@Tillman
You accuse me of Gnostic thinking, but the Scriptures cut through such confusion. God has spoken plainly about sin, and His word stands forever. First, homosexuality is not placed in a separate category from other sins, nor is it excused on the basis of desire. Romans 1:26–27 declares with clear verbs that God paredōken (παρέδωκεν, “gave them over”) to dishonorable passions, and that men exekauthēsan (ἐξεκαύθησαν, “burned”) in their lust toward one another. The verb shows active inflaming, not neutral desire, and the Spirit calls it aschemosynēn (ἀσχημοσύνην, “shameful acts”).
This is not my interpretation, it is the revealed judgment of God.
Second, marriage is defined by God, not by human reinterpretation. Genesis 2:24 uses the verb dabaq (דָּבַק, “to cling, to be joined”) where a man shall cling to his wife and they shall become one flesh. Jesus repeats this in Matthew 19:5–6 with the verb proskollēthēsetai (προσκολληθήσεται, “shall be joined”), grounding marriage in male-female union.
Paul does not permit same-sex “marriage” as an outlet, because the Creator Himself defines marriage. To call that definition “Gnostic” is to blaspheme the Lord who made male and female.
Third, the issue of judgment in Romans 2:1 is twisted in your use. Paul does not say that no one may call sin what it is. He condemns hypocrites who prassontes (πράσσοντες, “practice”) the very same sins while condemning others.
This does not mean we cannot expose sin, for the same Paul commanded in Ephesians 5:11, mē sunkoinōneite (μὴ συγκοινωνεῖτε, “do not participate”) in the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather elenchete (ἐλέγχετε, “expose them”).
Judgmental hypocrisy is forbidden, but Spirit-filled exposure of sin is commanded.
Fourth, you suggest Paul was mistaken about the time being short. That is not exegesis, that is unbelief. Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 7:29, ho kairos synestalmenos estin (ὁ καιρὸς συνεσταλμένος ἐστίν, “the time has been shortened”), are Spirit-inspired, teaching urgency in light of the coming Kingdom, not a miscalculation. Peter reminds us in 2 Peter 3:8–9 that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and the Lord is not slow but patient, calling sinners to repentance. The apostles were not mistaken, they were Spirit-breathed heralds of God’s word.
Fifth, the charge of “lack of mercy” is false. True mercy is found only in Christ crucified and risen. Titus 3:5 says He saved us, ou ex ergōn (οὐκ ἐξ ἔργων, “not by works”) but by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit. Mercy never excuses sin, it transforms sinners. Paul himself said in 1 Corinthians 6:9–11 that the sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, arsenokoitai (ἀρσενοκοῖται, “men who lie with men”) will not inherit the Kingdom. But he follows with the gospel, kai tauta tines ēte (καὶ ταῦτά τινες ἦτε, “and such were some of you”), but you were washed, sanctified, justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. That is mercy—deliverance from sin, not affirmation of it.
Finally, your argument collapses under the weight of Scripture. To affirm same-sex desire as good is to call evil good and good evil, and Isaiah 5:20 warns woe upon those who do so. God’s wrath menei (μένει, “remains”) on those who persist in unbelief (John 3:36), yet His love is revealed in the cross where Christ died for sinners (Romans 5:8). Repentance and faith in Him alone is the way of mercy. To preach any other gospel is to stand condemned (Galatians 1:8–9).
So the real lack of mercy would be to let a sinner walk blind into eternal wrath while affirming his rebellion as love. True love speaks the truth, warns of judgment, and points to the only Savior who breaks chains and gives new life.
Adieu.
J.