Is Homosexuality the Eternal Sin? A Critique of Pentecostal Arguments Against Same-Sex Relations in Africa

Abstract

For many Pentecostal Christians in Africa, homosexuality is a sin—and now a crime—that subverts humanity and God’s very design for humanity and this world. As such, homosexuality is sometimes said by some Christians to be the sin without forgiveness, the eternal sin as described in Matthew 12:31–32 and Mark 3:28–30. For church leaders, being a practice that is contrary to divine design and providence, homosexuality deserves to be combatted by all means possible. Hence, African Pentecostals from Nigeria to Uganda and from Zambia to Zimbabwe have rallied behind lawmakers in their respective countries to enact strong laws criminalising same-sex relations in their countries. This study examines some of the arguments Pentecostal Christians (especially in Nigeria) mobilise in justifying their opposition to homosexuality and support to its criminalisation.