Here is the link to my presentation last evening at First UMC in Orlando, Florida on.the subject, “All Means All: The Bible’s Affirmation of LGBTQ+ Persons”…
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CyHF3CCRvPs
Here is the handout/outline given to those who were present…
“All Means All: The Bible’s Affirmation of LGBTQ+ People” Dr. Steve Harper
Introduction
–context before texts
–a “panoramic view”
I. Creator
–God is love (1 John 4:8)
–love for the sake of others (hesed/agape)
–love for all (Jeremiah 32:24; John 3:16)
II. Creation
–nonbinary (parings are not “twos”)
–variety (“kind” and plural words)
–goodness (Hebrew: tob)
–godliness (imago dei)
III. Covenant
–inclusiveness (Genesis 9:10; Genesis 12:3)
–goodness (how the goodness of creation is expressed in everyday living)
–life (Deuteronomy 4:1; Deuteronomy 30:19)
IV. Christ
–says nothing explicitly about homosexuality
–models key elements of inclusion:
–invitation to all (Matthew 11:28)
–valuing of eunuchs (Matthew 19:12)
–prayer in John 17
V. Church
–witness to universaity (Colossians 3:11)
–inclusion of all (Galatians 3:28)
–eunuch was first convert after the church scattered (Acts 8:27)
VI. Consummation
–trajectory of God’s eternal plan (Ephesians 1:9-10)
–vision of God’s accomplished plan (Revelation 7:9)
Conclusion
–taking all six vantage points into consideration: all means ALL (Psalm 150:6)
–everything boils down to this: you are God’s beloved child!
For Further Reading
David Gushee, Changing Our Minds (3rd edition)
Steve Harper, For the Sake of the Bride
Jennifer Knust, Unprotected Texts
Oboedire 