By Ken Hutcherson and James Hansen
We’ve studied theology for quite a long time. Even though we’re not from the Catholic tradition, we understand the difference between venial and mortal sins. But apparently, Protestants have their own gradation of depravity now. In a recent interview with NPR, President of Focus on the Family, Jim Daly, suggested that Evangelicals have wrongfully labeled homosexuality as a “Super Sin.” But his fatherly chastisement opens up the discussion as to what could be included in this particular category.
Are these the sins that take place in a super market? Or perhaps people wearing body-suit tights and a cape can only commit them. Then again, Super-sins might only occur when you increase the size of your fries at McDonald’s. It’s really hard to say. But one thing we know for certain from Jim Daly…homosexuality can’t be a Super Sin.
No, homosexuality is just like any other regular sin. If you go over the speed limit, you’re a law-breaker, and therefore, you’re in sin. If you throw litter from your car, that too is a regular sin. Cheat on your taxes? Sin. Download music from a friend’s iPod? Sin.
But what might Daly consider a “Super-Sin?” If there are any, he’s not specific enough to list them. Here are a couple of possibilities that we believe might make the cut.
Going over the speed limit while beating your children? Super Sin! Keep the litter in your car and throw your wife out the window? Super Sin! Cheating on your taxes while simultaneously cheating on your wife? Also Super Sin! Downloading music from a friend’s iPod while snorting coke, watching porn and cussing? Super-Dooper Sin!
There are gradations in sin (Jn.19:11) just like there are gradations in the consequences people face for engaging in them. When a culture disregards natural law and order (Rom.1:18-22), God hands them over to further depravity (Rom.1:24-27). This leads to God storing up wrath for individuals (Rom.2:4).
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The point is rather simple.
It is one thing for a non-Christian to balk at the Special Revelation found in Scripture. You wouldn’t expect them to even want to carry out the Bible’s demands, because they don’t have a relationship with the Father. But when that same person turns a deaf ear to general revelation – common sense if you will – the rot has already set in
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When a society orients itself to disorientation, when they call evil “good” and good, “evil,” when common sense is no longer common, and when natural law is replaced with unnatural lawlessness, we suggest that God’s judgment is probably around the corner. Just think, Sodom thumbed their nose at God just like America has, and the last time we checked…things didn’t turn out too well for them.
So, is homosexuality a “Super Sin?” Of course it isn’t.
But we can’t allow Evangelicals who are trying to build bridges with the homosexual community to either redefine sin or downplay the significance of this unfortunate lifestyle.
Put simply, you can’t have your “Kate-and-Edith too.” And while it isn’t a “Super Sin,” we shouldn’t forget that it was singled-out in Romans as one of the final nails put into a culture’s coffin. By equivocating homosexual behavior with other illicit heterosexual behavior as Daly has, we give too much ground away. Homosexuality does more than disregard Scripture; it cuts against the grain of logic, order and common sense. It may not be super, but it sure goes deeper.
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Thank you for this post, Dr. Hutch! I am a Catholic, that variety that calls itself a “cradle Catholic.” Born and bred so.
Your points are well-taken. If we cannot believe, nay, understand, what God our Father considers an “abomination,” how can we ever dare to call ourselves his “children?”
My current gripe with Catholicism is that it never preaches about sin from the pulpit each Sunday. Go along to get along–keep passing that plate, and no coins please, just deposit that “foldin money right there.” Don’t want to offend any of you in the congregation, especially you gals dressed like street-walkers in low cut skin tight dresses, or you two guys holding hands there and kissing in public. Nope! We can’t judge anybody–nope!
What would our Lord and savior say?
I think he would say exactly what he is reported to have said when in precisely the same situation. “It is not the healthy who need a doctor but the sick”. To you he might say something like, “Climb down off your pathetic, self-righteous, passive aggressive, self-pitying high horse and go deal with individuals instead of deluding yourself that when I told you to ‘go and make disciples of all nations” I really meant, go and create governments and make all people obey bits and pieces of what you decide is my holy will. Be sure to ignore my comments on divorce and rejoicing when your are persecuted.”
Also, you might start actually reading the Bible instead of simply believing you know what it says. . A good start might be Romans 2:1, “Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.” Oh, and since you’re so disatisfied, go find a new church that loves to focus on on how wicked people are and how victimized you’ve become.. That’ll show unbelievers how much you love ’em and what the “peace that passess understanding is all about. It’s a great parenting model.
You might also try Phillipians “Don’t act out of selfish ambition or be conceited. Instead, humbly think of others as being better than yourselves.”
The first thing to notice about folks like you is that what they write is much more hateful than what they reply to. The second point is that the answers are always of a general nature with love and forgiveness being the major theme: the sin(s) being commented on are never addressed using biblical counter points. For example, where in the Bible does God say homosexuality is not a sin.
Using the rule that biblical text explicitly addressing the sin under discussion can be understood better than generalities let us go through the Bible: Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13 address sin and punishment. Jesus in Mathew 5:17 affirms these Old Testament teachings “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.” Jesus being an old testament Jew (and being God) knew what the Law is (Leviticus is part of the Law). Therefore, every time Jesus taught against “sexual immorality” He was teaching against homosexuality. You quoted Romans, but you missed Romans 1:26,27 and 1:32 which teach explicitly against homosexuality: also, 1 Corinthians 6:18 and 10:8,1 in addition to 1 Thessalonians 4:3. There are many more books of the Bible that teach against homosexuality.
To generally quote Charlie Daniels “if you don’t like this you don’t have a problem with me you have a problem with God.”
Great job Pastor Hutch…..first time I’ve heard of you off of Restoring Liberty by Joe Miller. Read a lot of your postings….Brother you’re a great blessing!!
Needed this this morning….beside bro…awful cold up here n Alaska 7 degrees this morning:(
Bummer!
Just wanted to say you bless me.
Thank you
I really love the gospel actually being preached and not this sanctimonious let me be the judge frog feces.
Keep up the great work!
God Bless You and Thanks for being a great ambassador for Jesus!
In Peace
Todd