One such example is listed below: Another recent hypothesis about the main sin of Sodom (and one which is often taught in concert with the “rape” hypothesis) is the lack of hospitality position. If the men of Sodom were using rape as a means to humiliate “outsiders,” then wouldn’t Lot’s daughters have qualified since Lot was considered an outsider (verse 9)? The SIN of Sodom in short: Ezekiel said, while condemning the people of Jerusalem, shortly before the city was destroyed, Ezekiel explicitly stated the source of Sodom‘s guilt; “behold, this was the iniquity of those sister Sodom, pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. Note 6. You're almost done! Holly Joan Toensing, “Women of Sodom and Gomorrah Collateral Damage in the War against Homosexuality?,”. The sin of Sodom and Gomorrah wasn't independence and isolationism, it was extreme wickedness. Sodom, Gomorrah along with three other cities formed a large settlement at the terminus of the Jordan River. But what was the primary sin of Sodom (and Gomorrah and the nearby cities of the plain)? All Scripture references are NKJV unless otherwise noted. So yes, Sodom was judged for homosexual sin—which flowed from pride, which also led to cruelty and exploitation of their fellow men and women. Sexual “immorality” is a the practice of sexual acts that are not moral, not according to us but to God. Please refresh the page and try again. There were likely many cases of rape in Sodom, but it seems clear that all the men of the city (except Lot, and perhaps his sons-in-law mentioned in verse 14) had become bisexual or preferentially homosexual. Other versions, such as the ESV use the terminology “pursued unnatural desire” here. In contrast to Lot's gracious hospitality, which includes preparing a feast for his guests, the men surround Lot's house … A third and fourth “sin explanation” has gained popularity in recent years, primarily in liberal Christian scholarship, but it is not deduced from an exegetical reading of Scripture. This interpretation of the story of Sodom and Gomorrah seems to make sense when viewed with what the other Biblical writers had to say about it. Some have even postulated that this may be one reason Lot didn’t offer his wife—she was most likely from Sodom, therefore an “insider.” To address the potential question that the rape of the women would not have been as humiliating as the rape of men during this time period and in the Middle East, we need to keep in view what happened about 100 years later in Genesis 34. The New Testament uses these cities … All sin is an offense to God and demonstrates mankind’s rebellion against him. The traditional list, is summarized in the Catechism which states The catechetical tradition also recalls that there are “sins that cry to heaven”: the blood of Abel, the sin of the Sodomites, the cry of the people oppressed in Egypt, the cry of the foreigner, the widow, and … Society today is indifferent to sin. Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. This is alluded to in comparisons with Israel when it was deep in sin. Notice the wording of this passage in Genesis 19:4–9,3 they wanted Lot to offer them the men (angels in the form of men) as sexual playthings. Sodom’s sins were pride, gluttony, and laziness, while the poor and needy suffered outside her door. Furthermore, if the sin had just been men of Sodom wanting to rape, then why judge the women of the city? So, the Bible is clear that sexual sin and homosexual behavior, in particular, was the outward sin for which they (Sodom and Gomorrah) were destroyed. The Bible is not contradicting itself when it states that Sodom and Gomorrah’s sin was sexual immorality and pride (and its related lack of concern for others). Why was Lot’s wife turned into a pillar of salt? An especially wicked place is described as a "Sodom and Gomorrah." This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free! The propensity for violence, rape, and adultery (which must have also been occurring in Sodom, since there were no women present at this mob scene) are all factors here though. Words like haughty, bitter, venom, wanton, idleness, (when they could have been helping others) leap out of the verses as a description of a self-absorbed, hedonistic people who cared nothing for others. Simply put, even the women of the city were unrighteous and wicked, so the blame cannot simply be on the actions of these men. Terms of Service apply. The narrative in that chapter makes this claim a weak one. It's become popular to claim that the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah was something other than homosexuality. Sodom and Gomorrah. Although their sins of pride, sexual immorality, inhospitality, and cruelty were committed against other people—ultimately, they were a direct offense against God. But we must keep in mind that God was also ready to show mercy. The names Sodom and Gomorrah (1) are bywords in our modern society. First of all, my goal here is not to bash anybody, to make anybody feel bad. The Jewish historian Josephus looks at all these factors (pride, homosexual behavior, hatred) in describing the sin of Sodom. 1 decade ago. Note 5. Sodom and Gomorrah were so infamous for their immorality that God destroyed them by fire (Genesis 19). The Apostle Peter, echoing what Jude would also say (Jude 1:7), pins their destruction upon living ungodly (clearly having in mind their being “given over” to the physical act of sexual immorality in the form of homosexual lust). For those who uphold biblical inerrancy and authority, the answer is obvious—yes! So, some theologians and scholars have claimed, especially based on Ezekiel 16:49, that the real sin of Sodom was not homosexual behavior, but that God judged them for pride. It’s a deep valley and before these cities were overturned the Jordan branched out into a delta, watering the earth well and sprouting rich, lush greenery. Can this apparent contradiction be explained? They had settled in an area near the Dead Sea, with Lot and his followers choosing to make their stead in Dead Sea plains. Genesis 18:20 KJV And the Lord said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; The sin committed in these cities and the surrounding cities was crying out to God in heaven. Genesis chapter 18 records the Lord and two angels coming to speak with Abraham. The story of Sodom and Gomorrah is one of the favorite passages of persons who oppose same-sex behavior. 7 0. No. Jude 7 . If you covet in your heart, that can lead to stealing. by Kevin DeYoung, 101 Frequently Asked Questions About Homosexuality by Mike Haley. Internet Explorer is no longer supported. is that it was homosexuality . God can and does judge upon the motives of the heart, but he can and does also judge on the physical actions. Genesis 18:20 says, “And the Lord said, ’The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave.’” Indeed, not even ten righteous people could be found in the city. First, Sodom and Gomorrah were judged because of grave sin. There appear to be four main sins espoused, but only two by conservative Jewish and Christian theologians and scholars. It’s also the same word used in Leviticus 18:22 when addressing homosexual acts. The Bible is not contradicting itself when it states that Sodom and Gomorrah’s sin was sexual immorality and pride (and its related lack of concern for others). What does the Bible say about homosexuality? Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the New Revised Standard Version. Jude describes the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah as “sexual immorality” and “going after strange flesh.” Although other scriptures back up your claim of inhospitality, this one contradicts the idea that their damnation was not for homosexuality. Sodom and Gomorrah, notoriously sinful cities in the biblical book of Genesis, destroyed by “sulfur and fire” because of their wickedness (Genesis 19:24). How Do We Know the Bible Is True? In other words, in threatening to now rape Lot, they were admitting that their desire for the angels was pure lust, not dominance in the form of rape. Confirmation in Other Scriptures. Liberal theologians and scholars and biblical critics have turned the tables on Genesis 19 and conclude that it is actually teaching homophobia. This was highlighted in the attempt of homosexual gang rape, considered a detestable act, but was not limited to this one action. Pastors are sometimes said to be preaching "fire and brimstone." 12 No.1 (1999). My goal is simply to figure out what the text intends to teach us. The story of the judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah is told in Genesis 18–19.Three men come to Abraham in the plains of Mamre.After the angels received the hospitality of Abraham and Sarah, the Lord reveals to Abraham that he would confirm what he had heard against Sodom and Gomorrah, "and because their sin is very grievous.". Seeing a neighbor in need and having the ability to help with that need and refusing to do so is showing malicious hatred (Luke 10:30–37, 1 John 3:15–19). The fate of these cities is held up by religious conservatives to justify the suppression of non-heterosexual people and to fan hatred of same sex eroticism and gender fluidity. Answers in Genesis is an apologetics ministry, dedicated to helping Christians defend their faith and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. Q. The fact that the men of Sodom so quickly (and unanimously) refused Lot’s offer of his daughters shows that rape could not be the primary sin of the men of Sodom. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/250180760_Women_of_Sodom_and_Gomorrah_Collateral_Damage_in_the_War_against_Homosexuality, Noah’s Flood: a Historical, Global Catastrophe. While their sexual sins again were highlighted in Genesis 19, the real object of their sin is revealed in the pre-destruction polemic against them several chapters earlier: “But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the LORD” (Genesis 13:13; cf. In time, however, many issues arose. 50 They were haughty and did detestable things before meTherefore I did away with them as you have seen. Jesus taught his disciples this very thing in Matthew 15:18–20. Why did God destroy Sodom and Gomorrah? But as mentioned above, much of this is based on reading Ezekiel 16:49 in isolation (neglecting the rest of the Bible) and comparing Genesis 19 with other ancient Middle Eastern cultures, ancient Greek cultic prostitution, and even modern Middle Eastern countries. SIN OF GREED. Here’s the answer. Their refusal to show hospitality and love towards people who were vulnerable. 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