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Scripture and Homosexuality: Biblical Authority and the Church Today
In this book, Marion Soards looks at what the Bible actually says--and does not say--about homosexuality as he attempts to discover how the church should deal with this diverse issue. Soards reflects on the meaning of the biblical text and subsequent Christian history as he struggles with the issue of how Christians should respond to and comprehend God's will in dealing with homosexuality. Ultimately, he advocates a heightened sense of biblical authority and Christian compassion.
- GenresTheology
108 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1995
15 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 25, 2013
An excellent, short explanation of the biblical teaching from a highly competent biblical scholar. Soards teaches at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary (PCUSA).
A helpful book for an educated Christian layperson wanting to understand the Bible's teaching.
A helpful book for an educated Christian layperson wanting to understand the Bible's teaching.
May 17, 2024
A NEW TESTAMENT PROFESSOR LOOKS AT THE BIBLE ON HOMOSEXUALITY
Marion L. Soards is an ordained Presbyterian minister, and Professor of New Testament Studies at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
He wrote in the Preface to this 1005 book, “This book comes out of the ongoing process of study and discussion in the Presbyterian Church (USA) of human sexual behavior and orientation, especially regarding the ordination or homosexual persons… Like many members of the church, I have friends who are lesbian or gay. These friends include people with whom I was a student, former teacher and colleagues… I have expanded my original reflections to consider the issues of biblical authority and interpretation, and I have examined the matters of Christian tradition, experience, and reason in relation to scripture in greater detail than I had in my earlier work… This book… raises problems and produces implications … that I have not attempted to resolve or to pursue in these pages…. I can only ask the readers finish the book before they draw the final conclusions about what I am saying.” (Pg. viii-x)
He admits, “The Bible says remarkably little about homosexuality. In fact, there is no biblical word for homosexual or for homosexuality. The relevant texts tend to speak graphically about actions, not about persons or sexual orientations. Indeed, some of the biblical passages that are regularly invoked in debates about homosexuality prove upon examination to have little or nothing to do with the subject.” (Pg. 15)
He acknowledges, “I agreed … that Jesus Christ himself must be the norm of our interpretation of scripture. But in relation to homosexuality or homosexual behavior we have no recorded words or action of Jesus himself that provides direct evidence and instruction about what we are to say and do ourselves. Remarkably, the subject of homosexuality that is so controversial for us today is a matter Jesus never addressed.” (Pg. 27)
He states, “nothing in the New Testament writings suggests that pederasty per se was being singled out from among other forms of homosexual activity for special condemnation. The New Testament authors being cut of one cloth, and they denounced all garments made of that material.” (Pg. 50)
He summarizes, “when we hear and heed the biblical disapproval of homosexual behavior, the message had meaning for all our lives. This observation is not a suggestion that the scriptures foster the exposure of homosexual activities, but the decision one makes about the validity of homosexual behavior for members of the Christian community is effectively a decision about the authority of the Bible in the life of the church.” (Pg. 73)
He concludes, “The truth of the gospel is that our bodies are not ours to do with whatever we want or will to do. Our world teaches us no to like this message. Yet we are creatures, part of God’s creation… the freedom to which the gospel calls is the responsible living of our lives as faithful creatures who are obedient to God’s will.” (Pg. 83)
This book will interest some Evangelicals studying what the Bible says on such topics.
Marion L. Soards is an ordained Presbyterian minister, and Professor of New Testament Studies at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
He wrote in the Preface to this 1005 book, “This book comes out of the ongoing process of study and discussion in the Presbyterian Church (USA) of human sexual behavior and orientation, especially regarding the ordination or homosexual persons… Like many members of the church, I have friends who are lesbian or gay. These friends include people with whom I was a student, former teacher and colleagues… I have expanded my original reflections to consider the issues of biblical authority and interpretation, and I have examined the matters of Christian tradition, experience, and reason in relation to scripture in greater detail than I had in my earlier work… This book… raises problems and produces implications … that I have not attempted to resolve or to pursue in these pages…. I can only ask the readers finish the book before they draw the final conclusions about what I am saying.” (Pg. viii-x)
He admits, “The Bible says remarkably little about homosexuality. In fact, there is no biblical word for homosexual or for homosexuality. The relevant texts tend to speak graphically about actions, not about persons or sexual orientations. Indeed, some of the biblical passages that are regularly invoked in debates about homosexuality prove upon examination to have little or nothing to do with the subject.” (Pg. 15)
He acknowledges, “I agreed … that Jesus Christ himself must be the norm of our interpretation of scripture. But in relation to homosexuality or homosexual behavior we have no recorded words or action of Jesus himself that provides direct evidence and instruction about what we are to say and do ourselves. Remarkably, the subject of homosexuality that is so controversial for us today is a matter Jesus never addressed.” (Pg. 27)
He states, “nothing in the New Testament writings suggests that pederasty per se was being singled out from among other forms of homosexual activity for special condemnation. The New Testament authors being cut of one cloth, and they denounced all garments made of that material.” (Pg. 50)
He summarizes, “when we hear and heed the biblical disapproval of homosexual behavior, the message had meaning for all our lives. This observation is not a suggestion that the scriptures foster the exposure of homosexual activities, but the decision one makes about the validity of homosexual behavior for members of the Christian community is effectively a decision about the authority of the Bible in the life of the church.” (Pg. 73)
He concludes, “The truth of the gospel is that our bodies are not ours to do with whatever we want or will to do. Our world teaches us no to like this message. Yet we are creatures, part of God’s creation… the freedom to which the gospel calls is the responsible living of our lives as faithful creatures who are obedient to God’s will.” (Pg. 83)
This book will interest some Evangelicals studying what the Bible says on such topics.
February 21, 2015
A clear exposition of the classical position. Certainly not worth the price ($20) for something under 100 pages, but Soards' work is helpful, concise and exegetically helpful. I find myself agreeing with him.
March 23, 2017
This was a good read, but I wish I would have read it first at the beginning of my studies as opposed to last. After going so far in depth with other authors, this one felt like a simple overview.
If someone is looking for a good book to start this topic with, definitely begin here. If you are more seasoned, this one might be too simple for you.
If someone is looking for a good book to start this topic with, definitely begin here. If you are more seasoned, this one might be too simple for you.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews