Six verses! The Bible says more about slavery (condoning), dietary restrictions (e.g., shellfish, pork), beating your children (one verse even commands they be stoned if beatings don’t work) and multiple marriage (condoning) than about homosexuality. We don’t see the same fervor in trying to enforce those verses as we do on this single issue. In fact, those verses are generally “explained” with basic Bible interpretation.
Despite what is traditionally preached, these six verses—known to many in the gay/lesbian Christian community as the “Clobber Passages”—are not clear in their blanket condemnation of homosexuality. Certainly they are not as condemning those who seek to universally and arbitrarily apply these verses to homosexuals.
When examining these six verse, it’s important to look beyond the hype and rhetoric and use standard methods of interpretation to derive meaning. That includes such essential factors as context, culture, audience, original word meaning, etc. In other words, apply the same scrutiny to these six verses as we do for other controversial biblical matters (such as slavery, beating children, food restrictions and multiple marriages). When we do this, I think we’re able to see that the rigid interpretation/explanation of the fundamentalists doesn’t hold up.
“Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you're living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy".” I Peter 3:15 (The Message)
As a Christian who happens to be gay (GASP!), and a serious Bible student, I’ve spent years studying this topic. It was important to me that I have an answer for those who want to know how I can be gay and Christian…and also for those who only seek to condemn me and others.
I enjoy having honest, civil discussions, but my approach (and this material) is not designed to convince someone who’s dogma is already set in stone. It’s geared to those who have a sincere desire to learn.
In addition to the many times I’ve had the glorious opportunity to share with hurting and frightened Christians who were questioning their faith as they realized they might be gay, I’ve had some wonderful exchanges with straight Christians—Bible college students, pastors, parents, a seminary professor and interested Christian leaders.
On the other hand, I’ve also learned that arguing serves no purpose…and rarely imparts any truth. (I think that’s what Jesus meant when He talked about not “casting our pearls before the swine.” Unless He meant literally not to throw our necklaces into the pigpen. <shrug>) I have no interest in trying to convince or “discuss” with narrow-minded religionists, know-it-all literalists or close-minded bigots.
In the “pages” (links) to follow, I will attempt a brief look at the six verses. I certainly don’t see my conclusions as definitive; they are offered as alternative options to show that the interpretation demanded by the Fundamentalists may not be as black and white as they would have us believe.
But first, I want to share some of my personal observations. In the years since I began this journey of personal reconciliation, in the extensive research I’ve done on the subject and with the regular opportunity of working with others going through this process, I’ve developed a “perspective” and come to some interesting conclusions along the way. These are my own personal thoughts about this subject and I share them only as background to our topic. I urge you to read them as they will give you insight into my perspective and my approach.
Ephesians 3:14-19
The Bible and Homosexuality
From all the hollerin’ and hoopla about homosexuality in the church these days, it would be easy to think the Bible has volumes to say on the subject. Surprisingly, out of 31,000+ verses, at the most, there are only seven verses that are routinely used by those who want to make a case against the homosexuals.
Note: The actual number (5, 6 or 7) depends on whether we combine both of Leviticus “abomination” passages and count two of Paul’s texts as one. I generally teach it as six verses.
Even as I write that sentence, I can hear voices in my head—the shouts of my conservative Christian friends challenging me: How many times does it have to appear in the Bible to be true? If it’s there at all, we should obey it! But my position here is not based on frequency (how many times it occurs), but the clarity of the message…and the amount of attention given to it compared to other topics with more exposure.
Genesis 1: 26-27 (2:4-25); Genesis 19:1-29; Leviticus 18:22 (20:13); Romans 1:26-27; I Corinthians 6:9-10; I Timothy 1:9-11
I will never forget the time I was working a booth for a Christian organization at a gay/lesbian pride event. We were visited by two young student from a local conservative (and Charismatic) Bible college. It was obvious their intentions was to “convert” us, but I had the chance to sit down and talk with them for more than an hour. We opened our Bibles and I answered their questions. It was clear they were surprised at how much we had in common—probably a very different picture than they’d been told about the “evil gay lifestyle.”
I recently (I’m writing this in 2010) had a conversation with a woman about the subject of homosexuality. She insisted on quoting a verse to me, and I proceeded to try to share what the word meant in the original language. She would have no part of that! In her own words, it had to be in the King James Version. (I thought that kind of mentality was so over!)