Short answer: Christian scholars disagree on this.
We’ve got a more in-depth article on this coming soon, but in short, while non-affirming scholars generally read this passage as a condemnation of same-sex sexual behavior in general, a growing number of affirming Christian scholars say that the passage doesn’t make sense read this way, and that it’s actually about lustful, idolatrous behavior, not loving relationships.
The late (and highly respected) theologian Lewis Smedes pointed out decades ago that the language in Romans 1, describing people turning from God and becoming filled with lust and sin, didn’t sound like the faithful gay Christians he had met as a pastor and seminary professor. (As he put it, “Now, I don’t know who those [lustful, idolatrous] people were, but I am certainly sure of this: They’re not the [gay] people that I know.”)
Other scholars have suggested that Paul was using an image of lustful same-sex rites in idol worship, something his audience would have been familiar with that would help him make his point about how turning from God leads to unrighteousness such as lustful behavior, idol worship, and all kinds of sin.
This does not, however, address the question of how faithful gay Christians—who did not choose their orientation and have not turned from God—should live their lives and whether they are allowed to fall in love and commit to one person.
For more on this, see:
- What does the Bible say? on Romans 1
- The Reformation Project on Romans 1
- Justin and Ron’s Great Debate
- Many of the books in our Resources section also address this in greater detail
Our site is currently in beta, and we continue to add new questions, answers, and viewpoints, so check back soon for more!
