As the church attempts to wrestle with the understanding of marriage and its role in the lives of gay and lesbian couples the focus has been almost exclusively on Bible verses many individuals hear as condemning these relationships. At the same time little attention has been given to passages that might point us towards how those relationships might serve the kingdom of God. Or more importantly, can we see a positive function for marriage in the lives of gays and lesbians in a world/creation Paul states falls short of God's glory across its breadth.
Among the passages used to condemn homosexual relationships each passage has a history and a context that makes it less than directly applicable to the modern understanding and nature of homosexual relationships. Does this then mean the door is thrown wide open to any and all sexual behaviors or does it mean instead we need to look further and to continue wrestling with scripture allowing its authority to continue to speak to us in a deeper and authentically healing manner?
Much of the work of Roman Catholic theologians has given less attention to passages used as a rejection of same sex behavior and focused instead on the importance of a rationalistic approach to natural order and the Biblical blessing and call to be fruitful and multiply. Because same-sexed relationships cannot fulfill that command biologically the argument has been made that those relationships must be rejected. This view sees and hears the biblical descriptions of man and woman coming together as one as being descriptive of the only possibility of God's work and socio-sexual order within creation. We must ask, however, is this a sufficient description of the situation and the orders of creation or is there the possibility of much more at work for the good of creation.
Observing the natural world we see that human beings are not the only species created by God that have regularly occurring same-sex pairings. Gulls, Mallards and Penguins among other birds all have such pairings. Among mammals giraffes, lions, sheep, and hyenas demonstrate the behavior and among "higher" order mammals dolphins, elephants, bonobos and other apes, do as well. In other words, same-sex pairing occurs across a wide swath of the evolutionary tree.
Since God is confessed the source of all of creation is this reality some expression of the fall or is something else at work. Even if it is an expression of the fall how is it to be addressed by us as equally flawed participants in creation. Do we address people in gay relationships as marked with an unforgivable sin or is it one among many taboos from Leviticus chapter 18 and following that are set aside as no longer relevant among those saved by grace apart from the law? Are there other solutions and means of addressing the reality and persistence of gay and lesbian relationships than simply to condemn same-sex pairings among the offspring of Adam and Eve? And if not, what about every other species among which same-sex pairings are found? Must we condemn them, also?
How are we to see and respond within the tension of God's Word with its authority for the believer in the body of Christ and the reality we observe around us?
In Genesis chapter 2:18 we read that it is not good that man should be alone. We are fearfully and wonderfully made for community. Few persons exist well without some expression of community. Even among ascetics practicing extreme isolation there is often some expression of community as a support. Is marriage therefore the only expression of how the natural need for community is or can be addressed in our lives as sexual creatures. Or is the uniting of male and female in one flesh a single expression among among others including celibacy and and gay pairings through which God has brought forth through the generations of creation? Are there other roles or even parallel roles for persons of same-sex relationships who, also, need community and for whom the need of deeply intimate pairing is important?
Luther criticized the Roman Catholic church of his day for enforcing celibacy on all clergy and saw various sexual disorders as evident of problem of unnatural expectations of sexual creatures with powerful passions. He had no concept of homosexuality as we do today but he was able to observe the dysfunction that occurred when one denied individuals the support of intimate, committed, enduring relationships. This is a dysfunction that the church has continued to struggle with wherever celibacy is forced rather than seen as a unique gift.
Scripture written thousands of years ago has never directly addressed every cultural development or every emerging event in human history. Always scripture must be read and applied as life moves forward, even the Amish communities are dragged slowly forward in a changing world of technology and science as many who did not allow phones wired onto their property now use wireless cell phones. The margin notes of the ancient midrash are a powerful example of the work of Rabbis and scribes applying the scriptures to their present context of life.
Given all this is done by broken saints who themselves fall short of the glory of God it is sometimes done well and sometimes tragically. Instead of looking for passages to be selectively yanked out of context for condemning others in what other ways might scripture speak to us today and to the relationships between humans, creation, and community with a power to heal and transform broken saints into healing sinners?
In a church once similarly divided by difficult issues Paul spoke words that focused on the purpose Christian lives and the importance of marriage in enabling that prime directive of the church, witnessing to Jesus Christ, to be fulfilled. To the church at Corinth which seemed to find endless ways to divide the community and the body of Christ Paul wrote the following.:
1 Corinthians 7:1 Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good for a man not to marry. 2 But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband. 3 The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. 5 Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6 I say this as a concession, not as a command. 7 I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that. 8 Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am. 9 But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion. 10 To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. 11 But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife. 12 To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. 13 And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. 15 But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. 16 How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? 17 Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. 18 Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God's commands is what counts. 20 Each one should remain in the situation which he was in when God called him. 21 Were you a slave when you were called? Don't let it trouble you--although if you can gain your freedom, do so. 22 For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord's freedman; similarly, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ's slave. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. 24 Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him to. 25 Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy. 26 Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for you to remain as you are. 27 Are you married? Do not seek a divorce. Are you unmarried? Do not look for a wife. 28 But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this. 29 What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; 30 those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; 31 those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away. 32 I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's affairs--how he can please the Lord. 33 But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world--how he can please his wife-- 34 and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord's affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world--how she can please her husband. 35 I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord. 36 If anyone thinks he is acting improperly toward the virgin he is engaged to, and if she is getting along in years and he feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning. They should get married. 37 But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion but has control over his own will, and who has made up his mind not to marry the virgin--this man also does the right thing. 38 So then, he who marries the virgin does right, but he who does not marry her does even better. 39 A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord. 40 In my judgment, she is happier if she stays as she is--and I think that I too have the Spirit of God.
How might these words speak to us today in the midst of our present division and disruption within the body of Christ? Is it better to extend the civil order of marriage to gays and lesbians so that that loneliness can be abated and the passion for intimacy and community can be fulfilled and order maintained for the sake of the gospel? And if this helps to bring order and comfort stabilizing relationships, delivering person from fear, and freeing energy for the service of the Gospel of Jesus Christ how is that different from Paul's advice to married couples and the purpose of marriage?
For the moment, please think about these thoughts because I believe this may be a passage that gives us a path forward rather than freezing us into past contexts which do not apply to the present relationships. I will share my thoughts in the days ahead but wanted to give you time to contemplate the possibilities and to seek God's will in prayer.
Blessings to all of you. May God's Spirit blow across your lives.
Please note: I expect to be editing these thoughts for several days.