35. Abomination and Confusion (Leviticus 18:20-23)

• Jun, 23 2025

Chapter Thirty-Five Summary: Abomination and Confusion (Leviticus 18:20–23) Rushdoony on Sexual Immorality, Molech Worship, and Profaning GodThis powerful passage from Leviticus outlines four of the gravest offenses in Israel's moral code—adultery (v. 20), child sacrifice to Molech (v. 21), homosexuality (v. 22), and bestiality (v. 23). Rushdoony shows how these sins are not only sexual or social violations but fundamentally spiritual apostasies that defile both individuals and the land. 🔑 Key Themes and Insights 1. Adultery (v. 20): Treason to the FamilyAdultery—defined biblically as intercourse with a married or betrothed woman—is not just a private sin but a betrayal of the covenantal structure of society. Scripture calls it self-defilement (Lev. 18:20; Prov. 6:32), highlighting its personal and civil consequences.“Marriage and the family are the foundations of society... adultery is thus treason to society.” – Rushdoony2. Molech Worship (v. 21): The Deification of the StateMolech (lit. “king”) worship was not merely child sacrifice, but a statist religion, where children were dedicated to the state rather than to God. This is the spiritual core of all forms of statism, ancient and modern.“Passing a child through the fire... was the dedication of the child to the state, a statist analogue to baptism.”In modern parallels, Rushdoony equates child dedication to the state with public education and civil indoctrination—sacrificing covenant children on Molech’s altar. 3. Homosexuality and Bestiality (vv. 22–23): Confusion and PerversionThese sins are called both “abomination” and “confusion”:Abomination (Heb. to‘evah) – something detestable to GodConfusion (Heb. tevel) – literally “mixture” or chaotic violation of divine orderRushdoony connects these sins to ancient chaos religions, where perversion was seen as a religious return to the primordial chaos for “renewal.” Ancient Canaanite and Egyptian sources confirm that such acts were sometimes ritualized.“Both homosexuality and bestiality are acts of chaos... social revitalization requires a return to chaos by performing acts of chaos.”💣 Molech Worship: The Centerpiece of ApostasyMolech is more than a Canaanite deity; he represents any earthly authority exalted over God. Rushdoony criticizes modern conservatism for abandoning a biblical worldview in favor of pragmatic alliances, thereby unintentionally reviving Molech worship.“Those who champion cultural conservatism... affirm Molech because they shift their moral concern from the will of God to pragmatic considerations.”🧬 Romans 1 & “Burning Out” HumanityRushdoony connects Leviticus 18 with Romans 1:16–32, where Paul outlines the downward spiral from idolatry to sexual perversion:Worship of the creature →Exchange of God’s truth for a lie →Homosexuality →Judgment in the body (ekkaio – "to burn out")“This burning out begins with the abandonment of God’s law... and concludes with homosexual practices.”He implies that AIDS and similar consequences are not arbitrary tragedies, but the “recompense” for rebellion against God’s order. 📚 Critique of Liberal Theology & Sexual RevisionismRushdoony condemns those (in both church and academia) who reinterpret biblical texts to excuse or sanctify homosexuality, calling such revisionism “marvels of evasive scholarship.” He also challenges the idea that these laws were “only for ancient Israel,” noting the ongoing relevance of God’s holiness standard.“How anyone living in the twentieth century can be patronizing of the Hebrews... is amazing.”🐕 “Dogs” and Scriptural BluntnessScripture refers to male cult prostitutes and homosexuals as “dogs” (Deut. 23:18; Rev. 22:15), a term connoting vile impurity and unclean behavior. Rushdoony emphasizes that this is God’s language, not slander. 🧼 Profaning God’s Name = Violating His Law“To profane is to make unholy.”In v. 21, the warning against profaning God's name binds all the sins together. To profane God is to refuse to distinguish between clean and unclean, holy and common (Lev. 10:10; 19:2).Rushdoony shows that this isn’t just ritual concern—it is a life principle. Uncleanliness leads to spiritual blindness, judgment, and death (Jer. 6:10–19). 📌 SEO KeywordsLeviticus 18:20–23 commentaryMolech worship in the Biblebiblical view of homosexualityRushdoony on sexual ethicswhat is confusion in Leviticuschild sacrifice in ancient religionshomosexuality and judgment in Romans 1biblical law and the stateabortion and Molech worshipcultural conservatism vs biblical law🧭 Takeaways for TodayAdultery is a self-inflicted social suicide—it destroys the person and society.Statism is not neutral—it’s a false religion demanding total allegiance.Sexual perversion is not freedom—it’s a revolt against the Creator’s design.Holiness requires moral boundaries—failure to observe them profanes God.Confusion breeds destruction—when God’s order is cast aside, judgment follows.📖 Summary Quote“Profaning God, not the ‘violation of the natural order,’ is the key to these laws... These laws are given to make us holy (Lev. 19:2), and to keep us from defilement (Lev. 18:24–30).”Bottom Line: Leviticus 18:20–23 is not just a warning against sexual sin—it is a theological indictment of every attempt to dethrone God, from adultery to Molech worship to sodomy. These sins disorder not just personal lives, but entire civilizations. God's law, far from being outdated, is the only true path to holiness, justice, and societal survival.

Author

R.J. Rushdoony

Chalcedon Founder

Narrated by

Nathan F. Conkey

Narrator, teacher, missionary