Page 617 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

SOFTLY - SON OF MAN

forgiven and cleansed in the name of the Lord Jesus Reprobate, Vile.]
Christ and by the Spirit of God (1 Co. 6:9-11). Is SOFTLY. Gently; cautiously; quietly (Ge. 33:14; Jud.
Sodomy A Greater Sin? While it is true that there are 4:21; Ru. 3:7; Is. 8:6; Ac. 27:13).
many sins other than homosexuality and all sin is SOJOURN. To dwell for a time; temporary residence;
wicked before God, and while it is true that any sin can a traveler in a foreign land (Ge. 12:10; 19:9; Ac. 7:6).
be forgiven through the blood of Jesus Christ, the Bible
does not say that all sin is the same in its effect in this SOLACE. Delight; pleasure (Pr. 7:18).
world. God did not pour out fire and brimstone upon SOLOMON (peaceful). David’s son by Bathsheba
Sodom because of its jealousy or covetousness or lack of who inherited the throne (2 Sa. 5:14; 1 Ki. 1:10-53).
hospitality. It was judged specifically because of its The kingdom under Solomon’s rule became exceedingly
homosexuality (Jude 7). Though all moral sins are evil rich, peaceful, and renowned (1 Ki. 4, 10). Solomon
in God’s eye, homosexuality is especially corrupt built the first Jewish temple in Jerusalem (1 Ki. 5-8). In
because it is a sin against nature itself. It destroys the his youth, Solomon loved and obeyed the Lord (1 Ki. 3),
very fabric of society, which is the family as defined but later he married many foreign wives in disobedience
biblically—a man and a woman united in holy to God and even served their false gods (1 Ki. 11).
matrimony rearing children to fear God and to be Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes and the Song of Solomon
productive citizens. Homosexuality is to “change the and most of the book of Proverbs. Solomon’s glorious
natural use into that which is against nature” (Ro. reign fore views Christ’s future earthly kingdom: Christ
1:26). The NIV Translation of Sodomy: Some modern will rule the world from Jerusalem (Mt. 19:28; 25:31;
translations, such as the New International Version, Ze. 14:9-11). All the nations will come to see and hear
replace the word “sodomite” with “male temple and worship Christ (Ps. 72:8-11; Ze. 14:16-19). The
prostitutes.” This rendering is an interpretation as is the kingdom of Christ will be exceedingly wealthy (Is.
rendering “sodomite.” According to Strong’s, the 60:5-17; Ps. 72:15, 16). Christ’s kingdom will dwell in
Hebrew term is “qadesh, kaw-dashe’; from H6942; a peace without threat of war (Ps. 72:7-8; Is. 9:6, 7). [See
(quasi) sacred person, i.e. (techn.) a (male) devotee (by Covenant, Glory, Kingdom of God, Millennium,
prostitution) to licentious idolatry.” In the Authorized Prophecy.]
Version this Hebrew word is translated “sodomite” and SOLOMON’S PORCH. Mentioned in Ac. 5:12.
“unclean.” The term “sodomite” was brought over from “Josephus informs us that Solomon, when he built the
the Geneva Bible. Many older Bible dictionaries connect temple, finding the area of Mount Moriah too small to
sodomy with homosexuality. Eadie (1872) defines answer his magnificent plan, filled up a part of the
Sodomite as “not dwellers in Sodom, but practisers of adjacent valley, and built an outward portion over it
unnatural lust—the sin of Sodom. This sin was toward the east. This is what was called Solomon’s
consecrated in many Eastern kingdoms.” The People’s porch: it was a most noble structure, supported by a
Bible Encyclopedia by Charles Randall Barnes (1903) wall 400 cubits high, and consisting of stones of a vast
says: “The sodomites were not inhabitants of Sodom, bulk, being 20 cubits long, and 6 cubits high. It was
nor their descendants, but men consecrated to the probably left standing because of its grandeur and
unnatural vice of Sodom (Ge. 19:5; comp. Ro. 1:27) as beauty; and Josephus speaks of it as continuing even to
a religious rite.” Note that Barnes connects the sin of the time of Albinus and Agrippa” (Treasury).
sodomy with the homosexuality described in Romans SOLOMON’S TEMPLE. [See Temple.]
1:27. Hastings (1898) says: “The term ‘Sodomite’ is SOMETIME, SOMETIMES. Once; once upon a time;
used in Scripture to describe offences against the laws in time past (Co. 3:7; 1 Pe. 3:20).
of nature which were FREQUENTLY connected with SON OF MAN. A title Jesus frequently used for
idolatrous practices” (emphasis ours). Note that himself (Mt. 9:6; 10:23; 12:8, 40; 13:37; 16:13; 17:9;
Hastings did not claim that the offences against the laws 18:11). This title refers to the name the prophet Daniel
of nature were restricted solely to idolatrous temple gave the coming Messiah (Da. 7:13; Mt. 26:64). The
worship. The term “sodomy” in these passages doubtless name reminds us of several truths: (1) God’s Son
did refer, at least in part, to homosexuality connected became a man (Jn. 1:14; Mt. 1:23; He. 2:14). The title
with immoral pagan religions. The problem with the “Son of man” signifies Christ’s humility in leaving His
NIV translation is that it LIMITS this sin to that heavenly glory and taking the form of a man (Ph.
particular connection rather than allowing the larger 2:5-8). It also signifies Christ’s love in His willingness to
meaning of homosexuality in general. It also creates the take sinful man’s place in judgment (2 Co. 5:21; 1 Pe.
confusion that the practice of sodomy in the Old 2:24). (2) All authority and judgment has been given to
Testament and the sin of Sodom itself was limited to this Man (Jn. 5:22; Ac. 17:31). (3) The rule of the
male prostitution. [See Abusers of Themselves With
Mankind, Adultery, Dog, Effeminate, Fornication,

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