People who condemn homosexuality routinely appeal to the testimony of Scripture. They quote six major passages, three in the Old, three in the New Testament. They do so from modern English translations approved by their congregations. In this article I use an historical-critical analysis in order to determine as best I can, given modern scholarship, the intention of the scriptural authors. In examining the six passages from that perspective, I conclude that the Old Testament only condemns homogenital sex in adulterous, idolatrous, and patriarchal contexts. It does not address lesbianism at all. The New Testament condemns, not homosexuality in general, but only pederasty, especially of the more dehumanizing kinds. It disparages women who in sex take over the dominant and controlling role, one reserved culturally to men. It does not address lesbiaism. This leads to one conclusion: the Scripture does not condemn modern homosexual and lesbian realationships between loving, committed, same-sex partners.
