Scripture and Homosexuality: Biblical Authority and the Church Today

by Marion L. Soards

Book Overview

In this book, Marion Soards looks at what the Bible actually says--and does not say--about homosexuality as he attempts to discover how the church should deal with this diverse issue. Soards reflects on the meaning of the biblical text and subsequent Christian history as he struggles with the issue of how Christians should respond to and comprehend God's will in dealing with homosexuality. Ultimately, he advocates a heightened sense of biblical authority...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0664255957
• ISBN13: 9780664255954
• Release Date: May 1995
• Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press
• Length: 108 Pages
• Weight: 0.32 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.5" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

He takes the scriptures seriously

Written in 1995 and about 90 pages, he takes a reasoned look at scripture. He does not rush to distort the scriptures like so many these days. He rejects the exploitative argument of Scroggs New Testament and Homosexuality and Furnish The Moral Teaching of Paul: Selected Issues. He puts scripture above experience (and science). He rejects the argument about Jesus silence on homosexuality, Jesus understood that human sexuality to be God's own creation for the purpose of male and female uniting in a complementary relationship... in marriage. The fact that Jesus was single is the clearest indication that male and female sexual union is not a necessary condition for human fulfilment (the abundant life?). He gives an overview of the historical stance of the church on homosexuality. He discusses church membership and ordination for homosexuals. All in all he gives a sane discussion of the topic which is, in my opinion, well worth reading.

Sound treatment of the Bible's teaching

Dr. Soards has provided a concise, straightforward exposition of the Bible's teaching on homosexuality. He does so without condemnation or polemics, presenting a reasoned analysis of both Old and New Testament passages. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to better understand the Biblical perspective on homosexuality.