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Homosexuality in the Church: Both Sides of the Debate
Outstanding authorities on Scripture, tradition, reason, biology, ethics, and gendered experience discuss one of the most divisive debates in the church today: the place of homosexuals in the community of faith. Each perspective is explored by two writers, one more conservative, the other more liberal.
232 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1994
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 17, 2024
A COLLECTION OF ESSAYS BY A DIVERSE BODY OF AUTHORS: ‘PRO’ AND ‘CON’
The Preface to this 1994 book by editor Jeffrey S. Siker states. “My interest in discussions/debates with and about gay and lesbian people in the church has been shaped primarily by my experiences in the church and in the university. My home church, Covenant Presbyterian Church (Los Angeles) has provided an ongoing forum for significant and constructive dialogue, for which I give thanks… I am also thankful to the gay and lesbian community at West Hollywood Presbyterian Church for its gracious and vibrant worship services, where I have experienced the presence of God’s spirit in dynamic ways.”
He adds in the Introduction, “As gay and lesbian people have explained it to me, gay men have been opposed in the church primarily because of their identity as homosexual persons, whereas lesbian women have been opposed primarily because of their identity as women and less so because of their sexual orientation.” (Pg. xvii)
Richard B. Hays observes, “it would be far better to articulate a single set of moral norms that apply to all Jesus’ followers. Strictures against homosexuality belong in the church’s moral catechesis, not in its ordination requirements. It is arbitrary to single out homosexuality as a special sin that precludes ordination." (Pg. 15)
Victor Paul Furnish states, “This silence of Jesus traditions about same-sex practices does not mean that Jesus had nothing to say on the subject. It does suggest, however, that Jesus had nothing distinctive to say about it, and that ‘homosexuality’ was not a matter of special concern within the church that preserved and applied his sayings.” (Pg. 23)
John J. McNeill argues, “Only a sadistic God would create hundreds of thousands of humans to be inherently homosexual and they deny them the right to sexual intimacy. I, for one, would prefer to believe that the church is wrong about homosexual activity than that this sadistic, superego God has any true relation to the God of love revealed by Jesus.” (Pg. 53)
James B. Nelson recounts of Riverside Church, “Congregational action took place in the weeks following the sermons by each of the Collegium clergy. The vote formally declared Riverside Church to be an ‘Open and Affirming Church’---fully open to and affirming of lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons. It was the first congregation affiliated with the United Church of Christ to make that formal declaration. This action did not mean that Riverside’s struggle was finished… The healing process would take a considerable time. But the church had faced the issue directly and courageously.” (Pg. 77-78)
Stanton Jones and Don E. Workman observe, “We concur with the conclusion of John Money that, while homosexuality can develop without genetic or hormonal factors being operative, it generally does not develop without the influence of learning and socialization.” (Pg. 103)
Jeffrey S. Siker asserts, “If you allow a persistent and unrepentant practicing alcoholic to be part of the church, you risk polluting the whole church by tolerating and so tacitly endorsing such destructive behavior. If, instead of Alcoholics Anonymous, churches started allowing ‘Drunks Divine’ to organize groups in their churches… imagine what would happen. What if practicing alcoholic began arguing that their alcoholic orientation was really a gift from God and that their drunkenness was but an expression of this gift? The acceptance of such a practice would be a terrible distortion of God’s intentions for redeemed human communities.” (Pg. 182)
This book will be of great interest to Christians considering LGBT issues.
The Preface to this 1994 book by editor Jeffrey S. Siker states. “My interest in discussions/debates with and about gay and lesbian people in the church has been shaped primarily by my experiences in the church and in the university. My home church, Covenant Presbyterian Church (Los Angeles) has provided an ongoing forum for significant and constructive dialogue, for which I give thanks… I am also thankful to the gay and lesbian community at West Hollywood Presbyterian Church for its gracious and vibrant worship services, where I have experienced the presence of God’s spirit in dynamic ways.”
He adds in the Introduction, “As gay and lesbian people have explained it to me, gay men have been opposed in the church primarily because of their identity as homosexual persons, whereas lesbian women have been opposed primarily because of their identity as women and less so because of their sexual orientation.” (Pg. xvii)
Richard B. Hays observes, “it would be far better to articulate a single set of moral norms that apply to all Jesus’ followers. Strictures against homosexuality belong in the church’s moral catechesis, not in its ordination requirements. It is arbitrary to single out homosexuality as a special sin that precludes ordination." (Pg. 15)
Victor Paul Furnish states, “This silence of Jesus traditions about same-sex practices does not mean that Jesus had nothing to say on the subject. It does suggest, however, that Jesus had nothing distinctive to say about it, and that ‘homosexuality’ was not a matter of special concern within the church that preserved and applied his sayings.” (Pg. 23)
John J. McNeill argues, “Only a sadistic God would create hundreds of thousands of humans to be inherently homosexual and they deny them the right to sexual intimacy. I, for one, would prefer to believe that the church is wrong about homosexual activity than that this sadistic, superego God has any true relation to the God of love revealed by Jesus.” (Pg. 53)
James B. Nelson recounts of Riverside Church, “Congregational action took place in the weeks following the sermons by each of the Collegium clergy. The vote formally declared Riverside Church to be an ‘Open and Affirming Church’---fully open to and affirming of lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons. It was the first congregation affiliated with the United Church of Christ to make that formal declaration. This action did not mean that Riverside’s struggle was finished… The healing process would take a considerable time. But the church had faced the issue directly and courageously.” (Pg. 77-78)
Stanton Jones and Don E. Workman observe, “We concur with the conclusion of John Money that, while homosexuality can develop without genetic or hormonal factors being operative, it generally does not develop without the influence of learning and socialization.” (Pg. 103)
Jeffrey S. Siker asserts, “If you allow a persistent and unrepentant practicing alcoholic to be part of the church, you risk polluting the whole church by tolerating and so tacitly endorsing such destructive behavior. If, instead of Alcoholics Anonymous, churches started allowing ‘Drunks Divine’ to organize groups in their churches… imagine what would happen. What if practicing alcoholic began arguing that their alcoholic orientation was really a gift from God and that their drunkenness was but an expression of this gift? The acceptance of such a practice would be a terrible distortion of God’s intentions for redeemed human communities.” (Pg. 182)
This book will be of great interest to Christians considering LGBT issues.
March 22, 2013
I ordered this book in order to broaden my understanding of the issues involved in this debate and to hear from voices from either side of the debate (or more accuarately many sides of the debate as it isn't a simple polarised discussion as maybe the more strident voices of the extremes might suggest). I have always found it helpful to listen to those I disagree with as well as those I agree with in forming and shaping my thinking.
This is a relatively slim tomb and yet it packs in a substantial amount of detail, reflecting on Scripture, tradition, moral reasoning, scientific reasoning, experience and decision making. Each section presents views from those of different opinion. Different denominational voices are also presented. It would have been good to have heard from a wider geographical basis too - this is very much a North American discussion - but that would create a much more unwieldy book.
Each contribution is followed by a number of questions for reflection, which help process the information that you've just read.
The language is out of necessity complex and technical. A glossary might be a useful addition, if difficult to produce.
I found this to be a very helpful book which has given me much to ponder as I seek to develop my understanding in an informed and nuanced way. I recommend it to anyone prepared to grapple with the language and detail. It doesn't tell you what to believe, but highlights clearly the issues concerned and different approaches to them.
This is a relatively slim tomb and yet it packs in a substantial amount of detail, reflecting on Scripture, tradition, moral reasoning, scientific reasoning, experience and decision making. Each section presents views from those of different opinion. Different denominational voices are also presented. It would have been good to have heard from a wider geographical basis too - this is very much a North American discussion - but that would create a much more unwieldy book.
Each contribution is followed by a number of questions for reflection, which help process the information that you've just read.
The language is out of necessity complex and technical. A glossary might be a useful addition, if difficult to produce.
I found this to be a very helpful book which has given me much to ponder as I seek to develop my understanding in an informed and nuanced way. I recommend it to anyone prepared to grapple with the language and detail. It doesn't tell you what to believe, but highlights clearly the issues concerned and different approaches to them.
January 26, 2014
This book contains essays by some of the most influential voices on both sides of the homosexuality debate. Jeffrey Siker's essay at the end of the book describes his own journey in wrestling with the issue, as well as explaining the significance of the various authors he included in the book. I suggest reading his essay first rather than last because it provides a sort of "road map" to the rest of the book.
December 26, 2013
A bit dated at places, but overall a good introduction to both sides of the discussion on homosexuality in the church
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews