In “For The Bible Tells Me So – the bibleical-theological necessity of LGBTQ+ inclusion in the church”, Katie Hays connects the following three texts:
- Then the LORD said, “How great is the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah and how very grave their sin! I must go down and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me; and if not, I will know.” (Genesis 18:20-21)
- This was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy. (Ezekiel 16:49)
- If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. (Matthew 10:14-15)
Hays believes that:
“The men of Sodom (and Gomorrah) were not homosexual; they were selfish, frightened people who would use any means, including the sexual violence of rape, to protect their wealth from strangers. God’s disgust with this way of being is in line with the hundreds of texts in the Bible condemning the way people hoard material wealth while ignoring the needs of the poor. Violent protectionism is definitely not God’s will for God’s people; gracious hospitality and generous sharing is God’s will for God’s people. The story of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19 clearly demonstrates this, and we agree wholeheartedly.”
Hays’ interpretation deserves to be included as one of our main references when delving into the study and reflection of LGBTQ+ related topics. Before we make our own conclusion, we need to examine if we have any presuppositions about LGBTQ+. We have to ask if our interpretation reflects and witnesses who God is and His love for us.