Book Review: The Bible and Homosexual Practice by Robert Gagnon
I first read Gagnon’s treatise shortly after its 2001 release, and I read it again a few weeks ago in preparation for leading a workshop at the recent Lutherans Concerned Convention. He is an accomplished exegete, and his historical-critical Biblical research is solid; however, his conclusions are suspect. Even as he surrenders the gay-bashing “clobber passages” to contemporary scholarship, he employs a “yes, but” reasoning that reclaims them again. And, as the darling theologian of the sola scriptura, word alone, “the Bible trumps science, reason, and experience” crowd, there is great irony in that his own thesis is based on his view of natural law and questionable science.
>>He is an accomplished exegete, and his research is solid; however, his conclusions are suspect>>
If I may quibble just a tad . . . . Prof. Gagnon’s research is NOT solid in the area of the social sciences as they relate to same-gender relationships. Within that topic area, his book simply rehashes a sampling of junk science. There is a cottage industry for THAT, too.
Tim Fisher
Minneapolis, MN
@Tim Fisher
I rephrased it to say, “He is an accomplished exegete, and his historical-critical Biblical research is solid.” I have also revised the end to read, “his own thesis is based on his view of natural law and questionable science.”
I was at an event here in Fargo several years ago where Gagnon spoke, all I can say is Uffda! All he talked about the sexual practices of homosexuals and only touched on scripture. I was not impressed.