“I’m afraid I’m going to hell because I’m not attracted to men. Please give me an unbiased interpretation of Romans 1.”

We received this question from a young woman, M.V.

This podcast was created by one of Google’s newest AI engines, NotebookLM. (https://notebookLM.google.com)

We gave NotebookLM M.V.’s question and these six quotes:

1. Justin Lee, from the book: “Torn: Rescuing the Gospel from the Gays-vs.-Christians Debate”:

“Paul’s writings in Romans 1 are about people who turned away from God and engaged in lustful, excessive behaviors. This is different from a loving, committed same-sex relationship.”

2. Janet Edmonds who I have quoted frequently in this series, says in part: “The behavior Paul (…author of the book of Romans…) was addressing here is explicitly associated with idol worship (probably temple prostitution…’

“In the surrounding culture it was common for men of a higher status to take sexual advantage of male slaves or male prostitutes…”

“The laws at the time in Rome allowed a master to demand sexual services from any slave, male or female”

“Paul was not talking about homosexuality and didn’t have in mind specifically prohibiting consensual same-sex relationships.”

3. Matthew Vines, in his book “God and the Gay Christian”: says

“Paul’s references to ‘unnatural’ relations in Romans 1:26-27 are often misunderstood. He was addressing specific cultural practices of his time, not committed, loving same-sex relationships as we understand them today.”

4. Rev. Dr. Mel White, Book: “What the Bible Says—and Doesn’t Say—about Homosexuality”:

“Romans 1:26-27 must be read in the context of the entire chapter, which condemns idolatry and excessive lust, not loving same-sex relationships.”

5. Kathy Baldock, in her book “Walking the Bridgeless Canyon”:

“Paul’s use of ‘natural’ and ‘unnatural’ in Romans 1 reflects the cultural norms of his time, not a universal condemnation of same-sex relationships.”

6. James Brownson, “Bible, Gender, Sexuality: Reframing the Church’s Debate on Same-Sex Relationships”:

“Romans 1, 26 and 27 addresses behaviors that were seen as dishonorable and excessive, not the loving, committed relationships we see today.”

For more information about NotebookLM:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0LMPb9JJnosPj8SPVRSF9z?si=rrOjkTrAR0eGO0Otrv5zfg&t=1466&context=spotify%3Ashow%3A44fllCS2FTFr2x2kjP9xeT