I often see one verse of Leviticus quoted as a condemnation of homosexuality which it clearly is. I thought that I would actually scan through the bible and in Leviticus a few lines further on is a clear instruction no to wear clothing containing mixed fibre.
Leviticus is not relevant to us or any else (today’s Jews). Homosexuality is condemned because it is against the divine and natural law.
The Mosaic covenant has been abolished, abrogated, and annulled (not fulfilled as someone said - that is the Abrahamic covenant). No one is bound to (or saved by) it.
Paul, Galatians 3:10-11: “[A]ll who rely on works of the law are under a curse”, “no man is justified before God by the law”.
Galatians 5:4: “You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.”
Chrysostom, Homily on Romans, 6:12: “Yet surely Paul’s object everywhere is to annul this Law. And with much reason; for it was through a fear and a horror of this that the Jews obstinately opposed grace”
Homily on Galatians, 3: “And so while no one annuls a man’s covenant, the covenant of God after four hundred and thirty years is annulled; for if not that covenant but another instead of it bestows what is promised, then is it set aside, which is most unreasonable.”
Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho, 11: “Now, law placed against law has abrogated that which is before it, and a covenant which comes after in like manner has put an end to the previous one.”
Cathechism of Trent, 3, the Third Commandment: “[A]fter the abrogation of the Law of Moses, all the Commandments contained in the two tables are observed by Christians, not indeed because their observance is commanded by Moses, but because they are in conformity with nature which dictates obedience to them.”
Cathechism of Trent, 3, Decalogue: “It is most certain that we are not bound to obey the Commandments because they were delivered by Moses, but because they are implanted in the hearts of all, and have been explained and confirmed by Christ our Lord.”
Pope Urban VIII, Profession of Orthodox Faith, 1642: “[W]e profess that the legalities of the Old Testament, the ceremonies of the Mosaic Law, the rites, sacrifices, and sacraments have ceased at the coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ; they cannot be observed without sin after the promulgation of the Gospel.”
Pope Piux XII, Mystici Corporis Christi, 29-30: “[T]he New Testament took the place of the Old Law which had been abolished.”
Et cetera.
While we heavily rely on one part of Leviticus we happily ignore much else in it. Who said we could do that?
The Apostles, the Fathers, and the Catholic Church say so. We do not rely on any part of the old law. But the Church may decide to keep some parts and change others (such as the Third Commandment).
) in a public posting. Have you considered a PM to Dakota on this topic?
