Contents
- Intro
- Old Testament Laws Today
- Sexual Immorality
- Marriage, Sexuality, and Gender
- Jesus and Homosexuality
- Does God Love Me?
- Perspectives
- Conclusions
- Final Thoughts
- Resources
- Other Viewpoints
- Out LGBTQ Christians
Intro
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I’m out (as in, no longer hiding in the closet, no longer trying to be ex-gay, no longer trying to be someone I am not).
❧ I am a Christian lesbian (or is it gay Christian?). However, this is just one aspect of my story. I’m much more complicated, layered, and complex to spell out in simple terms who I am. Ask me questions if you want to know specifics.
❧ It took me many years to become me, and I’m still becoming (aren’t we all?).
❧ The older I become and the more I reflect on my experiences (relationship with God, with others, my education, and events along my journey), the more I feel compelled to speak my truth.
❧ I believe every generation must take steps towards what they believe God is calling them to do. Sometimes those steps are far outside the norm of previous generations.
❧ By faith, as a teenager my great grandmother accepted her new life in Christ at the cost of having to leave her atheist family home.
❧ By faith, countless Pentecostals (including some of my ancestors) were forced out from their home churches due to theological differences (not accepting speaking in tongues).
❧ By faith, the disciples dropped their fishing nets, left their families and their livelihoods, and chose to leave the religion of their ancestors in order to follow Jesus into the unknown.
❧ By faith, I feel empowered to live the life I’m living. It has been a very long journey that I’ve almost always taken soberly, with fear and trepidation at times, and by seeking Truth and Wisdom.
❧ By faith, I feel compelled to speak up and tell others what I believe to be true – even though it is contrary to the ways of my ancestors.
❧ My spiritual journey began while I grew up as a minister’s daughter. While exposed to many facets of the Church and Christianity, apart from this, I’ve had an intimate relationship with Jesus since I was 6 years old. This occurred when I was alone, walking along the driveway by my home in Selbyville, DE. There was no altar call. No one “led me to the Lord.” Instead, Jesus approached me and asked me to follow Him. And I said “yes.” I have countless mini-testimonies of faith in action that I could share. The Holy Spirit has been with me, even to this day in the life I live.
❧ As this journey progresses, the more compelled I feel to stand up unashamed and advocate for the gay community. This is what I feel called to do.
❧ I’ve felt this way since 1994 (actually, sooner than this. My story is too long to describe here). One of many examples… I remember wanting to participate in the AIDS outreach support project when I was a student at Millersville University. I didn’t do it because I was scared to go against the norm of my ancestors. I’ve always regretted not acting on this desire.
❧ While I’ve always wanted to please my family and to please God, there have been plenty of times I’ve blatantly sinned and fallen short of everyone’s expectations. But overall, my goal in life has been to follow Jesus.
❧ In all seriousness, I would not be alive today if not for Jesus. (I say this as someone who was bullied throughout middle school and high school, someone who was depressed since teenage years, someone who has attempted suicide, and has struggled with suicidal thoughts at various points in this journey.)
❧ I agree to disagree with those who believe homosexuality is incompatible with Christianity. I love and accept you any way.
Preface: This is an edited response I gave to someone who asked me why I think homosexuality is okay according to the Bible. Also, to show my point of view, I consider my method of biblical interpretation to align with Progressive Christianity.
Old Testament Laws Today
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First of all, I want to express my understanding of the Law and how it applies to us today:
Paul said that without the Law, we would not know what sin is (Rom 7:7). Both Jeremiah and Paul state that Law has been written on our hearts (Jeremiah 31:33 and Rom. 2:15). Furthermore, Jesus said that He did not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets but to fulfill them (Matt 5:17).
In Galatians, Paul talks about the Judaizers who insisted that the Gentiles practice the Law (specifically, circumcision) in order to achieve holiness. To prove otherwise, Paul specifically focused on Abraham, how he believed God, and the promise he received (that his Seed would be blessed) as a result of believing God (Gal. 3:6).
In context, the word “believed” is not an activity of thought, but of action. Everything – the good, bad, and ugly (Abraham lied about his relationship with his wife in order to protect his life) – every action he took was in response to his relationship with God. And, because of this, God considered Abraham a righteous man – even before the Law.
In Galatians, Paul attempts to show the Judaizers that it’s not the Law that makes one Holy, but relationship with God (believing, following, and the intimacy involved with such actions) –Galatians chapter 3. The evidence of such things, as Paul says, is the fruit of the Spirit – and against such there is no Law (Gal. 5:22-23). Paul specifically states that those trying to be justified by the Law have fallen away from grace (Gal. 5:4). Ultimately, the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love (Gal. 5:6).
Rightly so, Paul reminds us to not use our freedom to indulge in the flesh (Gal. 5:13). Paul goes on to explain what the works of the flesh looks like and their consequences (Gal. 5:19-21). In this list of works of the flesh, sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery are mentioned.
Sexual Immorality
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Secondly, I want to express my understanding of sexual immorality:
In the Gospels, Jesus addresses divorce (Mt. 5:31-32), lust and adultery (Mt. 5:27-28), and multiple marriage / sexual partners (Jn. 4:16-18). Hebrews 13:4 confirms the sanctity of marriage, and the consequences for adultery and sexual immorality.
In the Books of Acts, when the Jewish believers were deciding how to integrate with Gentile believers, they narrowed down a few specific things from the Law that the Gentile believers were to follow, which included abstaining from sexual immorality (Acts 21:25).
Like the writer of Hebrews, I believe the marriage bed should be kept pure (therefore, I believe adultery is a sin). Likewise, I believe marriage should be honored by all (therefore, I believe in a monogamous, committed relationship that is recognized by family, friends, and community). Like Jesus, I believe lust and multiple sexual partners are aspects of Sin (therefore, I believe in self-control of one’s sexual desires and behaviors).
Marriage, Sexuality, and Gender
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Thirdly, I want to express my understanding of marriage, sexuality, and gender:
Paul specifically told Timothy that a leader in the church should be the husband of one wife (1 Tim. 3:2). In Matthew 19:4-6, Jesus quotes Gen. 1:27 and Gen. 2:24 regarding marriage between one man and one woman.
In discussing marriage and divorce with the Pharisees, Jesus said that anyone who divorces his wife except for reasons other than sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery (Mt. 19:9). In response, the disciples asked Jesus if it’s better not to marry (Mt. 19:10). Jesus replied with this:
“Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.” (Mt. 19:11-12).
In biblical times, eunuchs were the sexual and gender minority – they did not fit the heterosexual, male/female gender binary norm. Some (theologians, scholars, and others) believe eunuchs also included homosexuals:
Conversely, some believe eunuchs lived celibate lives (Bible History: Eunuch). There is historical evidence to support both beliefs. Regardless of sexual activity, it is clear that sexual and gender minorities exist (past, present, and future). Also, it is clear that Jesus did not condemn sexual/gender minorities, and that he asked for those who can accept this, to do so.
Jesus and Homosexuality
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Fourth, I want to express my understanding of what Jesus said in the Gospels about homosexuality:
Nothing. Not one verse explicitly reveals Jesus’ thoughts, beliefs, etc. about homosexuals or homosexual behavior. Except for this: The story of Jesus and the Centurion.
In his sermon “How Can I Be Sure That God Loves Me, Too?” Rev. Dr. Mel White makes a reference to the Centurion (Roman soldier) who asks Jesus to heal his servant. (FYI… Soulforce is a pro-gay activist organization and Rev. Dr. Mel White is associated with the Metropolitan Community Church which is historically pro-gay). White prefaces his interpretation of the passage by saying that he does read into it. He points out that the Greek word for servant used in the passage was not doulos (Greek = servant), but pais. Rev. White interprets the word pais as “special friend, or beloved.”
Does God Love Me?
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How Can I Be Sure God Loves Me Too? by Rev. Dr. Mel White
The story of the Centurion appears in Matthew 8:5-13 and Luke 7:1-10.
In pointing out the unique relationship, White implies that the Centurion’s servant is actually his male lover. Historically, White says, many Roman military officers and soldiers were gay. On long deployments, the officers would bring their male lovers with them. Rev. White suggests that the Centurion is asking Jesus to heal his sick male lover. If this is true, then the story has an interesting twist. After the Centurion asks Jesus to say the word, to heal the servant, Jesus replies, “I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith” (Matthew 8:10).
In Bible college, I studied New Testament Greek for two years. So, I have some resources in my personal library. I looked up the passages in the Greek-English New Testament. The Matthew passage uses the word pais; Luke uses doulos. In the Greek-English Lexicon of the N.T., the word pais is defined as: “a child, boy, or girl” and in some cases, “servant.” Now, this is simply the equivalent of a Webster’s dictionary definition. To properly study a NT Greek word, one must study the surrounding words in context, as well as how the word was used at the time. I have yet to do this, but given my background knowledge, I tend to agree with Rev. White’s interpretation.
Perspectives
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I understand there are various viewpoints and beliefs regarding homosexuality and biblical interpretation. I did not go through my process lightly, but with a wholehearted devotion and desire to know God and His Word, to follow Jesus, and to have an intimate relationship with Spirit.
I understand that there are those who strongly believe homosexuality is a sin, and that unless one repents from homosexual behavior, he/she will spend eternity in hell. I understand that there are those who strongly believe the opposite, and there are various degrees of beliefs in between the extremes.
I was raised to believe homosexual activity is a sin, punishable by death (the wages of sin is death). I was raised to believe that I am to be and act like a godly (feminine) woman, either single and celibate or married to a godly (masculine) man.
It is because of my upbringing and my personal relationship with Jesus that I carefully studied scripture and carefully sought wise counsel. Admittedly, there have been times in my life when I did act lustfully and committed fornication (sex outside of marriage). Out of spiritual conviction, I’ve repented of those things.
Also, out of religious conviction and desire to honor my upbringing, in the past I have pursued an ex-gay way of life (dated men, read ex-gay books, received counseling, etc.) This ex-gay process systematically destroyed parts of my soul (and I don’t mean my flesh; I mean my personhood, the person God designed me to be). It was while I was going through the ex-gay process that I began writing about how to reconcile my life, faith, and sexuality. In solitude, without being in any romantic relationship, I sought God’s Word and Will for my life. Through this, I felt the same Holy Spirit, who has guided me always; ask me to stop trying to be ex-gay. By studying and re-studying things I’ve learned before, during, and after Bible college, I began to understand that there is more to life than an Evangelical or Fundamentalist understanding of heterosexual marriage, and what is considered masculine and feminine.
Conclusions
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Each one of us is accountable to God and to what God asks of us individually. Throughout Scripture (Old and New Testament), there have been exceptions to the norm. In each case, the individuals involved followed what they believed God was telling them to do.
No one, no denomination, no theologian, etc. owns the perfect interpretation of Scripture. Each one of us must study the Scriptures and allow the Holy Spirit to convict and teach us accordingly.
Ultimately, I am accountable to God and must walk according to my faith. It was by faith that I have journeyed through many of the hard things I’ve endured in life. It was by faith that I have studied Scripture and asked Jesus to be real to me. It was by faith that I left my mother and father in order to live the life I feel God wants me to live. This makes me no more deceived or confused than anyone else who has stepped away from the norm in order to follow God according to what he/she believes to be true.
I refuse to put down others who believe homosexuality is a sin. I believe they have the same right to believe their convictions as much as I do. I have accepted some very hard things, including the fact that some people will never approve of my life or give me their blessing. It has taken me a long time to accept this. However, there comes a point in everyone’s life when he/she must separate themselves from their family / religion of origin in order to follow Jesus. This is what my path looks like.
I am at peace with God. With this peace, I do not feel the need to prove to others through my words that I am following God. Instead, I choose to show through my actions.
Instead of using Scripture to prove “gay is good,” I choose to show that I am a Christian by my love, by the fruit of the Spirit, and by living the Truth alive in me. I have the head and heart knowledge to be a Bible-thumper, but Jesus alive in me directs me to be meek and gentle with God’s Holy Word. I believe God’s Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path (Psalm 119:105), and I believe God’s Word is to be meditated upon in order not to sin against Him (Psalm 119:11).
Final Thoughts
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- Colossians 2:1 – 3:17 (specifically 2:16 and 3:15)
Resources
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- Documentary: “For the Bible Tells Me So“
- Movie (Based on a True Story): “Prayers for Bobby”
- Canyonwalker Connections: Repairing the breach between the Church and the LGBT Christian Community (a blog written by a straight Evangelical Christian woman)
Other Viewpoints
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Three different viewpoints on “Can I be Gay and Christian?”
Out LGBTQ Christians
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- Jennifer Knapp – check out her appearance on Larry King Live
- Randy Roberts Potts (grandson of Oral Roberts) – check out this NBC interview
- Anthony Venn-Brown (“…a former Australian evangelist in the Assemblies of God”)
- Yvette Flunder (founded City of Refuge UCC)
Nearly every person who acknowledges an aversion to homosexuality does so on the basis of what he or she believes the Bible has to say. In their mind, there is no doubt whatsoever about what the Bible says and what the Bible means. Their general argument goes something like this: Homosexuality is an abomination and the homosexual is a sinner. Homosexuality is condemned in both the Old and New Testaments. Therefore, if we are to be faithful to the clear teachings of Scripture we too must condemn homosexuality. Needless to say, this premise is being widely debated among evangelicals today and seriously challenged by biblical scholars, theologians and religious leaders everywhere.
It rarely occurs to any of us that our reading of Scripture is profoundly colored by our own cultural context and worldview. In light of your posting above and since I happen to speak and write on this very topic, I thought you might find some of these posts of particular interest. You might particularly appreciate the following: Leviticus 18: “What Was the Abomination?,” “Romans 1: What Was Paul Ranting About?”, “Romans 2: Paul’s Bait and Switch” and “Why No One in the Biblical World Had a Word for Homosexuality.” You can find links to these and others on the “Archives” page (link below).
-Alex Haiken
http://JewishChristianGay.wordpress.com
I really appreciate your thoughts and honesty. I believe the issue is far more complicated and multi-faceted than most churches would like it to be.
Thank you so much for your vulnerability. I can resonnate in many ways with your story and your convictions. Keep on keeping on!
Blessings to you!
Many people claim that Gen 19:1-25 doesn’t teach that God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah for the sake of homosexuality. They claim that Sodom’s sins were pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness, and they didn’t help poor and needy.
The book of Ezekiel teach that Sodom’s sins were pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness, and they didn’t help poor and needy. Ezekiel continues saying that they were haughty and committed abomination before God, and for the reason of abomination God destroyed Sodom:
Eze 16:
49 Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.
50 And they were haughty, and committed abomination (towebah) before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good.
Lev 18:22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination (towebah).
For the sake of sodomites’ abomination acts, God destroyed Sodom as Ezekiel 16:49,50 shows for us. Ezekiel uses 16:50 Hebrew word towebah, which is the same Hebrew word in Lev 18:22 (and Lev 20:13) that describes homosexuality as abomination. It is very clear that in Ezekiel 16:50, abomination means homosexuality acts as the reason for destroying of Sodom. Sodomites pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness and hardened hearts towards poor and needy were sins, but destruction came for the sake of homosexuality, and the New Testament confirms this:
Jude1:7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
The book of Jude confirms that in Sodom and Gomorrah practiced fornication going after strange flesh, which means homosexuality. Fornication going after strange flesh doesn’t describe natural sex between men and women, but unnatural sex where men have practiced sex to other men. For this reason, they suffer the vengeance of eternal fire.
http://koti.phnet.fi/petripaavola/homosexual.html
This is the most amazing sermon I have ever heard on this whole Sodom and Gomorrah debate. It really speaks to the heart of the matter. Check it out: http://realitysf.com/teachings/out-of-order-the-sin-of-sodom/
If you were convicted of an unnamed felony, would I be able to choose a felony and say that must be the thing you did, merely because the crime I chose is also a felony?
Ezekiel says “abomination”. It doesn’t specify which abomination.
Sodom could have been practicing idolatry (Deut 7:25, 13:14), Temple prostitution (I Kings 14:24), unfair weights (Deut 25:13), or eating unclean food (Deuteronomy). But considering the story is prior to the law, it could actually be anything.
I am fascinated by the tendency to ignore the explicitly listed issues in Ezekiel and to instead focus on “abomination” so as to make the issue that the entire town was homosexual because the men wanted to “know” (yada) the men.
Incidentally, earlier in the same story, God asks whether He should hide what he is about to do from Abraham, but decides not to, for “I know (yada) him”.
I don’t expect to convince you, telson7, but then I don’t need to. As far as I know, you’re not gay, and so you’re not harming yourself with your beliefs. I write this for those who are still suffering from buying into the interpretation that Genesis 19 is about homosexuality. It’s at least as likely that the story is about a city that abused outsiders and the vulnerable.
The one thing you don’t address is Romans 1 — which, though applying mainly to pagans who deny God, plainly labels homosexual relations as “contrary to nature.”
I was hoping the resources I listed would be sufficient to address any missed passages. Regarding Romans 1, I understand there are differing interpretations (Romans 1:26-27 Interpretation by religious liberals and Romans 1:26-27 Interpretation by religious conservatives).
Personally, I’m focused on Romans 1:22-25 describing the precursor for unnatural relationships. God gave the ones who claimed to know God but worshiped man-made gods instead over to sinful lusts (degrading each other with their bodies).
Love is distinctly different from lust. Regardless of orientation, Christians are called to not mistreat one another by acting on lustful desires as lust seems to be a consequence of broken relationship with God. I think it’s fair to say that even straight men and women have the capacity to treat their sexual partners lustfully and not lovingly.
Right relationship with God leads to right relationship with others. Paul was not talking about love in Romans 1. Instead, he was addressing the consequence of broken relationship with God. By disregarding the Creator, the consequence is mistreating creation. Paul easily could have focused on any type of sexual abuse: rape, molestation, human trafficking, etc. Yet, he chose to focus on lustful acts among same-sex individuals. In Rome, pederasty was common. As an imbalance of power, pederasty was acceptable under certain circumstances (see previous link). For pederasty among individuals of equal status, it would be considered abuse of the other according to Roman culture. Essentially, Paul was telling Roman believers the consequence of broken relationship with the Creator opened the door to abusing one another which would be an unnatural (vulgar) behavior even among Romans who weren’t believers.
Based on this interpretation, Romans 1 serves to address broken relationship with God the Creator and its consequences. As an intro in the letter to the Roman church, Paul needed to deal with restoring relationship between God the Creator and His creation in order to discuss various aspects of righteous living throughout the remaining portions of the letter. One cannot live a righteous, Christ-like life while having a broken relationship with God the Creator.
This said, Paul does not address loving, same-sex relationships of equal status. Love does not take advantage, abuse, mistreat, take away power, or humiliate the Imago Dei (image of God) in others. Instead, love protects, builds up, respects, nurtures, and glorifies the Imago Dei within each of those loved.
Loving same-sex relationships, therefore, is not the issue in Romans 1. Imbalance of power, mistreating the Imago Dei, broken relationship with God the Creator and His creation – these are the issues Paul addresses by using the most vulgar example possible within the context of a specific cultural community.
Yes, but I was wondering about your interpretation, since you were so exhaustive toward everything else above but left that one out. I’m not being combative here, just curious.
Oh, I didn’t take your question or approach as combative in any way! I’m really enjoying interacting with you. Plus, now I’ve an addendum to add to the “exhaustive” personal beliefs post
It was fun for me to think and write about Romans 1. I rarely get to utilize my hermeneutic skills picked up during Bible college… and my comment was practically superficial considering the other hermeneutic tools available.
(If I came across as short or grumpy, it’s b/c I’m operating on a few hours sleep.)
Joseph, I would suggest you read the following posts of mine on Romans:
“Romans 1: What Was Paul Ranting About?” Link here: http://wp.me/p1tsIE-bJ
“Romans 2: Paul’s Bait and Switch” Link here: http://wp.me/p1tsIE-c6
While you infer that from the Biblical perspective, homosexuality is unnatural, it is imperative that you consider what these words (“natural” and “unnatural”)meant when used by the author and not simply read your own personal aversions or prejudices back into them.
These days we know from linguistic studies that in Paul’s day the term “natural” and “unnatural” referred simple to what was or was not expected. Arguments from “nature” have not carried their own weight. Research into the Romans’ likely understanding of what it is or is not “natural” does not support our attempts to stigmatize same sex as “unnatural. What Paul means by natural is what other writers of his day meant by it: it simply meant “what one expects.” Paul also applied the phrase “para physin” to God’s action in Romans 11:24, when God engrafted Gentiles onto the Jewish olive tree — and there “para physin” was an appreciation, not a reproach. So, if same-sex coupling is, in Paul’s terms “unnatural”, so is your salvation.
Alex Haiken
http://JewishChristianGay.wordpress.com
Okay, I saw this billboard, and have to say, you are very wrong………there is no acts 8:26-40, there is only acts 8:26-31, and nowhere does it say anything about the early church accepting a gay man. This is what it says-
26 “‘Go to this people and say,
“You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.”
27 For this people’s heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.’[a]
28 “Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!” [29] [b]
30 For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. 31 He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!
I have another scripture for you to read also
1 Corinthians 6:9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men.
Hi ND,
Thank you for fact checking the billboard in question. I looked up the passage you posted, and it comes from Acts 28. The passage on the billboard comes from Acts 8. The specific passage about the Ethiopian eunuch comes from Acts 8:26-40.
Here are a few commentaries from different perspectives:
1. From Inter-Varsity Press – Ethiopian Eunuch.
2. From GayChristian101 – The Ethiopian Eunuch – Did You Know God Saved A Gay Man In Acts 8:26-40?. See also How did you decide that the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8 was homosexual?.
3. From Apologetics Press – The Early Church Did Not Affirm A Gay Eunuch.
4. From “Would Jesus Discriminate?” – The early church welcomed a gay man (has an extensive list of resources).
5. From Creation Revolution – The Early Church Did Not Affirm A Gay Eunuch
6. From Family Research Council – The Bible, the Church, & Homosexuality: Exposing the “Gay” Theology
I could go on and on, presenting interpretations from both sides. How does one decide who is speaking the Truth and who isn’t? I know while doing academic research, it’s important to gather references from various perspectives and to compare/contrast opposing viewpoints.
If you’re interested in discussing this further, I’ve a few questions for you. How do you handle conflicting viewpoints when you come across a Scripture passage that could be interpreted differently based upon one’s beliefs, perspective, and methodology? What is your approach to studying the Bible?
Thank you,
Suzanne
I need to pray about this, its hard for someone with ADHD to focus on certain thoughts, but to answer your questions, I handle conflicts as just stating what I believe a certain passage means from what I know about the bible, which isn’t a lot right now, but just enough to know what I believe, hopefully that answers both questions. BTW I must apologize for posting the completely wrong passage, I am still trying to figure out which one I put…..
Take your time, ND. I completely understand. No worries