I was asked recently to participate in a panel discussion on homosexuality. So in an effort to put together some thoughts, here are a few scribbles that form the beginnings of notes for that presentation.
1. To talk about "homosexuality", we first need to get "sexuality" right.
A. Galatians 3.28: Baptism, not gender (and certainly not genitalia), is the starting point for reflecting on sexuality. Our identity "in Christ" comes first.
B. Sin -- no matter of what variety -- is only experienced as tragedy before grace. Grace precedes judgment; grace precedes sin (Romans 5.1-11). As baptism cleanses us from sin, we -- all of us, all of us -- are transformed from isolation and loneliness to friends with God and with one another (Romans 5.12-21, 6.1-11; cf Jn 15.15).
C. Intimacy and friendship lie at our core. Sexuality, for Christians, is an expression of that friendship with God and one another (1 Corinthians 7.2-5). For those of us, "in Christ", marriage and sex are a part of a whole: Demonstrating divine love through mutual submission to one another "in reverence to Christ" (Ephesians 5.21--6.9).
2. What should we say then about "homosexuality" in the Bible?
A. The question of "abomination" (Leviticus 18.22, toevah).
B. The question of Sodom (Genesis 19.4-13; Ezekiel 16.49-50).
C. Romans 1.26-27 in its rhetorical context (cf Romans 15.22-33).
3. Some theological principles
A. "Discern the spirits" (1 John 4.1-12).
B. Baptism is most formative for thinking Christianly.
C. Friendship with God and one another: Redemption begins with understanding rightly, not with judgment (John 4/8 as the test cases for thinking about sin).
D. Benevolence, concord and beneficence: The ends of Christian marriage/sex. (Colossians 3.12-17, hence 3.18-4.1, is the starting point, not the "harm narrative/purity narrative" of so much Christian legalism. Song of Songs is in the Bible, too!)
E. "Modified" inclusion: Sexuality in obedience to baptism. What the church must do is not put the cart before the horse. Our practice of sexuality is our practice of discipleship: Baptism first! As long as our relationships are in submission to God in Christ and mutual submission to one another: "For freedom Christ has set us free" (Galatians 5.1).
The Church has far from settled on these matters. E.g. "The Windsor Report", 2004, in my own Anglican Communion. Until we are led by the Spirit into the "fullness of truth" (John 16.12-15), we must be cautious, but open. Again, "test the spirits, to see whether they are of God".