To this end, I have read many related books and articles, shared with several respected Christian leaders, and talked at length with God.  I am writing to share my discoveries with my friends and family. I also hope that these lessons may help those of you who find yourself walking a similar road.

Scripture, culture and grace
Let's begin with three simple but important emphases.  These are in the areas of Scripture, culture and grace.  As you will see, any one of these approaches make for a compelling argument.  But when all three are taken together, there results a position that serves to enhance the confidence and faith of gay and lesbian Christians.

Several books in the bibliography seek to present God's truth on this issue.  These works range from the very practical to the academic and represent positions both supportive and critical.  It is interesting to note that most are written by heterosexual pastors and scholars.  This may counter the argument that they approached their subject with a "personal agenda."

SCRIPTURE
There are seven Bible passages that are viewed by some as verses condemning homosexuality.

Genesis 19:5 – Lot and visitors in Sodom.
Leviticus 18:22 – Levitical law.
Leviticus 20:13 – Levitical law.
Judges 19:22 – Levite threatened with rape.
Romans 1:27 – Abandoning natural relationships.
I Corinthians 6:9 –  The Kingdom of God.
I Timothy 1:10 – Activity contrary to sound doctrine.

Upon close inspection, it becomes clear that these passages address issues other than homosexuality.  Indeed, today's concept of homosexuality, that is one person loving and desiring another person of the same sex, is not even mentioned in the Bible.

Each of the books listed in the bibliography analyze these passages in great detail.  If you read the material, both supportive and critical, and then reread these passages it is very possible that you will see, as do hundreds of Biblical scholars, that these passages speak to related but different issues. 

Examples
Genesis 19 and Judges 19 never even hint at same-sex love.  These chapters are about rape.  In fact, in the Judges 19 passage, when the Levite will not make himself available to the male crowd for sex, they instead gang rape his female companion.

The Romans passage is clearly about idolatry.  Here Paul talks about "exchanging natural relationships for unnatural" in an idolatrous effort to "worship and serve created things."  This passage refers to heterosexual persons engaging in homosexuality behavior for the purpose of idolatry.  As gay men and women, we are not exchanging natural for unnatural. On the contrary, we seek only to do what for us is natural.  Moreover, as Christians we desire to worship the Creator not created things.

The other four verses would take a great deal more space to address.  It is clear however, that these verses do not address homosexuality as we understand it today.  Rather they condemn the practice of homosexual temple prostitution.  This activity was widely practiced by men who exploited effeminate young boys by having sex with them as part of their idolatrous worship ritual.

CULTURE
In addition to these Scriptural positions, there is the role of culture in the understanding of Biblical truth.  One must always remember that, though the Bible's message is timeless, it was recorded during a historical period when certain cultural morays existed.  This position is widely accepted when interpreting God's truth regarding slavery, the role of women, divorce and remarriage, and many Levitical laws.

If homosexuality was seen by those in the first century as unacceptable, then that premise would have shown up in the passage, even if God's purpose was to address a related issue.  Therefore, this "cultural premise" may have simply been the platform upon which God's principles (do not rape, do not worship false gods, do not practice immorality) were given.

Society and culture has changed (or is changing) in it's view of homosexuality.  Much like slavery, homosexuality has become a dated issue.  Bible passages that may be based on an early cultural premise about homosexuality must be understood in that context.

GRACE
Practicing Christianity means putting our faith in Jesus to forgive us of all our sins.  The Biblical meaning of sin comes from the Greek word "hamartano" which means "to miss the mark" or "fall short of the goal." This is something every person does every day.  Therefore, even if someone concludes that your homosexuality is sinful, it is no more damning than any other attitude or action that makes necessary the saving work of Christ.

Don't misunderstand.  God knows me and loves me.  He created me - homosexuality and all.  But when I encounter Christians who cannot fathom my confident integration of gay living and Christian faith, I simply remind them that it is God's  grace alone which sustain us in this life and delivers to the next. 

Good News
Do we have a choice in our sexual orientation?  No.  Can we accept our homosexuality, fall in love, make commitments, settle down, raise a family, go to church and expect God to fully bless our gay lives?  Yes, of course.  No matter what conclusions you or others come to regarding homosexuality and sin, God's grace is sufficient for you.  That's good news.

There are many wonderful Christians who also happen to be gay.  Still, there is a larger group of gay men and women who feel that their sexuality disqualifies them from active Christian faith.  Friends this is simply not the case.  I challenge you to seek a genuine faith in God and allow it to grow with confident knowledge that you are exactly who He intended you to be.

Terry Brewer

Click HERE for the Bibliography