What about Jude 1:7 that says: "In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire" (NIV) or "What happened to Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities near them is an example for us of the punishment of eternal fire. The people of these cities suffered the same fate that God's people and the angels did because they committed sexual sins and engaged in homosexual activities." (God's Word)? I realize that the story in Genesis is primarily about the threat of gang rape, but the fact that these people seemed to so easily turn to homosexual gang rape as a means of violence is telling.
Great question! Actually, Jude 1:7 does not say "homosexual activities" or anything like it. In fact (in a rather ironic twist), the original Greek says "heteras sarkos," or "strange flesh." That word translated "strange" there is the feminine form of "heteros," meaning "other," "different," or "of a neighbor." It is, of course, where we get the word "heterosexual"-referring to sexual attraction between people who are of *different* genders. Some scholars have argued that the "other" here refers to the fact that the beings were angels, while others think it's a reference to their being neighbors/strangers from another land (which would fit with the idea in both passages of attacks against outsiders). But it would take a pretty big logical leap to suggest that it means "homosexual," especially when there are plenty of other ways the writer could have expressed that, if that was the intent. I almost never hear anyone use this passage as an anti-gay text anymore, so to be honest I often forget that anyone ever did! In terms of people turning to gang rape, it has weirdly been used by straight men as an act of violence throughout history, including in war contexts, where gang raping an opposing army's leader was a way of asserting dominance. I don't get it, but it's an unfortunate reality of the world we live in. A simple modern example is in prisons; if you were a man in prison and other men threatened to gang rape you if you didn't do what they wanted, you certainly wouldn't assume they were gay! Likewise, it would make very little sense to suggest that the *entire town* of Sodom was gay men.
One of the reasons why the two cities fell it's because the two infamous cities were destoryed by god not because of gays. The reason why god destroyed those two cities because of their hostility towards to the poor and foreigners.
Right on, Justin! Well said. And surprising insight from Pat Robertson. I don't often agree with him these days, but he's spot on in this clip. As for Franklin Graham.....well, let's just say he's no Billy Graham.
Thank you so much for helping me out! I have been so confused about this for a while. Someone at my old, "Christian", theater group told me that I was "letting the Devil get to me" because I was same-sex attracted, and then added that "God destroyed Sodom because of people like me."
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What about Jude 1:7 that says: "In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire" (NIV) or "What happened to Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities near them is an example for us of the punishment of eternal fire. The people of these cities suffered the same fate that God's people and the angels did because they committed sexual sins and engaged in homosexual activities." (God's Word)?
I realize that the story in Genesis is primarily about the threat of gang rape, but the fact that these people seemed to so easily turn to homosexual gang rape as a means of violence is telling.
Great question! Actually, Jude 1:7 does not say "homosexual activities" or anything like it. In fact (in a rather ironic twist), the original Greek says "heteras sarkos," or "strange flesh." That word translated "strange" there is the feminine form of "heteros," meaning "other," "different," or "of a neighbor." It is, of course, where we get the word "heterosexual"-referring to sexual attraction between people who are of *different* genders.
Some scholars have argued that the "other" here refers to the fact that the beings were angels, while others think it's a reference to their being neighbors/strangers from another land (which would fit with the idea in both passages of attacks against outsiders). But it would take a pretty big logical leap to suggest that it means "homosexual," especially when there are plenty of other ways the writer could have expressed that, if that was the intent. I almost never hear anyone use this passage as an anti-gay text anymore, so to be honest I often forget that anyone ever did!
In terms of people turning to gang rape, it has weirdly been used by straight men as an act of violence throughout history, including in war contexts, where gang raping an opposing army's leader was a way of asserting dominance. I don't get it, but it's an unfortunate reality of the world we live in.
A simple modern example is in prisons; if you were a man in prison and other men threatened to gang rape you if you didn't do what they wanted, you certainly wouldn't assume they were gay! Likewise, it would make very little sense to suggest that the *entire town* of Sodom was gay men.
One of the reasons why the two cities fell it's because the two infamous cities were destoryed by god not because of gays. The reason why god destroyed those two cities because of their hostility towards to the poor and foreigners.
This simple and accurate analysis should have millions of views. Nice work as usual!
Thank you so much, Justin! Though I'm not gay but straight, I've supported this viewpoint for so long.
An excellent and accurate summary of what the story of Sodom and Gomorrah is about - and what it’s not about. Thank you.
He destroyed Gomorrah because that was the only way He could get the Soul Stone... ;)
Love this! We need more Christian people to actually do the research like this man! Thank you, so much!
Thanks Justin. You're correct in your clarification 💡
Thank you Justin. Well said.
Right on, Justin! Well said. And surprising insight from Pat Robertson. I don't often agree with him these days, but he's spot on in this clip. As for Franklin Graham.....well, let's just say he's no Billy Graham.
Thanks for putting it out there. Keep going. [Scotty]
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the quick lesson; I learned something new today. 👏🏽
This is terrific!
Excellent commentary on the destruction of Sodom and Gomorah
Thank you so much for helping me out! I have been so confused about this for a while. Someone at my old, "Christian", theater group told me that I was "letting the Devil get to me" because I was same-sex attracted, and then added that "God destroyed Sodom because of people like me."
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Thank you so much and God bless you 😘😘
Excellent video
Thanks 🙏🏾