THE GOOD NEWS

1. There is great debate over the Romans passage. Conservatives use this passage more
than any other as a clear condemnation of gays and lesbians. If this is the definitive
biblical text on homosexuality, however, it is easy to see how absurd it is to say the
Bible has much to say on the subject.
2. Some scholars argue that Paul is condemning the sexual behavior of the Romans as a
larger denunciation against the idolatrous practices in the Gentile world (temple
prostitution of both the heterosexual and homosexual variety was common).
3. John Boswell argues that the verses appearing to condemn homosexuality fall within
a larger Pauline denunciation of the Gentile world. Same sex acts are but a
“mundane” analogy of this theological point. Moreover, the crux of Paul’s analogy
focuses on heterosexuals acting against their “nature” to commit same-sex acts. Early
church writings about this passage support Boswell’s contention that church fathers
regarded this text as a statement about heterosexuals.
The Interesting Twist
The main point Paul drives toward in the first chapters of Romans is that we are all
sinners who have fallen short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). Yet, God’s grace and love is
sufficient for all of us. To use Romans 1 as a specific denunciation of gay people is to
completely miss and undermine Paul’s point.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 and 1 Timothy 1:9-10 – Abusive Sexual Relationships
Traditional Interpretation: These two passages state that homosexuals are clearly
denounced and will not be allowed into heaven.
Issues to Consider
1. There is strong disagreement about what the key words in 1 Corinthians 6 and 1
Timothy 1 mean. Malakoi and arsenokoitai have been interpreted as one thing or as
two separate things in different translations. These words are variously translated as
“sexual perverts” (Nestle-Aland Greek New Testament), “male prostitutes” and
“sodomites” (New Revised Standard Version), “homosexuals” (Revised Standard
Version), “the self-indulgent” (New Jerusalem Bible), and prior to the sixteenth
century the word malakoi was consistently interpreted as “masturbators.” Such
confusion in the biblical translations reveals how little we know about what these
words actually mean.
2. The best modern biblical scholars also disagree on what is being described in these
texts. Malakoi has been translated as “loose, wanton, unrestrained” (John Boswell),
“wasteful of both sexual and financial resources,” (William Countryman), or
“effeminate, but not in terms of sexual orientation” (Robin Scroggs). Boswell and