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Evangelical Resources on Homosexuality

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Articles
  3. Websites
  4. Ministry Referrals
  5. Books
  6. Videos
  7. Audio
  8. Mailing Lists
  9. Conferences
  10. Biblical Passages Relating to Homosexuality
  11. Observations
  12. Conclusion

Introduction

Homosexuality one of the most complicated and difficult subjects faced by Evangelical Christians. For Evangelicals, the Biblical teaching on homosexuality is absolutely clear: Homosexuality behavior is a sin. When Evangelicals encounter individuals engaged in homosexuality, the immediate sin problem often becomes a barrier to further dialogue. Homosexuals themselves, embittered by the label "sinner" they feel Christians pejoratively apply, become belligerent and often aggressive in conversation. As a result, there has been a tremendous rift between the Evangelical community and homosexuals, creating a challenge to those who would build bridges for further dialogue.

Complicating matters, some individuals who claim the name of Christ have openly advocated hatred toward homosexuals, told them they are "going to hell," and have even encouraged criminal action against them. This is entirely contrary to Biblical teaching, and promoting hate against another human being is a sin. Homosexuals are still human beings created in the image of God, albeit fallen and in sin. Christians do not have the right to damn others to hell, only to warn those without Christ of the end of the road they are headed down. Evangelicals have repeatedly spoken against the hate, but the extreme cases are the ones that are reported in media, and are the ones homosexuals remember. The cycle of hate is a nearly insurmountable barrier to dialogue - one that can be broken down only by the love of Christ.

In addition, many homosexuals, still looking to fill spiritual longings within a Christian worldview, have used God's grace to interpret Christian liberty to include homosexuality. This antinomian understanding of grace unfortunately is only half of the gospel message, as it forgets the transforming work of the Holy Spirit in the believer's life, conforming him to the image of Christ, not to the image of the world. There is a serious danger that the new homosexually inclusive churches will slide far from Biblical orthodoxy and become cults unto themselves in the coming years.

Clearly, this is a complex issue, fraught with misunderstanding and misrepresentation on all sides. As Evangelical Christians, we are called to untangle this web in truth: a role that requires a great discernment, greater patience, and the greatest love possible - that of Jesus Christ. Homosexuals are very much like the lepers during Jesus Christ's ministry - shunned by the religious, but loved by Christ. Evangelicals have a unique opportunity, despite the challenges, to reach out to hurting and lonely people in need of His transforming grace.

As always, this page should be considered a work in progress. Much of the material here, though presented from a conservative perspective, is highly controversial. As such, I need to take a moment to emphasize that I hold myself to a higher standard of source material than a typical fundamentalist Christian (I am evangelical, not fundamentalist) and insist on the use of materials that are respectable in an academic setting. If you feel that anything I have posted here is unfair and inaccurate, or if you have comments, issues, or concerns, please email me directly: michaelh@ductape.net

Articles

This is by no means a comprehensive collection of resources available on homosexuality. Many more articles are faithfully blogged by Exodus Media Synopsis:

Exodus Media Synopsis
[ http://exodus.blogs.com/ ]

General Articles on Homosexuality

Articles on "Coming Out" of Homosexuality

Articles on Struggling against Sin

Articles on the Possibility of Change

Articles on Genetic Theories

Articles on Same-Sex Marriage

Articles relating to Homosexuality and AIDS

Articles on Biblical Reinterpretation

Articles on Homosexual Theology

Articles on Homophobia

"The term 'homophobia' is often used inaccurately to describe any person who objects to homosexual behavior on either moral, psychological or medical grounds. Technically, however, the terms actually denotes a person who has a phobia - or irrational fear - of homosexuality. Principled disagreement, therefore, cannot be labeled 'homophobia.' "

- NARTH Position Statement: Homophobia

Websites

Ministry Referrals

Books

This is by no means a comprehensive list; however it is a representative sample of the resources that are available. This topic has received a great deal of attention from Evangelical authors in recent years. Many more books are available through Regeneration Books:

Regeneration Books
Books and resources on Homosexuality and Christianity
[ http://www.regenbooks.org/ ]

Regeneration Books maintains a diverse inventory of books on homosexuality.

Recovering from Homosexuality

Homosexuality, Theology, and Biblical Interpretation

Books on Same-Sex Marriage

Academic Works on Homosexuality

Homosexuality and Public Life

Other Resources on Homosexuality