Torch, Fall/Winter 2007

16 TORCH oriented. These studies have typically involved small unrepresentative samples and have not been widely replicated. At this point, none of the biological factors have accrued enough scientific evidence to be considered a cause of homosexuality, but each raises the interesting possibility that it may be a contributor. Psychological Most of us are more familiar with psychological and social explanations for homosexuality. Parenting theories such as the dominant, close-binding mother and the absent, detached, or rejecting father trace clear back to Sigmund Freud and psychoanalysis. The famous National Health and Social Life Survey indicated that sexual abuse during childhood triples the risk for homosexuality in subsequent development. Fraternal birth order suggests that boys with older brothers are more at risk for homosexuality. A male in a male–female twin pair is more likely to act homosexually if he does not have an older brother, as compared to being a part of other sibling patterns. Young children who are gender nonconforming are more likely to act homosexually than children who identify with same-sex peers. Social Values, social pressures, models, conformity, labeling, and self-fulfilling prophecies probably all contribute to a person’s identification with homosexuality. A fascinating study of homosexual marriage in Denmark, where same-sex marriages have been recorded since they were legalized in 1989, showed that men in same-sex marriages were more likely to have older mothers, divorced parents, and absent fathers; to be the youngest children; and to be urban born. Women in same-sex marriages were more likely to have been the youngest children, the only children, or the only girls in their families; to have experienced maternal death during adolescence; and to be urban born. None of these psychological or social factors are an unvarying cause of homosexuality. We all know someone who had a domineering mother, was sexually abused, had an older brother, or was urban born who did not live a homosexual lifestyle. Likewise, we know people who live a homosexual lifestyle yet did not experience any of these things. These factors are potential contributors to — not sole causes of — homosexuality. Where Does God Fit In? Where does God fit into this complex recipe? The answer is, He does not fit into the recipe! God is not just one of the variables. The equation is not biological factors, psychological factors, social factors, and God. How demeaning that would be! God is over the recipe. God is sovereignly using each of the influences listed in this article to make us who we are and to accomplish His will. God can ultimately use my genes, my body, my parents, my experiences, my culture — everything — to glorify Himself. Our lives (every aspect of them) are what God gives us to steward for His honor and glory. Each of us must face our sexuality and bring it captive to Jesus Christ. Dr. Charles Dolph serves as professor of psychology at Cedarville University, where he teaches classes on intimate relationships and human sexuality. He received his Ph.D. from Georgia State University in 1982 and has taught at Cedarville since 1979. T