ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
August 19, 2026
I had an online note expressing concern (it might have been anger) in regard to what appeared, in this person’s mind, my acceptance of those in the LGBTQ+ community. Acceptance, yes, but I take it a step further with what I call affirmation. “Do you not believe in the Bible?” was the question posed to me. While my sarcastic side has numerous responses to that question, none of them would be helpful in the context of the conversation. Many of you have heard me, in response to similar questions, ask, “Are you in favor of slavery?” For most everyone, the answer is a strong, “No!” Yet the Bible is quite clear in its support of slavery. There are a handful of passages that might appear to oppose it, but the opposition isn’t to the concept of slavery itself, but rather to enslaving “my people.” While scholars might disagree on the number of verses that support slavery, most of them would put the number well into the hundreds.
When you put that alongside the four or so passages that appear to oppose same-sex relationships, it sure seems as if you need to answer the question, “Why do you oppose slavery?” before explaining why you oppose same-sex relationships. Even more so, the passages supporting slavery are pretty straightforward, despite some people suggesting that in Biblical time, it was a much nicer slavery. There is no such thing as nice slavery. But the handful of passages that are used to condemn same-sex relationships are rooted in a very clear understanding of patriarchy, including the idea that men are to dominate. Not to go into too much detail, but even the position of the male in the act of sex was understood to maintain the appearance of domination. These passages had less to do with same-sex relationships as we think of them today, and more to do with maintaining what we would define as a very misogynistic and unhealthy understanding of what it means to be a man. Today, I am going to passionately oppose slavery in spite of what scripture tells us, and I am going to passionately support those who understand themselves to be part of the LGBTQ+ community because I do not believe there is anything in the Bible that tells me otherwise.
Holy God, Voice for justice, compassion, and love, I continue to turn to the power of your Spirit as I seek to understand the heart of scripture and not the assumptions history and institutions have brought to it. At the end of the day, I must lead with love, so I pray for the strength to always reach for love. Amen.
