Yes it is time for me to explain the direction of this blog.

It is confusing at times, even for me.

I am discussing three books, representing three views on LGBTQ+ participation in the church.

Preston Sprinkle has just tackled what he called the “clobber passages” of the Bible, you know those passages that Christians use to beat up the LGBTQ+ community: the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, and verses from Leviticus 18 and 20.* As I studied his words, he tried to find a way around the negative attacks. However in the end, the Scripture was not affirming for people who engage in same-sex behavior.

What is his next direction?

He will do a “deep dive” into the Greek and Roman culture of the day. He is hoping to provide context for the “clobber passages.” He is hoping to enlarge our understanding of the idea of homosexuality in Bible times. We will see where he goes.

But before we get there, it is time to return to Peter Gomes who will extend his argument about groups that have not been accepted in the Christian church. His discussion will center on Anti-Semitism. As today’s headlines discuss this topic in reference to the current Israeli-Hamas war, being fought in the Gaza strip, it will be enlightening to hear what Gomes says about Anti-Semitism in his book entitled The Good Book.

My next post will be on his chapter “The Bible and Anti-Semitism.”

His subtitle is “Christianity’s Original Sin.”

*See St. John Studies, October 24, 2023 and November 1, 2023.