LGBTQ+

The word homosexual is a modern term of the 19th century. There are still people among us that claim that verses in Leviticus, Romans and 1 Corinthians are clearly against homosexuality. Here is where we see a major problem with that belief system. Leviticus was written around the time of 1300 BCE or 500 BCE, varying based on which theologian you are asking. Romans was written in the 1st century (CE 1 to CE 100). 1 Corinthians is estimated to be written between 53-54 CE. The term "homosexuality" was created in the 19th century and did not exist in the original language of the Bible. If you encounter a Bible with the word "homosexual" in it, it has been a modern term placed into scripture that does not reflect the authenticity of the original text. This is corruption. In addition to a modern word, placed, in an ancient text, there are new findings that prove there has been inaccurate implementation of the word "homosexual" into scripture to begin with.

The Reformation Project discovered an exchange of letters from the 1950's, between a young seminary student named David and a man named Dr. Weigle, who was the head of the Revised Standard Version translation board. These letters remained buried in the Yale Archives until Kathy Baldock and her colleague Ed Oxford of The Reformation Project, found them in 2018. Remarkably, Kathy was able to connect with Rev. David, who is now over 80 years old and a retired pastor in Canada. In these letters, Rev. David challenges biblical verses that appear to be inaccurately translated and misrepresent the LGBTQ community.

An admission is made by Dr. Weigle of the translation board amidst the exchange of letters that state that in the original publication of their text, they made an inaccurate translation along the way from Greek to German to English. The Reformation Project is a bible-based Christian organization whose mission is focused on LGBTQ inclusion in the church. The Reformation Project now has in possession, the historical document that acknowledges translation error by the RSV team from the 1950's. What was truly indicated by the original translation refers to sexual perverts; specifically rapists, pedophiles, and abusers. We must not listen to what we hear attempting to oppress, but for the voice of reason that brings revelation and light into dark places.

"In ancient biblical times, there was no understanding of loving nature between same gendered people. Rather, there was a profound amount of sexual abuse, expressed through domination and control; both females and some males were held as and considered property. Take note. We must take into account the context of biblical times and carry an understanding of what the life experience, beliefs, customs and social norms of the times in which biblical writers existed in. This opens us to understand that scripture could only be formed through the lens of the life that once existed. It is unreasonable and illogical to forget these crucial details of context of era and risk going backwards to suit a picture that no longer exists. Remember, God is love and God's ways are of love. Let it be this truth that we use as our discerning theological fact-checker."

Video Resources from The Reformation Project are below explaining the factors that played a role in how scripture came about and covers the story of Rev. David. Also available is "Untangling the Mess" with Kathy Baldock, unveiling a huge timeline of worldly influences that impacted the way scripture was put to paper. God is good, God is love... all the time.

United Evangelical Church, UCC seeks to spread the love and goodness of God in truth, with a message of "no matter who you are, or where on life's journey you may be, you are welcome here.

When we study scripture, we must approach it in context and with discernment. It is important that we ask the right questions and challenge the areas that do not seem to align with the loving God that we know. We must consider that divine truths have been written by the hands of humans, who will make mistakes. In times before our own, humans knew less than they know today, in a world less evolved; leaving the only translation of the Word of God to be based on what their experiences were and the social norms and culture of their time. Some things make absolutely no sense to us in the modern world that we live in today. Others, we take with us until the ends of time. We offer love and grace for knowledge and experience that was not available to biblical scholars due to living in a different time and welcome the old ways of understanding into new loving life; hearing God still speaking in the world today. There is a loving God, who equally loves and cherishes each life that walks this earth.