In the past couple of months I have found myself involved in many discussions around a biblical approach to same-sex relationships. Not only is our Parliament to debate same-sex marriage, but some prominent Christian leaders, including Steve Chalke, Tony Campolo, and ethicist David Gushee have...
Same sex marriage and the failure of evangelical ethics
I was out for dinner this week when someone wondered whether in 20 years time gay couples will be welcomed and affirmed in our churches and whether we will be as embarrassed by our present opposition to gay relationships as we are that Christians once argued in support of slavery, racial...
A 17th Century Baptist Speaks To Us About Marriage Equality
Opposition leader Bill Shorten has announced he will introduce a private members bill legislating for marriage equality. As we consider this I think we have something to learn from the 17th century Baptist leader Thomas Helwys, who issued the first call for religious freedom written in the English...
If pornography is so bad,
why does the Bible give us the Song of Songs?
Christianity has a reputation for being prudish about sexual desire. Yet the Old Testament contains an extended erotic love poem in which two lovers anticipate their lovemaking. From the outset it is dripping with sexual desire: “Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth–for your love is...
Why Churches Should Be a Safe Place for LGBT Oriented People to Come Out
Young people who are same-sex attracted (SSA) experience victimisation, harassment and abuse because of their sexual identity. Those who are open about their sexuality frequently experience abuse and rejection by family and friends. Consequently they do not feel safe about ‘coming-out’ and instead...
The Ethics of Sex: Deciphering the Debate Over Sexual Ethics
What is a Christian sexual ethic and how does it inform our approach issues such as defacto marriages and homosexual partnerships? This paper introduces the key issues involved in developing a biblically shaped sexual ethic, overviews different approaches and explores the ways key biblical texts...