Homosexuality and Christianity have become one of the fiercest cultural battlegrounds in the church today. While progressive Christians try to reinterpret Scripture to fit modern sexual ethics, God’s Word remains clear and unchanging.”
Few topics spark as much tension and misunderstanding as homosexuality and Christianity. This isn’t just an abstract cultural debate for me — it’s something I’ve lived. I’ve wrestled with same-sex attraction for years, not as a casual struggle but as a daily, deep, physical longing. Because of that, I can speak on this issue from both sides — the personal and the biblical.
I’ve heard every argument progressive Christians use to twist Scripture into affirming homosexuality. I’ve felt the emotional pull of those arguments. But I’ve also seen clearly what God’s Word actually says. And no matter how much culture shifts, truth doesn’t.
Recent polling shows just how divided American Christians are on this issue (Pew Research). But the truth of Scripture is not decided by majority vote.
I. Why I Can Speak to This
I don’t approach this topic from a pedestal but from the trenches. I know what it’s like to feel unwanted desires that conflict with biblical teaching. I know what it’s like to want to believe that God’s Word might say something different — something that would make the struggle easier.
But I also know this: temptation is not sin, and conviction is not condemnation. The fact that I still wrestle with same-sex attraction does not make God’s Word less true. If anything, it makes me cling to it more tightly.
I share this because too often, discussions on homosexuality are polarized between angry moralists and progressive affirmers. Very few speak from within the struggle — choosing obedience to Christ while feeling the real weight of this battle.
II. How Progressive Christianity Rewrites Scripture on Homosexuality and Christianity
Progressive Christianity doesn’t usually deny the Bible outright. Instead, it reinterprets it to make it say what culture already believes. Rather than letting Scripture interpret Scripture, they read modern ideas back into the text.
Nowhere is this more obvious than in Romans 1:26–27, where Paul describes same-sex relations as part of humanity’s rebellion against God. Progressive teachers try to turn this clear passage into something culturally acceptable. But their reinterpretations crumble when examined carefully.
The same happens with Leviticus 18 and Jesus’ teachings in Matthew 19, where He reaffirms God’s original design for sex: one man and one woman in a lifelong covenant.
III. Common Progressive Claims and Biblical Rebuttals
Below are some of the most common arguments progressive Christians make to affirm homosexuality — and why each one fails when tested against Scripture. For an additional biblical overview, see GotQuestions.org.
1. “Jesus Never Mentioned Homosexuality.”
Why this fails: Silence does not equal approval. Jesus didn’t specifically mention incest or bestiality either, but no one claims He affirmed those behaviors.
Biblical Response: In Matthew 19:4–6, Jesus clearly affirms God’s design for sex and marriage as being between a man and a woman, quoting Genesis. He didn’t need to list every distortion of that design — He defined the standard.
My Perspective: I understand why people want to lean on Jesus’ “silence” — because it feels kinder and less costly. But His words about marriage are crystal clear, and they don’t leave room for affirming homosexual relationships.
2. “Leviticus Doesn’t Apply Today.”
Why this fails: This argument confuses ceremonial, civil, and moral law. Yes, the ceremonial and civil laws of ancient Israel were fulfilled in Christ. But moral laws — including sexual ethics — are reaffirmed in the New Testament.
Biblical Response: Leviticus 18:22 calls homosexual acts an “abomination.” Romans 1 and 1 Corinthians 6:9–11 reaffirm that sexual sin of any kind is incompatible with God’s design.
My Perspective: You can’t just cut out the parts of Scripture you don’t like. If moral law no longer applied, we’d also have to throw out prohibitions against things like adultery or lying.
3. “Paul Didn’t Understand Orientation.”
Why this fails: This argument assumes Paul was ignorant of same-sex attraction or committed homosexual relationships, but history proves otherwise. Ancient Greco-Roman culture was filled with same-sex relationships. Paul knew what he was addressing.
Biblical Response: Paul wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16). To say he was “wrong” is to say God was wrong — and that’s a line no Christian should cross.
My Perspective: Progressive Christians want to dismiss Paul because it’s the easiest way to avoid the text. But if we pick and choose which inspired Scriptures to believe, we’ve stopped following God and started following ourselves.
4. “It’s About Abuse, Not Loving Relationships.”
Why this fails: Romans 1 doesn’t describe abuse. It describes people exchanging God’s design for their own desires. Paul condemns consensual same-sex relations as part of human rebellion.
Biblical Response: Romans 1:26–27 explicitly says “men committed shameless acts with men” — consensual, mutual acts — and calls it sin.
My Perspective: Redefining Scripture to mean something it doesn’t is not love. It’s deception.
5. “Love Makes It Okay.”
Why this fails: Culture has redefined love as self-fulfillment. But biblical love is rooted in obedience to God and holiness.
Biblical Response: John 14:15 — “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” Love doesn’t make sin holy. God’s holiness defines love.
My Perspective: I know the ache of wanting love and intimacy deeply. But God doesn’t affirm everything we desire. He calls us to obedience that often costs us something real.
6. “The Word ‘Homosexuality’ Wasn’t in the Bible Originally.”
Why this fails: True — the English word “homosexuality” is modern. But the concept is ancient, and the Greek words used (arsenokoitai, malakoi) in 1 Corinthians 6:9–10 and elsewhere clearly refer to homosexual acts.
Biblical Response: The absence of a modern term doesn’t change what the original text condemns.
My Perspective: This is semantic smoke and mirrors. The meaning of the text is clear, whether or not our English vocabulary matches perfectly.
7. “The Church Changed on Slavery and Women.”
Why this fails: These are false parallels. Scripture never affirmed slavery as morally good; it regulated a fallen institution. And the Bible affirms the equal worth of men and women. But Scripture consistently calls homosexual behavior sin — Old and New Testament.
Biblical Response: God’s design for sex and marriage has never changed.
My Perspective: Progressive Christianity often tries to repackage rebellion as “progress.” But twisting Scripture is not progress; it’s regression back into sin.
8. “It’s Just Interpretation.”
Why this fails: Not all interpretations are valid. Scripture interprets Scripture, and its meaning is not infinitely flexible. Progressive interpretations rely on twisting, ignoring context, or dismissing the text altogether.
Biblical Response: 2 Peter 1:20–21 reminds us Scripture is not subject to private interpretation.
My Perspective: If truth is whatever anyone wants it to be, then it’s not truth anymore.
IV. Truth Is Not Hate
Progressive Christianity often accuses orthodox Christians of being hateful simply for affirming biblical teaching. But telling the truth is not hatred.
If anything, affirming someone in a lie that separates them from God is the ultimate cruelty. It is because I know this struggle personally that I can say: God’s commands are not cruel. They’re loving — even when they cut against my desires.
Real love warns. Real love tells the truth. Real love points people to the cross. (See Christianity & Cancel Culture for how cultural hostility often silences biblical conviction.)
V. God’s Design Is Unchanging
Culture shifts, language evolves, movements rise and fall. But God’s design stands firm.
In Genesis 1–2, God created humanity male and female and established marriage between a man and a woman. Jesus affirmed this in Matthew 19. Paul reaffirmed it in Romans. God hasn’t changed His mind.
This is not about winning a culture war. It’s about holding fast to the unchanging truth of Scripture in an age where even parts of the church are compromising.
I know firsthand the cost of obedience in this area. But I also know this: no matter what the world or progressive Christians say, the truth will always be worth it.
For further reflection, see Why Surrogacy for Gay Couples Is Selfish: A Biblical Perspective on Parenthood.
Arch Kennedy
Bold, Unfiltered, and Unafraid
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Yet another truthful and inspiring post, Arch! Keep them coming!
Jesus died for me so I can be forgiven of this sin, and other sins as well. His designs perfectly. My brokenness was paid for at the cross. Yes I do have mind battles over this but I know he will never leave Mr nor forsake me.
Yes, He paid for our brokenness — but He didn’t die so we could stay in it. Grace always calls us to repentance.
The Bible states that people are known by their deeds, which are considered a reflection of their inner character and faith. True faith is meant to be demonstrated through actions, and God will judge people based on what they have done. However, the Bible also teaches that good deeds should not be done to seek praise from others, but should instead be a result of God’s influence and be done for His glory.
Jesus taught that people will be judged by their actions, as stated in Matthew 7:20: “by their fruits you will know them”
Good deeds are a result of salvation, not the cause: salvation is a gift of grace and isn’t earned through performance, but good deeds should be a natural by-product of a life transformed by God’s kingdom.
Revelation 2:19 says: “I know your deeds – your love, your faith, your service, your perseverance – and your latter deeds are greater than your first”.
God sees and values the growth and perseverance in your actions over time.
Thanks for providing a clear breakdown of claims and rebuttals. This is very helpful.
Establishing a genuine relationship with Christ is most beneficial in approaching sin. It takes dedication, faith, patience and practice.
Excellent article Arch! I shared this as well