Homosexual Hermeneutics

When we refer to “homosexual persons” we do not mean situational homosexuality. This refers to homosexual practices under certain conditions, for example when people are isolated for long times in prison or at sea, or to experiment sex, or to practices that derive from a traumatic experience or physical disorder. “True” homosexuality is characterized by an emotional and physico-sexual propensity towards others of the same sex. It refers not only to the sexual act, but also to a way of thinking, feeling and behavior as an expression of love. Therefore, homosexual persons find expression in specific sexual acts. The biblical documents did not know of this homosexuality and its specific problems, but were concerned only with the commission of homosexual acts.

Lilly Nortje-Meyer, “The Homosexual Body without Apology: A Positive Link between the Canaanite Woman in Matthew 15:21-28 and Homosexual Interpretation of Biblical Texts,” Religion and Theology 9/1&2 (2002), 118-119.

Homosexual Hermeneutics

A homosexual reading of biblical texts involves the rereading and reexamining of those passages that condemn homosexuals. It questions traditional interpretations identify the heterosexism and homophobia of biblical scholars. Homosexual are searching for positive links between the Bible and homosexuality. They are looking for a neglected word or fact that would reverse the traditional interpretations that condemned homosexuals and accept them into the Christian community without any preconditions. Homosexual persons are looking for their own identity, purpose and meaning in life and they are looking to the Bible to help them finding meaning in life.

Lilly Nortje-Meyer, “The Homosexual Body without Apology: A Positive Link between the Canaanite Woman in Matthew 15:21-28 and Homosexual Interpretation of Biblical Texts,” Religion and Theology 9/1&2 (2002), 119-120.

Homosexual Hermeneutics

Centre to liberation theology is the understanding that sin is not a metaphysical reality but rather consists in injustices that are perpetuated by people. Therefore, contemplation is at heart of liberation theology, not only by identifying injustice in society, but also by suggesting solutions that enable people to end it. Being homosexual and having a homosexual relationship is not a sin, but the injustice imposed on homosexual persons, that is sin.

Lilly Nortje-Meyer, “The Homosexual Body without Apology: A Positive Link between the Canaanite Woman in Matthew 15:21-28 and Homosexual Interpretation of Biblical Texts,” Religion and Theology 9/1&2 (2002), 124-125.

Homosexual Hermeneutics

Christianity is an incarnational religion. It started off as a religion and theology from below. The Holy Spirit worked in the first place through the body of Jesus. He was bodily conceived by the Holy Spirit and was bodily filled with the Spirit. Therefore, incarnational theology should challenge metaphysic and dualistic thought. The bodies of women and homosexual persons should be taken as sites of revelation in the creation of theology. Those Bible passages that jeopardize homosexual persons and women should either be removed or should be identified as unacceptable to the Christian faith. The homosexual person should be able to celebrate the homosexual body without apology.

Lilly Nortje-Meyer, “The Homosexual Body without Apology: A Positive Link between the Canaanite Woman in Matthew 15:21-28 and Homosexual Interpretation of Biblical Texts,” Religion and Theology 9/1&2 (2002), 119-133.

Emerging Church Hermeneutics

Emergents sometimes exercise a deconstructive critique of the Bible’s view of God. Sometimes I hear it in ways that are no more interesting than Marcion’s old (and heretical) critique of the violent God of the Old Testament. Yet upon close inspection, the rumblings are subtler and more sophisticated, and the struggle is palpable and genuine. For some emergents, the Bible includes portrayals of God that cannot be squared with their understanding of a God of love.

Scot McKnight, “The Ironic Faith of Empergents,” Christianity Today, September 2008, 63.

Emerging Church Hermeneutics

Our interpretations reveal less about God or the Bible than they do about ourselves. They reveal what we want to defend, what we want to attack, what we want to ignore, what we’re unwilling to question.

Brian McLaren, A New Kind of Christian, 50.

The Rules for Talking about Homosexuality

No one should be allowed to talk about the gay issue unless they have enough points. This is how you get your points...

10 if you have considered and studied the relevant biblical passages
10 if you have actually read the six passages about homosexuality in the Bible
20 if you have read other passages that might affect the way you read those six passages
5 if you have read one or more books that reinforce the position you already hold
25 if you have read one or more books arguing the opposite position
10 if you have spent three hours reading websites showing a variety of views
50 for every friend you have who's been through an ex-gay ministry
50 for every friend who's been through an ex-gay ministry that didn't work
50 for every friend who's gay and in a long-term committed relationship
50 for every friend who's gay and not in a committed relationship
50 for every parent you've listened to whose child is gay

When you have 3,000 points, you can speak on the issue.

(An unnamed friend on Facebook)