What the Bible Says about Homosexuality: A Bible Study for Progressive People of Faith

What the Bible Says about Homosexuality comes from a message given by John Zehring to a United Church of Christ congregation where he served as Senior Pastor. In the bible, there are six verses by two men, Moses and Paul, which might have some bearing on homosexuality. Those six are examined in detail, applying the tools of biblical exegesis to the study so that the texts are considered within their historical, cultural and literary contexts. As always with a serious bible study, the key questions to be examined are: To whom was this passage addressed and to whom does it apply? If a person were to get that part wrong, he or she could end up with a value system or worldview that is faulty because the biblical exegesis is faulty. So, it is critical for thinking people of faith to study and understand the context of a biblical passage.

Thinking people of faith will see that much of the bible is based upon metaphor, symbolic language, cultural idiosyncrasies, and Middle Eastern teaching techniques. If there are texts that applied to specific people in specific cultures two thousand years ago which were addressed to them and not necessarily to you, how then can you know which parts of the bible apply to you and which do not? Needing to use your mind to hard work! It would be so much easier for someone to give you the black and white rules. But that is not what the bible does. A devoted student of the bible must reflect, study, understand, analyze and interpret. That led one hearer of the message to respond with the question: “Well, then, what CAN I believe? How do I know what applies to me, if anything?” That question leads to the second part of this work, as we consider: What is the rock-solid place upon which a person of faith can stand?

The topic of homosexuality has divided religions and caused anger, confusion, hurt, unkindness and even harm. Put aside for the moment the emotional tension and hubris to look at the actual six verses and see what they say and to whom they were spoken. May the study guide you, inspire you, inform you, and lead you to glorify God in your extravagant welcome for all people, for each and every one has been pronounced good by the Creator.