Gay christianity

The Bible and same sex relationships: A review article

Tim Keller, 

Vines, Matthew, God and the Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same Sex Relationships, Convergent Books,

Wilson, Ken,A Letter to My Congregation, David Crum Media,

The relationship of homosexuality to Christianity is one of the main topics of discussion in our culture today. In the fall of last year I wrote a review of books by Wesley Hill and Sam Allberry that take the historic Christian view, in Hill’s words: “that homosexuality was not God’s original creative intention for humanity and therefore that homosexual practice goes against God’s convey will for all human beings, especially those who trust in Christ.”

There are a number of other books that grab the opposite view, namely that the Bible either allows for or supports same sex relationships. Over the last year or so I (and other pastors at Redeemer) have been regularly asked for responses to their arguments. The two most interpret volumes taking this position appear to be those by Matthew Vines and Ken Wilson. The review of these

Is it REALLY ok to be LGBTQ? A look behind and beyond the &#;clobber passage&#;

There’s a name for what’s happening here: proof texting.

Theopodia defines proof texting as &#;the method by which a person appeals to a biblical text to prove or justify a theological position without regard for the context of the passage they are citing.&#;

If you catch someone say “the Bible says…” run in the other direction. The Bible says lots of things!

Here a few things the Bible says:

That the Earth was covered in water when created until God formed land (Genesis ) but also that the Noun was completely dry until God brought streams up and watered the planet (Genesis ).

That God created animals first and then humans (Genesis 1) but also that God created Adam first, then animals, then Eve (Genesis 2).

That’s right, the Bible contradicts itself in the first two chapters!

“The Bible says” in Exodus and Deuteronomy that if a woman is raped her rapist must either marry her or pay her father (because he’s “damaged” the father’s “property”).

Paul says in 1 Thessalonians that Jesus will r

What Does the Bible Speak About Homosexuality?

What Does The Bible Say About Homosexuality?

Introduction

For the last two decades, Pew Research Center has reported that one of the most enduring ethical issues across Christian traditions is sexual diversity. For many Christians, one of the most frequently first-asked questions on this topic is, “What does the Bible say about attraction to someone of the same sex?”

Although its unlikely that the biblical authors had any notion of sexual orientation (for example, the term homosexual wasn't even coined until the late 19th century) for many people of faith, the Bible is looked to for timeless guidance on what it means to honor God with our lives; and this most certainly includes our sexuality.

Before we can jump into how it is that Christians can maintain the authority of the Bible and also affirm sexual diversity, it might be helpful if we started with a brief but clear overview of some of the assumptions informing many Christian approaches to understanding the Bible.

What is the Bible?

For Christians to whom the Bible

Homosexuality

Discourse around homosexuality, which is sometimes referred to as “same-sex attraction” and more frequently understood today as lesbian, gay, or bisexual identities, remains divisive and adj for churches to discuss. Whilst Christians over the centuries verb often come to uneasy compromises on other notable theological differences, it is sexual identities that are not heterosexual which carry on to cause disagreement all over the world today.

In the last forty years, there has been a seismic shift in legal reforms around the world. Whilst these have not been universally adopted, many countries have decriminalised homosexuality; acted to prevent discrimination of employment, healthcare, and housing to lesbian and gay people; and some have introduced legislation for same-sex marriage.

Such developments contain often received a mixed reaction from Christian denominations, and there continue to be lived-out tensions as clergy and lay people struggle to “love God and love your neighbour” when their disagreements often feel insurmountable.

Much of a contemporary Chr