I recently wrote an article at Pulpit & Pen that addressed the issue of the evangelical push for celibacy as the best and only option for Christians struggling with same-sex attraction (SSA). Upon publishing the article, I received quite a bit of backlash and hate mail. However, I stand upon the position that the Gospel of Jesus Christ transforms has the power to transform our hearts, as well as change the desires of our flesh through sanctification.
The misunderstanding of my article appears to be the straw-man argument that I somehow believe celibacy for homosexuals to be sinful or that unless SSA Christians pursue marriage, they are sinning. That’s not the argument I’m making. I’m simply saying that, in opposition to what people like Russell Moore (source link), Denny Burk (source link), The Gospel Coalition (source link) and other evangelical leaders are pushing as the easy answer is that writing off the possibility of a healthy, monogamous, heterosexual marriage simply because of your sinful, sexual desires, is unbiblical. These “leaders” would deny that the Gospel has the power to change our desires. I would argue that our desires, as a born-again believer, should be for Christ, and what God has prescribed as Good, Holy, and righteous–and for most, that could be a marriage.
Below are links to my article, as well as a follow-up article written by Jordan Hall to further expound on this issue in which we fully agree. I have also linked to an article by Joe Bayly that also speaks clearly and biblically on the subject. All are worth a read.
Heterosexuality is Godliness, Jeff Maples, Pulpit & Pen
Why Gay-Celibacy is Not the Gospel-Centered Answer, JD Hall, Pulpit & Pen
Gospel Coalition Joins the Gay-Celibate Movement, Joe Bayly, BaylyBlog