Review: "Does the Bible support Same-sex Marriage?” By Preston Sprinkle

Three years ago, I reviewed Preston Sprinkle’s book "Embodied". At that time, I wrote, “Sprinkle has a rare capacity as an author: on the one hand, to manage to be emotionally warm, personable, people-orientated, empathic and real; and on the other, scientifically rigorous, clear and theologically coherent.” 

I am pleased to report that Sprinkle succeeds in this book too, published in 2023, to be all of the above. He analyses the arguments for same-sex marriage, concluding that same-sex sexual relationships are prohibited from the Bible. As someone who has wrestled with these arguments for decades, I could not honestly think of anything he does not raise - and then deal with in an honest, clear and well analysed style. It is a particular highlight how he gives those he disagrees with a full, thoughtful and compassionate hearing. It is particularly honest and heartening to hear him speak of wrestling himself with arguments for same-sex marriage, nearly being convinced by some.

Sprinkle’s approach is not only generous to his opponents, but also generous in the number of arguments he considers. There are 21 of them and many cover related areas. He is clear in stating he writes for a variety of groups, and this shows in his inclusion of a number of different points of view. It is helpful that he has spent time thinking over these views with his opponents and has succeeded in remaining friends with them. He is clear that we should listen well and be willing to change our views in general. If we don’t, how can we expect others to?

He begins by suggesting how we are to conduct any contentious conversation. The author takes very much a collaborative approach - rather than go in with all guns blazing or being defensive towards any counter-argument, he might say, “That’s a good point” in the spirit of mutual curiosity. He considers the biases we all bring in debate and how we tend to hear what we fear and to counter it quickly with what we are comfortable with. He therefore emphasises that people will often remember how we have behaved, rather than exactly what we have said. 

He then goes on to outline the biblical case for different-sex marriage and against same-sex marriage. It’s interesting to read his perspective, as an author who is not same-sex attracted. I suspect that he can have a greater degree of objectivity, but he avoids the trap of sounding judgmental, no doubt being helped by the variety of friendships he has. His arguments for different-sex marriage take the following perspectives: sex difference is an intrinsic part of what marriage is; same-sex sexual relationships are always prohibited in the Bible; the multi-ethnic global Church affirms the historically Christian view; marriage and sex are not essential to human flourishing and, marriage has a purpose. 

The remaining chapters can be treated a bit like a buffet: you can dip into them as you please. I think that Sprinkle’s explanations are clear and humane, but inevitably there are discussions about Greek words, Greco-Roman culture and some more nuanced theological approaches. These discussions are undertaken, though, to take on some of the more complex arguments rooted in culture and the Bible. Some of the arguments that he challenges include “Paul is not talking about consensual same-sex relationships”, “Romans 1 condemns excessive lust, not same-sex love” and “Romans 1:26 is not referring to female same-sex sexual relationships.” 

Each chapter includes points of agreement in the debate, which I found helpful to bridge some gaps in understanding. There are some of the “old” recent arguments: Paul is patriarchal and homophobic (how ignorant in contrast to us post-moderns), Jesus never mentioned homosexuality (but nor did he mention nuclear submarines, so they must be OK then?!), God’s acceptance of LGBTQ people should mirror that of the Gentiles, “Love is Love” (but adulterers can say that too). (The bracketed comments are my own).

One of the particularly compelling lines of Sprinkle’s argument is his repeated returning to Jesus’ words of a man leaving his father and mother and the two becoming one flesh. (Matthew 19:5, quoting Genesis 2:24). It is foundational and an antidote for many of the arguments which may assail us. I could say more, but I suggest you read (or listen to Sprinkle read) the book!
 

This article was originally published in the Summer 2024 edition of the TFT magazine, Ascend. Click the button below to download your copy.