"Exploration of the restriction against homosexual acts in Jewish and Christian scriptures"
On Thursday, September 18, 2025, the Society for Christian-Jewish Cooperation is hosting an event titled "Catholic Adult and Family Education" at KEFB, Giersmauer 21, Paderborn. The event will feature a lecture by Dr. Norbert Reck, a renowned Catholic theologian and publicist, comparing Jewish and Christian interpretations of a "homosexuality ban" found in the Book of Leviticus (Third Book of Moses) and the Apostle Paul's rejection of sex between men, which is believed to be influenced by his Jewish background.
The event is open to all and will take place at the KEFB location, with further details available on the organizer's website (http://www.gcjz-unsere-website.de). For inquiries, please contact the organizer at [email protected] or write to Postfach 56101033087, Paderborn.
The prohibition against homosexuality in the Hebrew Bible is primarily derived from Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13, which traditionally have been interpreted in both Jewish and Christian contexts as forbidding male same-sex sexual acts. Jewish interpretations historically emphasize a patriarchal and heteronormative model grounded in these textual prohibitions and related laws. However, modern scholarship and queer readings have critiqued these orthodox stances by re-examining biblical narratives, suggesting the influence of contemporary cultural norms on interpretation and opening space for alternative understandings of intimacy beyond heteronormativity.
In contrast, Christian interpretations inherited these views but developed further debates around New Testament texts, especially passages in Romans, Corinthians, and Timothy, which also address sexual behaviors including same-sex acts, though with contested translations and meanings. The key Greek terms arsenokoitēs and malakos have been debated; mainstream lexicons traditionally understand these as condemning male homosexual behavior, although some scholars argue these terms address specific practices like pederasty or sexual exploitation rather than consensual same-sex relationships.
Historical context plays a significant role in shaping these interpretations. In ancient Jewish society, prohibitions against homosexual acts were intertwined with concerns about purity, identity, and resistance to surrounding Canaanite fertility cults, where homosexual acts had cultic significance. Eunuchs, who were excluded from assembly in Deuteronomy, also symbolize how sexual and gender minorities were regulated socially and religiously. The New Testament’s welcoming of the Ethiopian eunuch shows an early Christian movement grappling with these categories differently, emphasizing faith over strict adherence to ritual exclusion.
In Christian history, early church teachings adopted and extended Jewish prohibitions but also introduced new moral frameworks rooted in Pauline ethics. Over centuries, Christian doctrine solidified a negative stance on homosexuality, linking it to sin and moral decay, but during the modern era, progressive theologians began reinterpreting these texts to argue for inclusion and challenge heteronormative dogma.
This comparative and historical analysis shows a complex interplay between scripture, culture, and evolving theological understanding regarding homosexuality in both religions. Attendees of the event will have the opportunity to delve deeper into these topics and engage in thought-provoking discussions with fellow participants and the guest lecturer, Dr. Norbert Reck.
Key points:
| Aspect | Jewish Interpretation | Christian Interpretation | |--------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------| | Foundational texts | Leviticus 18:22, 20:13, Deuteronomy 23 | Hebrew Bible plus New Testament passages (Romans 1, 1 Corinthians 6, 1 Timothy 1) | | Historical context | Focus on purity laws, identity, and opposition to pagan cults | Pauline ethics and early church teachings on morality | | Modern scholarship | Critical queer theory readings, debates on David & Jonathan | Debates over Greek terms, cultural context in prohibitions | | Exceptions & inclusions | Eunuchs excluded but open to reinterpretation | Early outreach symbolized by Ethiopian eunuch narrative | | Theological shifts | Remain mostly traditional with modern critiques | Increasingly diverse, with some progressive reinterpretations challenging traditional views |
- The event, titled "Catholic Adult and Family Education," at the KEFB location, will offer attendees a deeper understanding of Jewish and Christian interpretations of homosexuality ban, specifically delving into the historical context, modern scholarship, and theological shifts.
- In comparison to Jewish interpretations that are primarily focused on Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13, Christian interpretations are also based on passages from the New Testament, particularly Romans, Corinthians, and Timothy, and involve debates over key Greek terms like arsenokoitēs and malakos.
