Position Paper: "Homosexuality"
1. Read (in context) the following biblical materials: Genesis 19:1-9; Leviticus 18-20; 1 Cor 6; I Tim 1; and Rom 1-3.
2. Read: (all except Furnish & USCCB are on Brightspace)
a. Furnish, "Homosexuality," (The Moral Teaching of Paul, 55-93).
b. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, "The Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons," in Siker, Homosexuality in the Church, 39-48
c. John J. McNeill, "Homosexuality: Challenging the Church to Grow," in Siker, Homosexuality in the Church, 49-58
d. J. Siker, "Homosexual Christians, the Bible, and Gentile Inclusion," in Siker, Homosexuality in the Church, 178-194
e. USCCB, "Always Our Children"
3. Think about the following questions:
- What do the biblical texts say and not say about "homosexuality"? What is the conception of "homosexuality" in the biblical passages?
- What did Paul mean by the term "homosexuality," and what are the problems in talking about Paul's view of "homosexuality"?
- What bearing do/should biblical statements have on contemporary discussions regarding gay/lesbian relationships?
- Is a gay/lesbian orientation itself an expression of sin? If so, why? If not, why not? (And what does "sin" mean?)
- Is the active sexual expression of gays/lesbians sinful? Why/why not?
- Is homophobia (see McNeill's article) an expression of sin, of ignorance, or is it a legitimate fear? Why/why not?
- How does/should the church respond to gays/lesbians who wish to share their gifts and ministries within the church?
- How does the Supreme Court ruling legalizing gay marriage affect the debate?
4. In your paper (4-5 type-written pages, double-spaced), address the following questions:
a. Is there a biblical position on "homosexuality"? What are the problems in assessing biblical (and especially Paul's) understandings of "homosexuality"?
b. Given your reading of Paul and Furnish, how do you assess the arguments of Ratzinger, McNeill, and Siker? With which position do you most agree and why? How might one object to your position? How would you respond?
Attachment:- Assignment File.rar