Here we are again, switching from one book to another. In this case we are moving from Peter Gomes’ The Good Book to Kevin DeYoung What does the Bible Really Teach about Homosexuality. Again, two diametrically opposed views.

Gomes has a plan in place it seems, to discuss all the instances when The Bible has not provided solid guard rails for human behavior, so far a discussion of how Christians have felt about indulging in hard drink and how southern Christians have justified the owning of slaves. When we return to Gomes again, we will comment on his discussion of anti-semitism.

Hard texts: places in God’s word where man struggles to find his way.

Hard texts: places in God’s word where differing views emerge.

Hard texts: places where God shows man how to exercise His grace in the process of loving fellow man.

Can the LGBTQ+ community be included in the church, as leaders? Can LGBTQ+ people be accepted, approved and absolved of their sin?* Is this a place where God’s loving grace can be applied?

DeYoung says “no” and to make his case, he turns to Leviticus.

Leviticus speaks directly to the issue of homosexuality; his chapter is entitled “Taking a Strange Book Seriously.”