


Burk points to I Cor 15:1-5 as the heart of the gospel. I’m doing this all in community, w/ scholars, pastors, theologians, & LGBTQ+ Chrs, as part of my local church, as part of an officially sanctioned denominational process, and in an official capacity as a representative of my university… I’ve read several but have several more to read, and am doing so in conversation w/ “traditional” perspectives. Since that time, I’ve encountered compelling theological & historical arguments that challenge or complicate traditional approaches to this issue. (Esp among my Dutch profs who’d endured Nazi occupation.) My own strand of Reformed thinking comes w/ a deep respect for pluralism & rejection of Christian nationalism. This wasn’t because I was currying favor with progressives. As far back as I can remember, though, I never believed that a theological view on this matter should dictate government policy in a way that abridges fundamental civil rights. I grew up holding the “traditional” view, that same-sex sexual relationships were sinful. I’m participating, but as a historian, not a theologian. Here she is in her own words, and it is to this excerpt in particular that I wish to respond.ĭo I personally affirm “the church’s teaching that homosexuality is sinful?” Which church? My own church (local & denomination) is actively reexamining this issue in light of tradition, interpretation, history, & science. Her own denomination is reexamining the issue, and so is she. Her basic point is that she no longer views the traditional Christian teaching on homosexuality as straightforward. I highly recommend that you read Du Mez’s short response to my question before pressing on any further with my discussion below.

In this post, I simply want to comment on her answer to my question about homosexuality, and then explain why I answered her question the way that I did.ĭoes Du Mez Believe That Homosexuality Is Sinful?

She asked me whether I thought her book Jesus and John Wayne contains false teaching (to which I answered “yes”), and I asked her if she believes that homosexuality is sinful (to which she answered that she doesn’t know yet). If you boil it all down, she asked me a question, and I asked her one. Some of it is linked below for your reference if you are interested in following the threads. I won’t rehash the entire back and forth here. Over the weekend, I had an important exchange with Kristin Kobes Du Mez on social media.
