In a recent interview with Parade Magazine, singer Elton John said, "I think Jesus was a compassionate, super-intelligent gay man who understood human problems."
Over the past 2000 years, Jesus has been steadily and viciously misrepresented, attacked, and ridiculed. So numerous are these attacks and misrepresentations that we simply lack the time and ability to address them all. However, some are too despicable and egregious for us to ignore. This recent one by Elton John belongs in this category.
Some people dismiss Elton John's comments about Jesus on the basis that he is not recognized as a religious leader or Bible scholar; nor does he claim to be one. To the contrary, Elton John has repeatedly called for a ban on all organized religion.
It is likely that he was just seeking attention. However, Elton John has a huge fan base, and he influences many people. As are we all, he is responsible for what he says (Matthew 12:36, 37). While the full force of John's accusation against Christ may have been somewhat diluted by its attendant compliments ("compassionate, super-intelligent"), the fact remains that Elton John called Jesus a homosexual. This charge is highly offensive to those of us who wear the name of Christ and claim Him as Lord and King. Let us remember, though, that Elton John's crime is not against Christians; it is against God Himself. Elton John is guilty of blasphemy. He has spoken evil of God.
Jesus, the Bible, and Homosexuality
People often misrepresent Bible teaching in an effort to justify their behavior. Elton John openly flaunts the fact that he is gay, so we should not be surprised by his description of Jesus. He is seeking to justify his own behavior. Of course, Elton John is grossly wrong, both about Jesus, and the practice of homosexuality.
Jesus lived under Moses' law, and He kept that law perfectly (1 Peter 2:22; Hebrews 7:26; Matthew 5:17, 18). Moses' law advocated the death penalty for homosexuality: "If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads." (Leviticus 20:13) Sodomites were also executed under Patriarchal law (Genesis 19). Had Jesus practiced homosexuality, He would have violated the plain teaching of Moses' law, and would have been executed for His behavior. Incidentally, if we lived under Moses' law today, homosexuality would be a capital crime, and people like Elton John would deserve execution. Of course, we are under law to Christ, not to Moses. While the law of Christ [gospel] also condemns homosexuality, it does not require society to kill homosexuals. The Law of Moses was a part of a theocratic system of government; the gospel is not.
Jesus condemned sexual immorality, which necessarily includes homosexuality (Matthew 15:19). Along with murder, theft, lying, and slander, Jesus listed fornication (Gr. porneia) as a behavior that defiles a person. Fornication is the broad Bible term for all types of illicit sexual relations.
This includes unmarried sex, homosexuality, lesbianism, bestiality, pedophilia and adultery. Jude said that Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed because "they were filled with sexual immorality and every kind of sexual perversion" (Jude 7). Elton John's claim has Jesus condemning Himself as a "defiled" person.
According to Matthew 19:4-6, Jesus authorized sexual relations only between a male and a female in the bond of marriage. If Elton John wants to talk about Jesus, let him represent Jesus accurately.
The apostle Paul condemned homosexuality. As were the other apostles, Paul was directly chosen by Jesus to serve as an apostle (Acts 9:15; 26:14-18; Galatians 1:1). As an apostle, Paul was an official spokesman for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). Paul's words were "the commandments of the Lord" (1 Corinthians 14:37). Paul taught what he "received" from the Lord (1 Corinthians 11:23; 15:3). This means that Paul's teaching expressed Christ's will. Paul's treatment of a subject was Christ's treatment of that subject. There could be no contradiction between Christ and Paul, for Paul was "an apostle - not from man nor through men but through Jesus Christ" (Galatians 1:1). So what did Paul (Christ) say about homosexuality?
Romans 1:26, 27 - "For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error." Paul classified this teaching as being a part of the gospel of Christ (Romans 1:15, 16). He later stated God's decree--that those who practice these things "deserve to die" (v. 32). From the construction of Romans 6:23, we conclude that this death is spiritual death. Unrepentant, unforgiven homosexuals will be cast, along with other sinners, into hell. In his infinite theological wisdom, Elton John has made a claim that would consign God's own Son to eternal hell fire! Perhaps John should keep his day job. He has some things to learn before he takes up preaching.
1 Corinthians 6:9 - "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality ... " Paul goes on to describe the process of redemption, by which such sinners can be forgiven (v. 11, with Acts 18:8). Those who refuse to meet God's conditions for forgiveness will not enter His eternal kingdom. I somehow doubt that Elton John is familiar with Paul's inspired statement to the Corinthians, but it is nonetheless true. The Savior of the world could not have been gay, for He is presently living in Heaven (1 Peter 3:22).
1 Timothy 1:10 - Along with abusers of parents, murderers, fornicators, kidnappers, perjurers, liars and the profane, Paul cited homosexuals as being violators of the glorious gospel. Homosexuality violates both the nature and law of God. It is shameful to accuse Jesus of being gay.
Conclusion
Atheists and modernists criticize Jesus because their worldview requires the marginalizing, if not the total eradication, of Christianity. Religious progressives and modernists mischaracterize Jesus and misrepresent His teaching because they do not respect the Bible as an inspired and inerrant document. Regardless of Elton John's motives, he has made a hideous charge against Jesus Christ. Bible believers need to be aware that pop icons such as Elton John are uttering such perversities against the One who is our Lord and King. Let us, like Phinehas of old (Numbers 25:1-13), rise up and defend "the honor of our God."