It’s one thing to begin to understanding 2SLGBTQIA+ identities, but how do we bridge the gap with our understanding of the Bible? And once we do, what does it mean to be “affirming”?

In this section we will learn about:

• The Clobber Passages & Beyond
• What is Affirming?

Perhaps the number one question people have when trying to reconcile 2SLGBTQIA+ affirmation and their Christian faith is this: “Isn’t the Bible clear that it is sin? What about all those verses?”

This refers to what is often called “The Clobber Passages”– verses in Scripture that are used to support a non-affirming view of 2SLGBTQIA+ affirmation:

• Genesis 19:1-11: The events in Sodom and Gomorrah, often misinterpreted as a condemnation of homosexual acts.
• Leviticus 18:22 & Leviticus 20:13: Part of the Old Testament’s Holiness Code, traditionally viewed by many as prohibitions against same-sex relations.
• Romans 1:26-27: This discusses the consequences of idolatry and includes references to same-sex behaviors.
• 1 Corinthians 6:9-10: A list of various behaviors considered to be sinful, including those that have been interpreted in some translations as references to homosexual practices.
• 1 Timothy 1:9-10: A variety of behaviors viewed negatively, with language that has been translated in some versions to include references to homosexuality.
• Jude 1:7: Reference to Sodom and Gomorrah narrative and has been traditionally interpreted as a denouncement of specific sexual behaviors.

Yet, many theologians and scholars believe that these interpretations have projected modern concepts into Biblical contexts in ways that incorrectly interpret these texts. Take some time to listen to author Austen Hartke give a crash course on other ways of understanding these texts:

Of course, this just brushes the surface. We encourage you to dig deeper on these issues. Here are some resources you can utilize to that end:

“Scripture, Ethics and the Possibility of Same-Sex Relationships”
by Karen Keen

“Unclobber: Rethinking Our Misuse of the Bible on Homosexuality“
by Colby Martin

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

The Rainbow Well is fully 2SLGBTQIA+ affirming. What does that mean? For us, being affirming means active acceptance, support, and celebration of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals into every facet of life and faith within our community. It’s about ensuring that they are not only included but are also integral to all our activities, discussions, and decision-making processes. Full involvement means equal opportunities in leadership roles, complete participation in sacraments like marriage, and active engagement in all spiritual, social, and community-driven initiatives.

More than that, being truly affirming is a commitment to active repentance- a repentance for participation in and perpetuation of unjust systems, values, beliefs, and practices that discriminated against 2SLGBTQIA+ people by privileging cisgender and heterosexual identities, perspectives, and experiences as the moral, ethical, and/or created norm. Remember, 2SLGBTQIA+ people are created in the image of God- reflected in their queerness, not in spite of it- and are integral parts of the Body of Christ.

As Rainbow Well Director, Jamie Arpin-Ricci (he/him) puts it:

“The affirming church is not a compassionate parent welcoming home its lost queer children. Rather, the affirming church is the wayward prodigal returning home to the Divine embrace with humble and contrite repentance.”

Becoming affirming, whether as an individual or as a congregation, is a process that takes time, effort, and intentionality. It’s far more than just letting certain kinds of once-excluded-people become members. Rather, it is about the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit to transform our hearts, our minds, and all the ways we live into our faith as individuals and communities.

Here are a few resources that will take you deeper into this journey:

“Changing Our Mind: Call for Inclusion of LGBTQ Christians with Response to Critics”
by David Gushee

“Affirming: A Memoir of Faith, Sexuality and Staying in the Church”
by Sally Gary

“Queer Virtue: What LGBTQ People Know About Life and Love and How It Can Revitalize Christianity”
by Rev. Elizabeth Edman

Ready for the next stage on the 101 journey? Let’s explore what it means to practice active solidarity and allyship! Tap here for the next section.