Hi people,

I'm doing research on Romans 1:26 (well really the whole of chapter 1).Peggy Campolo's (Tony Campolo's wife) explanation of this passage is that it was written by Paul in the day when the worship of Aphrodite was common; part of this worship was same sex orgies. A few others also hold the same view, idol worship was closely tied to same sex behaviour in Roman times. I would like to substantiate this myself with historical proof and facts. Can anyone advise me where to start? is there a history book on roman culture and times I can read? I'm not challenging Peggy, but rather I'm doing this to bring resolve for myself on this one difficult passage, in affirmation of what I believe her view to be true.

Hi Haily

I found this resource very helpful, I think you will too. It is a 20 page PDF titled

"Dispelling the Myth" by Pastor Ken Coulter. I could not find a public website

that still hosts this resource, so hosting it in my dropbox for download!

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/10871961/GNC%20PDF's/dispell%20the%20myth.pdf

God Bless you as you search for truth! …Bob

Romans and Homosexuality

apocalyptictremors.com/apologetics/TheGreatDebate/Romans.html(Moody Press: Chicago, 1996, c1984), P3. Rev. Bob Elli, Ed., A Composition Study-Guide of Pastor Ken Coulter's Ten Years of Research, " Dispelling the Myth, …

Quote from Chris on May 31, 2012, 1:13 pm

http://www.jeramyt.org/papers/paulcybl.html looks like a good start. The essay is written by someone who is obviously pro-LGBTI, and I'm not sure if that bias bothers you, but the endnotes contain a big list of sources, some might be potentially useful to you.

I'd be struggling to find something more objective, simply because these days most of the people who focus on the clobber passages are doing it for very specific pro- or anti- LGBTI reasons.

Hi Chris , thanks for this link. Wow all you guys are great!! Thank you heaps…i'll be having a few late nights, reading thru all this stuff!

Quote from PhillWall on May 31, 2012, 1:32 pm

Hi Hailey

Its not a history book – but quite a good spot to start on studying the new testamant for anything I fnd is

http://www.amazon.com/Study-Testament-Lesbians-Gays-Transgender/dp/0980443016

Despite the Name – its a scholars translation – that is translated in order to be accurate – rather than to be theologically sound (and regardless of the theological implications – the translation is the BEST translation ). Dr Nyland also sometimes adds historical notes which can be very illuminating.

So her translation is

26-32 Because of this, God handed them over to experiences of public stigma, for the females exchanged natural sex for what is other than nature. 27 And the same goes for males too. The males got rid of natural sex with the female and burned2 with their mutual yearning – males producing indecency with one another, and as a result got what was coming to them for their mistake. 28 They didn’t think it fit to acknowledge God, so he gave them an unfit mind, to do things that are not appropriate. 29 They have been filled with every kind of wrongdoing, evil, greedy grasping behavior, malice – full to the utmost with jealousy, murder, quarrels, deceit, nasty dispositions. They are people who give out information, whether true or false, which is detrimental to the character or welfare of others. 30 They are slanderers, God haters, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of bad deeds. They are not obedient to parents, 31 they don’t have intelligence, they do not keep covenant, they do not have natural affection, they do not have mercy. 32 Although they are fully aware of God’s decree, which is that those who do such things deserve death, not only do they do these things, but also they are in agreement with those who do them!

Nyland, Dr. A. (2011-12-12). Gay Christian Study New Testament With Extensive Notes on Greek Word Meaning and Context (Gay Christians, Lesbian Christians) (Kindle Locations 7317-7325). Unknown. Kindle Edition.

Dr Nyland is clear that Paul is taling of idolatry here and Discusses "the Watchers" and how this passage echos 2 Enoch 10 (something Paul would NOT do accidentally) .

She has extensive notes… worth a look…

Also always going back to the Greek (or hebrew etc) for specific words. These days for example – Pornea is now considered best translated NOT as fornication or even sexual immorality – but just immorality – and that completely changes the meaning of the verses.

Remember Jesus said that the Prostitutes WERE entering the kingdom of heaven NOW and the pharisees weren't because they were hypocrites and liars. The real thread behind these versus – and Jesus said the same – and even the sins of Sodom (enumerated in several places) were not so much sexual sins as sins of deceit, idiolotry, inhospitality, lack of mercy , greed and no care for the poor.

The mega focus on sex is not in the bible – its a distraction from the real sins which are listed time and time again.

Hi Shadowboxer! this looks like excellent resource. Definitely will take a look. Do you know if the author is gay?

Hi Hailey

Im afraid I dont know much about Dr Nyland. She is Australian actually and she is a horse enthusiast but thats about all I know – and a quick google this morning hasnt left me much the wiser

http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/DrANyland

http://dranyland.blogspot.com.au/