murder.” [I'm not sure why Ehrman uses asterisks in this way.]
Even though abortion is the taking of an innocent life, Ehrman claims it's not murder unless Jesus specifically mentions it as such. If we follow Erhman’s reasoning, the only thing that could be defined as murder is killing someone with a sword since that's the only thing Christ specifically mentions (Matthew 26:52), and he does that indirectly.
Jesus doesn't mention abortion, but neither does he mention, shooting, poisoning, beating, or pushing someone off a cliff. So, according to Ehrman's logic, those things must not be murder either.
His second proof that abortion is okay is just as indefensible as the first. Ancient cultures approved of many evil things. In fact, many of them promoted burning children alive on altars to their gods. But since when has God told us to look to culture for our ideas of right and wrong?
Scripture tells us this:
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2
Erhman Defines Christians with NY Times Best Seller
Next, Erhman makes another illogical comparison, claiming that conservative Christianity is perfectly described in the New York Times best seller, Killing Jesus. He purports that this book written by two Catholic journalists, perfectly represents the "core" belief of conservative Christians. And what is our core belief? The belief that Jesus’ main message is small government and lower taxes.
I would think Ehrman would be embarrassed by such a claim, but he's not. I have been a conservative Christian for almost 50 years and I have never once heard any Christian say anything remotely similar to this statement.
Ehrman's Claim about Good Works Salvation
“Jesus is crystal clear on this point. He addresses the matter directly and he states his message explicitly. Just read Matthew 25:31-46. Inheriting the Kingdom has NOTHING to do with small government or taxes, NOTHING to do with views about or abortion or having an abortion or supporting abortion; NOTHING to do with same-sex relations or sexual orientation. NOTHING. Those who enter the kingdom will be those who help people in need…” [capitalization is Ehrman's]
If Matthew 25:31-46 was the complete Bible, then we would have to agree with Erhman that no matter how much we sin and no matter how much we deny Christ, we’ll get to heaven as long as we help those in need.
But it's not the whole Bible, and since Ehrman only appears to trust the words of Christ, I've listed a few of the many quotes of Christ that refute Ehrman's claims:
“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.” Matthew 5:21-26
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.” Matthew 5:27-31
“But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:36-37
I could offer more Scriptural proof that Ehrman’s claims are pure propaganda, but these are sufficient. And lest you think Ehrman is unaware of the many passages which refute his claims, think again. He has multiple theological degrees, and he once called himself an evangelical.
Ehrman Can't Stick to the Subject
Lastly, I'd like to point out that even though Ehrman titled his article “Jesus and Homosexuality,” he barely addressed the subject. He has more articles to follow, but it's significant that he introduced the subject of homosexuality by talking about abortion, New York Time best sellers, politics, and his low view of Christians.
He admits he's not a Christian, but none-the-less, he will one day “give account on the day of judgment for every empty word” he’s spoken. And by his words, he will be acquitted or condemned, no matter how much he gave to the poor.
Photo: Creative Commons
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