Author Archives: Andrew McFarland Campbell
Same-Sex Relationships: 1 Corinthians and 1 Timothy
This is the text of the talk I gave to the Accepting Sexuality group.
Abstract
There are two passages from the New Testament that are often quoted as proof that you cannot be gay and Christian: 1 Corinthians 6.9–10 and 1 Timothy 1.9–10. The New International Version of the former says “men who have sex with men … will [not] inherit the kingdom of God.” If the understanding of these passages was as simple as a superficial reading suggests, then the gay Christian movement would never have started. However, their message is more equivocal, and there are many conflicting translations.
It can be shown that the key words in these passages, malakos and arsenokoites, are not about sex between men, and the latter can even be connected to sex between a husband and wife.
By considering the wider Christian context of these passages, in particular what Christ said about inheriting…
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Faith, Pride, and Chat this Friday
Don’t forget Faith, Pride, and Chat, our informal social evening, is taking place on Friday, 26 October at 7 p.m in St George’s Church on High Street. More detail….
30 Years Since Decriminalisation
On Sunday 28th October 2012 at 3 p.m. in St Georges Church, High Street, Belfast, there will be a service to mark 30 years since the decriminalisation of same-sex relationships in Northern Ireland. The speaker is Jeff Dudgeon MBE.
Jeff Dudgeon is best known for his role in the case of Dudgeon vs United Kingdom, where he challenged the criminalisation of sexual relations between men at the European Court of Human Rights. When it concluded in 1982, the case forced Northern Ireland to bring its laws into line with the rest of the UK.
This event is organised by Changing Attitude Ireland.
“Presbyterian, Gay and Scottish” – Changing Attitude Ireland Lecture
Changing Attitude Ireland is having a public lecture at 3:45 p.m. on Saturday 27th October 2012 in Central Hall, First (Non-Subscribing) Presbyterian Church, Rosemary St, Belfast. The speaker is Rev. Blair Robertson from Affirmation Scotland.
The Revd Blair Robertson is a clergyman in the Church of Scotland. Educated at Edinburgh and Glasgow Universities and Princeton Theological Seminary, he is Head of Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. He will reflect on the current debate on sexuality in his Church, and look ahead, with hope, to a more inclusive church. Speaking from his personal experience as a gay Christian he will give perspectives on how the Bible and theology is used in this often difficult debate in the Christian churches in Britain and Ireland.
“Written in the past, calling to the present”
Accepting Sexuality, an informal group of Methodists, is holding a series of Bible studies in October.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are used to hearing Biblical passages quoted in judgement or exclusion of their identity. This series looks at an interpretation in the context in which the passages were written which brings a positive, affirming and inclusive message to LGBT people, their families and friends, in relation to who God is and to our understanding of sexuality.
The series aims to enable an open, honest and Biblical understanding of these sometimes difficult passages.
The studies take place at 8pm in the Belfast South Methodist Church, Lisburn Road, Belfast.
| Date | Subject and speaker | |
|---|---|---|
| 4 October | Jayme Reaves Introduction to Scriptural Interpretation |
Paula Rita Tabakin The Jewish Approach to Difficult Scriptures |
| 11 October | Jayme Reaves The Creation Narrative |
Stephen Adair Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis and Jude) |
| 18 October | Harriet Long Leviticus |
|
| 25 October | David Cooper Romans |
Andrew McFarland Campbell 1 Corinthians & 1 Timothy |
Faith, Pride, and Chat this Friday
Don’t forget Faith, Pride, and Chat, our informal social evening, is taking place on Friday, 28 September at 7:15 p.m in Costa Coffee, Victoria Square. Note this is a last-minute change of venue. I’ll be wearing a pink F&P hoodie so you can find me. More detail….
Faith, Pride, and Chat this Friday
Don’t forget Faith, Pride, and Chat, our informal social evening, is taking place on Friday, 31 August at 7 p.m in St George’s Church on High Street. More detail….
Belfast Pride 2012
The Albert Clock at 6pm. Photo: Gerry Lynch.
Every evening from Sunday 29 July to Saturday 4 August, as the Albert Clock struck six, people gathered in St George’s Parish Church to spend 15 minutes with Christ. While there is nothing remarkable about people meeting in a church, what was significant was each of those 15 minute services was, like all of our Belfast Pride events, part of the Belfast Pride Festival. After they were over, many of the participants went on to other Belfast Pride events. Every evening we witnessed a simple fact: you can be Christian and gay.
Each evening, a different speaker lead the meditation.
| Date | Speaker | Subject |
| Sunday 29 July | Pádraig Ó Tuama | Fear Not |
| Monday 30 July | John O’Neill | Pied Beauty |
| Tuesday 31 July | Simon Henning | Can we remember our lines? |
| Wednesday 1 August | Michael Carchrie Campbell | We must be content to go on like pilgrims. |
| Thursday 2 August | Andrew McFarland Campbell | All One in Christ |
| Friday 3 August | Harriet Long | Can we make space for God revealing himself? |
| Saturday 4 August | Michael Carchrie Campbell | The noble task of man, to pray and to love |
The music before and after the service came mainly from Songs of Taizé – O Lord, Hear My Prayer & My Soul Is At Rest (Volume One).
Film: Love Free or Die
On Sunday 29 July we showed the film Love Free or Die, which is about Bishop Gene Robinson, the first openly gay Anglican Bishop. Gene Robinson was shown to be brave, charismatic, and above all human.
The Parade Itself
People from Faith and Pride supporting the Belfast Pride parade. Photo: Phil O’Kane
Inspired by the events in Love Free or Die, on the day of the parade, we gathered outside St George’s Church, along with our friends from Changing Attitude Ireland, to support the Belfast Pride Parade, on both its outward and return journeys. It was a wonderful and humbling experience to get such a warm reception from the people on the parade.
Thanks
Michael and I could not have done all that we did without the help of several people, including Pádraig Ó Tuama, John O’Neill, Simon Henning, Harriet Long, Father Brian Stewart, Pam Tilson, Many Mullin, and the Belfast Pride committee. Special thanks go to Mervyn Kingston and Richard O’Leary, who have broken much new ground for us, and who gave us many ideas for how we may give witness to a loving and inclusive Christianity.
And a Final Word
Belfast Pride Parade Day
Today is Belfast Pride‘s parade day. We are holding two events.
- A group of gay (and gay friendly) Christians will be supporting the parade. We will be gathering at St George’s Church on High Street from 10.30. More details… (Facebook event page). If you are on the parade, give us a wave as you go past!
- Our final 15 minutes with Christ is at 6pm in St George’s. More details… (Facebook event page).
For full details of Belfast Pride itself, check their website.
15 minutes with Christ today
The sixth of our 15 minutes with Christ services is at 6 pm today, at St George’s Church, High Street, Belfast.
Faith and Pride 