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AR 20:15 - A "biblical case [for] same-sex relationships"?
Apologia Report 20:15 (1,244)
April 16, 2015
In this issue:
HOMOSEXUALITY - the best possible "biblical case in support of same-sex relationships?"
MISSION - "an invaluable resource for missions practitioners, students, church leaders, and academics alike"
OLD TESTAMENT CRITICISM - so much for academics being stuffy, uncreative humbugs
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HOMOSEXUALITY
God and the Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Relationships, by Matthew Vines [1] -- Glenn R. Kreider (Professor of Theological Studies, Dallas Theological Seminary) begins his review: "Vines is 'the founder of the Reformation Project <reformationproject.org>, a Bible-based nonprofit organization that seeks to reform church teaching on sexual orientation and gender identity.'
"He explains his goal for this book: 'My core argument in this book is not simply that some Bible passages have been misinterpreted and others have been given undue weight. My larger argument is this: *Christians who affirm the full authority of Scripture can also affirm committed, monogamous same-sex relationships*.' He continues, 'Instead of accepting the divide between more progressive Christians who support marriage equality and conservative Christians who oppose it, this book envisions a future in which *all* Christians come to embrace and affirm their LGBT brothers and sisters - without undermining their commitment to the authority of the Bible.'
"The book begins with Vines's story of his discovery of his sexual orientation and of his disclosure to his family. He returns to this narrative throughout the book, particularly to describe his parents' process of coming to accept their son's support of gay marriage.
"Vines believes that the traditional interpretation of biblical texts needs to change. ...
"The methodology Vines uses when he deals with the biblical texts is flawed. He starts with his story and then approaches the Scriptures in an attempt to discover the cause for the biblical condemnation of 'same sex relationships.' ... [N]ot being able to conceive a reason for the condemnation of homosexual practice, Vines concludes, 'The church's condemnation of same-sex relationships seemed to be harmful to the long-term wellbeing of most gay people.' ...
"Vines does discuss those biblical texts that have traditionally been understood as condemning homosexuality. Not surprisingly, he interprets them differently. ... There is little interaction with commentaries ... or the articles by New Testament scholars, historians, or theologians who hold the traditional view.
"Vines has an agenda in writing this book. His final sentences summarize it well: 'As more believers are coming to realize, affirming our gay brothers and sisters isn't simply one possible path Christians can take. It isn't just a valid option. This kind of love and affirmation - regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity - is, in fact, a requirement of Christian faithfulness.' For Vines, affirming gay Christians necessarily includes supporting homosexual practice and gay marriage.
"He has not succeeded in proving his thesis. Many Christians throughout history have understood the Bible to condemn homosexual practice. Since marriage is the union of a man and a woman, they have called those who are not married to a life of faithfulness in celibacy. Surely, it is possible to love and encourage people while also calling them to forsake behavior that the Bible condemns.
"Vines writes in a persuasive and accessible style. He believes strongly in his position, and he advocates for it. But he has tried to defend an indefensible view. The Bible does not support gay marriage. It also does not support homosexual practice." Bibliotheca Sacra, 172:1 - 2015, pp112-114.
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MISSION
Understanding Christian Mission: Participation in Suffering and Glory, by Scott W. Sunquist (Dean, School of Intercultural Studies, Fuller Seminary) [2] -- for reviewer Sarita D. Gallagher (Assistant Professor of Religion, George Fox University), this book "is the text for which missiologists and mission practitioners have been waiting. In Sunquist's three-part exploration of mission history, theology, and practice, the author presents a well researched, ecumenical, and theologically balanced exploration....
"Sunquist incorporates missiological definitions and ecclesiological examples from Protestant, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, and orthodox Christian communities. ...
"In the first section, Sunquist follows the unfolding story of Christian mission from the monastic period to the contemporary missionary movement. ...
"In the second section, Sunquist presents a Trinitarian theology of mission exploring the role of God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit in fulfilling the mission of God. Of particular interest in this section is Sunquist's exploration of the Holy Spirit's role in the expansion of the global Church. ...
"Finally, in the third section, Sunquist explores contemporary issues that are central to Christian mission today. Of note in this section is Sunquist's discussion in chapters 9 and 10 on the Church's unique relationship with the mission of God. ... Sunquist argues that the church is inherently missionary in its nature and purpose. ... As the popular adage states: 'The church does not have a mission - God's mission has a church.' ...
"The final section ... limits itself to the institutional church, largely ignoring trans-global mission efforts and para-church organizations. While this decision was made to appeal to local congregants, the opportunity is unfortunately lost to speak to the emerging trends within missiology." (Think again. Approaching 500 pages already, at what point would a much longer text jeopardize its popularity and price point?)
"While the mere scope of Sunquist's task is noteworthy in and of itself, perhaps one of the most valuable contributions of the text is the author's approach to the discussion of global missiology. ... Sunquist includes a wide variety of historical and contemporary voices, which present a diversity of theological, geographical, and ecclesiological perspectives. [He also] incorporates global case studies and narratives, which depart from the traditional Western academic style of discourse and appeal to a global audience. In a field that has been dominated for decades by Western-centric scholarship, Sunquist's approach is refreshing and timely."
Gallagher concludes that this book "is an invaluable resource for missions practitioners, students, church leaders, and academics alike." Christian Scholar's Review, 44:2 - 2015, pp191-4.
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OLD TESTAMENT CRITICISM
We occasionally come across an example of uncritical liberal scholarship that's so breathtakingly adrift that we can't help but mention it. Clement Grene unintentionally provides such an occasion with his review of The Old Ones in the Old Book: Pagan Roots of the Hebrew Old Testament, by Philip West [3]. "In a brief, engaging book, Philip West aims to explain the pagan or polytheistic roots of Old Testament religion. The book is aimed at a general readership, particularly at readers with an interest in paganism (Moon Books, which published The Old Ones, is an imprint of John Hunt Publishing which specializes in New Age literature).
"West's method is to contrast what he calls the 'official plot' of the Old Testament, meaning the message that its final, strictly monotheistic, compositors and editors wished to impose, and the scattered evidence of a more complex and tortuous journey towards monotheism.
"West begins with the patriarchs and directs readers to the widely-accepted theory that each patriarch was originally associated with [his] own tutelary deity. These individual deities all later came to be identified with Yahweh. In dealing with the emergence of Yahweh himself, West gives strong arguments for the case that Yahweh was originally a distinctive tribal deity with his own unique characteristics and moods, not the emotionless supreme deity of Platonic philosophy.
"West then traces the development of the Yahwist cult in Canaan and gives examples of the ways that Yahwists incorporate elements of pagan fertility rites honouring deities such as El and Baal into the Yahwist rites. He then discusses how David co-opted Yahwist ideology to secure his own right to the throne....
"West then gives evidence for how common syncretism was in both Israel and Judah during the time of the first Temple.... He ends with a chapter listing the advantages of paganism and calling for the embrace of the Old Testament's pagan roots.
"Few of West's historical statements will be disputed by any biblical scholar. [Well, at least those with advanced dementia. - RP] Indeed, one of the impressive and enjoyable things about the work is how lucid and succinct West can make various debates and theories within the fields. [Right.] The book's only flaws are the unspoken assumptions it seems to make." [Rather like saying "It *seems* there is an elephant standing on my head."] Expository Times, 126:2 - 2015, p101.
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SOURCES: Monographs
1 - God and the Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Relationships, by Matthew Vines (Convergent, June 2015, paperback, 224 pages) <www.goo.gl/EZbo7X>
2 - Understanding Christian Mission: Participation in Suffering and Glory, by Scott W. Sunquist (Baker, 2013, hardcover, 464 pages) <www.goo.gl/GjvCL6>
3 - The Old Ones in the Old Book: Pagan Roots of the Hebrew Old Testament, by Philip West (Moon, 2012, paperback, 141 pages) <www.goo.gl/jFtAYO>
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