Back to Basics
It seems that a lot of the MSM is coming out against the Catholic Church's new policy on homosexual clergy. A priest in Arizona recently left the priesthood and called his presence there like being a Jew working for the Nazis. Everything I've heard coming out of the MSM in response to the new "Instruction" released by the Congregation for Catholic Education has been radically opposed and usually included some epithet about Nazis. But let's take a look at the heart of the matter.
Both in the Old Testament and the New, the Bible is very clear about the practice of homosexuality. In Exodus 20:13, the Bible says, "If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable." And this verbiage is repeated frequently. Also in the New Testament letter to the Romans (1:27), the Apostle Paul says, "In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion." So the Bible is very clear about its prohibition on the practice of homosexuality.
But the Bible also calls everyone to live a life of sexual purity -- not just for homosexuals, but also for heterosexuals. You'll notice my language above -- the practice of homosexuality is forbidden. The practice of any sexuality -- gay or straight -- is forbidden outside the bonds of marriage. The Bible requires the self-discipline of its believers in all aspects of their lives, and even more so in their sexual lives. This is the Biblical teaching about sexual purity.
Throughout the Bible those who are called to be preachers and teachers are called to live a life of purity and live that life to a higher standard than what is expected of the body of believers at large. How can a man lead if he does not live a life worthy of following?
Therefore, the new Catholic "Instruction" restricting the ordination or the acceptance of homosexuals as priests is very much in line with the teachings of the Bible. I give a lot of credit to Pope Bendict XVI for bringing the church back into line with the Bible. Most of the Catholic church's problems throughout the past 2,000 years have come when the church ignored or departed from the teachings of the Bible. And while this one edict will not miraculously heal the problems the Catholic church has been having with sexual abuse by clergymen, it is a start. I personally think they should also rescind the requirement of celibacy for its priests and reduce it to a strong recommendation. After all, the Apostle Peter -- the man the Catholics claim as their first Pope -- had a wife (1 Corinthians 9:5). But this is just my opinion.
Both in the Old Testament and the New, the Bible is very clear about the practice of homosexuality. In Exodus 20:13, the Bible says, "If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable." And this verbiage is repeated frequently. Also in the New Testament letter to the Romans (1:27), the Apostle Paul says, "In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion." So the Bible is very clear about its prohibition on the practice of homosexuality.
But the Bible also calls everyone to live a life of sexual purity -- not just for homosexuals, but also for heterosexuals. You'll notice my language above -- the practice of homosexuality is forbidden. The practice of any sexuality -- gay or straight -- is forbidden outside the bonds of marriage. The Bible requires the self-discipline of its believers in all aspects of their lives, and even more so in their sexual lives. This is the Biblical teaching about sexual purity.
Throughout the Bible those who are called to be preachers and teachers are called to live a life of purity and live that life to a higher standard than what is expected of the body of believers at large. How can a man lead if he does not live a life worthy of following?
Therefore, the new Catholic "Instruction" restricting the ordination or the acceptance of homosexuals as priests is very much in line with the teachings of the Bible. I give a lot of credit to Pope Bendict XVI for bringing the church back into line with the Bible. Most of the Catholic church's problems throughout the past 2,000 years have come when the church ignored or departed from the teachings of the Bible. And while this one edict will not miraculously heal the problems the Catholic church has been having with sexual abuse by clergymen, it is a start. I personally think they should also rescind the requirement of celibacy for its priests and reduce it to a strong recommendation. After all, the Apostle Peter -- the man the Catholics claim as their first Pope -- had a wife (1 Corinthians 9:5). But this is just my opinion.
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