Reddit reviews Jesus, the Bible, and Homosexuality, Revised and Expanded Edition: Explode the Myths, Heal the Church
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For the Bible Tells Me So - a documentary introducing how the Bible has been completely misunderstood and misused to condemn LGBT people.
What the Bible Really Says About Homosexuality
Hate Thy Neighbor: How the Bible is Misused to Condemn Homosexuality
Jesus, the Bible, and Homosexuality
I think that you need to protect yourself and your family, but consider this: If you can not be honest about yourself with them, what does that say about the relationship? They are poorer for not knowing your true self and giftedness, and you are unable to become the person that can express themselves most fully. Part of being human is being a partner in your own creation.
Not every congregation is in the same place, but perhaps you can help them along their path to Christ by having the faith to be open with them. I know you would be welcome in my congregation.
There are some books that may help both you and those you choose to share them with that I will mention here.
First, from the Presbyterian tradition is Jesus, the Bible, and Homosexuality, Revised and Expanded Edition: Explode the Myths, Heal the Church Paperback – April 14, 2009
by Jack Rogers .
Next, from the Mormon tradition is No More Goodbyes: Circling the Wagons around Our Gay Loved Ones Paperback – December 12, 2016 by Carol Lynn Pearson, an amazing woman, poet and artist I have the honor to know.
And finally, from my own tradition Touched by Grace: LGBT Stories in Community of Christ Paperback – February 1, 2012
by David Howard my late friend who I shared some San Francisco Pride celebrations with, and
Homosexual Saints: The Community of Christ Experience Paperback – January 21, 2008
by William D. Russell, my old friend and professor.
Some of these will be painful reading, but you will know that you are not alone and the end can be filled with joy.
1a) Sodom Story: The sin of Sodom wasn't homosexuality, it was in-hospitality. Jesus says so himself, Luke 10:8-12. Same applies to the Rape of the Levite's concubine in Judges 19.
1b) The Passages in Leviticus 18 and 20 are about the Hebrew Purity code, they are not talking about sin, but ritual purity to enter the holy of holies where God was with His people. It's about violating the "norm". No Pigs because they have split hooves, and hooved animals aren't supposed to have that. No Shell Fish because they are fish that don't have scales/gills. Things that are atypical are considered abnormal, and thus unideal, thus "abomination". But, That word doesn't mean sinful. Same with gay sex, it's a violation of the ideal of male-ness. Men Penetrate; they don't get penetrated. So those verses don't have anything to say to today's world, as when Jesus died the veil on the Holy of Holies was torn, granting everyone access.
1c) Romans 1: Is an argument about idolatry, not sexuality. He's using sexuality in this case as an example of the deviation from the norm, not as sin. The word unnatural here is actually applied to an action of God in Romans 11, so it doesn't mean sinful. This is Paul appealing to Jewish sensibilities to some extent, applying the logic from the Leviticus passage.
1d) Vice Lists: 1 Cor 6, 1 Tim 1. The word use 'arsenokoites' isn't used elsewhere. We don't know exactly what it means. But given it's context, we think it is talking about some kind of economic exploitation involving sex, not homosexual sex. So pimping for instance. Probably talking about the men who controlled the temple prostitutes and the men who used them.
1e) Jude 5-7: Says sex with angels is a no-no. The attempted rape in Sodom was of angels, not men.
Hope that was helpful.
Books:
Jesus, The Bible, and Homosexuality
What the Bible Really Says about Homosexuality
Homosexuality and Christian Faith
fyi, I have a Masters in Biblical Studies and Theology from one of the top seminaries in the country/world. And I'm a gay Christian. You can be Faithful and gay. =)
>This can only be said in good faith by someone who has not studied scripture, especially in its original language.
Ok then.
>In fact, there is a history of conservative Biblical scholars, including Jack Rogers starting from that position, and changing their minds after engaging with the scripture itself.
No, scripture is very clear. Homosexuality in thought and deed is wrong.
We should pray for Jack Rogers so that he comes to his senses.
That's a lot to tackle, but off the top of my head:
b. Most atheists wouldn't say that the evidence shows that no god exists, rather only that they see insufficient evidence of his existence.
c. I'm not sure what "simple logic and reasoning" you're referring to. Again, most Christians would view logic and reason as absolutely consistent with and foundational to their faith.
d. Deferring to a 'god of the gaps' argument is almost always a bad idea.