My review of the booklet “Homosexuality and the Bible,’ by R. Nicholas Black

I believe this review has provided an opportunity to teach, discern, edify, sanctify Christ’s bride (Holy Spirit willing), and to glorify the Lord.

Recently while at a particular venue, the Pastor recommended a booklet being made available entitled ‘Homosexuality and the Bible,’ authored by R. Nicholas Black, and published by New Growth Press and Harvest USA. This booklet was written to Christians, as a resource “for Church and Culture.” He made them available on their table.

Since it was a suggested read, and that more and more ‘churches’ are increasingly compromising in this area, I decided to read it, in hopes that it might become a good resource to distribute.

After reading this book, I later met with the Pastor of this venue, and I spoke to him about it. Prior to meeting with him, I informed him that I would be addressing the problems that I discerned about this book. When we met, he was graceful and very kind. He even advised that he read the book a second time, before meeting with me. But he lovingly and respectfully disagreed with my assessment.

“Let us, then, cultivate an attitude of courage as over against the investigations of the day. None should be more zealous in them then we. None should be more quick to discern truth in every field, more hospitable to receive it, more loyal to follow it wherever it leads.” – B.B. Warfield

“Discernment is not a matter of simply telling the difference between right and wrong; rather it is telling the difference between right and almost right.” – Charles Spurgeon

Black begins by sharing the liberal view of homosexuality amongst ‘professing’ Christians (emphasis on ‘professing’). Those views are obviously unbiblical, and sinful. He then slowly transitions to an almost Orthodox view. Those views are more Biblical. He also discusses the extreme and unbiblical views of cults such as Westboro. He rightfully shares how the Scriptures can be misinterpreted.

Though Black does defend the Word of God, and he comes to the Biblical conclusion that homosexuality is sinful, but there are many areas in this book that compromise, and that I disagree with. But to err on the side of not being too critical, I will only mention a few.

Black fails by erring on the side of “acceptance” of this sin, and “inclusion.” His book truncates the Gospel on matters of Ecclesiastical authority. He even discourages Christians from “drawing a line between them and us.” Contrary to Scriptures (1 Cor 6:18-20), his booklet gives the appearance of normalizing sexual immorality. He leans towards adapting the church to our culture, and that Christians should foster a “mutual respect” for opposing views. How could I “respect” a sin (or a view) that God hates?

This book redacts the Gospel in regards to consequences, and Biblical church discipline. This book even implies that “same-sex” attractions within the church are normal. Perhaps yes within these buildings that we wrongfully call “church,” but not the Lord’s true blood-bought Bride of Christ. This booklet does not teach on repentance, and it lacks in courage, conviction, and respect for the Christian conscience. Furthermore, it is absent of the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27). He places an emphasis on befriending homosexuals, but without a warning of the dangers of crossing that line, of sinfully becoming friends with the world (James 4:4-5, 1 John 2:15-17), or unequally yoked to unbelievers (2 Cor 6:14-17).

The Bible commands Christians to walk circumspectly (Eph 5:15-20), but this booklet teaches otherwise in this regard. Brethren, we must be careful that our evangelism, ministry, or missions-work does not become tolerant of sin, or accepting of sinful lifestyles. As I mentioned in another post ~

“Sadly I know an increasing percentage of ‘professing’ (alleged) Christians that have succumbed to Satan, by not only tolerating sexual immorality. Furthermore they have accepted it, acquiesced to it, congratulated it, and even celebrated with those whom practice sexual immorality. Recently one ‘professing’ Christian told me that he went on a “double-date” to dinner and the movies with a homosexual couple. All in the name of ‘friendship evangelism,’ or the unbiblical – mystical “They’ll see Jesus inside of me” heresy. Ministering to them is one thing, but condoning, approving of, or celebrating their lifestyle is sinful.”

Regarding befriending particular people groups. Sadly many professing Christians will quote that verse “Jesus was a friend of sinner’s” out of context. But in fact, it was the self-righteous Pharisees  that were making a derogatory claim against the Lord. Jesus was never a “friend of sinner’s” in a worldly sense, as many people are today. Jesus was not worldly, He never sinned, He never accepted their sin, He never condoned their sins, He never acquiesced to their sins, and He never enabled their sins. In fact, those that He did associate Himself with, He called-out  their sins, and He called them to repentance  and salvation (Luke 5:32, Luke 15, Luke 19.) When He met with the adulterous woman, He led her to Himself, rebuking her, telling her “Go and sin no more” (John 8:3–11). When He sat down with the Samaritan woman, He called-out her sins of adultery, and fornication (John 4). Brethren, if you have ever accused Jesus of merely being “a friend of sinners,” I strongly urge you to repent. Admittedly I have needed to repent from this former unbiblical belief.

All the while the Scriptures are very clear on this matter. That when necessary, drawing a line is Biblical (Matt 10:34), that judging those inside the church is Biblical (1 Cor 5:12-13), and if necessary, even to the point of church discipline, and/or excommunication (Eph 5:1-21, 1 Cor 5, Matt 18). But sadly these necessary ecclesiastical principles are absent in this booklet.

God forbid, if I started coming to church with a different woman. I would expect my Pastor or Elders to ask me “Bill where’s your wife?” And if I told them that I was more attracted to this  woman, then I would expect to be excommunicated from my church.

Look at the example that the Lord Jesus left for us in His Priestly prayer in the seventeenth chapter of John. This example is how we can glorify both the Father and the Son (v 1-5). Jesus declared that He was not of this world, and that His church was in unity (v 11), that His disciples will be radically separated from the world, and that the world will hate them (v 14,) again that they are not to be of this world (v 15), that they are to be sanctified, consecrated, set apart, holy, different from the world, and to walk according to the truth of the Word  (v 17-19). But His prayer was not for His disciples only, it is for all believers  (vs 20-26).

Brethren we must be careful to not trust or rely on books as our source of counsel. As I stated in my blog post on a commentary that I recently purchased,

“Brethren, the postmodern church has been infected and effected by a postmodern view of the Scriptures. Though the Word of God does not change, sadly man’s view of the Lord’s Scriptures have. Even by some of our more solid Pastors.

Therefore over this last ten years I have slowly replaced most of my postmodern academia driven books, with writings from ‘old dead men’ like the aforementioned. Most of my former books I gave away, others I tossed in the trash can, and yes perhaps burning some books is Biblical (Acts 19:19).

But remember, King Solomon warned that many books (or booklets) can become bad for our spiritual health (Eccl. 12:12). Just as Law Enforcement is called to toe that thin blue line, Christians are called to circumspectly toe that thin Theological line, while being amongst this world. All too often many books can blur that line.

Therefore my suggestion to you, is spend more time in the Bible, than in any other book. Today my Christian library is ‘academia focused.’ In other words, my books are about the Scriptures. Books on Theology, Systematic Theology, Doctrine, Greek and Hebrew helps, Bible commentaries, etcetera. Books that give me a more accurate interpretation, understanding, and exegesis of the Scripture.”

Unfortunately there are many similarities between the Roman Catholic religion, and some Protestant denominations. As you know the Roman Catholics wrongfully believe that everything their Pope says (or writes) is inerrant and canonical. Many Protestant denominations have a Rome-like hierarchy,  whereas the Elders or Sessions of their hierarchy go unchallenged, as if everything they say or write is canonical, when in fact often times they are in err.

Christians, we must be careful to not let our emotions fog our discernment. Remember a few years ago in So. Calif. when Pastor Danny Cortez learned that his son was a homosexual. So what did Cortez do? Rather than emerge himself in the Scriptures, he emerged himself in miscellaneous books, and “homo-erotic literature.” Consequently Cortez fell away from the faith, and endorsed the homosexual lifestyle.

Brethren, we must be more concerned about fearing God, than man (Matt 10:28). We must be more concerned in pleasing God, more than man (Gal 1:10, Acts 5:29).

If a sexually immoral person (straight or gay) visits a church that is ‘healthy and Biblical,’ over a short period of time, one of the following will occur ~

1. They will be offended and leave
2. They will be convicted, or hopefully
3. They will be ‘convicted and converted’ by Christ (which includes repentance, a new character, and new desires).

If none of the above occurs, then that church is unhealthy and unbiblical.

Yes the Sword of the Lord will divide, and it must be wielded to protect Christ’s bride from being influenced by the world. As Spurgeon said of Matthew 10:34 ~

“Wherever Christianity comes, it causes a quarrel, because the light must always quarrel with the darkness, and sin can never be friendly with righteousness. It is not possible that honesty should live in peace with theft; it cannot be that there should be harmony between God’s servants and the servants of the devil. In this sense, then, understand our Saviour’s words.”

Brethren, the most unloving thing we can do, is make the unregenerate feel comfortable on their way to hell, because love warns (here’s two videos witnessing to homosexuals – video #1 & video #2).

Today more and more professing Christians, pastors, and counselors are relinquishing their responsibly of Biblical discipleship. Rather than them labor in prayer together, and labor through the Scriptures for doctrine, reproof, correction, or instruction in righteousness (2 Tim 3:16); instead they are suggesting particular books to read. That my friend is not discipleship, that is skirting our responsibility, while disobeying God’s command to make disciples of one another.

Lastly, Blacks book undermines Sola Scriptura, Tota Scriptura, and the Doctrine of the Sufficiency of Scriptures. Therefore I would not recommend this booklet to anyone.

As always brethren –Love ‘biblically’ – repent – be salt and light – be holy – be sanctified – fear God – pray without ceasing – keep His commandments – grow in His grace and knowledge – put on the whole armor of God (and use it) – walk circumspectly – believe in and trust Jesus – obey the Gospel – share the Gospel – preach the Gospel – contend for the faith, – disciple each other, hate the things that God hates, and love the things that God loves – keep the faith, work-out your salvation, and endure to the end!

Below I have included three short videos on sexual immorality. The first from Paul Washer, the second myself, and the third from Dr. Voddie Baucham.