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doesnt say
The Biblical Case in
Support of Same-Sex
Relationships
ex relations?
versity, God and the
t is contributing to
THE
hful, gay Christian.
CHRISTIAN
ively turned the tide.
University
epublic magazine
SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE
VINES
Bible-based, non-
This book is a game changer
The Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Relationships
ation and gender
ding USA Today, Every page is brought to life by the authors clear
NDER STUDIES
love for Scripture and deep, persistent faith.
N Rachel Held Evans, author of A Year of Biblical Womanhood
ergentbooks.com C ONVERGENT
MATTHEW VINES
Introduction, Reclaiming
Our Light, and Chapter 1:
A Tree and Its Fruit
Author Matthew Vines Key statement: My core argument is not simply that some Bible
passages have been misinterpreted and others have been given
The single most frequent request Ive undue weight. My larger argument is this: Christians who affirm
received from readers since the release of
my book has been for a study guide to go the full authority of Scripture can also affirm committed, monoga-
with it. Here, with an assist from my editors mous same-sex relationships. (p. 3)
David Kopp and Derek Reed, are questions
we hope will stimulate further conversation
1. Matthew sets out to make a biblical and personal. Clearly,
and thought. Whether you use this tool for
personal or group use, we hope it will help biblical case in support of same- he intends to treat Scripture as
you to find clarity on your own views about sex relationship, and to do so authoritative, yet his personal ex-
same-sex relationships. from a theologically conservative perience is important, too. Were
viewpoint of Scripture. How have you concerned by his willingness
For each chapter, youll find a key statement
that summarizes or at least highlights the
pastors or teachers closest to you to consider personal experi-
main premise of the chapter, followed by most commonly applied the Bible ence as part of a guide to truth?
several questions. If you are a group leader to their understanding of same- What, if any, is your religious or
or facilitator, feel free to recast or replace sex relationships? philosophical upbringing in this
the questions to your liking.
regard? What is your perspective
Sexual orientation and same-sex relation- 2. To what degree have you, or now? (p. 13 ff)
ships for Christians might be the most people you are close to, been
challenging conversation facing believers affected personally by how the 4. Matthews father says the
todayand one of the most critical. I en-
traditional Bible-believing view day Matthew came out was the
courage you to welcome and honor every
person, story, and perspective. What were has been applied by a person, worst day of his life. Has a family
after is an enlightening, respectful, and help- company, or church? When has member or friend of yours come
ful exchange for all comers, whether you it been a positive experience? out to you? How did you re-
agree or disagree with my conclusions.
When, a negative? spond? What kinds of thoughts/
Thanks, and God bless, emotions did you find it difficult
Matthew 3. Matthews approach is both to express? (p. 9)
2 God and the Gay Christian Discussion Guide
5. Can you identify attitudes or beliefs of yours that down or share some personal experiences that come to
have significantly shifted over time? If so, try to identify mind.
what factors played the most important roles in that
shift. For example, was it facts, emotion, logic, Scripture, 7. Do you agree with Matthew that experience can play
a relationship, personal experienceor some combina- a role in causing Christians to rethink their interpreta-
tion of these? tion of Scripture? How does the rethinking of slavery
compare to the rethinking thats happening on LGBT
6. In pages 14-16, we encounter the test of outcomes, people today? (p. 15)
based on Jesus teaching in Matthew 7, Every good tree
bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. Most of 8. The story of Matthews dad adds an important ele-
us have applied this test in our lives many times. Write ment to the impact of chapter 1. How?
1. Economist John Maynard Keynes famously said, to think of same-sex attraction as an exclusive, fixed ori-
When the facts change, I change my mind, sir. What entation. How important is this change in understanding
do you do? What was your initial response to Mat- to our reading of Scripture, in your view? (pp. 31-40)
thews question: Does new information we have
about homosexuality also warrant a reinterpretation of 5. The whole premise of so-called reparative therapy
Scripture? (p. 25) was that same-sex attraction was an aberration that
could be fixed. Do you believe that sexual orientation is
2. Why might a reinterpretation of Scripture be more a choice? Why, or why not?
difficult for some Christians than for others?
6. Over the years, Christians have shifted their views
3. Talking about sex and sexual orientation is uncom- on Gentiles, the relation of the earth to the sun, and
fortable for most of us. How have derogatory slang, slavery. To what degree have biblical understandings
stereotyping, labeling, and judgmental language made helped or hindered this process? Do you see other Bi-
thinking helpfully about sexual orientation and same-sex ble-based understandings or attitudes that are in need
relationships even more challenging? (p. 25) of reinterpretation? (p. 41)
1. If you have known people who chose lifelong celiba- 4. Through history, Christians have often struggled with
cy for religious reasons, talk about their example and whether the human body and sexuality are to be seen
influence on you. How did you react to their choice? Did as essentially good or essentially broken. How has this
it seem appealing to you, or otherwise? Explain. struggle affected your own thinking, or the teachings
and expectations of your church community? (pp. 52-55)
2. Do you agree with Matthew that the story of Adam
and Eve affirms sameness, not differences, as part of 5. John Paul II taught that celibate Christians can
the basis of marriage? How does your conclusion shape live out the true meaning of marriage, affirming its
your view of marriage? (pp. 45-47) goodness. Express in your own words how this could
be so. (p. 56)
3. Matthew writes, Jesuss teaching does not support
mandatory celibacy for people to whom celibacy has not 6. Matthew contends that mandatory celibacy sends the
been given. How do you think you might react if you message to gay Christians that their sexual selves are
were required to reject even the possibility of romantic inherently shameful. Consider to what degree shaming
relationships for your whole life, but did not believe you from religious teachers and others has shaped, or would
had been given the gift of celibacy? (p. 49) shape, your sexual attitudes and choices. (p. 57)
1. The Genesis story of the events at Lots house in 4. Do you agree with Matthews assertion that the
Sodom is horrific in so many ways. Lets start with Lot: real sin of Sodom was oppression and inhospitality to
what is your reaction to his offer to the men at his door strangers? (pp. 66-68)
as it related to his daughters? (pp. 60-62)
5. When later Christians came to read same-sex behav-
2. Matthew argues that attributing the divine judgment ior as the sin of Sodom, writes Matthew, their concept
on Sodom and Gomorrah to same-sex relations didnt of same-sex behavior still differed greatly from the mod-
arise from biblical texts, and first appeared in Jewish ern concepts of sexual orientation and gay Christians.
writings only in the 1st and 2nd centuries AD. Does that If you agree with Matthew, why could this distinction be
change how you view the traditional reading? significant? (p. 75)
1. The abominations of the book of Leviticus relating to 4. According to Matthew, how did the patriarchal soci-
diet, fabrics, male circumcision, sex during a womans ety of Bible times, and the accompanying subordinate
menstrual period, charging interest on loans, and hair- status of women, influence views on male same-sex
cuts have been largely discarded by Christians through relations? (pp. 86-90)
the centuries. Why? (pp. 78-81)
5. If you feel you have let go, or are letting go, of the
2. By contrast, the abominations relating to sexual con- taboo of same-sex relationships, what emotions ac-
duct have largely been retained. On what basis? companied that choice? Did you feel relief or freedom?
Resistance? A prick to the conscience? Anxiety that,
3. While abomination is a negative word, it doesnt having crossed one boundary, you may not know how
necessarily correspond to Christian views of sin, states to think about the next one that comes your way? Talk
Matthew. Along with numerous biblical scholars, he about it.
sees it not as an ethical term, but a term of boundary
marking, with a basic sense of taboo. By the end of
the chapter, were you persuaded? What questions, if
any, remained? (p. 85)
1. Have you or a close friend or family member felt 2. In describing the importance of the book of Romans,
permanently separated from your church and God be- Matthew draws a sharp contrast between how it has
cause of a life choice (e.g., marrying the wrong person, brought so many to faith, while at the same time driving
divorce, abortion, affair, crime, or addiction)? Have you so many LGBT Christians away from their faith. If part
or a close friend or family member felt that kind of of your faith journey is defined by Romans, describe
separation because of a reality that did not seem in your how it has shaped you. (pp. 95-96)
power to change? Write or talk about the experience
what happened, how it felt, who was for or against
you, how you or others responded and changed.
God and the Gay Christian Discussion Guide 5
3. This chapter attempts to show readers a way for- suspect Paul would address if he were writing to the
wardfrom the path of despair (p. 96) that has sabo- Western church today?
taged so many LGBT believers to a biblically supported
path of hope for loving, committed same-sex relation- 5. In Romans 1:21, Paul says of Gentile idol worshipers,
ships for gay Christians. In your own words, and as Although they knew God, they did not worship him
carefully as you can, restate the biblical and logical case as God. What is the difference, would you say, be-
that Matthew makes in this chapter. tween honoring your sexuality and letting it become an
idol? (pp. 97-99)
4. Do you see other unbridled passions that you
1. In this chapter, we encounter several lists from Pauls study. Matthew acknowledges he is not a textual schol-
letters that identify kinds of people whose conduct ar. How did you respond to the argument he lays out for
will keep them out of Gods kingdom. Have you at both words? Was there something he could have done
any time in your life feared that a choice, thought, or to make his case more persuasive for you?
behavior of yours would send you to hell? If so, talk
about it. (pp. 117-118) 5. Dont miss Matthews summary of the first eight
chapters of the book on pages 129-130. As you look
2. When you were reading the lists of qualities that back on what youve read, how would you describe
were considered natural for men and women (p. 120), your mental, emotional, and spiritual response to
what was your instinctive reaction? a] Id agree on what hes presented?
most points. b] I dont agree, but beliefs havent really
changed much. c] Im glad times have changed! Talk a] I feel biblically affirmed in my views, and set free from
about it. misconceptions that have burdened me.
b] I find myself arguing at nearly every turn. I think the
3. What kind(s) of economic exploitation and abus- basis of this disagreement is probably _________________________ .
es of power related to sexuality do you see still af- c] I have experienced a significant shift from what I used
flicting our society? Do you see similar issues inside to believe to what I believe now. d] Im still deciding.
the church? Discuss. I dont know what I believe yet. If youre comfortable
sharing your answers, see how your response compares
4. The exposition of this chapter is built on a word with others in your group.
6 God and the Gay Christian Discussion Guide
1. The Bible teaches that men and women are made the most? Where did these understandings of God orig-
in Gods image (Genesis 1:27; James 3:9). What is your inate, and how much do you trust that they are true?
personal take on the phrase made in the image of
God? And how much does that idea affect how you 3. On pages 157-158, Matthew shares the story of the
value and treat yourself and others? (pp. 150-154) Robertson family. If you have you ever struggled with
self-hate, in what area(s), and why? Write about how
2. What about Gods nature and ways, as you under- that emotional experience felt, and how it affected the
stand them, do you find yourself drawn to the most? rest of your life, including your openness to God. Share
What about Gods nature or ways do you tend to fear your experience with others if you choose.
God and the Gay Christian Discussion Guide 7
4. If the majority of traditional Christian churches would 5. Do you agree with Matthew that if the church were
decide to affirm same-sex marriage for gay Christians, to bless committed same-sex unions for gay Christians,
what outcomespositive or negativewould you expect we would advance Gods sanctifying purposes for their
to see in the public at large? lives? (p. 162) Talk about it.
In 2013, Matthew Vines founded The Reformation Project to train Christians to support and affirm lesbian, gay,
bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in the church. Sign up at www.reformationproject.org to learn how you can
get involved with The Reformation Project and advance LGBT inclusion in your faith community.