The Bible’s Yes to Same-Sex Marriage: An Evangelical’s Change of Heart

Achtemeier, a Presbyterian minister, offers a readable explanation for his shift from opposing homosexuality to affirming committed same-sex relationships. In his pastoral capacity, he was uncomfortable to learn that same-sex individuals seemed to contradict scriptural promises of happiness. In order to make sense of how these individuals could attain happiness in loving relationships, Achtemeier offers a method for reading Bible verses in context and uncovering the intention of God for creation. In applying this method, he counters the standard verses used to condemn homosexuality. He closes by offering a comparison between injunctions against usury and those against homosexuality, claiming that differing historical circumstances can lead to new interpretations that do not upset the church’s foundation or purposes. While he offers nothing new to the debate about same-sex marriage, the work does provide a calm, compassionate, and reasoned argument in favor of expanding Christian sexual ethics to include same-sex couples. (June)