The Bible

What does the Bible say about homosexuality & transgender identity?

What does the Bible really say about LGBTQ+ people?

To answer that burning question, two pastors of the Open Door Communities sat down years ago and created a Bible study that deconstructs each of the major “clobber passages” typically weaponized in Christianity to make the false claim that God condemns LGBTQ+ people.

We present that Bible study here with permission of the copyright holders, Rev. Micah Royal and Rev. Katherine Royal. Where the authors reference handouts or online resources, we’ve attempted provided links to current online resources. We’ve also made minor edits for style and clarity.

This Bible study takes the key verses used by scriptural literalists to condemn LGBTQ+ people and sheds light on how, in their historical and cultural contexts, they actually refer to exploitative and abusive forms of sexuality, not loving same-sex partnerships. The fact of the matter is, nowhere in the Bible are committed same-sex relationships condemned.

Chapter Index

  1. Does God Discriminate Against Gay People?
  2. What the Bible Says About Homosexuality
  3. The Book of Genesis and Gay Marriage
  4. What Does the Bible Say About Sodomy?
  5. Abomination in the Bible
  6. Unnatural Lusts
  7. Malakoi and Arsenokoitai: Welcome in Heaven?
  8. Gay Saints (And Bi-Positive Ones)
  9. What Does the Bible Say About Transgenderism?
  10. Be the Change You Wish to See in the World

For even more on the subject, we recommend “The Bible and Homosexuality,” a series of essays published at Whosoever by Rev. Jonathan Loppnow and Rev. Paul C. Evans of the Metropolitan Community Church of Topeka to looks exclusively at the six most prevalent “clobber passages” used to condemn homosexuality, plus several other verses commonly used. 

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