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BethanyPresbyterianChurch
PurposeStatement
WebelieveGodintendsforourworshippingcommunitytobegroundedinGod’slove,
centeredonJesusChrist,andempoweredbytheHolySpiritinordertobeablessingto our
world,ourcityandoneanother.
BethanyFall2015Roundtable:
GayChristians,theBible,ChurchandCulture
PurposeoftheFallRoundtable
TheFall2015Roundtablehastwomajorpurposes,onespiritualandtheother
educational.First,participantswillpracticethespiritualdisciplinesofpatience,
forbearance,listeningandloveacrossdifferences,keymarksofthechurch.Wewantto
learntobetogetherwellinChrist,definingourselvesatthecenterandnotatthe
boundaries.Second,participantswilllearnaboutthetopic.TheBiblehassomethingto
saytoitandweneedtolistentoeachother'sstorieswiththemindofChrist.In
addition,SessionwillbestartingayetundefinedprocessofdiscernmentonwhatGod
mightbecallingBethanytobeanddointhisseason.Theroundtablesareachancefor
elderstoreadthematerials,studyscriptureandshareinasmallgroupsettingalong
withmembersofthecongregation.Elders,asparticipants,willnotbegleaningfindings
ormakingdecisionsinthisconversationaroundthetable.
Design
ThisRoundtabledemandssometimecommitmentinweeklypreparation.Participants
willmeetingroupsof9-10peoplewhichwillbeledbyatrainedfacilitator.Thefirst
meetingistheoneexception:onthisnightPastorDougKellywillgiveacontextforthe
discussionandpresentahistoricalviewpointandanemergingviewpointaroundthe
questionofgayChristians,theBible,churchandculture.
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TheSchedule
SessionOne,Nov.1stand4th:HistoricalOverviewandRecentDiscussionsDougKelly
SessionTwo,Nov.8thand11th:TwoEvangelicalVoicesinCivilDiscourse
Preparation:watch2hourvideoofSPUforum“Let’sTalkAbout[Homo}sexuality”a
conversationwithJustinLeeandRonBelgau,April13,2014.Clickonthislink:
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=justin+lee+and+ron+belgau&FORM=VIRE1#view=detail
&mid=FBADD1AD7B5553C7D392FBADD1AD7B5553C7D392
SessionThree,Nov.15thand18th:TheBiblicalCaseagainstSameGenderRelationships
Preparation:RichardHays“Homosexuality”fromhisbookMoralVisionoftheNewTestament.
COPYRIGHTNOTICE:Thismaterialisonlyfortheuseofstudentsenrolledinthiscourseforpurposes
associatedwiththiscourseandmaynotberetainedorfurtherdisseminated.
Atthebeginningofthissession,therewillbetimeforparticipantstoshareabrief
responsetothisquestion,“Howhasthisissueintersectedyourlifestory?Shareoneor
twokeytouchpoints.”
SessionFour,Nov.22ndandDec.2nd(GroupsmaysubstituteanotherdatetomakeupforNov.
25–thenightbeforeThanksgiving):TheBiblicalCaseaffirmingCertainSameGender
Relationships
Preparation:participantsmustreadStevenChalke’sarticle,“AMatterofIntegrity”
Apreparatorycommentonthereadings:
RichardHaysteachesNewTestamentatamoderatetoliberaltheologicalseminary,
DukeDivinitySchool.Hewrotethischapterin1996atatimewhensomescholarson
theleftendofthediscussionweretooquicktomakesomeoverlysweepingclaims
abouttheBible,churchhistoryandhomosexuality.Haysisinterestedinmakingsure
thediscussionistetheredtoseriousBiblicalstudyandthusisfocusonRomans1.
StevenChalkeisinadifferentcontextfromRichardHays.Ratherthanteachingina
moderatetoliberalAmericaninstitution,Chalkecomestothediscussionfromthe
Britishevangelicalcommunity.HespendslesstimeonRomans1becauseheandhis
audienceintheevangelicalcommunityhavespentalotoftimeinRomans1already.
Instead,ChalkewantstobroadenthediscussiontoincludethewiderBiblicaldoctrineof
inclusionandhowhefeelssomechurchpositionshavehurtothersthroughexclusion.
DonotmisreadChalke,thinkinghecareslessaboutscripturebecausehespendsless
timeinspecificBiblicaltextsdealingwithhomosexuality.Heandhisdebatershave
spentplentyoftimealreadyinRomans1.Similarly,donotthinkthatRichardHaysis
notinterestedinthebroaderdiscussionofinclusionandthedamagethechurchhas
doneinthepast;Hayssimplywantshismoderate-liberalcommunitytorememberthe
scripturaltextsbeforerushingoffinhaste.
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Liturgy for Our Time Together
Adapted from Godly Play Liturgy
Getting ready
People:
We intentionally recognize and take serious that we need to prepare, to
slow down, open our hearts to God and anticipate Christ’s presence among
us in our coming together. We check ourselves to see if we are ready.
Crossing the Threshold
Leader:
We choose to leave the way of the world and enter the space of the Kingdom of
God, bringing our whole selves to the circle and choosing to be present as fully
possible.
People:
We come with our doubts, fears, and failings as well as our convictions,
joys, and successes, our listening as well as our speaking.
Building the Circle - Passing the Peace
Leader:
We extend and receive welcome. We do best in hospitable places. In this group
we support each other by giving and receiving hospitality. We take our place and
make room for all to take their place.
Leader:
The peace of Christ be with you.
People:
And Also with you.
The passing of the Peace of Christ.
Silence
People:
We trust and learn from silence. Silence is a gift in our noisy world and a
way of knowing in itself. We treat silence as a member of the group. After
someone speaks we take time to reflect without immediately filling the
space with words. We only speak to improve the silence.
Moment of silence.
Responding to Each Other
Leader:
We learn to respond to others with open honest questions.
People:
We practice and respond to Christ inside us as we explore Scripture, each
other’s stories, questions, perspectives, and silence which provide a
special opportunity to learn from God and each other.
Scripture Reading (see pp. 4-5 for each day’s scripture)
Prayer
Roundtable Discussion
Blessing and Goodbye
Leader:
We both give and receive blessing knowing that our ability to bless comes first of
all out of our deep knowing that we are blessed by God.
People:
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord keep your coming in and your
going out, now and always
Prayer
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SessionOneScriptureReading:Psalm147:1-11
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PraisetheLord!HowgooditistosingpraisestoourGod;forheisgracious,andasong
ofpraiseisfitting.
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TheLordbuildsupJerusalem;hegatherstheoutcastsofIsrael.
3
Hehealsthebrokenhearted,andbindsuptheirwounds.
4
Hedeterminesthenumberofthestars;hegivestoallofthemtheirnames.
5
GreatisourLord,andabundantinpower;hisunderstandingisbeyondmeasure.
6
TheLordliftsupthedowntrodden;hecaststhewickedtotheground.
7
SingtotheLordwiththanksgiving;makemelodytoourGodonthelyre.
8
Hecoverstheheavenswithclouds,preparesrainfortheearth,makesgrassgrowon
thehills.9Hegivestotheanimalstheirfood,andtotheyoungravenswhentheycry.
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Hisdelightisnotinthestrengthofthehorse,norhispleasureinthespeedofarunner;
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buttheLordtakespleasureinthosewhofearhim,inthosewhohopeinhissteadfast
love.
SessionTwoScriptureReading:Colossians3:12-17
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AsGod’schosenones,holyandbeloved,clotheyourselveswithcompassion,kindness,
humility,meekness,andpatience.
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Bearwithoneanotherand,ifanyonehasacomplaintagainstanother,forgiveeach
other;justastheLordhasforgivenyou,soyoualsomustforgive.
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Aboveall,clotheyourselveswithlove,whichbindseverythingtogetherinperfect
harmony.
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AndletthepeaceofChristruleinyourhearts,towhichindeedyouwerecalledinthe
onebody.Andbethankful.
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LetthewordofChristdwellinyourichly;teachandadmonishoneanotherinall
wisdom;andwithgratitudeinyourheartssingpsalms,hymns,andspiritualsongsto
God.
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Andwhateveryoudo,inwordordeed,doeverythinginthenameoftheLordJesus,
givingthankstoGodtheFatherthroughhim.
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SessionThreeScriptureReading:Romans12:1-3,9-13
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Iappealtoyoutherefore,brothersandsisters,bythemerciesofGod,topresentyour
bodiesasalivingsacrifice,holyandacceptabletoGod,whichisyourspiritualworship.
2
Donotbeconformedtothisworld,butbetransformedbytherenewingofyourminds,
so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and
perfect.
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ForbythegracegiventomeIsaytoeveryoneamongyounottothinkofyourselfmore
highlythanyououghttothink,buttothinkwithsoberjudgment,eachaccordingtothe
measureoffaiththatGodhasassigned.…
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Letlovebegenuine;hatewhatisevil,holdfasttowhatisgood;
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loveoneanotherwithmutualaffection;outdooneanotherinshowinghonor.
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Donotlaginzeal,beardentinspirit,servetheLord.12
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Rejoiceinhope,bepatientinsuffering,persevereinprayer.
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Contributetotheneedsofthesaints;extendhospitalitytostrangers.
SessionFourScriptureReading:Philippians2:1-11
IfthenthereisanyencouragementinChrist,anyconsolationfromlove,anysharingin
theSpirit,anycompassionandsympathy,
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Donothingfromselfishambitionorconceit,butinhumilityregardothersasbetterthan
yourselves.
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Leteachofyoulooknottoyourowninterests,buttotheinterestsofothers. 5Letthe
samemindbeinyouthatwasinChristJesus,
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who,thoughhewasintheformofGod,didnotregardequalitywithGodassomething
tobeexploited,7butemptiedhimself,takingtheformofaslave,beingborninhuman
likeness.Andbeingfoundinhumanform,
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makemyjoycomplete:beofthesamemind,havingthesamelove,beinginfullaccord
andofonemind.
hehumbledhimselfandbecameobedienttothepointofdeath—evendeathona
cross.9ThereforeGodalsohighlyexaltedhimandgavehimthenamethatisabove
everyname,
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sothatatthenameofJesuseverykneeshouldbend,inheavenandonearthandunder
theearth,
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andeverytongueshouldconfessthatJesusChristisLord,tothegloryofGodthe
Father.
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BethanyRoundtableFall2015
GUIDELINESFORSMALLGROUPS
SmallGroupsatBethanyprovideanopportunitytoexperiencecommunityinChrist.PartofourDNA,
ourcharacteratBethany,isthatourunityiscenteredinJesus,whichallowsustobeincommunity
acrossdifferences.WewillexperiencemoreofthereconcilingpowerofChristandlearntobetogether
wellbyfollowingtheseguidelines.
BEANACTIVELISTENER:
• Stayfocusedontheonewhoisspeaking
• Curbtheimpulsetoformulatearesponse;rather,stayfocusedonreallyhearingwhatthe
speakerissaying.
• Wearenotindividualstryingtowinadebate,butareseekersofChristwithfellowbrothersand
sistersonthejourneywhohavetheirstorywhichwewanttohear.
USE“I”LANGUAGE:
• Speakinthefirstperson:“Ibelieve….”“Ithink….”“Myexperiencehasleadmetothink…”
• Ratherthansaying“Thatdoesn’tmakesense,”considersaying“Mythinkingleadsto
somewhereelse…”
AVOIDCROSSTALK
• Activelisteningisreceiving,payingattentiontothepersonspeaking.Appreciatebynoddingor
with“hmm,”“oh,”“okay”.Ifyouspeak,summarizewhatyou’veheardandaskquestionsto
clarify.Listeningdoesnotrequirespeaking.
• Wearenotgivingadviceinthistime.
• Wearenotsolvingsomeoneelse’sproblem.
SILENCEISOKAY
TAKEANON-EVALUATIVESTANCE:
• Weareheretolistentoeachother’shearts,soulsandminds,nottoputeachotherina
category.
• Wehavefreedomtodisagree,butwedosowithoutquestioning,implicitlyorexplicitlysomeone
else’sintelligence,motivesorintegrity.
STRIVEFOREQUALTIME
• Someofusneedtobesensitivearoundnotsharingtoomuch
• Stillothersofusneedtobewillingtoletothersknowwhoweare.
KEEPCONFIDENTIALITY
• What’ssharedinthegroupstaysinthegroup.
• Whatyouhearisnotyourstorytotell.
• Sessionmemberswillnotbesharingyourstory.
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GayChristians,theBible,ChurchandCulture
ATheologicalandEcclesiasticalPrimer
November1stand4th,2015
PastorDougKelly
SomePreliminaryComments__________________________________________
• Socialissueshavealwaysbeendiscussedinthechurchwithvariousconvictions
expressed.
• Thereareotherissuestodiscussthatarejustasimportant.Weareexploring
futureRoundtablediscussionsaroundsuchtopicsasIncarcerationinAmerica;
God’sCreationandClimateChange;GunViolence;HomelessnessinSeattle:
BurdenandOpportunity.
ABriefHistoryofWhyWeareTalkingAboutThis__________________________
• For19centuriestheChristianChurchhasviewedhomosexualbehavioras
contrarytoGod’sintent,designandwillforhumansexualrelationships.
• Beginninginthelate1960’sanewunderstandingofhomosexualityandanew
attitudebyChristiansofthatorientationbegantovoiceachallengetothe
church’sstance.
• In1977ourdenomination’sGeneralAssemblypassedanAuthoritative
InterpretationoftheConstitutiondeclaringthat“avowedpracticing
homosexuals”couldnotbeordainedintotheofficesofthechurchasdeacons,
eldersorpastors.
• In1997,andamendmenttotheBookofOrderwaspassedstatingthat“fidelityin
marriagebetweenamanandawomanorchastityinsingleness”wasa
requirementforordinationtotheofficesofthechurch.Thisdecisionswas
overturnedin2010,allowingPresbyteriesandindividualSessionstointerpret
thesestandardsforthemselves“tosubmitjoyfullytotheLordshipofJesusChrist
inallaspectsoflife.”
• Othermainlinedenominations–Episcopal,UnitedChurchofChrist,Evangelical
Luther–andsomenon-denominationalevangelicalchurchessuchasEastlake
CommunityChurch,Seattlehavemadesimilarchanges.
• In2014theGeneralAssemblychangedtheBookofOrder’sdefinitionofmarriage
toreadinpart:“Marriageinvolvesauniquecommitmentbetweentwopeople
(traditionallyamanandawoman)toloveandsupporteachotherfortherestof
theirlives.”
• June26,2015,theUSSupremeCourtdecisionmadesamesexmarriagelegalin
allstates.Beforethedecision,itwaslegalin37states.
• Bethany’sHistory:
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o Bethany’shadapolicyinthe1990sprohibitingpeopleengagedinsame
genderrelationshipsfrombeingmembersatBethany.
o Thispolicywasreplacedin2002bytheHolinessandLeadershipStatement
whichdoesnotprohibitmembershipforgaysandlesbiansbutdoes
prohibitpeopleinsamegenderrelationshipsfromtakingonleadership
rolesatBethany
o AFebruary2015SessionMemotothecongregationreiterated,that
althoughthe2014GeneralAssemblychangedmarriagelanguageinthe
BookofOrder,thatBethany’spolicyonmarriagewasunchangedandthat
samesexmarriageswouldnotbepermittedonchurchproperty.The
memoalsoannouncedthebeginningofroundtablediscussionsasaforum
totalkaboutimportantissues
AWordonthePracticeofCorporateDiscernment_________________________
• WhilethisRoundtableisnotaspecificcorporatediscernmentexerciseof
Bethany,wewillbeengaginginsomediscernmentpracticessuchasstudying
scripture,listeningtoothers’experiences,engagingtheissuewithouthaste,and
beingfreetodisagreeinlove.
• ElementsofChurchCorporateDiscernmentfromtheNewTestamentleadingup
totheJerusalemCouncil(Acts9–15).
• Listeningtopeople’sstoriesoftheirexperienceofGodintheirlives
• Thechurchreflectiononthatexperience
• Seriousre-readingandengagementwithScripture
• Activeroleoftheassemblyandnotjustleaders
• Importanceofsilenceandprayerfordiscernmenttotakeplace
• Discernmentoveralongperiodoftime
• Thenecessityofoppositionanddebateopenlycarriedoutasvitalto
discernment(Lukeshowsnoembarrassmentinsharingalltheopposition
anddebatestoriesinActs)
• Significanceofpersonalandpastoralcommunicationofdecisionsonce
made.fromLukeTimothyJohnson,Scripture&Discernment:DecisionMakingInthe
Church.
• Overthelast2,000yearstheChristianchurchhasbuiltupontheaboveelements
andcultivatedothercorporatediscernmentpracticesincluding:
• Anumberofscripturestudypracticesincludingtheprincipleofscripture
interpretingscripture;noticingcontext–literary,historical,cultural;the
ruleoflove.
• ListeningtoChurchtradition
• Contemplativepracticesofexamen,lectiodivina,scripturememorization
andgroupspiritualdirection.
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Thenumberofopinionsonhomosexualityandtheplaceofgaysandlesbiansinthe
churcharelegion.Outlinedbelow,aretwomajorviewsI’mcalling,simplyforclarity,
TheHistoricalViewpointandAnEmergingViewpoint. (SomeofthismaterialisfromJeffLincicome’s“SammamishPresbyterianChurchAllChurch
ConversationsonHomosexuality:TheologicalPrimer,May4and7,2014”)
TheHistoricalViewpoint________________________________________________
• TheHistoricalViewpointarguesthat,accordingtotheBible,homosexualactivity
isnotGod’soriginalintentionordesign.TheBibleseeshomosexualactsas
universallynegativeandsinfulinalltheirphysicalexpressions,consistentlylifting
upheterosexualmarriageasnormativeandGod’splanforsexualrelationships.
TherearesixpassagesintheBiblethatmentionsame-gendersexandtheyareall
negative.
• Interestinglyenough,althoughEmergingscholarswouldargueaboutwhetherall
thesescripturepassagesareapplicabletotoday’sdiscussion,theytoowould
agreethatthesescripturepassagesspeakwithonevoiceanditisnegative.
• “Whatevertheinterpretationofthese(Bible)passages,however,ithastobe
acknowledgedthatnowheredoestheBibleactuallyaffirmsame-genderrelationships.”–
StevenChalke,p.4
• Still,theHistoricalviewpointwouldnotclassifysame-genderrelationshipsasa
worsesinthananyother.InRomans1,themostextensivepassageon
homosexualactsintheBible,homosexualactivityisoneinalistofsinsincluding
envy,murder,strife,deceit,gossip,slander,boastingandmore.
• TheHistoricalviewpointacknowledgesthatJesushadnothingtosayaboutsamegenderrelationships.However,whileothersmighttakethistosignalJesusdid
notcare,theHistoricalviewpointwouldarguethatJesus’thinkingwasmost
probablysimplyinlinewiththeviewofhisday.Thatis,anargumentfromsilence
ishardtomake.Thedebatewearehavingtodayjustwasnotpartofthe1st
centurylandscape.
• “IfJesusorhisfollowershadpracticedorcountenancedhomosexuality,itwouldhave
beenprofoundlyscandalouswithinfirst-centuryJewishculture.Suchacontroversy
wouldsurelyhavelefttracesinthetradition,asdidJesus’practiceofhavingtable
fellowshipwithprostitutesandtaxcollectors.”-RichardHays,p.395
• TheHistoricalviewpointwouldarguethatmenandwomenwerecreatedforone
another,“Thereforeamanleaveshisfatherandmotherandclingstohiswife,
andtheybecomeoneflesh”(Genesis.2:24).Thusthecomplementarityofmale
andfemaleisgivenatheologicalgroundinginGod’screativeactivity.Thisis
partlywhytheNewTestamenttextsinRomansandICorinthiansadvocate
againstsamegendersex:itdoesnotfitwiththenewcreationinChrist.
• TheHistoricalviewpointwouldarguethat,althoughthechurchintimesof
historicaldiscernmenthasreinterpretedtheBible–aboutslavery,aboutthe
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ordinationofwomen-ithasbeenabletodosoundertheBibleinterpretation
principleofscriptureinterpretingscripture.Ithasbeenabletopointto
conflictingpassagesofscriptureontheissuesathand.Thatis,Paulmay
advocatethat“womenremainsilent”insomeletters,butPeterreachesbackto
JoelonPentecosttodeclarethat“yoursonsandyourdaughtersshallprophecy”
thatis,“preach”(Acts2:17).Pauldoesnotcondemntheawfulpracticeof
humanslavery.However,inPhilemonheurgesaslaveownertotreathisslave,
Onesimus,asafreemaninChrist.Furthermore,thearchoftheBiblicalnarrative
isbasedonfreedomfromoppression.Nosuchdisagreementamongtextsexists
intheBiblewithregardstosamegendersexualrelationships.
• TheHistoricalviewpointwouldarguethatalthoughbeinghomosexualdoesnot
keeponefrombeingaChristian,theonlyfaithfulexpressionofsexualityforthe
homosexualpersoniscelibacy.Anyphysicalsamegendersexualexpressionis
outsidethoseboundariesandisconsideredsin.
• Thehistoricalviewpointwouldarguethatsexualityisnotthebasisfordefininga
person’sidentityorforfindingmeaningandfulfillmentinlife.Ouridentityis
foundinsteadaschildrenofGod.
AnEmergingViewpoint_________________________________________________
Proponentsofgayandlesbiancovenantedpartnershipswouldaskthequestion:
DoestheBiblereallytalkaboutthisatall?Whywouldtheysaythat?
• BecausewhileitistruethattheBiblicalnormisheterosexualrelationships,an
Emergingviewpointwouldarguethatwhatwearetalkingabouttodayisa
completelynewconcept–acommitted,monogamous,samegendered
relationshipbetweentwopeoplewhoarenaturally(somewouldsaycreatedto
be)attractedtooneanother.AnEmergingviewpointwouldsaythisisabrand
newideathatbiblicalwritershadnoconceptionof,andthusweneedtolookat
theBiblewithfresheyes.
• AnEmergingviewpointwouldarguethatwhiletheBibleisuniversallynegative
regardinghomosexuality,itonlytalksabouthomosexualityasgoingagainstone’s
naturalstate.Sosamegendersexiscouchedintheframeworkofgoingagainst
“whoyouweremadetobe.”Itwasalwaysanactofrebellionwhilenoone
consideredwhetherornotitwasactuallyone’snaturalstateofbeing.
• AnEmergingviewpointwouldsayPaulinRomansandICorinthiansisarguing
againstRomanandGreeksamegendersexualpracticeswhichwereoften
connectedwithidolworshiporheterosexualadultmaleshavingsexwithboys
whichwascommonintheRomanworld.
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• “Agrowingnumberofscholars,includingevangelicals,arguethatwhattheNew
Testamentwritershaveinmindwhentheyrefertohomosexualpracticecouldnothave
beenthelovingandstablesame-sexunionsofthesortthatexisttoday,ofwhichthey
knewnothing.Notonlydidtheconceptsofbeingeither‘homosexual’or‘heterosexual’
notformtheprimaryaxisofRomanthinkingaboutsexuality,noLatinwordsforthese
twoideasexist.(Itisbecauseofthisthatmanyscholars…prefertousetheterms
‘heterogenital’,‘homogenital’and‘homoeroticism’whenreferringtoGreco-Roman
sexualbehavior.)”-StevenChalke,p.3.
• AnEmergingviewpointwouldarguethattheseculturalpracticeswereatthe
forefrontofNewTestamentwritersandthattheywerenotthinkingofabroader
picturethatwouldincludeanunderstandingofsame-genderedorientationor
whatacommitted,covenantalsamegenderrelationshipwouldlooklike:
intimacy,care,loveandmutualnurtureandsupport.
• AnEmergingviewpointwouldadmitthatonecanarguethattheprevious
changesinchurchinterpretationoftheBibleconcerningslaveryandthe
ordinationofwomencameoutoftheclassicaldiscernmentprincipleof“scripture
interpretingscripture,”andthatthereisnoparallelscripturalcountertothe
universalcondemnationofhomosexualactswefindinscripture.However,an
Emergingviewpointwouldask“doesthatsettlethediscussion?”Whatabout
Jesus’ethicofinclusion?
• Continuing,anEmergingviewpointmightask,“Whatifbyholdingcloselytothis
law(condemninghomosexualrelationships)weactuallymakepeoplebreakother
lawsofGodandwithholdGod’sgoodgifts?”Whatifforsome,toliveintoGod’s
desirethat“manwouldnotbealone”couldonlybelivedoutsame-gendered?
Wouldn’tgoingagainstthisandmarryingtheoppositesex,forexample,bea
fraud?Doesonehavetochoosebetweenalifeofbeingalonewithnohopeof
anyalternativeandalifeinarelationshipthatislessthanitsfullintention?
• Inotherwords,anEmergingviewpointwouldsay,“WeknowthattheBible
universallycondemnssamegenderrelationshipandwewouldbeuniversally
againsthomosexualpracticethatissimplylustdriven,promiscuous,oran
exerciseofadultsoverpoweringyouth.However,asamegendered,
monogamous,covenantedrelationshipbetweentwopeoplewhichisan
expressionofthemeaningandintentionofmarriageisnotreallydiscussedinthe
Bibleatall,exceptonthemeta-narrativelevelofnotbeingalone,ofbearing
goodfruit,andoflivingaholylifeinservicetoJesusChrist.Thatisthekindof
Godly,Biblicalrelationshipswearefor.”
• AnEmergingviewpointwouldsaythatsomehomosexualChristiansmaybe
calledtobecelibate,asagiftfromGod.Yet,iftheyhavenotbeengiventhatgift,
andEmergingviewpointwouldsaythathomosexualChristiansshouldbefreeto
enterintomonogamous,conventrelationshipsthatletthemliveouttheirlifeina
God–honoringrelationship.
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•
•
•
•
TheBiblicalPassagesConcerningHomosexualityinParticular_______________
HerearethesixBiblepassagesthatspeaktosamegendersexualacts.
Genesis19:1-29tellsthestoryofSodomandGomorrahwhenthemenwanted
Lottoreleaseismaleguestssothattheycouldgangrapethem.AsRichardHays
remarksinhischapter,itisnotparticularrelevanttoourdiscussionsinceitis
fundamentallyaboutsexualviolence.
Leviticus18:22and20:13partofthe“holinesscode”forIsrael,listshomosexual
behaviorasoneoftheprohibitedacts.Thechallengeforsomeisthatthe
holinesscodealsoliststhingsthathavesincebeenunderstoodtobeprohibited
intheirparticulartimeandplace:codesaboutdiet,circumcision,menstruation,
etc.Thussomehavequestionedwhethertheseversesremainnormativefor
today.(HaysandRonBelgauinourvideodoarguethatPaul’steachinginthe
NewTestamenthaslinguisticconnectionswithLeviticus18:22.)
ICorinthians6:9-11andITimothy1:10.IntheseNewTestamentholinesscode
passages,notunlikeothercodesoftheirday,samegendersexualactsare
prohibited.
Romans1:18-32.ThisisprobablythemostimportantBibletextforour
discussion.ParticipantsintheRoundtablewillwanttospendsometimeinthe
entirecontextofRomanschapters1–3.Ourvideowillspendsometimehere;
halfofHays’articleisindialoguewiththispassage,andStevenChalkegivesita
lotofattentioninhisarticle.
PlacesofagreementregardingthispassageonbothsidesofthegayChristian
discussion:
• Context:Paulisprimarilyinterestedinshowingthatallofhumanityhas
fallenandnottryingtocondemnhomosexualityperse.
• Thechurchhistoricallyhasmisinterpretedthistexttosaythatthegreatsin
ofthepassageishomosexualityandbecauseofthisalltheothersins
follow.BothsidestodayclearlyseethatthesinPaulpointstoisidolatry.
Andfromthisparticularsinofchasingafterothergodsofourownmaking
comesallthebrokenness:samegendersexualacts,gossip,hate,
obediencetoparents,etc.
• ThewrathofGodinthepassageisnotbecauseofhomosexuality.Neither
isGod’swrathcomingbecauseofhomosexuality(contrathe
fundamentalistsafterhurricanesKatrina,Sandyandtheonenextmonth).
God’swrathisalreadymanifest,itisGod’slettingthepeoplegointothe
sinofidolatrywithallitsmanifestations.
• Thetextisclearlynegativeonsamegendersexualacts.
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PlacesofDisagreementaboutRomans1:
• IsPaulcondemningallhomosexualactsorthoseheisawareofinhis
historicalcontext–thosethatarepromiscuous,thoseinvolvingabuseof
power,andthosehavingtodowithidolworship?
• WhatdoesPaulmeanwhentalkingaboutpeoplecommittingactsagainst
theirnature?Doesheknowabouthomosexualorientation?Ifhedid,
wouldthatmakeadifferenceornot?
• IsPaulinRomans1talkingaboutthesinofallhumanity(RichardHays)or
inparticularthesinofGentiles(JustinLeeinourvideo)?
PersonalGoalsfortheRoundtable?ConsiderThese:____________________________
• BeabletoarticulateaBiblical/theologicalrationaleformyposition
• BeabletoarticulateaBiblical/theologicalrationalefortheotherposition
• Ponderthequestion,“Isthisanessentialarticleofmytheology?Isitrightup
therewithmyChristology,theresurrection,theincarnation,theTrinity?Oris
thisanon-essentialinwhichbrothersandsisterscandisagreewhilemaintaining
fellowship?”
PosturefortheBethanyRoundtable_________________________________________
• “PerkinsPosture”
• “BethanyPosture”