This week two events provoked me to reflect on this question. First, Pope Francis called for the Catholic Church to recognize same sex civil unions. Second, I participated in a Q & A with young adults at a local church in which the above question was asked. So, I will briefly address these issues.
First, as a protesting Pentecostal who admired John Paul II and Benedict XVI, I find Pope Francis’ call for the church to recognize same sex relationships to be heretical, even apostate. This is contrary to the teaching of the Catholic Church, which not even a Pope has the authority to change. Paul warned Timothy that sexual immorality – adultery, fornication, and homosexuality – is contrary to sound doctrine (1 Tim 1:10). The Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2nd Edition states that Sacred Scripture “presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity” and “tradition has always declared that homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered”. Furthermore, “Under no circumstances can they be approved”. Even so, celibate homosexuals “must be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity” (CCC 2357-2359). I pray that Pope Francis is strongly challenged by the faithful catholic theologians.
Now let’s address the question of David and Jonathan. In the Holy Scripture we are told that “the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as himself” (1 Samuel 18:1). Later, after Jonathan was killed in battle, David lamented the death of his dear friend: “I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; you have been very pleasant to me. Your love to me was more wonderful than the love of women” (2 Samuel 1:26). So, does the biblical narrative suggest that David and Jonathan were homosexual lovers?
The relationship between David and Jonathan is best described as heroic friendship, a friendship that was forged out of deep respect, a friendship earned in the heat of battle. David and Jonathan trusted each other with their lives. This is a love that transcends sexual expression (i.e., the love of women). Their mutual love and trust went beyond being brothers-in-law who were natural rivals for the throne of Israel. They forged a relationship in which they were brothers. CS Lewis described heroic love as
friendship… that raised us almost above humanity. This love, free from instinct, free from all duties but those which love has freely assumed, almost wholly free from jealousy, and free without qualification from the need to be needed, is eminently spiritual. It is the sort of love one can imagine between angels (The Four Loves, 91).
Furthermore, the common euphemism for sexual intimacy in the Bible – knew – is never used of David and Jonathan (cf. Gen. 4:1 NKJV, NRSV, et al). Also, both David and Jonathan had wives and children.
There is no suggestion anywhere in Holy Scripture that homosexual behavior is blessed or sanctified. There are many examples of disordered and sinful sexual relationships in the Bible including:
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- the incestuous relationship between Lot and his two daughters (Genesis 19:30-36);
- the adulterous relationship between David and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:2-5);
- and the Corinthian who was in a sexual relationship with his stepmother (1 Corinthians 5:1ff).
None of these relationships are affirmed or blessed, but are considered sinful and shameful. Paul declared that all types of sexual immorality should be lamented. Those who blatantly sin should be expelled from the fellowship of the church (1 Corinthians 5:2).
A young man once declared to his family that he was homosexual with the statement, “I’m not broke and I don’t need to be fixed.” My response was “Son, we are all broken and we all need to be fixed.” Sexual temptation is common to humanity. Men and women struggling with sexual sin – heterosexual and homosexual – need the healing and forgiving grace of God. The message of the Gospel is one of hope for heterosexual and homosexual sinners:
Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals… will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
There is no sin that is beyond the capacity of God’s grace! In justification we are “set right” and in sanctification our affections are turned towards the holiness of God. God’s grace heals the brokenness of humanity.
