Protestants mainly differ in their views on homosexuality because of the way they read the Bible, rather than because the biblical texts themselves are unclear. This is the finding of theologian Thomas Bakker’s research into Protestant views on homosexuality. Greater attention to hermeneutics creates scope for a better and more substantive dialogue.
Why do Protestant Christians, who read the same Bible and regard it as the Word of God, nevertheless arrive at different views on homosexuality? According to Bakker, the explanation lies primarily in hermeneutics: the way in which the Bible is read and interpreted.
‘Hermeneutics is not about the question of what the Bible says, but about how you read the Bible,’ says the researcher. ‘Differences in the way biblical texts are assessed, and in the significance attached to culture, science, tradition and personal experience, lead to differing views on homosexuality, according to the research.’
Different choices, different conclusions
Bakker shows that Protestant theologians place different emphases when applying the Bible to our contemporary situation. ‘Some authors attach decisive importance to the biblical texts concerning homosexuality and therefore reject same-sex relationships. Other theologians emphasise that the Bible was written in a specific cultural context and argue for the full acceptance of homosexual people in church and society,’ says Bakker. He continues: ‘The debate about homosexuality is therefore primarily a matter of hermeneutics.’
First, talk about the way the Bible is read
Bakker argues that Christians should not only debate the substance of the issue, but above all discuss the way in which they read the Bible.
'In this way, the debate about homosexuality can be taken to a higher level. Greater attention to hermeneutics can help prevent people from talking past one another and can make it easier to understand how others arrive at their views.’
According to Bakker, this approach is also relevant to other topics, such as creation and evolution, women and ministry, and the position of Israel. ‘The insights from the research are therefore not only significant for Protestants, but also for the wider Christian world and for societal debates about the interpretation of texts.’
Literature review
The research was conducted as a literature review. Contemporary Protestant books and academic articles on homosexuality and hermeneutics were studied. In addition, the researcher examined in greater depth the views of four Protestant authors. Finally, using Reformed hermeneutics, he examined the extent to which the hermeneutical views of these four authors are consistent with that approach.