St. Paul's Death Sentence for Gays -- and Their Derfenders!
When I studied the bible at Union Theological Seminary in 1956-57, we spent our first semester working our way through the 'Old Testament' with all its riches -- and mixtures of religious roots -- we could see and compare the Hebrew version of Genesis with the original stories borrowed from the Gilgamesh (Babylonian) Epic. Our teacher, James Muilenburg, obviously loved these texts and communicated his respect and appreciation to us as beginning students -- with the caveat that we should not apply them too literally to the events of today.
Our spring semester was to focus on the New Testament. Much to our distress our rather distant Anglican professor lectured at great length _about_ the New Testament, but had us do no readings of the text. A bunch of us finally protested that we wanted to study the actual texts line by line as we had with the Old Testament. In redirecting we discovered many surprising things, particularly the hatreds incorporated in the Pauline letters that seemed to have no connection with the figure of Jesus of Nazareth, indeed, seemed to contradict his message of compassion and forgiveness with precisely an opposite message of hatred -- of unconverted Jews, gays in particular -- and disrespect for women -- conjoined with servile sycophancy towards Roman imperial authority that could do no wrong! Paul was greatly proud of his Roman citizenship -- scarcely the disposition of Jesus who had had some strong words about rendering unto to Caesar versus rendering unto God.
I think that spring semester course may have steered about the brightest 10% of our class straight out of careers in religion. We had not been drawn to seminary studies to become warriors for St. Paul.
I offer this preface because the verses from the first chapter of Paul's Letter to the Romans more or less tell it all. Paul was the figure who launched two millennia of anti-Semitism ("The Jews killed Jesus" in another of his epistles) and anti-gay biases that culminated in the double Holocausts of Nazis via the pass along of of his prejudices through the foul mouthed hater, Martin Luther:
http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/wittenberg/german.bible/rom-eng.txt
To update a bit I was told that a current teacher at Union Seminary was the leading expert on Paul's attitude towards gays. As I live only a few blocks away, I sought him out to query what current views were of Paul's homophobia? I should not have been surprised to have him tell me that Paul was not anti-gay, only anti gay pedophilia -- Allen Ginsberg's North American Man/Boy Love Association (NAMBLA), I guess. This was also a bit before the Catholic Church scandals had broken.
Needless to say my personal view here is that Paul launched an horrendously perverse heresy which unhappily still pervades much of the Christian church. The Anglicans at this very moment are duking it out:
http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060618/NEWS01/606180421
Will they be Christians -- or followers of St. Paul, the devil's advocate marching us off to wars? We shall see shortly.
Below I have provided 3 English translations of the key Pauline text in Romans on gays. Judge for yourselves. Commentators have noted that Paul does not use the explicit term, homosexual, to whom he is clearly referring, but instead makes references to what is "natural and against nature" -- the latter deserving death. Ed Kent
................................
King James Version
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/romans-kjv.html
Rom.1
[1] Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
[2] (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
[3] Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
[4] And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
[5] By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
[6] Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:
[7] To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
[8] First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
[9] For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;
[10] Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.
[11] For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;
[12] That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
[13] Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.
[14] I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.
[15] So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
[16] For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
[17] For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
[18] For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
[19] Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
[20] For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
[21] Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
[22] Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
[23] And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
[24] Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
[25] Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
[26] For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
[27] And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
[28] And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
[29] Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
[30] Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
[31] Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
[32] Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
................................
American Standard Version
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/romans-asv.html
1:1Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, 1:2which he promised afore through his prophets in the holy scriptures, 1:3concerning his Son, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 1:4who was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead; even Jesus Christ our Lord, 1:5through whom we received grace and apostleship, unto obedience of faith among all the nations, for his name's sake; 1:6among whom are ye also called to be Jesus Christ's: 1:7To all that are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 1:8First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is proclaimed throughout the whole world. 1:9For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the gospel of his Son, how unceasingly I make mention of you, always in my prayers 1:10making request, if by any means now at length I may be prospered by the will of God to come unto you. 1:11For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; 1:12that is, that I with you may be comforted in you, each of us by the other's faith, both yours and mine. 1:13And I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you (and was hindered hitherto), that I might have some fruit in you also, even as in the rest of the Gentiles. 1:14I am debtor both to Greeks and to Barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. 1:15So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you also that are in Rome. 1:16For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 1:17For therein is revealed a righteousness of God from faith unto faith: as it is written, But the righteous shall live by faith. 1:18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hinder the truth in unrighteousness; 1:19because that which is known of God is manifest in them; for God manifested it unto them. 1:20For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse: 1:21because that, knowing God, they glorified him not as God, neither gave thanks; but became vain in their reasonings, and their senseless heart was darkened. 1:22Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 1:23and changed the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. 1:24Wherefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts unto uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves: 1:25for that they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 1:26For this cause God gave them up unto vile passions: for their women changed the natural use into that which is against nature: 1:27and 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. 1:28And even as they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up unto a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 1:29being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 1:30backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 1:31without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, unmerciful: 1:32who, 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.
...................................
World English Bible
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/romans-web.html
1:1Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the Gospel of God, 1:2which he promised before through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 1:3concerning his Son, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 1:4who was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 1:5through whom we received grace and apostleship, for obedience of faith among all the nations, for his name's sake; 1:6among whom you are also called to belong to Jesus Christ; 1:7to all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1:8First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, that your faith is proclaimed throughout the whole world. 1:9For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the Gospel of his Son, how unceasingly I make mention of you always in my prayers, 1:10requesting, if by any means now at last I may be prospered by the will of God to come to you. 1:11For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, to the end that you may be established; 1:12that is, that I with you may be encouraged in you, each of us by the other's faith, both yours and mine.
1:13Now I don't desire to have you unaware, brothers, that I often planned to come to you, and was hindered so far, that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles. 1:14I am debtor both to Greeks and to foreigners, both to the wise and to the foolish. 1:15So, as much as is in me, I am eager to preach the Gospel to you also who are in Rome. 1:16For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes; for the Jew first, and also for the Greek. 1:17For in it is revealed God's righteousness from faith to faith. As it is written, "But the righteous shall live by faith." 1:18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 1:19because that which is known of God is revealed in them, for God revealed it to them. 1:20For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse. 1:21Because, knowing God, they didn't glorify him as God, neither gave thanks, but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart was darkened.
1:22Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 1:23and traded the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed animals, and creeping things. 1:24Therefore God also gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves, 1:25who exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
1:26For this reason, God gave them up to vile passions. For their women changed the natural function into that which is against nature. 1:27Likewise also the men, leaving the natural function of the woman, burned in their lust toward one another, men doing what is inappropriate with men, and receiving in themselves the due penalty of their error. 1:28Even as they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 1:29being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil habits, secret slanderers, 1:30backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 1:31without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, unforgiving, unmerciful; 1:32who, knowing the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also approve of those who practice them.
--
"A war is just if there is no alternative, and the resort to arms is legitimate if they represent your last hope." (Livy cited by Machiavelli)
--
Ed Kent 718-951-5324 (voice mail only) [blind copies]
http://BlogByEdKent.blogspot.com/
http://www.bloggernews.net
Our spring semester was to focus on the New Testament. Much to our distress our rather distant Anglican professor lectured at great length _about_ the New Testament, but had us do no readings of the text. A bunch of us finally protested that we wanted to study the actual texts line by line as we had with the Old Testament. In redirecting we discovered many surprising things, particularly the hatreds incorporated in the Pauline letters that seemed to have no connection with the figure of Jesus of Nazareth, indeed, seemed to contradict his message of compassion and forgiveness with precisely an opposite message of hatred -- of unconverted Jews, gays in particular -- and disrespect for women -- conjoined with servile sycophancy towards Roman imperial authority that could do no wrong! Paul was greatly proud of his Roman citizenship -- scarcely the disposition of Jesus who had had some strong words about rendering unto to Caesar versus rendering unto God.
I think that spring semester course may have steered about the brightest 10% of our class straight out of careers in religion. We had not been drawn to seminary studies to become warriors for St. Paul.
I offer this preface because the verses from the first chapter of Paul's Letter to the Romans more or less tell it all. Paul was the figure who launched two millennia of anti-Semitism ("The Jews killed Jesus" in another of his epistles) and anti-gay biases that culminated in the double Holocausts of Nazis via the pass along of of his prejudices through the foul mouthed hater, Martin Luther:
http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/wittenberg/german.bible/rom-eng.txt
To update a bit I was told that a current teacher at Union Seminary was the leading expert on Paul's attitude towards gays. As I live only a few blocks away, I sought him out to query what current views were of Paul's homophobia? I should not have been surprised to have him tell me that Paul was not anti-gay, only anti gay pedophilia -- Allen Ginsberg's North American Man/Boy Love Association (NAMBLA), I guess. This was also a bit before the Catholic Church scandals had broken.
Needless to say my personal view here is that Paul launched an horrendously perverse heresy which unhappily still pervades much of the Christian church. The Anglicans at this very moment are duking it out:
http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060618/NEWS01/606180421
Will they be Christians -- or followers of St. Paul, the devil's advocate marching us off to wars? We shall see shortly.
Below I have provided 3 English translations of the key Pauline text in Romans on gays. Judge for yourselves. Commentators have noted that Paul does not use the explicit term, homosexual, to whom he is clearly referring, but instead makes references to what is "natural and against nature" -- the latter deserving death. Ed Kent
................................
King James Version
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/romans-kjv.html
Rom.1
[1] Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
[2] (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
[3] Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
[4] And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
[5] By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
[6] Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:
[7] To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
[8] First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
[9] For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;
[10] Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.
[11] For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;
[12] That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
[13] Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.
[14] I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.
[15] So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
[16] For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
[17] For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
[18] For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
[19] Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
[20] For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
[21] Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
[22] Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
[23] And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
[24] Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
[25] Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
[26] For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
[27] And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
[28] And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
[29] Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
[30] Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
[31] Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
[32] Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
................................
American Standard Version
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/romans-asv.html
1:1Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, 1:2which he promised afore through his prophets in the holy scriptures, 1:3concerning his Son, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 1:4who was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead; even Jesus Christ our Lord, 1:5through whom we received grace and apostleship, unto obedience of faith among all the nations, for his name's sake; 1:6among whom are ye also called to be Jesus Christ's: 1:7To all that are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 1:8First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is proclaimed throughout the whole world. 1:9For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the gospel of his Son, how unceasingly I make mention of you, always in my prayers 1:10making request, if by any means now at length I may be prospered by the will of God to come unto you. 1:11For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; 1:12that is, that I with you may be comforted in you, each of us by the other's faith, both yours and mine. 1:13And I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you (and was hindered hitherto), that I might have some fruit in you also, even as in the rest of the Gentiles. 1:14I am debtor both to Greeks and to Barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. 1:15So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you also that are in Rome. 1:16For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 1:17For therein is revealed a righteousness of God from faith unto faith: as it is written, But the righteous shall live by faith. 1:18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hinder the truth in unrighteousness; 1:19because that which is known of God is manifest in them; for God manifested it unto them. 1:20For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse: 1:21because that, knowing God, they glorified him not as God, neither gave thanks; but became vain in their reasonings, and their senseless heart was darkened. 1:22Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 1:23and changed the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. 1:24Wherefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts unto uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves: 1:25for that they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 1:26For this cause God gave them up unto vile passions: for their women changed the natural use into that which is against nature: 1:27and 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. 1:28And even as they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up unto a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 1:29being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 1:30backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 1:31without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, unmerciful: 1:32who, 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.
...................................
World English Bible
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/romans-web.html
1:1Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the Gospel of God, 1:2which he promised before through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 1:3concerning his Son, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 1:4who was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 1:5through whom we received grace and apostleship, for obedience of faith among all the nations, for his name's sake; 1:6among whom you are also called to belong to Jesus Christ; 1:7to all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1:8First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, that your faith is proclaimed throughout the whole world. 1:9For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the Gospel of his Son, how unceasingly I make mention of you always in my prayers, 1:10requesting, if by any means now at last I may be prospered by the will of God to come to you. 1:11For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, to the end that you may be established; 1:12that is, that I with you may be encouraged in you, each of us by the other's faith, both yours and mine.
1:13Now I don't desire to have you unaware, brothers, that I often planned to come to you, and was hindered so far, that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles. 1:14I am debtor both to Greeks and to foreigners, both to the wise and to the foolish. 1:15So, as much as is in me, I am eager to preach the Gospel to you also who are in Rome. 1:16For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes; for the Jew first, and also for the Greek. 1:17For in it is revealed God's righteousness from faith to faith. As it is written, "But the righteous shall live by faith." 1:18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 1:19because that which is known of God is revealed in them, for God revealed it to them. 1:20For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse. 1:21Because, knowing God, they didn't glorify him as God, neither gave thanks, but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart was darkened.
1:22Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 1:23and traded the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed animals, and creeping things. 1:24Therefore God also gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves, 1:25who exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
1:26For this reason, God gave them up to vile passions. For their women changed the natural function into that which is against nature. 1:27Likewise also the men, leaving the natural function of the woman, burned in their lust toward one another, men doing what is inappropriate with men, and receiving in themselves the due penalty of their error. 1:28Even as they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 1:29being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil habits, secret slanderers, 1:30backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 1:31without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, unforgiving, unmerciful; 1:32who, knowing the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also approve of those who practice them.
--
"A war is just if there is no alternative, and the resort to arms is legitimate if they represent your last hope." (Livy cited by Machiavelli)
--
Ed Kent 718-951-5324 (voice mail only) [blind copies]
http://BlogByEdKent.blogspot.com/
http://www.bloggernews.net
posted by Ed Kent at 12:54 PM
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