From: John W Burgeson (jwburgeson@juno.com)
Date: Sun Aug 10 2003 - 10:06:57 EDT
Robert, in writing a particularly thoughtful commentary on the homosexual
issue, says, in part: "I think it is more than likely that Paul and
contemporaries had nothing like our modern understanding of sexual
orientation. "
Not ascribing all knowledge to Paul, I would agree. In looking back on my
very imperfect memory, I suspect that I had no knowledge before -- say --
1991 (age 60) that there were such things as same gender committed long
term relationships. Such were simply not part of my world; I knew nobody
that would possibly fit that description. Had you asked me, in 1991, "Is
homosexuality a sin?" I would not have understood the difference between
the condition and the action. I, probably based on a facile reading of
Romans 1, or, more likely, on what I'd heard the preacher say, would have
said "Of course."
It seems likely that Paul's understanding when he wrote Romans was of
that kind. Of course, he would have been relying on the OT prohibitions
at that point.
Peace
John Burgeson (Burgy)
www.burgy.50megs.com
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