Purity codes and other forms of Christian cleanliness have excluded people for centuries, keeping out entire communities who did not follow one way of living, one way of interpreting scripture and one way that works for one group of people – namely, those with all the power.
Searching for false gods: a challenge to the argument for inclusiveness
The theological assertion of God’s inclusive nature is used to justify the church’s inclusion of gay persons into the full life of the church. Could not another person, equally sincere, conclude from scripture that God is not affirming of sexual relationships between same sex persons?
When a transwoman served me communion
To be presented the Body of Christ by a transwoman created a role reversal I had not anticipated. As a pastor, I am accustomed to being the one serving the elements. Today, I was the one who received. And in that moment, I was changed yet again.
It’s past time for the Church to embrace the Rainbow Christ
When it comes to honoring the sacredness of our LGBTQ siblings’ sexualities, we have often been guilty of painting Christ using monochrome colors of exclusivity, narrowness and fear rather than the vibrant colors of inclusivity, expansion and love.
Being ‘barely Christian’ as a way of being authentically Christian
My friend describes herself as “barely Christian.” It was what happened at church, as folk poured out judgment on persons she loved, that made her question what it meant to be a Christian.
3 words for the church in 2019: ‘we were wrong’
If the church of Jesus Christ is to be relevant in our mission, if we are to be agents of God’s reconciling love, we’ve got to take a hard look in the mirror. And in God’s grace to muster the courage to say we were wrong.
Why being transgender is not a sin
Transgender identity is about who a person is. It’s not about who they love or what actions they take that might be sinful in the sense that we all sin. It is about their fundamental being as humans created by God in God’s image – an image that God has declared to be good.
Sex expert says Genesis not final word on gender roles
Sexologist William Stayton said biology doesn’t support a literal interpretation of the story of Adam and Eve to explain the difference between the sexes last week at a JUST SEX Conference sponsored by the Alliance of Baptists. Stayton, professor emeritus…
When it comes to sex, turn to Bible, not biblical interpretation, scholar says
A good starting point for understanding what the Bible says about sex is the Bible, an Episcopalian scholar said at three-day discussion of “just” sex arranged by the Alliance of Baptists Oct. 18-20 in Nashville, Tenn. Kelly Brown Douglas, canon…
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JUSTSEX plenary speaker will draw on long career focused on sexuality, sex education
“We don’t talk a lot about sex. There’s a lot of secretiveness. I hope that the JUSTSEX conference will get people more comfortable talking about sexuality issues and (help them) come up with good problem-solving skills.”
Religion Notes: One Baptist group urges end to Holy Land violence while another talks sex
An occasional compilation of events from around the religious world. To suggest items for inclusion, email assistant editor Jeff Brumley at [email protected].
The nation is grappling with mass gun killings. Why is the BGAV focused on human sexuality?
At this moment, why is the Baptist General Association of Virginia Executive Board talking about human sexuality? Yes, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship recently released their Illumination findings. And the CBF faces criticism from the right and the left for it. Right now, who cares?