A Time to Be Free

We believe that God’s will for all humans includes liberation from social oppression.

God led the Hebrews out of slavery in Egypt in order to form a new people of justice and righteousness.

Isaiah proclaimed that God’s house would be for all people, including those excluded and cast out.

Jesus ministered to those shunned by his society – prostitutes, tax collectors, lepers, the mentally ill, women, and the poor.

At Pentecost, God’s Spirit was poured out on all types of people, proclaiming that in the church all nations and peoples would be united.

One of the earliest converts to Christianity was an Ethiopian eunuch, fulfilling statements of Isaiah and Jesus, and serving as a sign that members of different races and different sexual/gender groups would be included in the church.

Then, in Galatians 3:27-28 we read:

As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.

Some people ignore decades of bible scholarship and could spend the next century debating what Paul really meant in Romans 1 or other of the obscure and difficult passages that supposedly refer to homosexuality. We could debate what Paul knew and didn’t know about same-sex relationships – the science, the philosophy, the culture. Or, we can look at his plain and clear statement here in Galatians and realize that no matter what Paul knew about social categories, he knew something about Christianity. He knew it in the deepest recesses of his heart. It was central to his faith. Christianity does not discriminate; it sets people free.

When we read scripture, especially those of us who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender, we are liberated by its message. And we think you will be too.