Doctrinal Standards and Church Unity  |  Homosexuality  |  Women in the Church



What is "the Christian teaching" About Homosexuality?

"It is an unavoidable consequenceof the present weakness and shortness of human understanding that several men will be of several minds in religion as well as in common life.... Although every man necessarily believes that every particular opinion which he holds is true... yet can no man be assured that all his own opinions, taken together, are true." (John Wesley, Sermon "On Catholic Spirit")

Nowhere do Wesley's words seem more appropriate than in the case of the current sharp differences of opinion in the United Methodist Church concerning homosexuality. Perhaps uniquely in history, opinions regarding sexual morality have been made central to Christian doctrine and identity for many Methodists, and indeed these differences of opinion threaten to divide the church. The essays collected here reflect the carefully considered opinions of their authors, deriving from their areas of scholarly expertise. In addition, they attempt to show that traditional Christian teaching, whether biblical or postbiblical, does not directly address or easily resolve the difficult questions being raised in our own time. As always, Wesleyan Christians are called to draw upon the full spectrum of resources--scripture, tradition, reason, and experience--in discerning God's will for the present churches. Each of us who struggles for discernment will believe that our opinions are true. However, Wesley reminds us that we ought to hold our convictions with humility and awareness of our fallability as human creatures. Where persuasion fails, coercion should not take its place in a community rooted in the love of Christ.

Homosexuality: Assessing the Pauline witness --Stephen D. Moore, Professor of New Testament

What are the teachnigs of the ancient church regarding homosexuality (and sexuality more generally)? --Virginia Burrus, Professor of Early Church History

Practicing homosexuality, heterosexuality, and sexuality (in general) --Traci C. West, Associate Professor of Ethics and African American Studies

 

Purpose | Articles | Contributors