The sin of Sodom

Of the controversial issues debated in churches these days, gay and lesbian rights are at the top.

So, allow me to lay out my Biblical understanding of this matter. It might be helpful to some folks, and will surely be rejected by others.

1. Here's an indisputable fact: Jesus said nothing about homosexuality. Nothing.

2. The Bible as a whole spends much more time discussing other matters, such as helping the poor, working for justice, treating people with dignity, being compassionate, learning to forgive, living in covenant relationships, etc.

3. We now understand that the story of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19) is not about homosexuality, but about inhospitality. (See my book, Whatever – there are two sermons on Biblical passages and homosexuality.) The men of Sodom wanted to gang rape the messengers of God (foreigners). It wasn't about sexuality, but about their violent rejection of God's messengers. (An unwelcoming and xenophobic attitude.)

4. The few other passages in Scripture, mainly Romans 1, 1 Corinthians 6, and 1 Timothy 1, are ambiguous as to what kind of sexual relationships are in view. Paul may have been writing about the sex slave trade, or the nonconsensual arrangements between adults and minors in the Greco-Roman culture. In other words, just as Scripture condemns certain kinds of heterosexual relationships, it condemns certain kinds of homosexual relationships, but not all. Nowhere are consensual adult monogamous homosexual relationships condemned specifically. Even the first chapter of Romans speaks only of lustful same-sex relationships.

5. In the time that the Bible was being penned there was no understanding of what we now call 'sexual orientation.' Everyone was assumed to be naturally homosexual. So, the 'unnatural' activity Paul writes about assumes that only heterosexual attractions are 'natural.' Now we know that for some people same-sex attraction is 'natural.' We have a better understanding of sexuality than Paul did.

6. There are four options: (1) Paul's writing about homosexuality can be understood in the traditional way; (2) his writing can be interpreted differently, i.e., as talking about not all homosexual behavior, but only that which is exploitative; (3) his writing can be considered dated because he didn't understand sexual orientation; (4) or Paul could have been wrong.

7. A key principle in the Bible (if not THE key principle) is: Covenant Relationships. The whole message of the Bible is about God's covenant with us, and our reciprocating covenantal life style. The highest sexual ethic put forth in Scripture is a faithful monogamous covenant relationship. Whether hetero or homo, the ethical framework for sexual behavior is a faithful, monogamous covenant relationship. It is not about gender, it is about love and faithfulness. Homosexuals who enter into faithful, loving, monogamous covenant relationships are fulfilling the principle ethic of the Bible.

8. I believe in marriage. It is a precious institution. Therefore, why not make it available to all people? Why not expand marriage instead of being selfish and keeping only for us heterosexuals? Let's not be selfish; let's share it.

9. Ordination of gay people who are called of God to be in ministry is a good thing. If we do not ordain gay people to ministry, we are blocking God's work.

10. My experience working with gay and lesbian people in churches has shown me that many homosexual folks are committed to Christ, gifted for ministry, and filled with the Spirit. They do Christ's work like anyone else. They are being who they are. (Many gay people do not serve or honor Christ, just as many heterosexuals do not serve or honor Christ.) It is clear to many of us in the Church that God is using gay people to do his work without trying to change then into something they are not. I have known several pastors (Presbyterian, Lutheran, Catholic, UCC, Methodist and Baptist) who have faithfully served Christ and the Church for a long time; I have also known elders and deacons of a gay nature who have faithfully served. The witness of the Spirit is that gay and lesbian men and women are called to live in covenant with God—'just as they are.'

11. The irony is that the very sin of the city of Sodom (not welcoming those from God) is the sin being committed by people in churches who do not welcome their gay and lesbian brothers and sisters in Christ. The church needs to repent of its inhospitality to some of God's children.

12. What is ultimately clear is that the Bible's treatment of homosexuality and its whole attitude toward sex can easily be understood in such a way that our modern knowledge of homosexual orientation leads to an affirmation of the gifts and commitments of gay and lesbian people. Homosexuality is not a sin if expressed sexually within a covenant relationship. Slowly but surely our culture and the Church are coming to see that gays and lesbians have much to offer our world in terms of art, friendship, ministry and joy. If we refuse their gifts, we are the poorer.