An Important Bible Discussion

Dear Editor:

I would like to respond to Joann Beard's article from the Feb. 25 Courier. This is an important discussion. As I said in my earlier “letter to the editor” it is always important to read the Bible within its historical context and to turn to the original language in which it was written. Mrs. Beard refers both to verses in Paul's letter to the church in Rome and Paul's first letter to the Corinthians. First let me speak of the word translation. In Romans and in Corinthians Paul uses the word malakia which translates as “lover of boys (paiderastein).” Specifically, the homosexuality that Paul and Philo are speaking of in their historical setting is the sexual exploitation of boys by older men. Paul does not speak of anything that resembles what 21st Century people are discussing when they talk about LGBT concerns.

Second, in Paul's letter to the Romans his main concern is the lack of acceptance of Gentiles by the developing church. So when Paul is making his long list of sins, the point that he is trying to make is that Jews as well as Gentiles, men as well as women, are guilty of sin. Notice that this verse in Romans is the only place that Paul talks about lesbianism, if indeed that is what he is referencing. The word could also be understood as masturbation! Lesbianism was not a concern in Paul's culture. It is reminiscent of Paul's all inclusive statement, “There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28) The drum that Paul was beating is that Gentiles are equally welcome with Jews in the church. Gentiles are not lesser members to the Jews in the budding church. Indeed, Jewish men and women are just as prone to the above mentioned sins as are Gentiles.

It is also important to read a passage within its context. If one begins at 1 Corinthians 5:1-11, it is obvious that what Paul is talking about is either incest or adultery – “a man living with his father's wife.” Paul urges them to “drive the wicked person out,” that is the man living with his father's wife. In 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 Paul is in the midst of a longer discussion about unity in the church. He is disturbed that the Corinthian church is being torn apart by people who are claiming loyalty to Paul and his teachings or to Apollos and his. Paul states they are both, “servants through whom you came to believe.” Paul's concern in his First letter to the Corinthian Church is about the factions who are claiming different loyalties and are trying to say that different gifts are more important that than others.

Paul is concerned that the church is being torn apart by these differences. He also addresses situations that have come to his attention like the man living with his father's wife who, Paul believes, should be driven out of the church. These passages have nothing to do with Paul's understanding of homosexuality.

Also, Mrs. Beard, I agree that churches and other organizations that work closely with children need to be sure that the children are safe. I think that is your concern. Most churches now have what is called a “safe church” policy. Through that policy anyone who is working with children goes through a background check. This can be expensive, but our church, as I know some others, can go through their property insurance and get a thorough background check on anyone who works with children and youth. Also the safe church materials urge churches to always have two, unrelated adults present with children and youth at all times.

It is interesting to note that statistically the largest group of pedophiles are white, heterosexual, males. (Data from Alan P. Bell and Martin S. Weinberg. Homosexuality and Sexual Preference. Bloomington, Indiana: Indiana University Press. 1981. Also: Allen P. Bell, Martin S. Weinberg, and Sue Kiefer Hammersmith. Sexual Preference: Its Development in Men and Women. Bloomington, Indiana: Indiana University Press. 1981.) What the material says is that, “90 percent of child molesters are heterosexual.”

Yes, Mrs Beard, the Old Testament does talk about homosexuality as an abomination. It also talks about putting people to death who work on the Sabbath Day and do not honor it. Remember, Christians do not worship on the Sabbath, the last day of the week. Christians worship on the first day of the week, the day when Jesus was resurrected. So if we are following scripture then everyone who works on Saturday should be put to death. Bell's Funeral Home is going to be very busy.

Finally, the Book of Ezekiel is listing all the ways that the nation has fallen away from God's justice. What is God's justice about? It is calling the nation to account for not caring for the poor, the widow, the orphan, and the stranger. It is about calling people to account for treating others with violence and disrespect. They do not care for the land. They do not honor the Sabbath Day. The list goes on. The priests are not calling the nation to account and are participating in the same evils. That is the problem.

Rev. Susan Watterson, retired

Glasgow