Marvin L. Weir
In a 1996 Dallas Morning News the Viewpoints section contained a pathetic article written by Candace Talmadge. The article identifies her as a “therapist and writer who lives in Lancaster.” I have no knowledge pertaining to her skills or lack thereof as a therapist, but I can emphatically state that she has absolutely no business writing about spiritual matters. It is a sad commentary that we live in a society where many people have a disdain for the Bible, God’s authority and the church of our Lord.
Let me put things in perspective. The Turtle Creek Chorale and the Women’s Chorus of Dallas were scheduled to perform at First Baptist Church of Dallas until the church found out that approximately 75 percent of both musical groups were sodomites. The First Baptist Church announced that neither group would be allowed to perform as “they symbolize a lifestyle the church finds contrary to God’s Word.” The First Methodist Church graciously volunteered to host the two groups that the Baptist church rejected. Even though both denominations are steeped in religious error, the Baptists were correct in stating that sodomy is contrary to the Word of God. It is amazing as to the depth in which the Methodist church has sunk over the years. John Wesley would no doubt be appalled at the so called “tolerance” of the Methodist church today. Almost thirty years have passed since this incident occurred, and this unnatural sin continues to flourish today. The Holy Scriptures continue to be twisted and perverted by many people who want to allow rather than condemn what the Lord calls an abomination or sin (Acts 13:10; Gal. 1:7; Prov. 31:5).
But all is well because we have Candace Talmadge’s spin on the Scriptures that God accepts sodomites in spite of their sin. Speaking of the Baptist spokesman’s remarks she said:
His remarks prompted me to wonder what Jesus might say about all of this. I turned to the Gospels, where his words have been recorded. Interestingly, I could find no mention anywhere by Jesus of homosexuality. The Gospels contain nary a word about whether he taught being gay is a sin. But I did find something fascinating about adultery in the book of John: A group of scribes and Pharisees come to Jesus and show him a woman who they say was caught in the act of adultery. They try to bait him by asking if they should stone her to death, according to Mosaic law. But Jesus replies, ‘He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.’ That comment caused the scribes and Pharisees to rethink their righteousness, and they depart, leaving Jesus alone with the woman. ‘Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more,’ he tells us. What Jesus was trying to tell the scribes, the Pharisees, his disciples and anyone else with ear to hear is that unconditional love supersedes Mosaic law, which of course condemns adultery, homosexuals acts (sic) and other so called evil deeds. Unconditional love means without any expectations, without any hooks and without any so-called family values … God loves us if we are straight or gay, white or black, rich or poor, believer or atheist (emphasis mine, MLW).
First, there are not a plurality of “Gospels” but only one gospel. Four different inspired writers wrote to different audiences about the one gospel. The apostle Paul warned against handling the Word of God deceitfully (2 Cor. 4:2). Am I to believe that such is now right because Christ Himself uttered no such warning? Is not “every scripture inspired of God” and “also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16)? Did not Christ promise to send the Holy Spirit to the apostles so they could remember and teach all that He had taught them? John, in his gospel account, declared, “But the Comforter, (even) the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said unto you” (John 14:26).
Second, the Word of God has always condemned homosexuality. The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed because of this sin (Gen. 19:1-13). Sodomy was an abomination and forbidden by Mosaic law (Lev. 18:22; 20:13). It is also declared in the New Testament to be “contrary to sound doctrine” (1 Tim. 2:10). The apostle Paul also said,
For this cause God gave them up unto vile passions: for their women changed the natural use into that which is against nature: and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another, men with men working unseemliness, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was due (Rom. 1:26-27).
Verse 32 of this same chapter emphatically states that those “who, knowing the ordinance of God, that they that practise such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also consent with them that practise them.” One will notice these people are “worthy of death” and not the unconditional love of God!
Third, Jesus said to the woman that was taken in adultery, “go thy way; from henceforth sin no more” (John 8:11). Such a statement from the Master implies repentance, a turning from sin. It is repent or perish (Luke 13:3) and not continue in sin and enjoy God’s unconditional love!
Fourth, Candace simply tells us that “unconditional love supersedes law.” Am I to believe Candace and follow her or God and follow Him? 1 Peter 2:21 has the answer!
Fifth, note how that disbelievers in God’s Word seek to confuse the facts. What does “black and white” or “rich and poor” have to do with “straight and gay” or “believer and atheist?” They have absolutely nothing in common! It is not a sin to be a particular color or to be rich or poor. It is a sin, however, to practice sodomy or any other sin.
Sixth, in order to have “no expectations, no hooks, and no family values,” one must undermine, disrespect, handle deceitfully and show utter disdain for the inspired Word of God!
Beware of calling sodomites righteous or skunks domesticated kittens—neither is true!
