Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Sexual Ethics”
Our Bible verse for today: “For it was You who created my inward parts; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will praise You because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made.” Psalm 139:13-14 (HCSB)
Our thought for today: “Does science prove God creates people with a same-sex attraction?”
I think part of the confusion regarding the issue of sexual orientation lies in the definitions of “orientation” and “design”. The dictionary says that an orientation is simply “A direction; to make familiar with or adjust to a situation.” In other words, you are oriented towards something when you set out in that direction or when you adjust towards a purpose or thing. Whereas design is: “The purposeful arrangement of parts or details; a reasoned purpose; intent.”
So as you can see, there’s a big difference between orientation and design. Orientation is a decision based upon a choice. Design is part of the inherent nature of the person or thing in question. I find myself “oriented” in the direction of many behaviors I would be better off without, some of them stemming from as early in childhood as I can remember. I also find that the more I engage in those behaviors the more oriented in that direction I seem to become. But that doesn’t mean God designed me that way. Those behaviors are not part of my created design.
The American Psychological Association (APA) has studied this issue in great detail. Many scientific studies have been conducted regarding the nature and source of sexual orientation. After compiling and reviewing a formidable body of scientific research the APA came to some interesting conclusions.
First, with respect to what a sexual “orientation” actually is they defined it as, “an enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attractions to men, women, or both sexes.”
But as to where this attraction comes from the APA was honest when they wrote,
“Although much research has examined the possible genetic, hormonal, developmental, social, and cultural influences on sexual orientation, no findings have emerged that permit scientists to conclude that sexual orientation is determined by any particular factor or factors.”
The question we’re considering here is not if same-sex attraction is real – it is. There is also no question about whether or not it is deeply rooted within a person – it is. The question is whether or not God designs some individuals that way. When the APA describes sexual orientation they do so by describing patterns of desire, not genetically driven pre-dispositions. The desires may be deep, and they may be part of lifelong patterns of behavior, but it cannot be said they are genetic.
The APA’S honesty is helpful but we’re not yet finished allowing the scientific community to speak for itself. There is one more very compelling study we need to be aware of with respect to genetic design and same-sex attraction. We will take a look at that tomorrow.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 