In This Series:
- 1. Homosexuality, Theology and the Church
- 2. Casting God’s Vision for Sex and Sexuality
- 3. What Does the Bible Say about Homosexuality?
- 4. Revisionist Gay Theology: Did God Really Say…?
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY?
Discussions of homosexuality or “same-sex marriage,” whether in person, in the media or on the Internet, often turn to what the Bible says. Someone is likely to argue that homosexuality is a sin and point to Leviticus, Romans or the Genesis story of Sodom and Gomorrah. Others will suggest homosexuality is not a sin. But what does the Bible say about homosexuality?
They’ll say things like, “Jesus never mentioned homosexuality” or “Eating shellfish and wearing a shirt with two kinds of thread are also forbidden in Leviticus, but you don’t follow those rules, do you?”
The discussion often becomes convoluted, incoherent or angry, degenerating into a shouting match when the question is asked: What does the Bible say about homosexuality?
Perhaps you have participated in similar discussions—face to face or online. Maybe you’ve seen these arguments or used them yourself. You may have found yourself wrestling with doubts about the validity of your personal convictions and the traditional Christian understanding of homosexuality and same-sex relationships. If so, this booklet is for you.
God’s original design for human sexuality will be the starting point for this discussion of Christian sexual ethics. We’ll look at some of the possible reasons people might struggle with homosexuality. Then we’ll look at specific passages in the Bible and respond to some of the revisionist arguments against the Church’s traditional, biblical interpretation and teaching. We’ll conclude with an exhortation for Christians who engage in this discussion. And we’ll answer the question: What does the Bible say about homosexuality?
