Hope for the Alcoholic and Homosexual

Michael H. Kilgore recently wrote ("Who’s Right?, January 20), questioning whether "God creates homosexuals."

This reminds me of the popular view that alcoholism is a "disease." The thought is that since alcoholism is a disease, people really are not responsible for their condition. In contrast, God says that drunkenness is a sin and that we are responsible to control our actions and renounce this sin. If alcoholism were something that a person is not responsible for but just "happens to him," it would take away the drunkard’s hope of conquering this sin. Furthermore, if people were born alcoholics, this would suggest that God is actually responsible for the person’s condition. Also, since God says that no drunkard can enter the kingdom of God but will be condemned (1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:21), this would mean that God Himself is responsible for a person’s condemnation. This is untrue.

Apply this principle now to homosexuality or sodomy. If homosexuality were not a choice but a genetic "disease," this would take hope away from the person, giving him the impression that he cannot change and overcome his sin. Furthermore, if people were created as homosexuals, this would suggest that God is actually responsible for a person’s sin. Since God says that homosexuals cannot enter the kingdom of God but will be condemned (1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Romans 1:26-27; Revelation 21:8), this would mean that God Himself is responsible for their eternal destiny in hell. To make this charge would be blasphemy!

No, Michael, God does not create homosexuals any more than He creates alcoholic drunkards. Let’s leave God out of this. When we sin (whether through drunkenness or homosexuality), we sin by choice. Although there are many contributing factors that would lead a person to engage in both sins, let us acknowledge our own responsibility—therefore our accountability. Let us give hope to both the alcoholic and the sodomite by challenging them to repent of their sin and find forgiveness from God. Through Christ, the drunkard, the homosexual, and every other sinner (all of us have been) may find total liberation! This is the real solution. Blaming our genes and inheritance or calling sin a disease is pessimism and falsehood.

Richard Hollerman
(Fort Worth Star-Telegram)