Biblical and Hermeneutical Reflections on Same-Sex Relationships

From the Forum Magazine, Fall 2015 - view the full issue here

In the Christian Reformed denomination and the wider church, there is a palpable restlessness when the issues surrounding homosexuality and the LGBT (Lesbian-Gay-Bisexual- Transgender) community are raised. As President of Calvin Theological Seminary, I have had an increasing number of conversations and I have heard multiple stories in this area. 

I have been particularly touched by the number of Christian leaders who identify that their son or daughter is gay or lesbian. The family story and even the family struggle is something that remains hidden for many. We may seek to find a better answer to the issues that face the church in this area, but that answer will not come without genuine listening to individual stories while also placing those stories within the context of the biblical story of God forming us and redeeming us. 

In this Forum, we also include Professor David Holwerda’s 1994 inaugural article which frames the purpose and goal of the Forum (see p. 17). In that very first issue, he made clear that Calvin Theological Seminary is called to serve the church by providing guidance as teachers for the church and that the Forum was developed to come alongside the questions and challenges faced by the church. 

In keeping with that purpose, we are providing some framework for one of the key conversations in the life of the church today. In this issue, Professor John Cooper raises important hermeneutical questions; Professor Jeff Weima provides insights into the New Testament, especially from the writings of the apostle Paul, and Professor Arie Leder presents a theological view from the perspective of the Pentateuch with a focus on Leviticus 18-19.

We know that there are many other issues and angles to explore, but we begin with looking at Scripture and how we interpret Scripture. While the culture has made dramatic shifts, we seek to anchor our conversation in what the Bible says and how we come to understand it together in the church.

But before you turn to the articles and other news from Calvin Theological Seminary, I would like to present a real life situation for the unfolding conversation. As a church planter, I spoke with countless people who were exploring faith and some who were openly concerned about how the church has treated or would treat persons of the LGBT community. I specifically remember this question—“My sister/ brother is gay, will she/he be welcome here?” This is a key question and I certainly understand and appreciate the call to welcome those who have a homosexual orientation into the community of the church. 

Another key question is how can the church disciple and show pastoral care for those who have a homosexual orientation? As churches, we have not done enough. We have a long way to go to consistently develop the type of community longed for and recently described by Wesley Hill in his book, Spiritual Friendship: Finding Love in the Church as a Celibate Gay Christian. We wait along with others as the Study Committee to Provide Pastoral Guidance Regarding Same-Sex Marriage prepares to present their insights to the Synod of the Christian Reformed Church in 2016. 

I want you to know, that as this issue was being developed, we specifically thought about and prayed for persons that we know would identify themselves as part of the LGBT community. We know that you may read this issue with a brother or sister, son or daughter, uncle or aunt or even mother or father in mind. We also know that you may read this issue with great interest because of your own same-sex orientation. 

As Pastor Tim Keller of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City recently blogged, we need to start with relationships and being in relationship with those in the LGBT community. 

Out of my studies and the stories that I have heard, I am sharing with you some of the personal statements that have framed my engagement to friends and family in this area, including to those who identify themselves as part of the LGBT community. 

“I am sorry.” 

I know that I have not always spoken up or sought the best for those who are in the LGBT community. I am so glad that our culture has helped me see every person—no matter their sexual orientation—as an image bearer of God. We are all broken in so many ways. Maybe you don’t think we are broken sexually, but for those times when I saw sin in your life, but not mine, I was and I am sorry.

“Is it time to say, we (the church) were wrong?” 

As a former lawyer, I still remember when the church was wondering how to respond to the civil union approach that many people were advocating in order to define the rights of those in partnerships. Visitation rights in hospitals, inheritance rights and even rights to parent were being presented as clarified by a civil union approach. Many churches were concerned at what would happen with such an approach and that concern helped lead to the passage of “Defense of Marriage” legislation in the U.S. In my opinion, we were wrong. We failed to use the lens of justice and mercy as members of a pluralistic society. We failed to confront discrimination within a civil society. In North America, we quickly moved from consideration of civil unions to the current focus on and advocacy of same-sex marriage. 

“The need for forgiveness.” 

I know that how I enter into this conversation is important. I know that to gain a hearing there are elements of our conversation that will need to come from a heart of repentance and a desire for you to forgive me. As others think of their own conversations, I would suggest that many times, we need to begin with a request for forgiveness. We need to come to the conversation full of love, respect and humility. At the same time, I am not saying that we should not seek biblical truth together or even articulate such truth. 

What I am saying is that our first moves in this conversation need to start from looking with eyes of love. When Jesus challenges the rich, young ruler about a new life of discipleship and the rich, young ruler turns away, the Scriptures record that—“Jesus looked at him and loved him.” (Mark 10:21) Do others see our eyes of love and hear of our love? 

One critique I have with the title —“LGBT”—is that this is a label that limits conversations. For some in the LGBT community, the title “Christian” is a negative label that also limits the conversation as we ask questions of one another such as—“Is a person more than their sexual orientation? Is sexual orientation the foundational, defining category of humanity?”

I hope that no one will use this issue as a “club” in conversation. Our hope is that while there may be disagreement about what has been written in this opening letter or in the articles that follow that we will continue to seek the best for each other and engage the conversation. 

“What does it mean that we are brothers and sisters in Christ?”

One of the concerns I have about the current state of the debate or dialogue in the culture is that it has turned into a matter of “rights” and “being on the right side of history.” I would hope that we can frame the conversation in the church in ways that are different than the culture because we recognize that the person who we are speaking to or about is a brother or sister in Christ. 

I hope that we will seek to listen to the voices of brothers and sisters in Christ from the global church. I hope that we will seek to learn from brothers and sisters in Christ from other church denominations as they deal with and struggle with similar issues in this area. 

I hope our shared understanding of being disciples of Jesus Christ includes a sturdy conviction that we may very well be called to stand out and even stand against the culture and deny ourselves. For example, in the area of sexual ethics, what does it mean for Christians to be “counter-cultural?” 

Part of our new paradigm of being a North American church in an increasingly post-Christian culture is that we are not “in power” and we may even find ourselves being ridiculed for having “biblical” perspectives and express that outlook in the areas of morality and ethics. 

What does it then mean to be a disciple under the authority of Scripture and to be a part of a “family” with brothers and sisters in Christ? 

May our conversation unfold in a way that is full of grace and truth and may that conversation be aided by the articles that are being presented for consideration by the church.