Two Views on Homosexuality, The Bible and The Church, Preston Sprinkle, Stanley N. Gundry, William Loader, Megan K Defranza, Wesley Hill, Stephen R. Holmes, 2016.

  According to The Bible and the Church, the book presents two different perspectives on homosexuality: the affirming view, and the non-affirming view. It is theologically significant to understand the different views because homosexuality is a topic that has not been addressed in the church, which has led many away from the faith.

Summary 

The author presents clear understandings from other authors on several issues on homosexuality informed by Bible passages and biblical-theological themes related to human nature, marriage, gender, and sexuality. The contributing author, William Bill Loader, writes from the affirming view of same-sex relations but believes the Bible prohibits all forms of same-sex relations. Megan Defranza argues the prohibition passages are better understood when read in the light of ancient sexual landscapes, economic exploitation, and differences of power concerning gender and social class. Wesley Hill argues a non-affirming view of same-sex relations, while Stephen Holmes focuses on the theology of sex and marriage.

The main idea is the affirming view and non-affirming view, consisting of a list of abbreviations, an introduction, four chapters with responses and a rejoinder, and a conclusion. The argument unfolds with Loader’s human experiences in our world on page 17. The audience is the Church and Christians.

Critique

On page 36, Loader made a great point referring to homosexuality being a state of depravity and was not in God’s intent. Many did support some of his points due to what they call exegetical and hermeneutical errors. Loader made a vital point with that view. It was not in God’s intent to create anything imperfect because, after creation, the Bible says that God saw that everything was good. The fall compelled man to be vulnerable and infiltrated them with corrupt options. Loader’s error, even though he emend it later on in his retort, was that he states that the audience Apostle Paul was talking to had a solid Jewish background. Stephen R. Holmes made a rebuttal on page 61; he says, “I am talking to you gentiles,” he begins to explain. I am not sure that this makes any substantial difference to Loader’s explanation, but I note it simply out of puzzlement. Paul’s letter was sent to the gentiles in Rome, trivializing Loader’s point. 

On page 72, Megan K. Defranza made valid points concerning what the Bible says about sexuality. She referred to Eunuchs and the uncertainty of apostle Paul’s point of view on same-sex relations; instead, he was referring to sexual abuse due to the rampant abuse caused by owners of enslaved people. Megan made a great point; unfortunately, it doesn’t convince me to believe that Paul was not addressing homosexuality. I believe it was an issue found in the Greco-roman empire, and he addressed it as it was. 

Wesley Hill draws attention to the need to interpret scripture from its center, namely Christ. We must prioritize Christ interpreting Scripture; he is the Word after all. Additionally, On page 127, He affirms Augustine’s view of marriage and sees it as the result of approaching scripture from this centering perspective. On page 144, Hill approached Spiritual Friendship; I believe we should support and love the individual but not the act. We’re condoning the action because we’re feeding into the emotional attachment, even if it’s not physical.

Stephen Holmes presents his views on page 166, the task of theology is patient listening to the scriptural witness and to do so without qualification or evasion. On Page 174, Holmes states, “Sexual activity belongs within marriage, and sexual relationships are properly directed to procreation. Marriage is a school in which, by God’s grace, our desires are reordered to make us more Christlike.” This is a good approach that supports Holmes’ point. 

Conclusion

Each author made great points as it pertains to their views. As we see above, some stood in the affirming view and others in the non-affirming view. “From my vantage point, all the authors have succeeded in this regard. They have constructed compelling arguments for their positions clearly and kindly. In their responses, the tone was direct yet cordial, clear and compassionate, and still filled with academic rigor and depth.” Sprinkle asserts on page 217. 

 To summarize, the book, Two Views on Homosexuality, The Bible and The Church, teaches, improves, inspires, and changes the audience by being open to different views and understanding homosexuality from a biblical perspective. The authors are transparent and genuinely try to understand everyone else’s point of view without negating that there might be other possibilities out there. It’s not recommended to anyone who doesn’t have love and compassion and is not open to understanding the other parties.