The unscriptural position of 'gay but celibate'

The wedge of compromise is always driven in at the thin end, something that is as true when dealing with the issue of homosexuality as it is with any other matter. Many evangelical churches today still take a faithful stand against same sex marriage, and denounce all homosexual acts as sinful. Yet where the compromise is increasingly being found is on the issue of homosexual desires, with a growing acceptance of the 'gay but celibate' argument. The concept of 'living out' as a Christian has been promoted by men such as Sam Alberry, with the term 'same sex attracted Christians' replacing homosexual, and gaining an increased acceptance. In most cases the groups advancing this view are teaching that homosexual acts are sinful, however the matter of 'same sex attraction' itself is not necessarily so. Is this approach biblical and one that we can accept, and what should our response be to this agenda?

The primary concern with the term 'same sex attracted' (SSA) and the 'gay but celibate' argument is that it minimises the extent of sin. The word of God is clear that not only are our actions sinful, but also our thoughts and desires. In Matthew 5:28 Christ goes to the heart of the matter concerning sin, when dealing with the issue of adultery. In that verse he warns that 'whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery already with her in his heart'. To desire that which is sinful, is as much as to have committed the act itself. On no other moral issue would this same argument be given; would we approve and applaud the man who claimed that to continue in a state of desire for his neighbours wife was acceptable so long as he did not act on it? Why then accept the gay but celibate argument? Unlike heterosexual desires which have a legitimate outlet within marriage, there is no legitimate outlet for homosexual desires, but they are inherently sinful, and though they might never be acted upon those desires must also be repented of and rejected.

It used to be that the sin of homosexuality was a matter of shame. Ephesians 5:12 says that 'it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret'. Whilst this was once the case with homosexuality in the world, never mind the church, that is no longer so. That which Romans 1:27 described as 'unseemly', or shameful and indecent, is now spoken of openly. It is popular for 'SSA Christians' to talk of their struggles, and to bring greater focus on the topic of homosexual attraction. Where is the shame that was once associated with sin? Must we always talk publicly of our vices and temptations, revealing to the world the vile affections of our heart? The various sinful desires that continue to dwell within all of us should not be for public declaration, but rather for private mortification. Publicly identifying as a same sex attracted Christian bring unwanted publicity to a sin already being paraded every day by the world.

To argue for existing as a gay celibate Christian is also to argue against the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, and against the transforming power of the gospel. Whilst none of us will attain full sanctification and holiness in this life, the gospel brings a change to our lives, and as we grow in grace God's Spirit enables us to die more and more unto sin, and live more and more unto righteousness. We each struggle with our individual sins, but we do not make them the issue which identifies us. The gay but celibate position make that particular sin an inclination to be identified with, rather than one to be rejected. It implies that their desires cannot be changed, contrary to the words of the apostle Paul in 1st Corinthians 6:11 when he says ' such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus'. When we are in Christ we are new creatures, and 'old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new'. To continually identify in some way as gay or same sex attracted is to go against the fact that a Christian is a new creature, changed, and being changed by the power of God's Spirit.

The conservative section of evangelicalism will not easily accept practising homosexuals as active members of their church. The great danger is that the celibate gay Christian argument will help open the door towards a fuller acceptance of the sin of Sodom. There is no cause for anyone to declare themselves a gay but celibate Christian, for Christ has made provision to deliver us from all the power of sin. The line must be held fact on the issue of homosexuality, so let us not open the door to compromise by accepting this more subtle argument.