This document summarizes the evolving theology around same-sex marriage in Protestant Christian churches. It notes that terms used in biblical passages to condemn homosexuality, such as "sodomy" and "abomination", have changed meanings over time. Mainline liberal churches now support same-sex marriage based on a theology of selfless, monogamous love reflecting Christ. Conservative churches still view same-sex relations as sinful based on Genesis. The gay rights movement gained momentum in the late 20th century through legal challenges. As culture has grown more accepting, mainstream Protestant theology has also gradually embraced homosexuality, demonstrating a reciprocal influence between religion and society.

1. THE LEGALIZATION OF
SAME-SEX MARRIAGE AND
EVOLVING PROTESTANT
CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY
By Tamara Love
Tamaralove@unm.edu

2. EVOLVING BIBLICAL TERMINOLOGY AND
HEBREW ROOTS
• “The term “sodomy” wasn’t invented until the eleventh century”
(Jay Michaelson).
• The term “homosexuality” was coined in the year 1869 by
German psychologists (Vines).
• The word translated as “abomination” in Lev. 18:22 (KJV),
comes from the Hebrew toevah, “which actually means
something permitted to one group and forbidden to another”
(Michaelson).
• Tishkav and mishkevei translate as “lie” or “lyings” and are
“vulgar words for sex” (61). However, yada refers to “making
love,” such as when Adam “knew” his wife (Michaelson).

3. TENSION BETWEEN CONFLICTING THEOLOGY
Conservative
Evangelical Protestant
churches
• Conservative churches include
evangelicals, Pentecostals and
fundamentalists. Presbyterian (PCA),
Reformed Churches, American
Baptists, Southern Baptist
Convention, United Methodists,
Assemblies of God, Lutheran
(Missouri Synod), Mormons.
• Theology that same-sex relations are
sinful, often based on view of Adam
and Eve as examples of God’s divine
will in creating man and woman as
complementary sexual and relational
counterparts.
Mainline
Liberal Protestant
Churches
• Groups such as Episcopalians,
Lutherans (ELCA), Presbyterians
(PCUSA), United Methodists, the
United Church of Christ, Unitarian
Universalists, Quakers, and the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America, most of which are
affirming of same-sex relations and
marriage.
• Theology that same-sex relations are
not sinful if they are selfless, loving,
monogamous marriages that reflect
service to each other, like Christ did
for us on the cross.
Notice a split between
some denominations

4. LEGAL CHALLENGES FOR CIVIL RIGHTS
• In the mid 70s, even the U.S. Supreme Court was
swayed by conservative biblical interpretations, which
fueled the gay civil rights movement in American
politics.
• 1979 First National Gay rights March, 100,000 people
• 1986 U.S. Supreme Court upholds Sodomy laws
• Edith Winsor, Thea Spyer and DOMA. Enacted by
Clinton 1996. Denied benefits to same-sex couples.
Case decision publicly announced June 26th, 2013.

5. On June 26, 2015 the U.S. Supreme Court decision was final (Obergefell v. Hodges)
In 2003, Massachusetts became the first state to legalize gay
marriage.

6. COGNITIVE DISSONANCE ARISING FROM
LITERAL INTERPRETATIONS
• Total adherence to Old Testament biblical laws is lacking in modern conservative
Christianity, showing a literalistic view is inconsistent with modern practices
(Vines 81; Wink 42, Scanzoni and Mollenkott 64, Horner, 71).
• If same-sex relations are sinful, Christians must choose which sin to commit: denying marital
rights, (1st Cor. 7:3), divorce (Mat. 19:8), or engaging in sexual activity (Lev. 18:22).
• Historical-critical approach developed by Ernst Troeltch in 19th century.
• Canonical approach vs exposition: the logical fallacy of cherry picking verses.

7. CONCLUSION: RECIPROCAL INFLUENCE
• American culture and Protestant theology have shown a marked increase in acceptance
of homosexuality.
• Mainline churches demonstrate a pattern of following cultural trends that coincide with
the gay rights movement and liberal theology influenced the larger American culture.

8. THANKS AND APPRECIATION
tamaralove@unm.edu