If Jesus said having angry thoughts about someone makes one equally subject to judgment as murdering someone, then does it not follow that desiring someone of the same sex makes one equally subject to judgment as committing homosexual acts with someone?
I don't think Jesus means that having any kind of angry thought whatsoever is sinful, akin to murder. When we look at the context of Matthew 5:22, he seems to have in mind anger that involves thinking or saying degrading things about the person you are angry with--e.g., calling him a "good-for-nothing" or "fool," as the NASB renders the passage. Also, there are numerous times throughout Scripture where God is angry with people, but we wouldn't thereby attribute sin to Him. I'm thinking, as well, of more ordinary cases where parents are angry with their children, and this results in discipline rather than abuse.
This distinction between non-sinful and sinful anger is also supported by Paul, when he says, "Be angry, and yet do not sin" (Eph. 4:26). This verse seems to suggest that you can be angry without thereby sinning. Paul's command isn't "do not be angry," but rather, "do not let the sun go down on your anger," which is a prohibition not against anger per se, but prolonged anger or bitterness. It should be noted as well that the Greek word here for anger (orgizō) is the same word used in Matthew 5:22.
So, then, if we're going to draw an analogy between anger and same-sex attraction, we can say that just like anger, there are instances of same-sex attraction which involve committing a sin, and cases where it does not involve committing a sin, examples of which I've provided in the post.
Great post. One objection on 3. If we inherit Adams sin or those of our father, isn't the Catholic teaching that we are culpable, we could be damned on account of original sin alone? If so, aren't ppl bound to take responsibility and do all they can with the help of grace to rid themselves of this disorder?
If Jesus said having angry thoughts about someone makes one equally subject to judgment as murdering someone, then does it not follow that desiring someone of the same sex makes one equally subject to judgment as committing homosexual acts with someone?
Thanks for reading, Mike!
I don't think Jesus means that having any kind of angry thought whatsoever is sinful, akin to murder. When we look at the context of Matthew 5:22, he seems to have in mind anger that involves thinking or saying degrading things about the person you are angry with--e.g., calling him a "good-for-nothing" or "fool," as the NASB renders the passage. Also, there are numerous times throughout Scripture where God is angry with people, but we wouldn't thereby attribute sin to Him. I'm thinking, as well, of more ordinary cases where parents are angry with their children, and this results in discipline rather than abuse.
This distinction between non-sinful and sinful anger is also supported by Paul, when he says, "Be angry, and yet do not sin" (Eph. 4:26). This verse seems to suggest that you can be angry without thereby sinning. Paul's command isn't "do not be angry," but rather, "do not let the sun go down on your anger," which is a prohibition not against anger per se, but prolonged anger or bitterness. It should be noted as well that the Greek word here for anger (orgizō) is the same word used in Matthew 5:22.
So, then, if we're going to draw an analogy between anger and same-sex attraction, we can say that just like anger, there are instances of same-sex attraction which involve committing a sin, and cases where it does not involve committing a sin, examples of which I've provided in the post.
Great post. One objection on 3. If we inherit Adams sin or those of our father, isn't the Catholic teaching that we are culpable, we could be damned on account of original sin alone? If so, aren't ppl bound to take responsibility and do all they can with the help of grace to rid themselves of this disorder?