Homosexuality, Science, and the "Plain Sense" of Scripture

Homosexuality, Science, and the
Author: David L. Balch
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
Total Pages: 331
Release: 2007-07-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1556355386

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Elucidates the pros and cons of current Christian discussion on the question of homosexuality. Challenges partisan views and provides a balanced discussion.

God Is Not a Homophobe

God Is Not a Homophobe
Author: Philo Thelos
Publisher: Trafford Publishing
Total Pages: 164
Release: 2004
Genre: Philosophy
ISBN: 1412020301

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Homosexuality is perhaps the most volatile topic discussed in today's church and society. A war rages that will ultimately determine how much civil liberty can be enjoyed by consenting homosexuals, and how much religious equality they will be granted. Several books already exist attempting to demonstrate that the Christian Bible does not, in fact, condemn consenting-adult homosexuality. But God is Not a Homophobe has a unique perspective in that the author has a lifetime of experience in pastoring hard-core fundamentalist churches. His former bitter opposition to all forms of homosexuality has given way to a rational, unbiased acceptance that the Bible says hardly anything about homosexuality, and what it does say cannot honestly be used to condemn consenting same-sex unions. In God Is Not a Homophobe, the author examines in detail every Bible verse and every Bible-based argument against homosexuality, and concludes with a view radically different from what is offered by the modern church. His conclusions will surprise many, and will surely aggravate and anger many more. But he believes the evidence in this book will stand the test of investigation. This unbiased look at homosexuality in the Bible gives much food for thought, and hopefully, much incentive for change in our attitude toward and treatment of those whose sexual orientation is "different."

Reforming Sodom

Reforming Sodom
Author: Heather R. White
Publisher: UNC Press Books
Total Pages: 261
Release: 2015-07-24
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1469624125

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With a focus on mainline Protestants and gay rights activists in the twentieth century, Heather R. White challenges the usual picture of perennial adversaries with a new narrative about America's religious and sexual past. White argues that today's antigay Christian traditions originated in the 1920s when a group of liberal Protestants began to incorporate psychiatry and psychotherapy into Christian teaching. A new therapeutic orthodoxy, influenced by modern medicine, celebrated heterosexuality as God-given and advocated a compassionate "cure" for homosexuality. White traces the unanticipated consequences as the therapeutic model, gaining popularity after World War II, spurred mainline church leaders to take a critical stance toward rampant antihomosexual discrimination. By the 1960s, a vanguard of clergy began to advocate for homosexual rights. White highlights the continued importance of this religious support to the consolidating gay and lesbian movement. However, the ultimate irony of the therapeutic orthodoxy's legacy was its adoption, beginning in the 1970s, by the Christian Right, which embraced it as an age-old tradition to which Americans should return. On a broader level, White challenges the assumed secularization narrative in LGBT progress by recovering the forgotten history of liberal Protestants' role on both sides of the debates over orthodoxy and sexual identity.

Science, Scripture, and Homosexuality

Science, Scripture, and Homosexuality
Author: Alice Ogden Bellis
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
Total Pages: 129
Release: 2011-01-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1608995739

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The collaborative work of a biblical scholar and a biology professor, Science, Scripture, and Homosexuality addresses scripture passages relating to homosexuality and explains the foundation of genetics and the growing evidence suggesting an organic basis for sexual orientation. The authors argue that the role of the homosexual, as well as the heterosexual, within the Church should be based upon common criteria for all. Written in a highly accessible manner, the book is ideal for congregational discussion.

Two Views on Homosexuality, the Bible, and the Church

Two Views on Homosexuality, the Bible, and the Church
Author: Zondervan,
Publisher: Zondervan Academic
Total Pages: 241
Release: 2016-11-29
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 031052864X

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Unique among most debates on homosexuality, this book presents a constructive dialogue between people who disagree on significant ethical and theological matters, and yet maintain a respectful and humanizing posture toward one another. Few topics are more divisive today than homosexuality. Two Views on Homosexuality, the Bible, and the Church brings a fresh perspective to a well-worn debate. While Christian debates about homosexuality are most often dominated by biblical exegesis, this book seeks to give much-needed attention to the rich history of received Christian tradition, bringing the Bible into conversation with historical and systematic theology. To that end, both theologians and biblical scholars--well accomplished in their fields and conversant in issues of sexuality and gender--articulate and defend each of the two views: Affirming – represented by William Loader and Megan K. DeFranza Traditional – represented by Wesley Hill and Stephen R. Holmes The main essays are followed by insightful responses that interact with their fellow essayists with civility. Holding to a high view of Scripture, a commitment to the gospel and the church, and a love for people--especially those most affected by this topic--the contributors wrestle deeply with the Bible and theology, especially the prohibition texts, the role of procreation, gender complementarity, and pastoral accommodation. The book concludes with reflections from general editor Preston Sprinkle on the future of discussions on faith and sexuality. The Counterpoints series presents a comparison and critique of scholarly views on topics important to Christians that are both fair-minded and respectful of the biblical text. Each volume is a one-stop reference that allows readers to evaluate the different positions on a specific issue and form their own, educated opinion.

Making Sense of the Bible [Leader Guide]

Making Sense of the Bible [Leader Guide]
Author: Adam Hamilton
Publisher: Abingdon Press
Total Pages:
Release: 2014-09-15
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1501801325

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In this six week video study, Adam Hamilton explores the key points in his new book, Making Sense of the Bible. With the help of this Leader Guide, groups learn from Hamilton as his video presentations lead groups through the book, focusing on the most important questions we ask about the Bible, its origins and meaning.

End of Story?

End of Story?
Author: Andrew Perriman
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
Total Pages: 188
Release: 2019-11-12
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1532670176

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This book is an exercise in a thoroughgoing narrative theology. The social and legal validation of same-sex relationships in the West over the last two decades has presented an immense challenge to the church insofar as it seeks to remain faithful to Scripture. But it is not an isolated ethical problem. It is just one element—albeit a very important one—in the much broader, long-term overhaul and reorientation of Western culture after the collapse of the Christian consensus. The forces of history that are driving this transformation, however, have also alerted us to the historical perspectives that constrained biblical thought. Andrew Perriman suggests that Paul’s argument about same-sex behavior, perhaps more clearly than any other issue, highlights the narrative shape of the mission of the early church in the Greek world. By the same token, we must ask how that storyline has been refracted across the boundary of modernity, and how it now shapes the mission of the church as it adapts to its marginalized position in an aggressively secular world.

Jesus, the Bible, and Homosexuality, Revised and Expanded Edition

Jesus, the Bible, and Homosexuality, Revised and Expanded Edition
Author: Jack Rogers
Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press
Total Pages: 256
Release: 2009-04-14
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1611640504

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In this revised and expanded best seller, Rogers argues for equal rights in both the church and society for lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgendered people. He describes how he moved away from opposition to support, charts the church's history of using biblical passages to oppress marginalized groups, argues for a Christ-centered reading of Scripture, debunks stereotypes about gays and lesbians, and explores texts used most frequently against homosexuals and gay ordination. In this newly revised edition, he maps the recent progress of major U.S. denominations toward full equality for LGBT persons, adds a new chapter that examines how Scripture is best interpreted by Jesus' redemptive life and ministry, and updates his own efforts and experiences. The book also includes a guide for group study or personal reflection.

The Bible and Homosexual Practice

The Bible and Homosexual Practice
Author: Robert A. J. Gagnon
Publisher: Abingdon Press
Total Pages: 401
Release: 2010-10-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1426730780

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Gagnon offers the most thorough analysis to date of the biblical texts relating to homosexuality. He demonstrates why attempts to classify the Bible’s rejection of same-sex intercourse as irrelevant for our contemporary context fail to do justice to the biblical texts and to current scientific data. Gagnon’s book powerfully challenges attempts to identify love and inclusivity with affirmation of homosexual practice. . . . the most sophisticated and convincing examination of the biblical data for our time. —Jürgen Becker, Professor of New Testament, Christian-Albrechts University

Reasoning Together

Reasoning Together
Author: Mark Thiessen Nation
Publisher: Herald Press
Total Pages: 324
Release: 2008-10-23
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9780836194302

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Two theologians, Ted Grimsrud and Mark Thiessen Nation, argue both sides of an issue that is vexing the postmodern church: homosexuality. This book develops the give-and-take over the differences between the two scholars, but it also offers areas of agreement and consensus.