MOVE FROM HOMOSEXUAL TO HETEROSEXUAL ORIENTATION

MOVE FROM HOMOSEXUAL TO HETEROSEXUAL ORIENTATION

Christians have often countered Trajectory 1 with what we can refer to as Trajectory 2, which moves the person from a homosexual orientation (the basis of a gay identity) toward a heterosexual orientation (the basis of a heterosexual identity). 

From a Christian perspective, what are we to make of attempts to change sexual orientation? Understandably, a person would consider attempting to change since Christians view heterosexuality as normative. At the same time, the assertion that heterosexuality is normative is no guarantee that sexual orientation can change.

As we parse out these different trajectories, I want to explore how they might respond to a key verse from Scripture that is often cited in these discussions: 1 Corinthians 6:11. 

After Paul lists several sinful behaviours, he declares, “And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”

It is important to avoid two extremes in the pastoral care or response to sexual orientation. The one is arrogant optimism that all persons with a homosexual orientation are equally likely to change.62 

Those who operate from this perspective are more likely to be found among persons and assert that anyone can change if they try hard enough or have enough faith. They view 1 Corinthians 6:11 as saying that a person used to be oriented to the same sex and that now they are oriented to the opposite sex.

The other extreme to avoid is cynical pessimism. This asserts that no one can experience change in sexual orientation and that those who have made that claim have lied. 

The cynical pessimist might view 1 Corinthians 6:11 as referring to other concerns, even other sexual concerns, but not to the gay relationship people have today. 

They do not see a reason to attempt change, and some might even go so far as to argue that such attempts go against a gay person’s actual nature as gay, drawing upon recent revisionist understandings of Romans 1.

Another approach to the topic is realistic biblical hope. From this perspective, 1 Corinthians 6:11 describes a change, but we have no assurance that the change in question is a change in attraction or orientation; rather, the change may be a pattern of behaviour that characterises a person. 

Change may also occur at the level of attraction or orientation, but that is not considered typical or a necessary interpretation of the biblical passages.

Also, emphasising change of sexual orientation can risk idolising heterosexuality. What is more important to the Christian is not heterosexuality but a Christ-like life devoted to God (e.g., 2 Tim 2:21; 1 Thess 5:23).




62 This language comes from Richard E. Butman (personal communication) in reference to how the church deals with psychopathology. I’ve adapted it to our discussion of how the church responds to homosexuality and attempted change of sexual orientation.

Yarhouse, M. A. (2022). How Should We Think about Homosexuality? (D. A. Carson, Ed.; pp. 54–56). Lexham Press.