Introduction
The perspective on homosexuality has been skewed significantly by the presence of biases and the lack of tolerance among the general population. As a result, homosexual people have been subjected to massive oppression. Though presently, much more lenient and accepting perspectives on homosexuality are promoted, the specified demographic remains highly vulnerable and struggles to be accepted, which can be seen as the direct product of biases within the current religious discourse on the subject matter. Though Balswick and Balswick (2022) offer a sympathetic perspective on the challenges faced by homosexual people, they still communicate the idea that homosexual behaviors represent a sin and can be corrected, which generally aligns with the Scripture.
Discussion
The point of view that Balswick and Balswick (2022) offer is admittedly more lenient than most of the ideas regarding homosexuality that the Bible promotes, yet the general concept of encouraging a change of behaviors remains the same. Specifically, the Bible straightforwardly prohibits homosexual intercourse by stating that it is sinful and morally reprehensive in the Biblical tradition: “Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable” (The Bible, New International Version, 1984, Leviticus 18:22).
The described sentiment is geared directly to the promotion of behavior correction that forces homosexual people to hide their identity. While the specified statement does not imply conversion therapy directly, it implies that homosexual people should conceal their sexual urges and needs, therefore, presenting themselves as straight people.
In comparison, Balswick and Balswick (2022) communicate an obviously milder yet equally rigid statement concerning the necessity for gay people to hide their identity and sexual urges. Specifically, Balswick and Balswick (2022) state that “There is a need to constantly rely on God’s spiritual presence to deal with the temptations and follow through on the behavioral commitments through reliance on the Holy Spirit” (p. 79). The specified opinion, while being phrased in a manner that encourages sympathy and compassion for homosexual people, still implies that homosexual behaviors and attractions are sinful and, therefore, need to be contained (Ramly & Ab Mutalib, 2019). Thus, while the author provides a much more sympathetic way of treating homosexuals, the presence of biases toward them, as well as the lack of tolerance, is still evident.
Consequently, the perspective that the author offers aligns with the dominant narrative of the Biblical discourse regarding homosexuality. Indeed, even when considering the issue from a variety of perspectives, one will recognize the undeniable promotion of biases toward homosexual people in the Bible. For instance, Balswick and Balswick (2022) confirm that the Biblical narrative regarding homosexuality is mostly disapproving thereof: “a person finds a new identity in Jesus Christ and rejects a homosexual identity” (p. 79). Admittedly, the presence of different interpretations of the original source allows for a broader discussion of the issue. Specifically, a recent article claims that in Leviticus, “there are no passages that clearly address homosexuality as contemporary cultures understand it” (Jarosz, 2021-2022, p. 34).
The absence of a direct condemnation of homosexuality in the specified part of the Scripture suggests that, as the Biblical narrative progresses, its perspectives on homosexuality become more tolerant. Nonetheless, the promotion of behavioral change in homosexuals present in Leviticus is strikingly similar to the perspective represented by Balswick and Balswick (2022).
Conclusion
While Balswick and Balswick (2022) encourage empathy toward homosexual people due to the oppression that they face, the chapters in question still promote the concept of conversion, namely, the idea that homosexuality can be reduced to behaviors that can be corrected. The described point of view does not align with the Scripture, which actively encourages abolishing homosexuality.
References
Balswick, J. K., & Balswick, J. O. (2022). Authentic human sexuality: An integrated Christian approach. InterVarsity Press.
Jarosz, I. (2021-2022). Homosexuality in Leviticus: A Historical-Literary-Critical Analysis. James Madison Undergraduate Research Journal (JMURJ), 9(1), 4.
Ramly, R. M., & Ab Mutalib, M. M. (2019). Dynamic changes in the interpretation of homosexuality and its pusnishment In Christianiy: A prelimineray study. Perdana: International Journal of Academic Research, 6(2), 101-108.
The Bible (New International Version). (1984). Zondervan.