Inclusive Theology

LGBTQ+ individuals have long faced discrimination due to dominant societal attitudes. Unfortunately, these attitudes are often taught within churches—not only globally, but especially in Egypt and Arabic-speaking societies, where same-sex relationships are criminalized by law and socially rejected. Too often, the Bible is used as a weapon to "condemn" lesbian and gay people.

It is important to remember that such hurtful messages do not reflect Christ, nor the way God wants the church to be, nor even the true meaning of the Bible. Yet, in many cases, religious leaders interpret and use Scripture according to their personal beliefs, individual convictions, or the surrounding culture and society.

The Bible contains only a very small number of passages that refer to same-sex sexual relationships; just six passages in all sixty-six books of the Bible. Clearly, this was not a major concern for the biblical writers. Nevertheless, these verses have been used to justify hatred, condemnation, and the exclusion of God's lesbian and gay children.

The term "homosexuality" is a modern concept and did not exist in biblical times. The biblical authors had no understanding of sexual orientation or the development of sexual identity as we understand them today. Therefore, the verses that mention same-sex sexual activity should not be viewed as comprehensive statements about homosexuality, but rather understood in the context of the limited knowledge the ancient world—which produced the Bible—had about sexuality.

In this booklet, we explore these six well-known passages through a careful, inclusive, and historically grounded lens, in light of God’s deep love and acceptance, fulfilling the law of Christ and the greatest commandment. We also reflect on the concept of “the Law” for us as Christians, and offer a brief look at the role of biblical authority in our lives.