1. Steve Parelli presents... Other Sheep Executive Director The Bible and... Copyright © 2006 by Stephen Parelli

3. “Against Nature” Chapter III Robert E. Goss-Robert E. Goss- Paul Has Been Wrong Before Jeff Miner and John Tyler Connoley-Jeff Miner and John Tyler Connoley- It Doesn’t Apply to Me Thomas Hanks-Thomas Hanks- Seven Myths Exposed

4. The Clobber Passages Denying Natural Relations for Unnatural Romans 1:26-27 Same Sex Love : Natural or Unnatural?

5. “Against Nature” Chapter III Part One Robert E. Goss- Paul Has Been Wrong Before

6. Same Sex Love : Natural or Unnatural? Romans 1:26 “…that which is against nature.” In Paul’s thinking (Romans 1:26,27), the exchange of the Creator for a creature leads to women exchanging natural intercourse for unnatural and men likewise giving up natural relations with women. page 200 In Paul’s thinking (Romans 1:26,27), the exchange of the Creator for a creature leads to women exchanging natural intercourse for unnatural and men likewise giving up natural relations with women. page 200 Romans 1:26-27 For Paul, Gentiles have exchanged God for created things (Romans 1:23, 26), resulting in disordered sexuality. page 200 For Paul, Gentiles have exchanged God for created things (Romans 1:23, 26), resulting in disordered sexuality. page 200 How Goss Interpretes Paul What Is Paul Saying? – Idolatry Leads to “Disordered Sexuality”

7. Same Sex Love : Natural or Unnatural? Romans 1:26 “…that which is against nature.” These verses (Romans 1:26 & 27) form part of Paul’s larger argument on Roman idolatry (Romans 1) and function as a prelude for arguing against judgmental Jewish critics (Romans 2). page 200 These verses (Romans 1:26 & 27) form part of Paul’s larger argument on Roman idolatry (Romans 1) and function as a prelude for arguing against judgmental Jewish critics (Romans 2). page 200 Romans 1:26-27 How Goss Interpretes Paul Why Is Paul Saying This? – Paul’s Immediate Context: Idolatry (Romans 1) andIdolatry (Romans 1) and An “Entrapment” for Judgmental Jews (Romans 2)An “Entrapment” for Judgmental Jews (Romans 2)

8. Same Sex Love : Natural or Unnatural? Romans 1:26 “…that which is against nature.” Romans 1:26-27 How Goss Says Others Interpret Paul Theses Meant to Rehabilitate Paul for the Queer Community John Boswell Argues that heterosexually oriented people engaged in homosexual acts. Argues that heterosexually oriented people engaged in homosexual acts. Critiques site his use of modern sexual-identity template as an anacronistic application to ancient sexuality. page 200 Critiques site his use of modern sexual-identity template as an anacronistic application to ancient sexuality. page 200

9. Same Sex Love : Natural or Unnatural? Romans 1:26 “…that which is against nature.” Romans 1:26-27 How Goss Says Others Interpret Paul Theses Meant to Rehabilitate Paul for the Queer Community James Miller Argues that Romans 1:26 and 27 is a reference to unnatural heterosexual oral or anal intercourse because Paul’s culture did not have a linked concept of male and female homoeroticism. page 200 Argues that Romans 1:26 and 27 is a reference to unnatural heterosexual oral or anal intercourse because Paul’s culture did not have a linked concept of male and female homoeroticism. page 200

10. Same Sex Love : Natural or Unnatural? Romans 1:26 “…that which is against nature.” Romans 1:26-27 How Goss Says Others Interpret Paul Theses Meant to Rehabilitate Paul for the Queer Community Tom Hanks Argrees with Miller re: Romans 1:26 that women engaged in anal sex with men to avoid procreation. Argrees with Miller re: Romans 1:26 that women engaged in anal sex with men to avoid procreation. Sees Romans 1:27 as built on the Leviticus prohibitions against male-to-male, unprotected anal sex. page 200Sees Romans 1:27 as built on the Leviticus prohibitions against male-to-male, unprotected anal sex. page 200

11. Same Sex Love : Natural or Unnatural? Romans 1:26 “…that which is against nature.” Romans 1:26-27 How Goss Says Others Interpret Paul Theses Meant to Rehabilitate Paul for the Queer Community Robin Scroggs Sees Romans 1:27 as a reference to relationships between an older man and a youth based on the existing cultural pederasty in the Greco-Roman world. Sees Romans 1:27 as a reference to relationships between an older man and a youth based on the existing cultural pederasty in the Greco-Roman world. Goss sights Scroggs as failing to see these verses as female homoeroticism and adult-male- to-adult-male homoeroticism. page 200 Goss sights Scroggs as failing to see these verses as female homoeroticism and adult-male- to-adult-male homoeroticism. page 200

12. Same Sex Love : Natural or Unnatural? Romans 1:26 “…that which is against nature.” Romans 1:26-27 How Goss Says Others Interpret Paul Theses Meant to Rehabilitate Paul for the Queer Community L. William Countryman Romans 1:26 and 27 are to be understood within the purity codes of Judaism. The unclean homoerotic acts of the Gentile world are now insignificant in Christ. Romans 1:26 and 27 are to be understood within the purity codes of Judaism. The unclean homoerotic acts of the Gentile world are now insignificant in Christ. Paul refers to these acts only rhetorically so he can later unpack Jewish sinfulness. page 201 Paul refers to these acts only rhetorically so he can later unpack Jewish sinfulness. page 201

13. Same Sex Love : Natural or Unnatural? Romans 1:26 “…that which is against nature.” Romans 1:26-27 How Goss Says Others Interpret Paul Theses Meant to Rehabilitate Paul for the Queer Community Daniel Halminiak Against nature means “beyond nature.” The acts here are heterosexual nonprocreative sex acts: intercourse during menstruation, intercourse standing up, and oral or anal sex. Against nature means “beyond nature.” The acts here are heterosexual nonprocreative sex acts: intercourse during menstruation, intercourse standing up, and oral or anal sex. In context, Paul is rhetorically addressing Jewish superiority over Gentile impurity. page 201 In context, Paul is rhetorically addressing Jewish superiority over Gentile impurity. page 201

14. Same Sex Love : Natural or Unnatural? Romans 1:26 “…that which is against nature.” Romans 1:26-27 How Goss Says Others Interpret Paul Theses Meant to Rehabilitate Paul for the Queer Community Goss’ Summary of the Above Seven Authors “For the above authors, Paul is trying to heal the split of Jewish and Gentile Christians in Rome; these theses are meant to rehabilitate Paul for the queer community.” page 201

15. Same Sex Love : Natural or Unnatural? Romans 1:26 “…that which is against nature.” Romans 1:26-27 Goss Adopts Bernadette Brooten’s View of “Gender Codes” Goss on Brooten’s View of Romans 1:26-27 Her gender analysis undercuts the above male perspective on Romans 1:26-27. Her gender analysis undercuts the above male perspective on Romans 1:26-27. She is not rehabilitating Paul. page 201 She is not rehabilitating Paul. page 201 Her view on Romans 1:26-27 : “Women exchanged the passive, subordinate sexual role for an active autonomous role.” page 201Her view on Romans 1:26-27 : “Women exchanged the passive, subordinate sexual role for an active autonomous role.” page 201

16. Romans 1:26 “…that which is against nature.” Goss Adopts Bernadette Brooten’s View of “Gender Codes” Goss on Brooten’s View of Romans 1:26-27 That “Women exchanged the passive, subordinate sexual role for an active autonomous role.” Goss quotes Martti Nissinen: “It was woman’s active sexual role that was regarded as truly contrary to nature.” Homoeroticism in the Ancient World, 108 Goss quotes Martti Nissinen: “It was woman’s active sexual role that was regarded as truly contrary to nature.” Homoeroticism in the Ancient World, 108 Male-female sex roles (active-passive, penetrator and penetrated) were intertwined with the cultural gender codes in the dominant Greco-Roman culture of the first century C.E., page 201 Male-female sex roles (active-passive, penetrator and penetrated) were intertwined with the cultural gender codes in the dominant Greco-Roman culture of the first century C.E., page 201 Romans 1:26-27

17. Romans 1:26 “…that which is against nature.” Goss Adopts Bernadette Brooten’s View of “Gender Codes” Goss on Brooten’s View of Romans 1:26-27 That “Women exchanged the passive, subordinate sexual role for an active autonomous role.” Goss quotes Martti Nissinen: “This hierarchical pattern was not invented by Paul but belonged to his culture” in the Eastern Mediterranean world where gender role categories were determined by anatomy and portrayed by conformity to established gender roles. Homoeroticism Goss quotes Martti Nissinen: “This hierarchical pattern was not invented by Paul but belonged to his culture” in the Eastern Mediterranean world where gender role categories were determined by anatomy and portrayed by conformity to established gender roles. Homoeroticism in the Ancient World, 107 Brooten comprehends Romans 1:26-27 in light of Brooten comprehends Romans 1:26-27 in light of I Corinthians 11:2-16, where Paul describes a natural hierarchy of man over woman in which hairstyle and headdress differentiate gender and are understood as natural. page 201 Romans 1:26-27

18. Romans 1:26 “…that which is against nature.” Goss Adopts Bernadette Brooten’s View of “Gender Codes” Conclusion: Goss’ View on Romans 1:26-27 According to Paul, disordered sexuality resulted when the Gentiles exchanged God for created things (idolatry). page 200 According to Paul, disordered sexuality resulted when the Gentiles exchanged God for created things (idolatry). page 200 The issue at the heart of Romans 1:26-27 is the rigid gender codes Paul grew up with as a Pharisaic Jew and perhaps his own fears about his sexual drives. page 202The issue at the heart of Romans 1:26-27 is the rigid gender codes Paul grew up with as a Pharisaic Jew and perhaps his own fears about his sexual drives. page 202 These are Paul’s personal opinions woven into his pastoral letter to the Romans. Many Christians no longer condone his acceptance of slavery nor his statements about women. page 202 These are Paul’s personal opinions woven into his pastoral letter to the Romans. Many Christians no longer condone his acceptance of slavery nor his statements about women. page 202

19. These are Paul’s personal opinions woven into his pastoral letter to the Romans. Before the mountains were brought forth... from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. Psalm 90:2

20. “Against Nature” Chapter III Part Two Jeff Miner and John Tyler Connoley- It Doesn’t Apply To Me It Doesn’t Apply To Me

21. Same Sex Love : Natural or Unnatural? Romans 1:26 “…that which is against nature.” Jeff Miner & John Tylor Connoley on Romans 1:26-27 Romans 1 We consider this to be the easiest of the clobber passages to interpret We consider this to be the easiest of the clobber passages to interpret because Paul thoroughly explains the factual assumptions and rational behind his condemnation of the behavior described here. In Romans 1:21-31, Paul is moving through a logical progression. because Paul thoroughly explains the factual assumptions and rational behind his condemnation of the behavior described here. In Romans 1:21-31, Paul is moving through a logical progression. pages 13-14

22. Same Sex Love : Natural or Unnatural? Romans 1:26 “…that which is against nature.” Jeff Miner & John Tylor Connoley on Romans 1:26-27 Romans 1 Refused to acknowledge God (.v21), then… Refused to acknowledge God (.v21), then… Began to worship idols (v.23), then… Began to worship idols (v.23), then… Prefered earthly pursuits over spiritual (v. 25), then… Prefered earthly pursuits over spiritual (v. 25), then… Gave up their innate passion for the opposite sex in search of unbounded pleasure (v 26-27), and … Gave up their innate passion for the opposite sex in search of unbounded pleasure (v 26-27), and … Lived lives full of covetousness, malice, envy, etc. and hatred of God (v. 29-31). page 14 Lived lives full of covetousness, malice, envy, etc. and hatred of God (v. 29-31). page 14 Paul’s Logical Progression in Romans 1:21-31 Paul is talking about people who...

23. Same Sex Love : Natural or Unnatural? Jeff Miner & John Tylor Connoley on Romans 1:26-27 Romans 1 Associated with idol worship Associated with idol worship Naturally heterosexual Naturally heterosexual Rejected God Rejected God Rejected their sexual orientation Rejected their sexual orientation Sex outside of their orientation Sex outside of their orientation Sex with temple prostitutes Sex with temple prostitutes Paul’s Model in Romans 1:21-31 Gay Relationship Model in the 21 st Century Not part of idol worship Not part of idol worship Naturally homosexual Naturally homosexual Accepted God Accepted God Accepted their sexual orientation Accepted their sexual orientation Sex within their orientation Sex within their orientation Sex with committed partners Sex with committed partners Paul is addressing a different set of facts

24. Jeff Miner & John Tyler Connoley on Romans 1 Paul’s Model in Romans 1:21-31 Gay Relationship Model in the 21 st Century Paul is addressing a different set of facts Romans 1:26-27 Paul is addressing a different set of facts “The Easiest Passage to Interpret”

25. “Against Nature” Chapter III Part Three Thomas Hanks- Seven Myths Exposed Seven Myths Exposed

26. Karl Benkert Rev. Dr. Thomas Hanks Co-founder of Other Sheep Theologian, Director of Mission The Myths of Romans 1:24-27 Paul condemns all homosexuals. Paul has no concept of sexual orientation. Paul condemns all homosexual acts. Paul only condemns lustful, self-serving passions. He does not condemn loving relationships. Myth: Fact: Myth: Fact: Did you know that.... The term “heterosexual” was coined only after the term “homosexual” was coined. The word "homosexual" coined by the Hungarian writer Karoly (or Karl) Benkert in 1869 entered the English vocabulary when Krafft-Ebbing's Psychopathia Sexualis was translated into English in the 1890's.

27. The Myths of Romans 1:24-27 Paul condemns lesbians. Paul, in verse 26, is not speaking of women who changed sex partners (from male to female), but he is speaking of women who changed sexual practices (while still having sex with men); that is instead of coitus, they practiced anal sex and oral sex. Myth: Fact: Did you know that.... John Chrysostom, ca. 400 AD, was the first to misinterpret verse 26 as a reference to lesbians.

28. The Myths of Romans 1:24-27 Myth: Fact: Paul condemns homoerotic acts as sin. Paul places these acts under the cultural category of “uncleanness” which describes material things as “out of their appropriate place.” Semen deposited “out of place” left the individual “unclean.” Did you know that.... An “unclean” person was disqualified for partcipation in worship until declared clean again. ”Homosexuality is Sin” ”I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean” - Peter

29. The Myths of Romans 1:24-27 Myth: Fact: Paul demonstrates that homosexuality is the worst sin. What Paul describes is the divine punishment of idolatrous people whom God has abandoned. Further, in verse 31, he describes them as “without mercy” (for the poor, weak, and oppressed) Did you know that.... Jesus places a high premium on love and mercy shown to the poor, weak and oppressed. Matt. 25:31-46

30. The Myths of Romans 1:24-27 Myth: Fact: Paul shows how a person through idolatry becomes a homosexual. Paul is explaining how all humanity in some remote previous age rejected God, chose idolatry and suffered divine punishment. He is not describing the psychological development of modern individuals. Did you know that.... Paul employs a type of “lengend” – that the world was all monotheistic - to establish his theological argument.

31. The Myths of Romans 1:24-27 Myth: Fact: Paul condemns all homoerotic acts for being “against nature.” Not all homoerotic acts are against nature. That which is “natural” for some (a homosexual having same-sex sex) is “against nature” for others (a heterosexual having same- sex sex). ”Look, it’s unnatural!” Did you know that.... Homoerotic acts are common in more than 450 animal species.

32. Myth Myth Myth Myth Myth Myth Myth You Shall Know the Truth, and The Truth Shall Set You Free