Don’t Be Homophobic!
Of course you probably thought I meant something else by "homophobic" – right? These days it is narrowly defined as an "irrational fear of homosexuals." However, if you break this wildly popular mud-slinging adjective down to its roots, you have "homo" - which is Latin* for "man," and "phobic" which is "a fear of" – so homophobic is technically a fear of man.
What kind of man? Well, I'm talking about a fear of a homo unius libri… a man (or person) of one book.
This phrase came from an amazing preacher named John Wesley who helped start one of the greatest revivals America has ever seen. His one mission to serve God by spreading the gospel and helping the oppressed came from his one focus to be a homo (man) unius (one) libri (book).
Get Our Latest News for FREE
You can probably guess what "one book" he was talking about. It was the best seller of his time, and still is the best seller of all time. It has been translated into over 3,000 languages and is the only book that was written by 40 different people over a course of 1,500+ years in three languages and on three continents that contains one consistent theme.
You and I know it as the Bible, and despite its supernatural qualities and super powerful impact it can have on our lives, most Christians just have a super dusty copy lost on a shelf somewhere.
Why? Because they are homophobic in a "people of one book" sort of way. They fear being people of one book because this one book just might get a hold of their lives and turn them into some radical sold out servant of Christ.
Don't believe me? Then go out and ask people how often they read the Bible. Or better yet, ask them how many verses they can tell you from memory. They'll know that God so loved the world, and that Jesus wept, but generally speaking they'll connect better with Harry Potter than with the Apostle Paul, and know more about a series of unfortunate events than the events leading to Christ's death and resurrection. They think Jesus was born because Mary had an immaculate contraption, the people who followed the Lord were called the 12 decibels, and the epistles were the wives of the apostles.
Oh, they'll say they don't read and study the Bible because they don't have time, don't know where to start, don't think it's relevant, or don't understand it. But I think the bottom line is they are homophobic. And in many ways, they are right. We should be just a little afraid of a book that describes itself as "alive and powerful," and "sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires." (Hebrews 4:12)
But for me, I have a bigger fear. It's called 'theophobia'- and that is a fear of God. Not an irrational fear, but a very rational one based on verses like these:
For the LORD's great anger is burning against us because our ancestors have not obeyed the words in this scroll. We have not been doing everything it says we must do." (2 Kings 22:13)
Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom. (Psalm 111:10)
So are you ready to be cured of your homophobia? It doesn't require rehab or therapy; just carve out a sacred time each day to dive into this sacred book and let it change you from the inside out because:
The Bible contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.
It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and the Christian's charter. Here Paradise is restored, Heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, our good the design, and the glory of God its end.
It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be opened at the judgment, and be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.**
So don't be homophobic – instead be theophobic and let your fear of God help you overcome your fear of becoming everything He wants you to be!
*The Greek translation of "homo" is "same" – which is an alternate definition of "homophobic" (fear of "same-ness")
**Found inside a Gideon's New Testament
_____________________________________________________________________________
Lane Palmer is the Youth Ministries Specialist for Dare 2 Share Ministries in Arvada, Colo., where he works with to provide resources for youth leaders and students. Dare 2 Share exists to energize and equip teens to know, live, share and own their faith in Jesus. For more information on Dare 2 Share Ministries or the GameDay youth conference tour, please visit www.dare2share.org. Send feedback to lane@dare2share.org.
