Discrimination against LGBTI persons on the basis of scripture: what did ancient church scholarship really say?
Abstract This article seeks to examine homosexuality from the lens of two particular ancient Christian writers, namely Paul the Apostle and Maximus the Confessor. Both were fervent missionaries and did not perceive their writings as doctrinal or philosophical, but merely practical and a defence agai...
| Published in: | Religion and human rights |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Brill, Nijhoff
2021
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| In: |
Religion and human rights
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| RelBib Classification: | AD Sociology of religion; religious policy CB Christian life; spirituality FA Theology XA Law |
| Further subjects: | B
Paul the Apostle
B ancient Christian scholarship B Discrimination B Maximus the Confessor B LGBTI persons B ancient Christian Church |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (Resolving-System) |
| Summary: | Abstract This article seeks to examine homosexuality from the lens of two particular ancient Christian writers, namely Paul the Apostle and Maximus the Confessor. Both were fervent missionaries and did not perceive their writings as doctrinal or philosophical, but merely practical and a defence against other heretical teachings. Even so, contemporary scholars recognise a great profoundness and innovation in their theology. Paul’s references to homosexuality consist of only three or four sentences, whereas Maximus does not discuss the issue directly, given his preoccupation with matters pertaining to the nature of Christ, which at the time were fiercely contested among various Christian groups. The purpose of the article is to examine scriptural references to homosexuality from the perspective of the spiritual context in which they are made, rather than the canonical, ethical or social perspectives to which most scholars and civil society—whether in favour or against—refer to. Homosexuality in the sense of sexual orientation is unknown at the time and even so it is not specifically singled out. Paul seems to be specifically chastising exploitative sexual actions and relationships, whether homosexual or heterosexual. |
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| ISSN: | 1871-0328 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Religion and human rights
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1163/18710328-BJA10016 |