Can Christians Identify as Gay? (with Preston Sprinkle)
Mar 18, 2025
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Preston Sprinkle, a biblical scholar and head of the Center for Faith, Sexuality, and Gender, delves into the complexities of gay identity in Christianity. He explores whether Christians can identify as gay, navigating the emotional and spiritual implications of such identities. The conversation highlights the need for compassion and clarity, emphasizing the balance between personal experiences and theological understanding. Additionally, Preston addresses the significance of language and open dialogue within the diverse faith community.
The podcast emphasizes the significance of identifying primarily with Christ rather than sexual orientation to avoid discipleship issues.
Language usage around the term 'gay' is complex, requiring careful unpacking to prevent misunderstandings about beliefs regarding sexuality.
The discussion critiques the idea that sexual orientation confers moral authority, advocating for the separation of personal identity from theological truth.
Deep dives
Understanding Gay Identity
The discussion centers around the complexities of gay identity within the Christian context, particularly focusing on whether Christians with same-sex attraction should identify as gay. There is a belief that doing so might lead to conflating one's sexual identity with their Christian faith, which could result in discipleship issues. The importance of identifying primarily with Christ rather than any other labels, including sexual orientation, is emphasized. The argument suggests that if one's identity as gay takes precedence over their identity in Christ, it poses a fundamental flaw in their spiritual journey.
Cultural Context and Language
The conversation highlights the variations in how individuals use the term 'gay,' with some viewing it merely as a descriptor of same-sex attraction, while others associate it with a larger identity that may require affirmation of same-sex relationships. It points out that language matters, particularly how the term 'gay' may carry different connotations in various social contexts. Miscommunication can arise if a Christian identifies as gay without clarifying its meaning, which can lead to misunderstandings about their beliefs regarding sexuality. The speaker underscores the need to unpack the term's significance on a case-by-case basis to avoid a blanket assumption of its implications.
Missiological Considerations
The podcast delves into the missiological implications of how Christians engage with those from the LGBTQ+ community, particularly regarding language and identity. There’s recognition that affirming members of the community may be necessary to facilitate understanding and dialogue, especially in outreach settings. Using terms like 'same-sex attracted' versus 'gay' can significantly shape conversations and outreach efforts, impacting how individuals perceive Christianity. This approach calls for wisdom in how language is used, stressing the balance between clarity in identity and effectiveness in communication.
The Role of Personal Experience
Contributors discuss how personal experiences with same-sex attraction can shape one's interactions and identity in relation to the Christian faith. It raises the question of whether embracing same-sex attraction as an identity can be beneficial or problematic, given its disordered nature within the biblical narrative. Acknowledging that struggles can bring individuals closer to God, the implications of framing attraction positively remain contentious. This discourse highlights the tension between viewing experiences as thorns in the flesh versus embracing them as a celebrated part of one’s identity.
Critical Theory and Identity Politics
The dialogue reflects on the broader societal implications of identity politics, questioning whether identifying as gay confers unique moral or experiential authority. It critiques the notion that personal identity rooted in sexual orientation should automatically grant an individual authority on theological matters. The conversation also suggests that while personal testimonies can provide critical insights, they do not define doctrinal truth. This examination leads to concerns over how critical theory shapes contemporary dialogues about identity and morality within Christian contexts.
Should Christians identify as gay? Is this a secondary issue that should not divide Christians, or is more at stake? Sean and Preston Sprinkle continue the dialogue from last week and focus on the question of whether homosexuality can be one part of Christian identity.
Preston Sprinkle is Biblical scholar, speaker, and the head of the Center for Faith, Sexuality, and Gender. He is the best-selling author of multiple books including People to be Loved and Does the Bible Support Same-Sex Marriage? He hosts the popular podcast Theology in the Raw.
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Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California.
To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu.
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