Dear WBC

I don’t intend to rant, or abuse you; I merely wish to point out that theologically your interpretation of the homosexual question is deeply inaccurate and shows a sketchy interpretation of scripture. As you know, instruction on homosexual behaviour is believed to be found directly only in two places, (excluding a rather confusing passage in Romans), in the cannon, first Leviticus (18:22) and Corinthians (6:9-10). The first condemnation in the Hebrew Bible is simple enough, however its usage in terms of modern Christianity is deeply problematic.

Firstly the Leviticus Law Code was a Jewish-specific set of ritual-forms and was meant to be obeyed by the Jews only, for the purpose of keeping them racially separate from the cultural practices of other nations. Gentiles by the very nature of the Code are excluded. Secondly, on your website you have used the Leviticus quote as a condemnation of homosexuals per se, when in fact (Lev 18:22) is just a condemnation of the active Jewish partner in sexual intercourse. The Hebrew word which means “lie” denotes the partner who inserts his penis, thus Leviticus totally excludes the situation where a gay Gentile (who is excluded from the law) is in a committed same-sex relationship with a Jew and always takes the active role. Thirdly, if you do adopt the Leviticus passage as binding, you are left with the situation where you must acknowledge the other ordinances in the code, or else are you will just be picking the commandments that you like and excluding those you dislike. In this day and age you don’t serious suggest that slavery, animal sacrifice and stoning people to death are permissible? If you do you go against Jesus teaching that condemns many Old Testament practices including stoning for adultery!

The last nail in the coffin of Leviticus’ Biblical validity as a guide for life in the now is found the fact that in the revelation of God through Jesus of Nazareth the Old Law is fulfilled through a new Spiritual Law of Love. According to the teachings of Paul the Old Law is a mode of enslavement, not freedom and should be superseded, although not abolished, by Jesus teaching. Paul says,

“For all those who rely on works of the law are under a curse for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the things written in the book of the law”. Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law….Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us”. Galatians (3:10-13)

This brings us on to the next supposed ant-gay passage Corinthians (6:9-10, which is rendered according the King James Bible thus:

“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortionists, shall inherit the kingdom of God."

The meaning of the passage, when we return to the original Greek is, far from clear, and is open to a number of different interpretations. The Greek word “malakoi”, translated as effeminate or soft in the King James Bible can be rendered in various ways. The New English Version of the Bible for instance translates “malakoi” as “homosexual perversion”, while the New International Version interprets it as “homosexual offenders”, while in contrast earlier versions use the term “Sodomite”. Since the term homosexual was not coined until the 19th century, it would be impossible for this to be an accurate translation. Sodomite is clearly a corruption of the original meaning, because how does the Greek word for soft suddenly becomes sodomite when placed in this context? Effeminate is word which at Paul’s time meant other things apart from homosexual. It referred to a man of loose morals and a debauched lifestyle, of either homosexual or heterosexual orientation and only later became perceived as a specifically homosexual trait.

The traditional meaning the phrase “abusers of themselves with mankind”, is in doubt since the term mankind refers to people generally so is likely to refer man in the plural. To make the interpretation of this phrase more confusing in the past the church interpreted it as a reference to generic interpretation to mutual masturbation, practiced by either sex. If indeed Paul had meant to refer to homosexual relationships generally he would have used the common Greek word “Pederastia”, meaning “boy-love”, or something similar, (since same-sex love was common at the time Paul was writing). Since Paul does not use the term, we must assume that Paul is not discussing homosexuality at all, but is merely talking in general terms about sexual lusts and other vices which lead away from the Kingdom of God. Nothing more specific can be drawn from the passage.

Although the church has had a long tradition of condemnation against homosexuals, when we return to the founding texts any conclusions on the subject are far from conclusive. This we do know, Jesus taught us that the true mark of his discipleship is love and compassion for all, friend or enemy, outsider or insider; to spend time with the prostitutes, the tax-collectors and the sinners our society and give them the healing balm of God’s love . Christian doctrine teaches that we should offer our help, support and comfort to all introspective of their sex, color, creed or moral merit in the eyes of the world .As Paul says, in Christ “there is no longer Greek or Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian and Scythian, slave and free, but Christ is all and in all!” Colossians 3:11. On the contrary to what you say on your website Christianity does teach a radical love for all people. Jesus taught that God showers his love on all human beings as a Father loves his children. He says, “Look at the birds the air, they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” Matthew 6:26. I find that your website by its very nature completely out of line with a Christian understanding of God. You distort God by the your continual reference to God’s judgment and have little or no understanding of the doctrine of agape, that “God is love” and as Christians we called to love one another as Jesus commands us. If your hearts dwell truly in the God who is revealed in the life of Jesus your ministry would be designed to spread peace, goodwill and compassion, not causing discord and ill feeling. Have you ever contemplated that homosexuals are children of the living Father also? Have you considered that it is not down to you to condemn people to Hell; that the fate of each soul is the hands of God and is therefore unknown and not up for discussion? Please look at yourselves and be guided by God’s kindness and gentleness in all things. Stop judging and hating, instead make your ministry a force for goodness. Thanks for your time,

Yours,

Ben Wood, Theology Student, Leeds University, (England)