Science, Scripture, and Homosexuality

by Bellis, Alice Ogden

• ISBN13: 9780829814859
• ISBN10: 082981485X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-04-01
• Publisher: Pilgrim Pr

Summary

Homosexuality is a conflict-ridden issue in religion. One factor leading to negative attitudes is interpretation regarding the Bible's stance on the subject.

Alice Ogden Bellis and Terry L. Hufford provide a new approach to the subject by focusing on the way biblical interpreters have responded to other historical, scientific advances that conflicted with a literal reading of the Bible. They contend that Christians became convinced the Bible is authoritative in matters of religion, but not of science.

Written in a highly accessible way, the book explains the basics of genetics and the growing evidence suggesting an organic basis for homosexual orientation.

Bellis interprets problematic biblical passages about homosexuality and deftly illustrates:

-- They are based on ancient perspectives on human sexuality and natural law that modern science is rapidly making obsolete

-- Some are oriented toward ancient practices of homosexuality, which were radically different from the current situation

-- The Bible may be read as supporting either heterosexual or

Author Biography

Alice Ogden Bellis is professor of Old Testament language and literature at Howard University School of Divinity and an ordained Presbyterian minister.

Table of Contents

Preface	7	(6)
Science, Sexual Orientation, and the Christian community	13	(33)
The Importance of Methodology and Sampling	18	(2)
Understanding Human Genetics	20	(3)
Genetic Research	23	(2)
Concordance Studies	25	(5)
Hormonal Studies	30	(7)
The Impact of Environment and Interpretation	37	(4)
Additional Viewpoints	41	(5)
When Science Diverges From Scripture	46	(32)
The Shape of the Earth	47	(4)
The Copernican Revolution	51	(2)
Copernicanism among the Protestants	53	(5)
Galileo and the Roman Catholic Church	58	(7)
The New Geology	65	(3)
Darwinism	68	(7)
Christian Responses to Scientific Advances	75	(3)
Principles of Biblical Interpretation	78	(15)
Hermeneutical Perspectives Related to Homosexuality	79	(4)
A Tradition of Reinterpretation	83	(3)
The Teaching of the Apostles	86	(4)
Model Interpreters	90	(3)
New Approaches to Ancient Texts	93	(30)
Creation and (Homo) Sexuality	94	(2)
Genesis 19 (and Judges 19)	96	(4)
Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13	100	(6)
Homosexuality in the Cult?	106	(1)
Noah, Ham, and Canaan	106	(2)
David and Jonathan, Ruth and Naomi	108	(1)
Summary of Passages in the Hebrew Scriptures	108	(1)
New Testament Teaching on Homosexuality	108	(5)
Influences Shaping Paul's Views on Homosexuality	113	(4)
Applying Hermeneutical Principles to Biblical Texts	117	(3)
New Testament Teaching on Judgment	120	(1)
Reflections on the Bible's Teaching on Sexuality	121	(1)
Gifts from Conflict	122	(1)
Scripture Index	123	(2)
General Index	125