Homosexuality: How to Condone What the Bible Condemns: Matthew Vines Takes on the Old Testament
English: Adam and Eve are being sent out of the garden of Eden Русский: Адам и Ева изгоняются из Эдемского сада (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Author: James M. Hamilton Jr. Matthew Vines doesn’t throw his knockout punch at the beginning of his book but at the end: “As more believers are coming to realize, [affirming same-sex relations as moral] is, in fact, a requirement of Christian faithfulness” (178). With these words, Vines hopes to send to the mat, down for the count, the view held by the people of God ever since God made them male and female and said “the two shall become one flesh” (Matt 19:4–5; cf. Gen 2:24 LXX ). The Law of Moses clearly prohibits same-sex relations (Lev 18:22; 20:13), and that prohibition is reinforced in the New Testament (Rom 1:26–27; 1 Cor 6:9–10; 1 Tim 1:10). Vines employs an old, subtle strategy, asking “Did God actually say?” (Gen 3:1). Calling for a re-examination of the Bible ’s teaching, Vines doesn’t come out swinging but wooing. He wins sympat...