ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
June 24, 2022
Why did Jesus say nothing about homosexuality? I don’t believe any of us can answer the question with complete confidence, but it wasn’t because Jesus had no knowledge of such things. In fact, homosexuality was a known reality in the ancient Roman World. Jesus did seem to say something about healthy interactions between people, and he expressed concern when one person or group exercised unhealthy power over another person or group. The three or four passages usually referenced on this topic are, in my opinion (and not just my opinion), referencing abuse and non-consensual sex. Roman slave owners would have sex with their male and female slaves as a way of making them feel powerless, as a way of putting them in their place. It had nothing to do with love or mutuality. It was horrific abuse. There is another passage that is probably referencing pederasty, the sexual assault of a minor. Despite the fact that it was a common and socially acceptable practice in Ancient Greece and Rome. There were also abusive sexual practices at some of the Roman cults, including cult prostitutes. This is all to say that I do not believe (and I am not alone in this) any of the scriptures used to call same-sex relationships a sin were in fact referring to healthy consensual sex between two adults. I share this as we move into the final week of Pride Month, remembering how Christianity (and some other religions) has too often made those in the LGBTQ community feel as if they have no value or divine worth. Pride Month provides an opportunity for those who have been made to feel as if they are beyond the love of God to say out loud, “I am an amazing human being, loved by God for who I am.”
Mighty and Gracious God, may every single person know how deeply loved and fantastically marvelous they are. May that message resonate in my heart this day, for there are times when I am left questioning whether that is true or not. Amen.
