The Bible does not directly address pansexuality or omnisexuality, as these are relatively modern terms referring to sexual or romantic attraction not limited by biological sex, gender, or gender identity. However, the Bible has relevant principles regarding human sexuality and relationships that can inform a Christian perspective on these topics.
Biblical Principles on Sexuality and Relationships
Here are some key biblical principles regarding sexuality and relationships:
- God created sex and designed it for marriage between a man and a woman (Genesis 1:27-28, 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6). Any sexual relations outside of this context are considered sinful.
- Lustful desires and sexual immorality are considered sinful (Matthew 5:27-28; 1 Corinthians 6:18-20). This includes not just actions but heart motivations.
- Homosexual relations are prohibited (Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9).
- Marriage reflects Christ’s relationship with the church (Ephesians 5:31-32). It is meant to be an exclusive lifelong covenant relationship.
- God’s people are called to holiness, to be set apart from sinful practices (1 Peter 1:13-16).
From these principles, we can draw some implications regarding pansexuality and omnisexuality.
Implications for Pansexuality
Pansexuality refers to sexual or romantic attraction not limited by sex or gender identity. Some implications from biblical principles:
- The Bible limits appropriate sexual relations to heterosexual marriage. Pansexuality opens the door to homosexual relations, which Scripture prohibits.
- Pansexuality stems from a worldview denying the binary male-female biological sex distinction that Scripture upholds. It sees gender as fluid.
- Pansexual lust or behavior falls short of God’s standards for sexual purity. Desires for immoral relations are sin, even if not acted upon.
- Marriage between one man and one woman is the only biblical context for sexual activity. Pansexuality is incompatible with this exclusive lifelong covenant.
In summary, the Bible would view pansexual ideology and practice as sinful deviations from God’s design for human sexuality. Even pansexual desires in the heart go against Scripture’s call to holiness.
Implications for Omnisexuality
Omnisexuality refers to attraction toward all gender identities and biological sexes. Implications include:
- As with pansexuality, omnisexuality opens the door to homosexual relations which Scripture prohibits.
- Attraction based solely on “gender identities” disregards God’s creation of humanity as male and female.
- Omnisexual desires or activities outside of heterosexual marriage do not meet biblical standards of sexual purity.
- Marriage is still only permitted between one man and woman in Scripture, so omnisexual behavior is unacceptable.
An omnisexual identity and practice is viewed as sinful from a biblical perspective. It deviates from God’s good design for human sexuality and marriage.
A Christian Response
How should Christians respond to those identifying as pansexual or omnisexual?
- We should share God’s standards for sexuality and relationships with both grace and truth (John 1:14).
- Same-sex sexual acts are sinful, but same-sex attraction is a complex reality. We should call out sin while still loving individuals.
- Believers identifying as pan/omnisexual need grace and support to submit this part of their identity to Christ.
- Married pan/omnisexuals need accountability and discipleship to nurture their marriages according to Scripture.
- Singles with these orientations need encouragement to abstain from immorality and prepare for a biblically faithful marriage.
- The church should be a welcoming but transforming community where people find their identity in Christ.
In summary, the church should have both conviction about biblical truth and compassion for people. Only through the gospel can sexual sinners like us all find forgiveness and power for new life.
Key Biblical Passages
Here are some key Bible passages on themes relevant to pansexuality and omnisexuality:
Genesis 1:27-28
“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it…”
God created humanity distinctly male and female and designed sexual relations for marital fruitfulness.
Genesis 2:24
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”
God instituted marriage between one man and one woman as the only context for sexual union from the beginning.
Matthew 19:4-6
“He answered, ‘Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female,’ and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”
Jesus affirmed God’s creational design for marriage as the union of one man and one woman, for life.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
“Or 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, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
Homosexual practice is listed as incompatible with God’s kingdom, but the gospel offers hope for new life.
Ephesians 5:31-32
“‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.”
Marriage between man and wife is a picture of the gospel relationship between Christ and his church.
Conclusion
The Bible does not directly address pansexuality or omnisexuality, but its principles for sexuality and marriage conflict with key aspects of these modern concepts. Scripture limits appropriate sexual relations to marriage between one man and one woman. Same-sex relations are prohibited. Lustful desires and immorality fall short of God’s standards. Marriage reflects the gospel. Christians should respond with both conviction about truth and compassion for people. The good news of Jesus offers hope for all sexual sinners to receive forgiveness and power to walk in new life.
