Does the Bible Affirm Same-Sex Relationships?: Examining 10 Claims about Scripture and Sexuality

by Rebecca McLaughlin

Overview

You may have heard the claim that the Bible, when read correctly, is not against believers entering monogamous, faithful same-sex relationships. The arguments sound quite compelling. "Jesus never talked about same-sex relationships.” “Paul was only condemning exploitative relationships, not consensual ones.” “We don’t keep the Old Testament food laws, so why would we keep the ones on same-sex sex?” “If God is love, he can’t be against relationships of love.” And more. Have Christians through the ages just been getting this one wrong?

In this concise book, Rebecca McLaughlin looks at ten of the most common arguments used to claim that the Bible affirms same-sex sexual relationships. She analyzes the arguments and associated Bible passages one by one to uncover what the Bible really says.

For Rebecca, as someone with a lifelong history of same-sex attraction, this is not just an academic question. But rather than concluding that the Bible does affirm same-sex marriage, she points readers to the gospel purpose of male-female marriage, a different kind of gospel-centered love between believers of the same sex, and God's life-and-love-filled vision for singleness.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781784989712
Publisher:	The Good Book Company
Publication date:	05/01/2024
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	4.30(w) x 6.80(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Rebecca McLaughlin holds a PhD in renaissance literature from Cambridge University and a theology degree from Oak Hill College in London. She is former vice president of content at the Veritas Forum, where she spent almost a decade working with Christian academics at leading secular universities. She's the author of several books including Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World's Largest Religion, and Is Christmas Unbelievable?

Table of Contents

Introduction: A Tale of Two Testimonies

Claim 1: Christians Should Just Focus on the Gospel Message of Jesus’ Love

Claim 2: Jesus Was Silent on Same-Sex Relationships

Claim 3: God’s Judgment on Sodom Isn’t a Judgment on Same-Sex Relationships

Claim 4: It’s Inconsistent to Keep the Old Testament Laws on Same-Sex Sex but Not Shellfish

Claim 5: Paul Condemns Exploitative Same-Sex Relationships, Not Consensual Ones

Claim 6: The Word Homosexual Wasn’t Used in Bibles until 1946. It’s a Misinterpretation

Claim 7: Paul Was Condemning Excessive Lust, Not Same-Sex Sexual Orientation

Claim 8: The Trajectory of the Bible Is Toward Abolishing Slavery and Affirming Same-Sex Marriage

Claim 9: Unchosen Celibacy Yields Bad Fruit

Claim 10: A God of Love Can’t Be Against Relationships of Love

Epilogue

Editorial Reviews

With characteristic clarity and compassion, Rebecca McLaughlin examines the most common arguments that Christians use to support the idea that God affirms same-sex relationships. Careful and nuanced argument will help the reader have confidence in what the Bible does teach—and assurance that it is good news for everyone, including those who experience same-sex attraction.

Ros Clarke (Associate Director

This book explains in a powerful, clear, and compelling way what the Bible says about same-sex relationships. I love Rebecca’s writing. She writes with humility, precision, and faithfulness, and the gospel testimony that comes through it is beautiful. You’ll come away from this book not only better informed but more in awe of God’s incredible, sustaining grace.

J.D. Greear (J.D. Greear

This is a timely and sensitive book that offers a positive vision for human relationships. It shows that responsible handling of the Bible can lead to more love, not less.

Peter J Williams (Principal

Rebecca McLaughlin is not afraid to tackle the toughest questions our culture has for Christianity, and in this short book she has again shown her willingness to teach biblical truth clearly, straightforwardly, and compassionately. I hope this book is widely read by both those who agree and those who disagree.

Kathy Keller (co-author of The Meaning of Marriage and Assistant Director of Communications at Redee

This is outstanding: short, readable, warm, well illustrated, clear, and gracious. Rebecca’s blend of personal experience, biblical study, and cultural wisdom is richly displayed in this book, and it is just what we need.

Andrew Wilson (Teaching Pastor

This book offers gentle correction to those who long for a biblical reinterpretation that allows for same-sex marriage, while also offering a liberating vision of singleness and relationship intimacy within the body of Christ. McLaughlin shows how a truly biblical understanding of sexuality focuses all of us on Jesus. This is an important and grace-filled little book.

Darryl Williamson (Lead Pastor

It can be easy for Christians today to wonder if we’ve got it wrong on an issue as high-stakes as same-sex sexuality. Deeply biblical, and illustrated in real-life examples, Rebecca McLaughlin’s book shows us the Bible’s consistent and compelling vision for human sexuality. Christians will find this illuminating, reassuring, and deeply encouraging.

Sam Allberry (Pastor at Immanuel Church

With sensitivity, faithfulness, and clarity, Rebecca McLaughlin addresses ten questions often raised about the Bible and same-sex relationships. For each, she deftly engages with different interpretations of the Bible’s teaching and, in dialogue with personal stories, provides a more compelling interpretation. A most helpful book for anyone wanting concise, accessible, sensitive, and biblically faithful approaches to these questions.

James Robson (Principal

It can be easy for Christians today to wonder if we’ve got it wrong on an issue as high-stakes as same-sex sexuality. Deeply biblical, and illustrated in real-life examples, Rebecca McLaughlin’s book shows us the Bible’s consistent and compelling vision for human sexuality. Christians will find this illuminating, reassuring, and deeply encouraging.

Sam Allberry

This book explains in a powerful, clear, and compelling way what the Bible says about same-sex relationships. I love Rebecca’s writing. She writes with humility, precision, and faithfulness, and the gospel testimony that comes through it is beautiful. You’ll come away from this book not only better informed but more in awe of God’s incredible, sustaining grace.

J.D. Greear (J.D. Greear is the pastor at The Summit Church)

This book explains in a powerful, clear, and compelling way what the Bible says about same-sex relationships. I love Rebecca’s writing. She writes with humility, precision, and faithfulness, and the gospel testimony that comes through it is beautiful. You’ll come away from this book not only better informed but more in awe of God’s incredible, sustaining grace.

J. D. Greear (J.D. Greear is the pastor at The Summit Church)