UNDERSTANDING SCRIPTURE AS AFFIRMING

There is no valid, Christian, biblical argument against same-sex relationships between consenting adults. - Jim Dant

Biblical writers were just in their condemnation of the same-sex practices of their day.  Same-sex activities in their context were viewed as lustful excess or exploitative and abusive.  Coercive and exploitative same-sex practices (pagan temple prostitution, pederasty, or high-status males coercing men of lower status) are destructive and sinful.  Life-long same-sex unions of equal partners who are naturally same-sex attracted was not understandable or possible for individuals living in their culture or context.  The science of sexual orientation and gender identity was simply not available.  There are many examples of the Holy Spirit moving the church to better understandings and interpretations of Scripture (reconsidering gender hierarchies, racial hierarchies, etc.).  The Holy Spirit is moving and guiding the church to reconsider the sexual hierarchies that has done nothing but led to Christianized homophobia, which is brutal and destructive.

THE "CLOBBER PASSAGES" AT A GLANCE

The following is a snapshot of the affirming view of Scripture.  For more in depth study, please see our Resource Page.

The Old Testament Passages

Genesis 19 & Judges 19

• Inhospitality and violence are in focus here
• Arrogance & a lack of concern for the poor and needy is the sin of Sodom (Ezekiel 16:49-50), not the detestable threat of same-sex gang rape
• These do not address contemporary questions about same-sex intercourse that is consensual 

Leviticus 18:22 & Leviticus 20:13

• God’s concern here is that Israel is distinguish itself from neighboring nations 
• ​As Christ is the fulfillment of the law, Levitical codes do not hold the same bearing on the church today
• Other "detestable" practices in Leviticus: sleeping with a woman during menstrual and eating pork, rabbit, and shellfish ... to name a few

The New Testament Passages

Romans 1:26-27

• Paul addresses individuals who participate in a conscious exchange of sexual desires/orientation 
• Pederasty, prostitution, and exploitative same-sex intercourse are addressed as reprehensible
• Like Paul's use in 1 Cor. 11:14 (describing men with long hair), the words translated as shameful and nature define social and cultural norms
• Same-sex activities by those with opposite-sex orientation is condemned as lustful and excessive
• Same-sex intercourse between men was "feminizing" and therefore culturally shameful

1 Corinthians 6:9 & 1 Timothy 1:10

• The nature and/or rare usage of the words malakoi and arsenokoitai limit the certainty of their meanings and use
• Arsenokoitai is closely linked with exploitation, including exploitation that is not necessarily sexual
• Malakoi and arsenokoitai do not apply to contemporary covenantal partnerships
• The use of arsenokoitai in the 1 Timothy passage, with andropodistai and pornoi are a probable references to sex trafficking