ΙΧΘΥΣ and LGBTQ

What do the two sets of letters in the title have in common? They both express identities. What does ΙΧΘΥΣ mean, and how does it relate to identity? The letters spell the word “fish” in Greek. The letters are also an acronym. When transliterated into English, they represent the phrase Jesus Christ, God, Son, Savior. Fish were often present in Jesus’ earthly ministry. These letters became an important symbol for Christians.

During the church’s early years, when persecution was prevalent, Christians sought ways to recognize each other secretly. A tradition was that if a person met someone and thought they might be a Christian, they would draw an arc in the dirt representing the top half of the fish. If the other person was a Christian, they would know what the drawing meant and would complete it with the bottom half of the fish. Christians still use this symbol today. You may have seen a fish bumper sticker on someone’s car.

Similarly, LGBTQ is used to identify people. Sometimes, the acronym contains more letters to express additional identities, but I will use these five to simplify the comparison. The letters represent lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer. People use the acronym to identify in any of these categories. The LGBTQ community has numerous symbols which can be found in a quick Google search. Many of these symbols represent the combining of male and female, woman and man, which are essential biblical identities.

The subjects of sex, sexuality, and gender are complex and crucial to our lives. These subjects divide the church, possibly more than any other issue today. Churches disagree over several topics discussed in the Bible, for example, the use of the gift of tongues, the nature of God’s sovereignty compared to humanity’s free will, and the roles of men and women in the church. However, the stakes for disagreement over sexual immorality are high. No other dispute for otherwise orthodox[1] churches comes with a warning that people who practice immorality will not enter the kingdom of God. [2]

Immorality includes all sorts of sinful behavior, such as greed, thievery, and idolatry. However, sexual immorality is the most contentious of the practices that will keep us from God. One aspect of sexual sin is related to same-sex behavior. Well–meaning and knowledgeable people disagree about what the Greek and Hebrew words mean when referencing same-sex sin. At issue is whether all aspects of LGBTQ identity and behavior are immoral. In other words, can people who live as LGBTQ also identify as Christians?

I do not mean to question whether people who identify as LGBTQ can become Christians. Everyone can turn to Christ for salvation and reconciliation with God, no matter how they perceive themselves. We are all born as sinners separated from God. Sin is both a power that enslaves us and behaviors we perform. Sexual immorality is only one aspect of sin that will keep us from God. The only way to deal with our sin is through God's saving grace in Christ Jesus.

When God saves us, we are spiritually reborn as new creations.[3] He forgives our sins and frees us from sin’s power.[4] This transformation is so significant that it is characterized as going from death to life. After our change, things about our previous life may not align with our new self. Certain activities and actions are outside God’s original design for humanity and no longer make sense. There is polar disagreement on where LGBTQ identity and behavior fall in this regard.

Some churches believe that LGBTQ identity is consistent with being a Christian,[5] they treat people expressing those identities like anyone else in Christ. They may regard some same-sex behaviors as sinful, just as they do some male-female sexual behaviors. For example, they may agree that prostitution or promiscuous sex outside marriage as immoral. However, these churches interpret the Bible so that monogamous, same–sex relationships and marriages are within God’s intention. Other churches believe differently. They interpret the Bible in a way that condemns all same-sex behavior and that biblical marriage is between one man and one woman.

Regardless of a church’s interpretation of God’s directives regarding LGBTQ, they must be clear about where they stand regarding this issue. This understanding must be more than a cursory, dogmatic view based on how they interpret a few Bible verses. The church should have a comprehensive biblical view of sex, sexuality, and gender. They also must be willing to study and understand opposing ideas of what the Bible says. Remember, the stakes are high. If the church gets this wrong, people may be excluded from being with God in His kingdom.

In addition, we should understand sex and gender from a scientific, sociological, and psychological perspective. For instance, many people do not choose to have same-sex attractions or gender dysphoria; it is something innate. How people develop attraction or gender perspectives is the subject of much study and controversy. While some people may have inherent tendencies, in other cases, physical or psychological trauma may impact a person’s sexual or gender identity.

I do not intend to debate whether all aspects of LGBTQ identity or behavior are immoral. Instead, my purpose is to discuss how the church should relate to people who claim this identity. Considering the previous information about differing beliefs, I don’t need to spend as many words on how churches supporting LGBTQ behavior need to relate to people with this identity. They already treat them as they do anyone else. Therefore, the rest of this article will approach the subject from the perspective of churches that believe all aspects of same-sex sexual behavior are immoral.

As I stated in previous articles, how we relate to the world differs from how we relate to the church. The apostle Paul teaches that the church should not judge the world.[6] That is God’s prerogative. However, we are to judge within the church.

The Bible teaches that anyone who is of the world, that is, not in Christ, is under the power of the evil one.[7] We don’t condone or agree with their sinful behavior, but we also don’t expect them to live in agreement with every Christian value. So how do we relate to people of the world who identify as LGBTQ? We treat them like people, people who are the image of God. We treat them with love and respect. Also, like our other relationships, we don’t need to focus on sex or sexuality.

When a person becomes a Christian, we must help them know God better and how Christians live. The church must use pastoral care to help new saints mature in the faith and change sinful behavior. This care may differ significantly for those identifying as LGBTQ. For example, if a man and woman are in a sexual relationship but not married, a correction may include marriage. However, because same–sex marriage is not in alignment with God’s directives, a same-sex couple in a monogamous relationship or marriage will require special support in dealing with their relationship. Expecting a same-sex marriage or long-term relationship to change immediately is unreasonable.

As people mature, they are expected not to lead sinful lifestyles.[8] The apostle Paul teaches not to associate with any brother or sister who is sexually immoral.[9] He says not even to eat with such people. Paul’s direction is not for occasional sin, which any Christian can commit. It is for Christians who are practicing sin and who refuse to stop. Paul’s recommendations may seem harsh, but they were designed to bring people to repentance. Some people may view judgment in the church as unloving, but discipline and correction are part of a genuinely loving relationship.[10]

Because a disciplined person is free to seek a church that accepts the LGBTQ lifestyle, our instruction should include discussing this potential. We should clearly explain the differences in theology that divide the churches. When we present the biblical basis of our theology, the person will be better equipped to seek God prayerfully about their choices.

While I haven’t referenced transgender identity as much, the recommendations above apply similarly. A difference is that gender dysphoria and desires can lead people to change their bodies, not just their appearance and behavior. Men or women may take hormones and have surgeries to appear more like their self-perceived sex. Pastoral care must be developed to help people with these different levels of gender identity. Also, the church must form its theological and sociological guidelines to deal with transgender behavior and experiences.

This article cannot address every situation the church will face when relating to people who are or want to be Christians and identify as LGBTQ. The intent is to encourage the church to be thoughtful and prayerful in determining our theology and pastoral care for people in our churches. Sex, sexuality, and gender have always been important for the church. These issues are particularly salient in our current social climate. My studies indicate the church has not been well prepared to relate appropriately to people who identify as LGBTQ. There are many resources to help us, but we must intentionally engage with them to serve our people faithfully. As stated earlier in the article, perhaps no subject of disagreement in the church carries the weight of this one. Our entrance into God’s kingdom is at stake.

Please feel free to contact me with comments or questions at gtdavisblog@gmail.com or through the contact page on this website. God bless you as you approach this subject with grace and justice.

[1] By orthodox, I mean those churches that hold to a biblical view of Jesus Christ as the only mediator between God and humanity. Some churches may preach another gospel that doesn’t require Jesus’ death and resurrection to pay for our sins. Churches with this view are not considered orthodox. See 1 John 4.
[2] 1 Corinthians 6:7–11, 1 Timothy 1:8–11
[3] John 1 & 3
[4] Romans 6
[5] One can easily find churches that accept LGBTQ at gaychurch.org
[6] 1 Corinthians 5
[7] 1 John 5
[8] Romans 6 & 8, 1 John 3 & 5
[9] 1 Corinthians 5:9–11
[10] Hebrews 12