In recent years, more and more Christian churches who believe same-sex marriage is morally wrong are recommending life-long celibacy as a solution for gay and lesbian Christians. This is an acknowledgement that sexual orientation doesn’t often, if at all, respond to change attempts.
Yet our society isn’t built for celibacy. Perhaps that could be changed. But even so, how is one to understand celibacy? How does the Bible talk about celibacy? Is celibacy ever offered as a solution for avoiding sexual sin or specifically for avoiding same-sex sexuality? And how have LGBTQ people experienced celibacy as a solution for same-sex attraction?
In this episode we interview Matthew Vines. Matthew is the author of God and the Gay Christian. He’s also the founder and executive director of The Reformation Project. You can find out more about his work at the links below:
Book: God and the Gay Christian
The Reformation Project
The Reformation Project’s Youtube Channel
The Reformation Project’s 2020 Conference
Questions for reflection and group discussion:
If you identify as straight: What would be different about your life if all romantic relationships were off limits to you from the time you were an adolescent until the end of your life? What experiences would be taken from your life, and how valuable are those experiences? Are there positive aspects of this? Would those positives be worth what you would be giving up? How would you be treated differently from others in your faith community?
If you are attracted to the same gender: What would be different about your life if your natural attractions were not considered automatically wrong? What if you could marry anyone based on their character, the health of the relationships, and of course their availability? How would your life be different? What experiences would you likely have that you don’t have now? What would you have to give up that is positive? How would this change the way you relate to others in your faith community?
If you are bisexual: Pick your own question, it’s a bisexual perogative.
#05 - Leviticus is the Key to Everything w/ Susan Cottrell
#03 - How to Follow the Law w/ Karen Keen
#02 - The Sin (and Shame) of Sodom w/ Matthias Roberts and Romell Parks-Weekly
#01 - In the Beginning God Made... Intersex? w/ Megan DeFranza and Geoffrey Dorsey
Open Bible: Coming Soon
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Hello Heaven Podcast
Cast The Word
Let Me Be Frank | Bishop Frank Caggiano’s Podcast | Diocese of Bridgeport, CT
The Kingdom Power Fellowship Podcast
The Bible Recap
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)