Conversations with a Pro-Gay Pastor: Bad Arguments

In my previous post on pro-gay theology I said I would post a series dealing with the pro-gay theology. This is the first of two or three posts on this issue.

I have to be honest this issue does not interest me that much apart from the significance of its relevance in culture today. There are several passages that deal with homosexuality. Some of the traditional passages are not very good arguments for a traditional (and I believe biblical) view of homosexuality.

Perhaps the number one passage that falls under this category is the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. While homosexuality in some sense is certainly a part of this passage, there are several problems with the text. There are other issues in this text besides homosexuality that God was likely judging. Rape and a lack of hospitality are two examples. There were sexual sins being committed in this passage, there is no doubt. If you want to convince someone that the Bible condemns homosexuality, don't start here. Anyone who holds a pro-gay theology will have your head spinning in no time.

There is a second passage that can be helpful in certain contexts and certainly contains some challenges for someone who holds a pro-gay theology, but it is not a good starting point and it may take more time to develop the strength of the passage. That passage is the creation story. God may not have created Adam and Steve, but that is an argument from silence and considering the purpose of procreation it would have been pointless. This does not mean this scripture is not problematic for pro-gay theology, but it is not a good starting point. This passage is more helpful in a longer discussion where Paul's use of the created order in his letters can be discussed.

If you have the opportunity to have a discussion regarding this issue there are several things you might want to remember.

• Try to keep emotions out of it as much as possible while recognizing this issue has a tendency to evoke those same emotions. Gay people view any attempt to show why this is not God honoring behavior as a personal attack against them. Tread lightly, but please do tread.
• There are about 8 passages that deal with this issue directly and several that deal with sexual ethics in a broader sense. That does not mean it is helpful to use all of them. The burden of proof is not on you. You only have to be right about one passage, they have to be right about all of them.
• The goal is not to win a debate it is to cause them to think and perhaps reconsider their position at some point. Remember for those who practice homosexuality the consequences of changing their position is significant. They have much more at stake in the conversation then those who are not practicing homosexuality.
• It is not the number of arguments, it is the quality of the arguments you use that counts.
  

In my next post I will deal with Leviticus 18-20, Romans 1, and 2 Cor. 6. These are the passages I focused on in my conversation with a gay pastor. It was my focus on these passages that helped me to be effective.

I know this is not the most exciting post, but hopefully it will be helpful. I will try to mix in a couple of more exciting posts with this series.