A scholarly approach to the gay/Christian debate

In her new book, "Scripture, Ethics, and the Possibility of Same-Sex Relationships," author Karen Keen takes a scholarly look at how church history, theology, and Bible interpretation impact people’s views on same-sex marriage and relationships.
In this week's Facebook Live interview, we talk about her findings and discuss her thoughts on a previous show I recorded with Alan Chambers.
To participate in future interviews live, visit my Facebook page at / geekyjustin
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[@johannesdorr9590]

I've read Karen's book twice, and I can't recommend it highly enough. It's definitely one of the best books to be found on this topic. There are three things I most appreciate about this book: First, she is focusing on the issues that really matter in the current debate. Second, the points she makes are well-established and based on thorough scholarly work, including lots of references. Third, her arguments are well-balanced and always respectful to differing standpoints. I might add that despite its scholarly content, the book is concise and a relatively easy read, providing also a good introduction for people who aren't familiar with the topic or the current debate.

[@chriskaldor8258]

When talking to others about the different perspectives of the church on same-sex marriage, I tend to describe the "Gospel Coalition same-sex attracted evangelicals" as the "Side X remnant". Side X being the 'Ex-gay' perspective. I use that term for the reasons you describe in the video; a lot of people in this group seem to use the arguments and ideas that the Ex gay movement did and still does, even though they themselves do not support conversion therapy. In her videos, Jackie Hill Perry even uses the phrase "the opposite of homosexuality isn't heterosexuality, but holiness," that Exodus International used to plug. And there are a number of people in the Side X remnant who describe themselves as "Ex-gay", including Becket Cook, Jackie Hill Perry, and even Rosaria Butterfield has made that claim about herself, even though it isn't clear whether she even was exclusively same-sex attracted to begin with. I myself am Side A, but I do worry that the Side X remnant seems to be the predominant viewpoint at least in my circle. I appreciate how even the Side B Christians can affirm the good and wonderful parts of their sexuality, whereas the Side X remnant claim that a gay person's sexual orientation is so fallen that they can't even call themselves 'gay'. Even without considering same-sex marriage, there are a number of positive aspects within a gay person's sexuality (and straight person's for that matter), which is why I find the Side X remnant so out of touch with reality, and often they have to jump through multiple hoops to avoid the science behind sexual orientation and twist scriptures to prove their point. I think the only two feasible positions in this debate are really the Side A and B to be honest. Anyways, apologies for my ramble, but thank you for doing this interview. I've read Karen's book and found it immensely helpful and interesting.

[@caraboska]

Not all of the ministries affiliated with Exodus were like that. I was involved with one in the late 1980s, and we were told all of the following from the outset: 1. Your same-sex attraction will not disappear. 2. You may or may not acquire the ability to be attracted to at least one member of the opposite sex sufficiently to be happily married (and after all, you only need to be attracted to one person - if you marry at all, you are only going to marry that one person, not all members of their gender) 3. You may certainly hope to acquire this ability, but you cannot _assume_ that this will happen. So you need to focus on how you are going to live here and now, in the condition in which you presently find yourself. 4. Your aim in coming here cannot be to " become straight". Your aim must be to please God in how you conduct your personal life, regardless of whether you do or do not acquire the ability to be attracted to a member of the opposite sex. 5. Coming here "to become straight" is therefore an act of idolatry [from which you must abstain]. So, what we worked on was such things as: - issues from our family of origin - replacing unhealthy relationship patterns with healthy ones - learning to view all persons with pure eyes, i.e. in a manner devoid of lust - learning to live contentedly as a single, celibate person. I personally believe that these are things that all persons of all orientations must learn in order to be able to have a healthy relationship, if God sees fit to provide one. As they used to tell us, it is no accident that we all come into the world single... So I am grateful for my time there, even if I now find their complementarian views on gender and gender roles to be downright pernicious.

[@TressBraga]

Excellent scholarly interview! Thank you both for the work you do ♥️

[@WesleyRobinsonConsulting]

Love the videos and all these great guests! Keep it up. We need you.

[@GreatGrannyFreeBird]

Good interview. Was nice to meet her and learn about her book. I plan to order it.

[@kaylarowland6198]

wonderful discussion :)) so happy I found this channel

[@ChangeOfTimesx]

Aw man, just saw this in my subscription feed but it's midnight and I have to wake up for work in 5 and a half hours. Guess I'll watch it tomorrow, ha. Can't wait to watch, though. Thank you, Justin!

[@anthonycarbonaro7890]

Karen Keen’s book is terrific!

[@sethfry9788]

Please keep making videos

[@anthonycarbonaro7890]

Very excellent

[@confusios1654]

Good on ya girl! God bless y’all!