Unchanging Witness: The Consistent Christian Teaching on Homosexuality in Scripture and Tradition

by Rollin G. Grams; S. Donald Fortson

Publisher:

B&H

, 2016

Overview

The church is going through a time of severe fracture over the issue of homosexuality. This book addresses the arguments from the gay Christian movement and revisionist theologians and exegetes on a single point: Can they withstand the evidence of the primary sources?

In Unchanging Witness, Donald Fortson and Rollin Grams articulate the consistent orthodox view on homosexuality by presenting primary sources throughout Christian history and by interpreting the biblical texts in their cultural contexts. The first part of the book examines church history from the patristic period to the present day, and the second part engages biblical texts in light of Ancient Near Eastern, Jewish, Greek, and Roman primary sources.

Throughout, the authors survey the conflicting and changing arguments of revisionist readings and contend that, in light of the overwhelming evidence of the relevant texts, the real issue is not one of interpretation but of biblical authority and Christian orthodoxy.

Key Features

• Addresses the homosexual crisis in the church
• Focuses on interpretation and synthesis of the Bible by exploring historical interpretation on the issue of homosexuality and examining biblical texts and their contexts
• Provides direct quotations of primary resources to equip and aid readers in acquiring broad knowledge on the subject

Praise for Unchanging Witness

"Unchanging Witness is a timely gift of scholarship to believers everywhere who wish to hold to the faith 'once delivered to the saints' (Jude 3) and to eschew and anchorless confession that cannot withstand the blowing winds of secular culture. Fortson and Grams demonstrate conclusively that not just the inspired authors of Holy Scripture but the holy fathers of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church set forth a vision of ennobling Christian conduct that unanimously excludes homosexual practice. This text is particularly valuable for Orthodox Christians in that it sets forth Orthodoxy's unified witness against homosexuality in modern times. Highly recommended."

Bishop Basil, Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America, Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North American

"Never before have voices in the church been so confused and conflicted on sexual ethics and behavior. What does the Bible say? What does Christian tradition say? Unchanging Witness is a stimulating and scholarly study to help concerned Christians think and act more deeply in this watershed moment. The authors are well versed in the contemporary debate and fully informed on the exegesis of the biblical texts and primary sources in Christian tradition and historical theology. Unchanging Witness is a clarion call to bold Christian action."

Robert E. Cooley, president-emeritus and professor of biblical archaeology, Gordon-Cornwell Theological Seminary, and ordained minister, Assemblies of God

"This well-researched and thought-provoking book provides a useful resource for anyone who wants to understand the perspective of the Christian tradition on homosexual practice. It demonstrates through prolific quotation and detailed analysis of the primary sources that the orthodox church in its varied forms has always considered homoerotic activity to be a sin"

Frank Thielman, Presbyterian professor of divinity, Beeson Divinity School

Product Details

• Title: Unchanging Witness: The Consistent Christian Teaching on Homosexuality in Scripture and Tradition
• Authors: Rollin G. Grams, S. Donald Fortson
• Publisher: B&H
• Print Publication Date: 2016
• Logos Release Date: 2021
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Homosexuality › Biblical teaching; Homosexuality › History of doctrines; Homosexuality › Religious aspects--Christianity
• ISBNs: 9781430074243, 9781433687907, 1433687909, 1430074248
• Resource ID: LLS:9781433687907
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-06T20:43:42Z