NOTE: This blog is the 1st draft only. The final draft is expected to be available on Kindle and Nook in Summer 2011. Please email thebedkeeper@gmail.com with any corrections, typos, or comments you'd care to share. All emails will be considered confidential and not shared with any third party for any reason, provided they do not violate United States and/or International laws regarding stalking or threats of violence and/or death, etc.
Feel free to share this with your friends, family, or pastor! You can also follow me on Twitter @thebedkeeper. Thanks so much for your time and prayerful consideration of this message!
Sincerely,
Brian Anthony Bowen, Author
************************************************************************************
Traditional Christian teachings regarding those of us who identify as gay, lesbian, bi-sexual or transgender have based their positions on a few passages of Scripture commonly known as "the clobber passages."
Many gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender Believers have made great strides in illustrating that there is more to them than what traditional Christian teaching has offered based on arguments regarding the cultural context in which they were written. They have developed honest assessments such as "the writers of the Scriptures were unaware of those who identify as gay, lesbian, bi-sexual or transgender", or "certain passages no longer apply to us, because they were written to a specific group of people at a specific time." Many will even go back to the original Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic words in which the manuscripts were written and argue that references to homosexual behavior "back then" was not what we would consider as gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender people today. While I tend to agree with these assessments, I find that they are often convoluted, and it can be difficult to comprehend all the "ifs," "ands," and "buts." And the truth is, they have often left my conscience less than satisfied.
I believe there is a better way to understand these "clobber passages" by simply looking at Scriptures that are written before and after these passages. I find that once these passages are placed in the context of what the writers were actually saying--and to whom they were addressed--we can then actually simply allow Scripture to interpret Scripture.
I would say that first it's important to understand that the Scriptures from the Old Testament that spoke about prohibitions against same-gendered sexual relations were addressed to heterosexual and married men, and not gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender people. How do we know that? Well, we can discern who the subject audience is that is being addressed by who the objects of the instructions are: women. Again, this refers to heterosexual married men. GLBT people do not "lie with women", therefore, this could not have even been addressed to GLBT people.
That doesn't mean that GLBT people are exempt from God's sexual morals including celibacy and marriage, but it does mean that this Scripture has been misapplied in order to condemn homosexual people engaged in homosexual behavior rather than the heterosexual men engaged in homosexual behavior as an act of adultery.
Many scholars say that these Scriptures were part of the Law, and no longer apply to Christians. Some say only certain Scriptures from the Law still apply to Christians. But how does one "pick and choose" which to apply to Christians and which to not apply?
Some are easy to decide on if they have been "overturned" in the New Testament writings, such as prohibitions against eating certain meats. But the ones concerning sexual morality seem to be supported by the New Testament, and not "overruled." However, it is important to keep them within context, and realize that all the passages regarding same-gender relations were not only addressed to heterosexual married men who were engaging in adultery, but most importantly, these passages from Leviticus actually refers to the Ten Commandments, especially those concerning adultery, murder, covetousness, and honoring our fathers and mothers.
Basically, I contend that adultery is still adultery, and idol worship is still idol worship, regardless if we are gay or straight. But when it comes to the Old Testament Scriptures specifically pertaining to same gender sexual relations, I think it is imperative that we should first consider who these Scriptures were speaking to: heterosexual married men who turned to other men in order to escape the punishment of "adultery." Based on what all the Scriptures go into, it appears that married men believed they were "side-stepping" the law against adultery because they were not "really" cheating on their wives if they were having sexual relations with a man (or boy, most likely), or were engaged in acts of idolatry.
Let's first look at the Old Testament references in Leviticus 18:22, beginning in verse 4. I will include references to the Ten Commandments in bold parentheses:
4 You shall do My ordinances and keep My statutes and walk in them. I am the Lord your God. (You shall have no other gods before Me)
NOTE: This is our first insight into what God is talking about. It is the 10 Commandments. Those are His ordinances and statutes.
5 You shall therefore keep My statutes and My ordinances which, if a man does, he shall live by them. I am the Lord. (You shall have no other gods before Me)
6 None of you shall approach anyone close of kin to him to have sexual relations. I am the Lord. (You shall honor your father and mother)
Note that these following Scriptures all speak to sexuality with a woman as the object of the verse, and so the understood subject is being addressed to a man. That is our first clue as to whom the Scriptures are being addressed.
While I suppose one could say that they are open to other interpretations, from my perspective, especially concerning verses 17 and 18 regarding marriage partners, I see them as being addressed to men, and instructing them in regards to women and sexual relations and/or marriages with women:
7 The nakedness of your father, which is the nakedness of your mother, you shall not uncover; she is your mother; you shall not have intercourse with her. (You shall honor your father and mother)
8 The nakedness of your father's wife you shall not uncover; it is your father's nakedness. (You shall honor your father and mother & You shall not covet your neighbor's wife)
9 You shall not have intercourse with or uncover the nakedness of your sister, the daughter of your father or of your mother, whether born at home or born abroad. (You shall honor your father and mother)
10 You must not have sexual relations with your son's daughter or your daughter's daughter; their nakedness you shall not uncover, for they are your own flesh. (You shall honor your father and mother & You shall not covet your neighbor's wife)
11 You must not have intercourse with your father's wife's daughter; begotten by your father, she is your sister; you shall not uncover her nakedness. (You shall honor your father and mother & You shall not covet your neighbor's wife)
12 You shall not have intercourse with your father's sister; she is your father's near kinswoman. (You shall honor your father and mother & You shall not covet your neighbor's wife)
13 You shall not have sexual relations with your mother's sister, for she is your mother's near kinswoman. (You shall honor your father and mother)
14 You shall not have intercourse with your father's brother's wife; you shall not approach his wife; she is your aunt. (You shall honor your father and mother & You shall not covet your neighbor's wife)
15 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your daughter-in-law; she is your son's wife; you shall not have intercourse with her. (You shall honor your father and mother & You shall not covet your neighbor's wife)
16 You shall not have intercourse with your brother's wife; she belongs to your brother. (You shall honor your father and mother & You shall not covet your neighbor's wife)
17 You shall not marry a woman and her daughter, nor shall you take her son's daughter or her daughter's daughter to have intercourse; they are [her] near kinswomen; it is wickedness and an outrageous offense. (You shall honor your father and mother & You shall not covet your neighbor's wife)
18 You must not marry a woman in addition to her sister, to be a rival to her, having sexual relations with the second sister when the first one is alive. (You shall not commit adultery)
19 Also you shall not have intercourse with a woman during her [menstrual period or similar] uncleanness.
20 Moreover, you shall not lie carnally with your neighbor's wife, to defile yourself with her. (You shall not covet your neighbor's wife)
21 You shall not give any of your children to pass through the fire and sacrifice them to Molech [the fire god], nor shall you profane the name of your God [by giving it to false gods]. I am the Lord. (You shall not murder & You shall have no other gods before Me)
22 You shall not lie with a man as with a woman; it is an abomination. (You shall not commit adultery)
Male GLBT people do not "lie with women" because it is not in our nature to have relations with women. For a male GLBT person, same gender expression is both natural and normal, therefore, this portion of the Scripture does not apply to GLBT Christians. It applies to heterosexual men. For heterosexual men, relations with a woman is natural, and so to "lie with a man as with a woman" these men would have had to be heterosexual at first in order to have a reference for comparison.
Finally, it does not reflect God's wisdom to be speaking to heterosexual men in a long list of instructions and then suddenly throw in one regarding GLBT men. Most people even assert that the Bible does not address any homosexual people, so this would only confirm that this verse is directed towards heterosexual men. In the context of "thou shall not commit adultery,” this would further support my assertion that these men were married as well as heterosexual.
23 Neither shall you lie with any beast and defile yourself with it; neither shall any woman yield herself to a beast to lie with it; it is confusion, perversion, and degradedly carnal. (You shall not commit adultery)
This is the only time in this passage that a woman is specifically addressed as being spoken to. This would be evidence that all the aforementioned Scriptures were addressed to men.
24 Do not defile yourselves in any of these ways, for in all these things the nations are defiled which I am casting out before you.
25 And the land is defiled; therefore I visit the iniquity of it upon it, and the land itself vomits out her inhabitants.
26 So you shall keep My statutes and My ordinances and shall not commit any of these abominations, neither the native-born nor any stranger who sojourns among you,
Notice how verse 26 calls ALL of the things listed in this passage and not just men lying with men as women. So much for Christians using this Scripture to support the idea that same gender expression between two GLBT people is an "abomination". First, it's not the only abomination, second, it's not addressed to GLBT people, but to heterosexual, married men.
So we see here God begins by saying that "You shall keep My statutes", addressing heterosexual married men, and referring to the Ten Commandments, specifically the commandments that read, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, You shall honor your father and mother, you shall not commit murder & You shall have no other gods before Me."
As for Leviticus 20:13, I would say the same as before...these Scriptures were referencing the Ten Commandments, and if we were to review the entire passage beginning in verse 7, we see that Moses was not out to prohibit loving sexual expression between gay, lesbian, bi-sexual or transgender people, but rather he was explaining what all counts as "idolatry", "adultery," "murder," "covetousness," and what it meant to "honor your father and mother". But the same penalty for adultery was passed on those men who would turn to other men for pleasure--not because they were gay--but because these married men were committing adultery against their wives, or idolatry against their God, or both.
7 Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy; for I am the Lord your God. (You shall have no other gods before Me)
8 And you shall keep My statutes and do them. I am the Lord Who sanctifies you. (You shall have no other gods before Me)
9 Everyone who curses his father or mother shall surely be put to death; he has cursed his father or mother; his bloodguilt is upon him. (You shall honor your father and mother)
10 The man who commits adultery with another's wife, even his neighbor's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death. (You shall not commit adultery & You shall not covet your neighbor's wife)
11 And the man who lies carnally with his father's wife has uncovered his father's nakedness; both of the guilty ones shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon their own heads. (You shall not commit adultery)
12 And if a man lies carnally with his daughter-in-law, both of them shall surely be put to death; they have wrought confusion, perversion, and defilement; their blood shall be upon their own heads. (You shall not commit adultery)
13 If a man lies with a male as if he were a woman, both men have committed an offense (something perverse, unnatural, abhorrent, and detestable); they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. (You shall not commit adultery)
14 And if a man takes a wife and her mother, it is wickedness and an outrageous offense; all three shall be burned with fire, both he and they [after being stoned to death], that there be no wickedness among you. (You shall not commit adultery)
15 And if a man lies carnally with a beast, he shall surely be [stoned] to death, and you shall slay the beast. (You shall not commit adultery)
16 If a woman approaches any beast and lies carnally with it, you shall [stone] the woman and the beast; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them. (You shall not commit adultery)
17 If a man takes his sister, his father's or his mother's daughter, and sees her nakedness and she sees his nakedness, it is a wicked and shameful thing; and they shall be cut off in the sight of their people; he has had sexual relations with his sister; he shall bear his iniquity. (You shall not commit adultery)
18 And if a man shall lie with a woman having her menstrual pains and shall uncover her nakedness, he has made naked her fountain, and she has uncovered the fountain of her blood; and both of them shall be cut off from among their people.
19 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your mother's sister or of your father's sister, for that is to make naked his close kin; they shall bear their iniquity. (You shall not commit adultery & You shall honor your father and mother)
20 And if a man shall lie carnally with his uncle's wife, he has uncovered his uncle's nakedness; they shall bear their sin; they shall die childless [not literally, but in a legal sense]. (You shall not commit adultery & You shall honor your father and mother)
21 And if a man shall take his brother's wife, it is impurity; he has uncovered his brother's nakedness; they shall be childless [not literally, but in a legal sense]. (You shall not commit adultery & You shall not covet your neighbor's wife)
22 You shall therefore keep all My statutes and all My ordinances and do them, that the land where I am bringing you to dwell may not vomit you out [as it did those before you]. (You shall have no other gods before Me).
So we can hardly conclude that Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13 were simply referring to loving expressions between gays, lesbians, bi-sexual or transgender Christians, because once we look at the whole of what God was speaking through Moses, we see He begins by talking about "God's statutes.”
I believe this is why the punishment for "men lying with men as they lie with a woman" was an abomination and punishable by death: because "adultery" and “idolatry” were abominations and punishable by death. Even today, a heterosexual man who cheats on his wife by having relations with another man is indeed an abomination. It completely denigrates the woman's self-esteem, and brings an emotional wound that cannot be inflicted in many other ways. But loving sexual expressions between two people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender does not fit here, although adultery is still adultery, whether gay or straight. Clearly, over and over again, God is referring to acts of adultery, idolatry, and other violations of the Ten Commandments.
As a gay Christian, rather than be condemned by these Scriptures, I embrace them as being part of God's Truth, but with a greater understanding of applicability. Here, I see God expanding his definition of "You shall not commit adultery," and “you shall have no other gods before Me, as well as other violations of the Ten Commandments, and that He had addressed these Scriptures to heterosexual married men (and women) who apparently went to great lengths to engage in sexual relations outside of their marriage bonds, in an effort to keep from being killed for "adultery." They seemed to think that as long as it was not "really cheating on their marriage mate" they would be absolved of their violation of "God's statutes" to not commit adultery. Moses was saying, "No, adultery is adultery, regardless of what form it takes on, and the penalty for adultery death."
I see the same thing with all the "clobber passages". Others do not. But to me, we still apply these definitions of "adultery," “idolatry,” "murder," "covetousness," and "honoring our father and mother" and I believe it still applies to Christians as well, but also applies to gays and straights both. I believe this because whether gay or straight, "adultery" is "adultery." Jesus even said,
17 ...Why do you ask Me about the perfectly and essentially good? There is only One Who is good [perfectly and essentially]--God. If you would enter into the Life, you must continually keep the commandments.
18 He said to Him, What sort of commandments? [Or, which ones?] And Jesus answered, You shall not kill, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness,
19 Honor your father and your mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself. Matthew 19:17-19
So for the scholars who would say we are no longer under the Law, I would say that is correct, but Jesus still says we must keep the Ten Commandments. I also believe the admonishments against adultery would also apply then to gays, lesbians, bi-sexual or transgender people who are married to each other. This does not give us a "license to sin” though. Sexual relations outside of marriage are continually defined throughout the Old and New Testaments as being a sin. But I also believe marriage is defined by the two people who have come into a covenant relationship between themselves before God, forsaking all others, and who commit to remain faithful, "till death do us part," whether gay or straight, and whether the Church or the state recognize the couple as married or not. (But thank God we are no longer punished for adultery by death, or we would all be in a lot of trouble). Remembering however that these passages of Scripture were God speaking to Moses about adultery and idolatry, and the fact that they were addressed to heterosexual married men, helps me discern how to rightly divide the Word of God. The way I have learned that process is by 3 scholastic tests:
1. Who is doing the speaking in the Scriptures?
2. Who are the Scriptures addressed to?
3. How does a passage of Scripture fit into the rest of Scripture?
