LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2001, Page 433

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ADDITIONAL THEOLOGICAL DOCUMENTS AND REPORTS—OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT 433

formation to pastors and others engaged in ministry to homosexuals
on the nature/nurture argument. The primary purpose of this docu-
ment is not to explore the origins of homosexuality, a topic on
which consensus or agreement does not exist. Nevertheless, some-
thing does need to be said about origins or causes. Trying to find
the origin or cause of homosexuality is the subject of much scien-
tific research. In addition, the determination of origin or cause is
of interest to certain groups as they advance the debate in society
over the tolerance and/or acceptance of homosexuality (more
specifically, homosexual behavior). It is of particular interest to
groups advocating “homosexual rights,” since a genetic origin or
cause would seem to put their struggle in the same class as the
struggle for racial or ethnic equality. On the other hand, ironically,
there are some “homosexual rights” groups that argue strenuously
that their homosexual orientation is a choice that they are free to
make. They feel that claiming their homosexuality is merely ge-
netic may lead to the view that it is a condition that can be treated
and cured, rather than a choice they have made.

According to some biological and genetic theories about homo-
sexuality, a homosexual orientation is determined either (1) by the
genes contributed by one or both parents, or (2) by the development
or lack of development of certain centers of sexuality in the person.
In either case, the result is the same. The homosexual person may
say, “That’s the way God made me” or “I didn’t choose to be this
way; it’s the way I’ve always been.” Some scientific studies have
been done in an attempt to discover if the genetic or biological cause
can be proven. Many, if not most, of these studies are statistically
and methodologically questionable. To date, no reliable research
substantiates a biological or genetic cause for homosexuality.

Another, though less common, approach to the origins of ho-
mosexuality is on the basis of development or nurture. According
to these arguments, homosexuality has either a psychological or a
sociological cause. In other words, homosexuality is a learned be-
havior resulting from either (1) a certain stimulus with a positive
response, or (2) a positive model or pattern in one of a person’s so-
cia] groups. Again, the person may feel that he or she had no choice
in the matter, that it was the only or the most positive option avail-
able, or that he or she had no influence over the external forces that
affected him or her. Research in this area is even less reliable or
determinative than its biological/genetic counterpart.

Ultimately, nothing scientifically definitive can be said about
the origins of homosexuality. This is also true when the approach is
theological. The Bible is silent on the specific, scientific cause of
homosexuality. The Scriptures are clear though that homosexuality
is the tragic result of original sin. Original sin affects body and
soul—the entire person. In one way or another, we all carry the
burden of Adam’s sin, This problem cannot be removed in this life;
it can only be absolved through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. So, liv-
ing in a fallen world, we have to recognize that certain thoughts,
words, and deeds are sinful. Determining an exact cause or origin
of them (beyond that of original sin) does not change that fact.

There are some myths concerning homosexuality that we need
to be on guard against. First, not a// men who display effeminate
characteristics are homosexual. Furthermore, one must not assume
that in all cases a homosexual person has knowingly chosen to be-
come homosexual (frankly, who, in his or her right mind, would
choose to become something that is so widely castigated and dis-
criminated against?). Nonetheless, we do know that homosexual
behaviors do take place among heterosexuals, especially in sexu-
ally-segregated settings as in prisons. Furthermore, homosexual be-
havior, as with any other sinful behavior, is a choice a person
makes. While the inclination toward homosexuality may be beyond
the control of the individual, acting on this inclination is a con-
scious choice, a behavior that one can control. There is just as little
evidence that one is born a homosexual.

Having said that, we do have to recognize that many young peo-
ple go through adolescence experiencing sexual anxieties. Their
feelings and urges change, and they have moments of sexual am-
bivalence. The teenager’s development of a sexual identity, then,
may be influenced either by others’ examples or by his or her own
actions. In other words, the person could engage in certain actions
which, when repeated a sufficient number of times, do contribute to
forming his or her orientation. Likewise, such a behavioral pattern
could affect the degree of a person’s sexual orientation or inclina-
tion. For a homosexual, this could mean that one person is strongly
oriented toward the same sex and has no compunctions against en-
gaging in sexual activity with a same-sex partner, while another
person feels homosexually oriented but is extremely guilt-ridden if
he acts out his orientation in any way.

Another myth that needs to be challenged is the claim: “Ten
percent of the population is homosexual.” This assertion derives
from the infamous “Kinsey Reports” published in 1948. What is
the problem with the ten percent figure? One is that Kinsey never
claimed that “ten percent of the population is homosexual.” What
he asserted was that ten percent of white males engaged in homo-
sexual behavior for at least three years between the ages of 15 and
65; and that four percent of them are exclusively homosexual after
the beginning of puberty. The other problem is the research meth-
ods that Kinsey used. His study was on a group of men among
whom about one-fourth had some prison experience (where sexes
were strictly segregated). Most scientific studies since Kinsey esti-
mate that the actual percentage of homosexuals among the general
population is between one percent and three percent. Obviously, it
serves the cause of the “homosexual rights” movement to claim
that a significantly higher percentage of the general population is
homosexual than actually is the case and due to a generally sym-
pathetic media, this myth is commonly repeated and consequently
believed.

Law and Gospel Application

In the simple way of the Catechism, the Law teaches us what
God wants us to do; and, when we do not do what God wants, the
Law reveals our sin and God’s condemnation of it. The Gospel. on
the other hand, teaches what God does for us; namely, it reveals
His grace and forgiveness for the sake of Christ Jesus. The Cate-
chism then goes on to explain how these two biblical teachings are
to be applied: “The Law must be proclaimed to all people, but es-
pecially to impenitent sinners; the Gospel must be proclaimed to
sinners who are troubled in their minds because of their sins.”

Though simple words, they are challenging to apply in many
pastoral care relationships. Care must be taken to distinguish be-
tween those who are truly impenitent and those who are truly trou-
bled by their sin (this principle cannot be emphasized enough).
Those who are truly impenitent and not troubled by their homo-
sexual behavior need to hear the Law. Often, however, these per-
sons will be the most difficult to reach, because they will tend to be
among the inactive members of a congregation. On the other hand,
those who are troubled by their homosexuality and are repentant
need to hear the Gospel. Their sin and sinfulness are covered by
the blood of Christ.

With those who are troubled by their homosexuality we must
distinguish between self-condemnation and divine condemnation.
In other words, is the person troubled because of his own displea-
sure with his character and/or behavior and his own failure to live
up to a moral standard? Or is the person troubled because he or she
recognizes that God is displeased with homosexual thoughts.
words, and deeds and has threatened to punish them? Those who
are troubled must realize that homosexual desires and behavior are
more than a character flaw or moral weakness; they are sin.

To those who are truly troubled and repentant, there may be lit-
tle need for the actual or verbal proclamation of the Law. It may

2001 Convention Workbook