Wesleyan Approach to Scripture, Science, and Sexuality
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Scripture, Science and Sexuality:
A Wesleyan Approach
Dr. Barbara Lukert
Rev. Lee Johnson
Scripture, Science and Sexuality:
A Wesleyan Approach
Saint Louis General Conference:
Delegates Voted
438 – 384
to approve the Traditional Plan
calling for more and stricter enforcement
of prohibition against homosexuality
Scripture, Science and Sexuality:
A Wesleyan Approach
How did this happen?
Some say it took an unusual coalition.
Scripture, Science and Sexuality:
A Wesleyan Approach
Unusual elections
often demand unusual coalitions.
Scripture, Science and Sexuality:
A Wesleyan Approach
Behind which there is always a story.
And, some history.
Scripture, Science and Sexuality:
A Wesleyan Approach
June 28, 1969
NYC Police Raid the Stonewall Inn.
Very few places welcomed gays in the ‘60s.
Those that did were often bars.
Scripture, Science and Sexuality:
A Wesleyan Approach
Stonewall catered to the most marginalized
in the gay community:
“drag queens, (transgender) people,
effeminate young men, male prostitutes,
homeless youth, butch lesbians.”
Scripture, Science and Sexuality:
A Wesleyan Approach
On the morning of June 28, 1969,
the marginalized
and other members of the Gay Community
fought back in what became known as
The Stonewall Riots.
Scripture, Science and Sexuality:
A Wesleyan Approach
The Stonewall Riots
made National News
Scripture, Science and Sexuality:
A Wesleyan Approach
Scripture, Science and Sexuality:
A Wesleyan Approach
Scripture, Science and Sexuality:
A Wesleyan Approach
Three years later:
1972 General Conference
in Atlanta declares:
Homosexuality is incompatible
with Christian Teaching
Scripture, Science and Sexuality:
A Wesleyan Approach
Sixteen years later:
1988 General Conference:
Legislation is passed calling for a “study”
and report to the 1992 General Conference
“The Church Studies Homosexuality”
Scripture, Science and Sexuality:
A Wesleyan Approach
During the next four years
a 24-member committee meets
to write the report.
Committee includes: “recognized scholars
in the fields of Biblical interpretation, theology,
psychology, medicine, and sociology.”
Scripture, Science and Sexuality:
A Wesleyan Approach
1992 General Conference
Committee Majority report states:
“The present state of knowledge and insight
in Biblical, theological, ethical, biological,
psychological, and sociological fields does not
provide satisfactory basis upon which the church can
responsibly maintain the condemnation of all
homosexual practice.”
Scripture, Science and Sexuality:
A Wesleyan Approach
1992 General Conference
adopts a minority report
Scripture, Science and Sexuality:
A Wesleyan Approach
“Present state of knowledge and insight
in Biblical, theological, ethical, biological,
psychological, and sociological fields
does not provide satisfactory basis
upon which the church can alter
its previously held position.”
Scripture, Science and Sexuality:
A Wesleyan Approach
“Complexities of human nature
and behavior cannot re reduced
to an elementary level.
Scientific answers are seldom, if ever,
absolute and science cannot be used
to prove moral conclusions.”
Scripture, Science and Sexuality:
A Wesleyan Approach
In dismissing
the authority of science and reason
The United Methodist Church
has been left with a “moral” conversation
defined by scripture.
Scripture, Science and Sexuality:
A Wesleyan Approach
Old Testament:
Leviticus Holiness Codes
New Testament
Romans 1.24-27
Scripture, Science and Sexuality:
A Wesleyan Approach
Romans 1.24-27
Scripture, Science and Sexuality:
A Wesleyan Approach
A Wesleyan Look:
Scripture is the primary
rather than exclusive Christian authority
Wesley pursued a middle road which
considered both faith and reason
Scripture, Science and Sexuality:
A Wesleyan Approach
A Wesleyan Look:
How small a part of this great work
of God is man able to understand.
But it is our duty to contemplate
what God has wrought, and to understand
as much of it as we are able.”
Scripture, Science and Sexuality:
A Wesleyan Approach
The need to reframe the conversation
of religiosity and homosexuality
beyond a moral choice
and beyond the vilification of disagreement
is clear.
Yet, it is a daunting task.
Scripture, Science and Sexuality:
A Wesleyan Approach
Many United Methodist advocacy groups
have formed intended to move
the denomination forward,
such at UMC Next, Mainstream, even RMN.
While widely viewed as progressive,
these groups fail to include the language of science
in their primary conversations.
Scripture, Science and Sexuality:
A Wesleyan Approach
But, not here!
Tonight!
Delve into the Wesleyan perspective on scripture, science, and sexuality, exploring the approval of the Traditional Plan at the Saint Louis General Conference and the historical significance of the Stonewall Riots in 1969. Discover how an unusual coalition shaped decisions and sparked change in attitudes towards homosexuality.
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Presentation Transcript
Scripture, Science and Sexuality: A Wesleyan Approach Dr. Barbara Lukert Rev. Lee Johnson
Scripture, Science and Sexuality: A Wesleyan Approach Saint Louis General Conference: Delegates Voted 438 384 to approve the Traditional Plan calling for more and stricter enforcement of prohibition against homosexuality
Scripture, Science and Sexuality: A Wesleyan Approach How did this happen? Some say it took an unusual coalition.
Scripture, Science and Sexuality: A Wesleyan Approach Unusual elections often demand unusual coalitions.
Scripture, Science and Sexuality: A Wesleyan Approach Behind which there is always a story. And, some history.
Scripture, Science and Sexuality: A Wesleyan Approach June 28, 1969 NYC Police Raid the Stonewall Inn. Very few places welcomed gays in the 60s. Those that did were often bars.
Scripture, Science and Sexuality: A Wesleyan Approach Stonewall catered to the most marginalized in the gay community: drag queens, (transgender) people, effeminate young men, male prostitutes, homeless youth, butch lesbians.
Scripture, Science and Sexuality: A Wesleyan Approach On the morning of June 28, 1969, the marginalized and other members of the Gay Community fought back in what became known as The Stonewall Riots.
Scripture, Science and Sexuality: A Wesleyan Approach The Stonewall Riots made National News
Scripture, Science and Sexuality: A Wesleyan Approach
Scripture, Science and Sexuality: A Wesleyan Approach
Scripture, Science and Sexuality: A Wesleyan Approach Three years later: 1972 General Conference in Atlanta declares: Homosexuality is incompatible with Christian Teaching
Scripture, Science and Sexuality: A Wesleyan Approach Sixteen years later: 1988 General Conference: Legislation is passed calling for a study and report to the 1992 General Conference The Church Studies Homosexuality
Scripture, Science and Sexuality: A Wesleyan Approach During the next four years a 24-member committee meets to write the report. Committee includes: recognized scholars in the fields of Biblical interpretation, theology, psychology, medicine, and sociology.
Scripture, Science and Sexuality: A Wesleyan Approach 1992 General Conference Committee Majority report states: The present state of knowledge and insight in Biblical, theological, ethical, biological, psychological, and sociological fields does not provide satisfactory basis upon which the church can responsibly maintain the condemnation of all homosexual practice.
Scripture, Science and Sexuality: A Wesleyan Approach 1992 General Conference adopts a minority report
Scripture, Science and Sexuality: A Wesleyan Approach Present state of knowledge and insight in Biblical, theological, ethical, biological, psychological, and sociological fields does not provide satisfactory basis upon which the church can alter its previously held position.
Scripture, Science and Sexuality: A Wesleyan Approach Complexities of human nature and behavior cannot re reduced to an elementary level. Scientific answers are seldom, if ever, absolute and science cannot be used to prove moral conclusions.
Scripture, Science and Sexuality: A Wesleyan Approach In dismissing the authority of science and reason The United Methodist Church has been left with a moral conversation defined by scripture.
Scripture, Science and Sexuality: A Wesleyan Approach Old Testament: Leviticus Holiness Codes New Testament Romans 1.24-27
Scripture, Science and Sexuality: A Wesleyan Approach Romans 1.24-27
Scripture, Science and Sexuality: A Wesleyan Approach A Wesleyan Look: Scripture is the primary rather than exclusive Christian authority Wesley pursued a middle road which considered both faith and reason
Scripture, Science and Sexuality: A Wesleyan Approach A Wesleyan Look: How small a part of this great work of God is man able to understand. But it is our duty to contemplate what God has wrought, and to understand as much of it as we are able.
Scripture, Science and Sexuality: A Wesleyan Approach The need to reframe the conversation of religiosity and homosexuality beyond a moral choice and beyond the vilification of disagreement is clear. Yet, it is a daunting task.
Scripture, Science and Sexuality: A Wesleyan Approach Many United Methodist advocacy groups have formed intended to move the denomination forward, such at UMC Next, Mainstream, even RMN. While widely viewed as progressive, these groups fail to include the language of science in their primary conversations.
Scripture, Science and Sexuality: A Wesleyan Approach But, not here! Tonight!
