Date: Sat, 4 Mar 1995 02:22:05 -0500 From: CasaCristo@aol.com Subject: Was Jesus a Homosexual ? WAS JESUS A HOMOSEXUAL? by Fred L. Pattison, Senior Pastor Casa de Cristo Evangelical Church 1035 E. Turney Phoenix, AZ USA 85014 1-602-265-2831 FAX 1-602-265-2918 SOME SAY JESUS WAS A HOMOSEXUAL Was Jesus a homosexual? The answer to this question seems obvious to most Christians. But wait! There is a growing number in the gay community and among theological liberals who believe that Jesus was a homosexual or possibly a bisexual. Some believe that Jesus had an on-going gay relationship with the apostle John. JUST ANOTHER DEAD GAY PERSON ? According to the May 21, 1993 issue of a gay-oriented biweekly paper in Phoenix, Jesus is included the their article, "Eight Dead Gay People Everyone Should Know," reprinted from "The Alyson Almanac." Speaking as a born-again Christian gay and the senior pastor of the Casa de Cristo Evangelical Church in Phoenix, the inferences in the article are ridiculous, pathetic, and sad. Are we gays so insecure that we have to stoop to such a level? I resent the content of the article and believe that the congregation I shepherd stands with me. JESUS IS NOT DEAD! I object to the very title of the article including Jesus. First of all, the title of the article, "Eight Dead Gay People Everyone Should Know," implies that Jesus is dead. Jesus Christ is not dead! He did indeed die according to both Scripture and the Jewish historian Josephus. However, unlike every other 'religious' leader, Jesus did not stay in the grave. Three days later, He rose from the grave. Furthermore, He rose not as a Spirit, but bodily from the dead. Unlike the tombs of Abraham, Moses, Buddha, Mohammed, and all the rest, Jesus' tomb is empty! The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is what makes biblical Christianity different from all of the religions of the world. Jesus Christ alone is risen from the dead! There were over 500 witnesses to His resurrecti on. That's pretty conclusive evidence. A HOMOSEXUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH LAZARUS ? Mr. A. Morton Smith, a history professor at Columbia University, is credited as asserting that "after raising Lazarus from a state which resembled death, Jesus spent a night with him in both spiritual and physical communion." Lazarus' death was real, not a state resembling death as Professor Smith incorrectly states. (see John 11:1-44 for the details.) A MAGICIAN ? Mr. Smith also suggests that Jesus was a magician. I have news for Mr. Smith: Jesus was neither a magician nor a religious leader! Jesus alone is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus is also deity. He was God in the flesh while upon this earth. He is now at the throne of the Father and will one day return for those who know Him as Savior and Lord. JESUS DID NOT COME TO ESTABLISH A NEW RELIGION Jesus did not come to establish a new religion! He came to bring life to all who personally believe in Him. The Bible declares, "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on that one." (John 3:36.) Jesus exhorted, "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; that one has crossed over from death to life." (John 5:24.) No, Jesus is not a dead religious leader. Jesus is alive and alive forevermore. And because Jesus lives, I too, along with countless others who have received Him into their hearts and live by faith, have eternal life. I know that one day I will live with God for eternity because of the atoning death, burial, and bodily resurrection of my Lord. TO SOME OF US, JESUS IS OUR LIFE It saddens me to see my Lord being trampled under foot in our gay community. To some of us, Jesus Christ is our life. Having a degree in history and teaching at a prestigious university does not make one an authority on spiritual matters. Some of the most educated people deny the existence of God. The Bible declares that such people are fools. "The fool says in his/her hear, 'There is no God.'" (Psalm 53:1.) The same would hold true for those who reject the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ. A HOMOSEXUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH JOHN ? A host of gay writers continue to suggest that Jesus had a homosexual relationship with the apostle John. They use as their proof the love that our Lord expressed in the gospels toward John. How ridiculous! Why is it that homosexuals cannot seem to fathom that it is possible for two men or two women to have a special love that does not include sex? It is possible to have strong emotional ties with others without becoming sexually involved. This is one of the reasons many gays seem to be unable to maintain friendships without having sexual entanglements. IS SEX ALL THAT WE GAYS ARE ABOUT ? Are we so obsessed with the sex act that it is all that we are about? Jesus, as God in the flesh, did not engage in either heterosexual or homosexual sex acts. This does not mean that sex is wrong. We have been made sexual beings by our Creator - God. However, there is absolutely no intimation in the scriptures that Jesus either had sex or was in a romantic relationship with John. Nor as some Mormons believe was He in a relationship with Mary and Martha. JESUS DID NOT ENGAGE IN SEX Jesus is the spotless Lamb of God. If our Lord had been in any kind of sexual relationship, the Bible would have indicated this to us. Why? Because committed relationships are beautiful and meaningful. If he had sex without commitment, then He could not have been who He claimed to be. Jesus came from heaven to this earth to live amongst us for a short time. After His bodily resurrection, He returned to heaven where He now lives. As the One from heaven, He would not have been involved in a sexual relationship. WHAT JESUS TAUGHT ABOUT SEX Jesus said, "Those who belong to this age marry and are given in marriage (inhabitants of earth, you and me,) but those who are considered worthy of a place in that age and in the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. Indeed, they cannot die anymore, because they are like angels and are children of God, being children of the resurrection." (Luke 20:34-36 NRSV.) In other words, Jesus taught that those of earth marry and engage in sexual relationships; those in the heavenly realm do not marry and engage in sexual relationships. Jesus, having come from heaven, therefore did not marry, commit adultery, nor engage in a sexual relationship as some of the scoffers would have us believe. The apostle Peter wrote, "...you must understand that in the last days, scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires." (2 Peter 3:3.) A MESSAGE FOR THEOLOGIANS As regards Professor Morton Smith of Columbia University, I would suggest that he depend less upon intellect and find out what trusting in Jesus is really all about. The gospel message of salvation is for all people including theologians and university professors. I would like to see gay publications investigate biblical Christianity before making godless claims and assuming that all of Christianity is bad, evil, and homophobic. THE HOMOPHOBIA OF ORGANIZED RELIGION As a gay person, a pastor, and a biblical Christian, I experience considerable homophobia from so-called Christians. Yet, I am a Christian in spite of many Christians and their unChristian actions. I refuse to dismiss who Jesus really is and what He has and continues to do in my life because of the rejection of organized religion. I've tried Christ and I've discovered He is who He claimed to be; my Savior and my Lord! If you are a homosexual, don't dismiss Christ because of organized religion. JESUS BRINGS HAPPINESS INTO YOUR LIFE! God bless you, child of God! Jesus invites you to receive Him into your life! Write to me and share your faith. Pastor Fred Copyright 1995 by Cristo Press, All Rights Reserved.