The Bible addresses homosexuality primarily in a few key passages, with interpretations and applications varying among traditions. Here is an overview of how different sections are commonly understood: Main biblical passages often cited
- Old Testament
- Leviticus 18:22 and Leviticus 20:13: These verses prohibit male-male sexual relations, describing them as detestable or abominable under the Mosaic law.
- New Testament
- Romans 1:26–27: Paul describes same-sex relations as part of a sequence of human rebellion and the consequences that follow.
- 1 Corinthians 6:9–10: Paul lists "men who have sex with men" among those who will not inherit the kingdom of God, depending on translation.
- 1 Timothy 1:9–10: A similar list, reaffirming prohibitions on certain sexual practices.
- Jude 1:7 and, in some manuscript traditions, references to Sodom and Gomorrah are used in discussions about sexual immorality, though the exact wording varies.
How to understand these passages
- Context matters: Many passages address specific communities, historical situations, or broader issues of sexual ethics, idolatry, or exploitation. How one applies them today can depend on theological tradition, hermeneutical approach, and what is considered a pattern of behavior versus isolated acts.
- Distinctions in interpretation:
- Some traditions view these passages as a blanket, universal prohibition against all forms of homosexual behavior.
- Others distinguish between same-sex attraction (a condition) and active, consensual same-sex acts (a behavior), and emphasize pastoral care, repentance, or fidelity, sometimes advocating for celibacy or lifelong singleness rather than remarriage after divorce or other circumstances.
- Several communities argue that the biblical texts condemn all exploitative or idol-worshiping sexual activity, and that the overarching biblical ethic calls for love, justice, and mercy toward LGBTQ+ people, while maintaining certain sexual ethics.
- Historical and linguistic factors: Old Testament terms, Greek terms in the New Testament, and cultural understandings of gender, sexuality, and power influence how the prohibitions are read today.
Pastoral and theological diversity
- Conservative/traditional viewpoints: Many interpret the Bible as teaching that homosexual acts are sinful and contrary to God’s design for sexuality within heterosexual marriage (as traditionally defined in their communities).
- Moderate/affirming viewpoints: Some Christian groups affirm LGBTQ+ identities and advocate for inclusive church communities while maintaining celibate or monogamous same-sex relationships as acceptable, or emphasize a broader call to holiness and love without focusing solely on sexual orientation.
- Progressive/liberal viewpoints: Others emphasize the overarching biblical themes of justice, love, and inclusion, often reframing or reinterpreting certain passages in light of modern understandings of sexuality and human dignity.
Ways this topic appears in practice
- Worship and teaching: Sermons, Bible studies, and doctrinal statements in different denominations reflect their interpretive stance on LGBTQ+ issues.
- Pastoral care: Churches vary in how they support LGBTQ+ individuals—some offering full inclusion and marriage ceremonies, others focusing on pastoral support, boundaries, or celibacy.
- Public dialogue: Debates about civil rights, family policy, and church membership frequently intersect with biblical interpretations of sexuality.
If you’d like, I can tailor this to a specific tradition or denomination (for example, Catholic, Protestant mainline, evangelical, or Orthodox perspectives) and highlight the key verses with brief explanations from that viewpoint. I can also summarize how major Christian scholars or confessional documents interpret the relevant passages in that tradition.
