Richard Hays, 76, Dies; Theologian Who Had Stunning Change of Heart He released a thunderclap into the evangelical world by asserting that a deeper reading of the Bible revealed that same-sex relationships are not sinful.

New York Times ^ | 12th January 2025 | Trip Gabriel

[Cronos]

For decades, conservative Christians opposed to homosexuality cited the Bible scholarship of Richard B. Hays, the dean of Duke Divinity School, who provided a full-on argument from Scripture against gay relationships.

“Homosexuality is one among many tragic signs that we are a broken people, alienated from God’s loving purpose,” Mr. Hays asserted in his book “The Moral Vision of the New Testament” (1996), which was read by a generation of seminary students.

Then, last year, Mr. Hays released a thunderclap into the evangelical world by recanting his earlier views and asserting that a deeper reading of the Bible revealed that same-sex relationships are not sinful after all.

Just as surprising as his about-face was his explanation for why: Mr. Hays changed his mind about same-sex relationships, he said, because God changed his mind.

The New Testament “fully includes” L.G.B.T.Q. people, he wrote in what would be his last book, written as he knew that he was dying. Because same-sex marriage is blessed by God, he argued, the church should bless it as well.

Mr. Hays, an ordained Methodist minister who was one of the world’s leading New Testament theologians, died on Jan. 3 at his home in Nashville. He was 76.

...

[Cronos]

What's the story with this guy? I've never heard of him before

[Bayard]

NYT wants to megaphone the Deeper message.

[Bigg Red]

Guessing it’s hot where he is right now.....

[Jonty30]

You are the reason why he read deeper into the Bible to interpret homosexuality is not a sin.

[dpetty121263]

Well he made his way to Hades for sure!

[Jonty30]

Homosexuality is broken people. Sexually traumatized people who were molested as children and are re-enacting the trauma.

[Da Coyote]

Saw the lede, and before looking at the source, I thought, “It’s gotta be one of the now laughed at gang”. Bingo, The NYT. Nothing more need be said..

Journalism, when one consistently failed studies classes, but still wants some sort of boxtop degree.

[Telepathic Intruder]

Leviticus 18:22 is pretty clear. I don’t know how there could be any confusion.

[woweeitsme]

Not only that, but Jesus reiterates it in Matthew 19: 4-5 and Paul is quite adamant about it in Romans 1.

[jerod]

Interpreting the past to insert homosexuality and deviant sexual behavior as historically acceptable... And completely normal. It’s a thing.

[Westbrook]

See also Romans 1:14-ff.

New Testament.

[rlmorel]

I just went to a biblical men's group meeting last week, and the topic of discussion was homosexuality. I learned that prior to 1946, the word "homosexual" or any of its derivatives had never appeared in the Bible. I did not know that, but it was enough to pique my interest. But as the discussion wore on, there were half-a-dozen or more specific examples in both the Old and New Testament that, even though they did not use the word "Homosexuality" explicitly, were clear enough to convince me there isn't any wiggle room the way those who point out that 1946 translative demarcation. They never said "homosexual" or "homosexuality", but they had unequivocal statements such as:

"Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable."

and

"Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men"

Seems pretty clear to me.

So for some "important" religious figure to say that God approves of it seems like blasphemy to me.

[Cronos]

huh? What? H is a sin as clearly stated before and after Jesus and by Jesus who clearly considered marriage as man+woman

[Thrownatbirth]

He decided the flames of Hell were preferable to an eternity with God.

[AppyPappy]

Basically, marriage is between a man and a woman and sex outside of marriage is forbidden.

[Forward the Light Brigade]

Sorry, its hard to get around that part in the Bible that calls it an abomination against God. Oddly enough it only speaks out against homosexual men and Lesbian woman are not to be found in the Bible—that means that lesbianism might be OK with God. Maybe God thought women get such a bad break, he could do that for them?

[Busywhiskers]

A, He is a Methodist, so his theology is likely bad anyway.
B. Since he is dead, he knows the truth now.

[Cronos]

I think it is partly that and also partly the sinful nature.

A person may have the urge to klli (think “Dexter” - ok, yeah, that is fiction, but there are others with the tendency) - but that doesn’t make it NOT a sin, not a crime.

People may want to fool around without consequence, but no, that doesn’t stop it from being a sin.

We all have a stain, a fallen nature, and some people may have urges or “feelings”, but that does not make it correct.

Bad things happening to a person when a child does not make it ok for them to repeat it as an adult - we are thinking, sapient creatures.

[Cronos]

For any person to read that and think that it means the opposite - leave alone blasphemy, it is illogical

[Cronos]

marriage is between a man and a woman and sex outside of marriage is forbidden.

Correct.