Question:  Dear Greg,

            I was reading your statements about homosexuality.  I don’t understand what you mean by “homosexual orientation is not a sin in itself.”

            Because the Bible says in Leviticus 18:22 “You (meaning another man) shall not lie with a male as with a woman.  It is an abomination.”  And in Leviticus 20:13 it says “If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman both of them have committed an abomination.  They shall surely be put to death.  Their blood shall be upon them.”  Another one is 1 Corinthians 6:9.  If it weren’t a sin then why would they be killed?  Can you please describe what you mean by “homosexual orientation is not a sin in itself” so I can better understand?

            Thanks,

            Dena

Answer:  Dear Dena,

            We note the difference between homosexual orientation and homosexual practice.  All of the passages you quote regard homosexual practice, not orientation.

            For example, we also believe being an alcoholic is not a sin in itself.  Getting drunk is a sin—the Bible makes that clear.  But many alcoholics are recovering alcoholics—they will always be alcoholics as far as they and the professionals who help them are concerned.  Thus they are determined never to touch a drop of alcohol again.  But they continue to speak of themselves as alcoholics.  And many of them are Christians—recovering alcoholics.  They are not practicing, but they do have an alcoholic orientation.

            Does that help clarify the position?

            In Christ,

            Greg Albrecht