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Is It “Taking It Out Of Context”?

Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin Articles

A few days ago some publicity was given to a gentleman in our area who was posting religious messages on a well-traveled highway, but on property owned by his religious group – and with their consent. The point of the article was that his messages were resented by much of the populace, and this was especially so when he posted a condemnation of homosexuality, based on Romans 1:26-27. The writer then made the point that “there is a difference among many scholars” as to whether this condemned homosexuality or not.

The writer then cited a professor at a local theological seminary who had replied that “the verses should be seen in the bigger argument Paul makes, over three chapters. In these chapters, Paul doesn’t build a case against homosexuality, but rather against humankind’s rebellion against God. The chapters lead in the direction of grace and forgiveness. Romans shouldn’t be taken verse by verse out of context and used as condemnation of anyone.” Those are his words: Romans has no message of condemnation of anyone!

I wrote the gentleman, wondering if he had found something in his study of Romans that I had missed. He was prompt and gracious in replying, but was no more decisive than when he was quoted by the reporter. It is amazing that one, who is a teacher of preachers in one of the larger denominations, could have missed the points in Romans 1 that speak of (1) The wrath of God, v. 19; (2) Those given up by God to uncleanness, v. 24; (3) Those who change the truth of God into a lie, v. 25; (4) Those who worship the creature and not the Creator, v. 25; (5) Those with vile affections among women who follow a course against nature, v. 26; (6) Men burning in lust toward other men, and due to receive recompense for their error, v. 27; (7) Those given over to a reprobate mind, v. 28; (8) Those filled with all unrighteousness, with this and 21 other sins specified; (9) And these are worthy of death and face the judgment, v. 32. How could this teacher have missed it?

It is freely granted that Romans deals with the plan of God whereby all men can be justified before God. But, WITHIN THAT CONTEXT, the sins of men are dealt with, in order that the reader may see why the forgiving plan of God was needed! How could any man they state that “Romans doesn’t condemn anyone, and it’s taking it out of context if one points to any condemnation?” We would, and have, direct the professor to see the wording “women changing the natural use to that which is against nature….men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burning in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly….” Does the learned professor think Paul is speaking of chess or horseshoes????

It all proves that men will freely change any matter from God, freely insert their own wills into any area wherein God has spoken, freely sanction what they will, and freely mislead others under the influence of their false teaching. The pity of it all!

The Southwesterner, December 12, 1990