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2016-2017 Student Handbook 67 4:14. The OT contexts for homosexual practice are sometimes associated with either gang rape (Genesis 19; Judges 19) or with Canaanite (and other) religious practices (as in the cultic functionaries). Thus condemnation of these figures may involve other considerations than consensual homosexual activity. However, this is not the case for Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13. Taking into consideration the grammar and the variety of contexts (cultural, social, religious, and literary), the conclusion is that homosexual practice was contrary to God's covenant with Israel. 3 Although the opening clause of the verse is usually translated, "A woman must not wear men's clothing," the Hebrew word translated as "clothing," keli, can refer to items used in a variety of settings, including the Tabernacle. Some scholars have noted that the term may also have military connotations. 4 Other NT uses of porneia ([πορνεία] e.g., Mark 7:21; Acts 15:20; 1 Corinthians 6:13, 18; 7:2-3; 2 Corinthians 12:21; Galatians 5:19; Colossians 3:5) point to violations of God's intentions for how the sexual relationship honors God the creator and humans made in his image. 5 See particularly Romans 1:21-32. Whereas Paul identifies the idolatry of rejecting God for other gods as the core issue in all human sinfulness, he specifically denounces the shameful and degrading sexual sins that resulted from humanity's rejection of male/female complementarity as the created design of human sexuality. When condemning homosexual behavior in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 and 1 Timothy 1:9-10, among other sins that violate God's intention for human sexuality, Paul uses arsenokoitēs (ἀρσενοκοίτης), translated as "men who have sex with men" (NIV) and "practicing homosexuals" (NET). The NRSV translates this word as "sodomites" in both these texts. Paul probably coined the Greek term, but it's clear to see how he came to use it—from texts such as Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13 that include the command, "don't lie with a male as one does with a female." 6 For example, the sin of "adultery" (translations of forms or cognates of moicheuō [μοιχεύω]) occurs forty- eight times in the NIV translation. "Sexual immorality" or "fornication" (translations of forms or cognates of porneia [πορνεία]) is mentioned twenty-five times in the NT. *Reproduction of this document is prohibited without the expressed authorization of Denver Seminary. Please contact the Dean of Students for more information.