7 Biblical Arrows Aimed at Queer Hearts:
A Review of Those 7 References
by J. F. Dwyer
CITE:
Sutton, G. W. (2025). 7 biblical arrows aimed at queer hearts: A review of Those 7 References. Interdisciplinary Book and Film Reviews.
REVIEWER: Geoffrey W. Sutton
Book Summary
Dwyer, J. F. (2021). Those 7 references: A study of "homosexuality" in the bible and its impact on the queer community of faith. Morehouse
In a concise and accessible book, Episcopalian Priest John Dwyer elucidates the seven biblical references that some Christians use to criticize same-sex relationships. Following an introduction, Dwyer categorizes these seven texts into five chapters: (1) Genesis 19 and Judges 19, (2) Leviticus 18 and 20, (3) Romans 1, (4) 1 Corinthians 6, and (5) 1 Timothy 1. His approach is thorough and systematically organized. Each chapter begins with the relevant biblical passage, followed by an analysis of the pertinent words and phrases within the context of the chapter, the broader biblical book, and the cultural backdrop.
As others have written, Genesis 19 and Judges 19 are somewhat similar and deal with men who wanted to have sex with a male guest or guests. In both cases, the aggressive men were offered a woman. The men of Sodom refused Lot’s daughters, and then the guests blinded the predators. In the Judges case, the guests are a Levite and his concubine. The host offered his daughter and the concubine. Eventually, the concubine was put outside and raped. Dwyer makes the point that the story is about rape, not same-sex relationships, and the horrific way the men treated others.
On the surface, the Leviticus texts prohibit male-to-male sexual relationships. Dwyer comments on the related texts and the culture to clarify that this story is not about a loving relationship between equals, but rather about the way men ought to behave toward each other in their community. He notes, as have others, that there is no mention of same-sex activity between women, which may be because they were not seen as a threat to the social structure.
By any standard, Romans 1 is surely the power text when it comes to condemning same-sex sex. Dwyer comments on Paul’s perspective on sex: “The bottom line to Paul is that this kind of sexual activity does not create children and is therefore out of bounds.” (p. 37). It’s in this chapter that the Bible refers to both men and women having same-sex relationships. Dwyer also explains Paul’s concern for the godliness of the Christian community within a culture of violence and abuse. “Paul is not talking about mutuality or love,” writes Dwyer (p. 38).
In his analysis of 1 Corinthians 6, Dwyer takes time to provide examples of different translations of the key words, which illustrates the difficulty translation teams have in providing an English equivalent of the concepts. Here again, Dwyer presents the condemned sexual activity as the appalling use of vulnerable persons for the pleasure of predatory men.
The final chapter deals with 1 Timothy 1. Verse 10 is the one that varies depending on the translators, which Dwyer illustrates with five translations. After commenting on the Greek vocabulary, Dwyer once again asserts his view that the text addresses using someone for personal gratification rather than about loving relationships.
Comments and Reflections
The seven references offer readers an opportunity to consider alternative interpretations of the verses some Christian leaders have used to condemn same-sex sexual relationships. While these interpretations seem to mostly apply to lesbian and gay Christians, depending on how the verses are interpreted, they might also apply to those who identify as bisexual or transgender. The author's writing style is clear and supported by strong references. Although many of his comments appear repetitive, this seems appropriate because the scriptures themselves address similar concerns.
However, it seems to me that a crucial biblical text is missing from the discussion and may be worth considering in another edition. Genesis chapters 1 and 2 refer to God’s creation and the joining together of a male and female, along with God’s blessing on creating new lives. These references are key to conservative Christian arguments that there are only two sexes, that the divinely ordained marriage relationship is male and female, and that the purpose of sex is reproduction. These verses have been part of the arguments against same-sex marriage as well as connecting gender with sex. A theology of Genesis chapters 1-2 appears relevant to the concerns not only of gay and lesbian Christians but also those who identify as bisexual, transgender, intersex, and asexual.
Although Dwyer offers helpful comments on the cultural backdrop for the biblical texts, he has not commented on the biopsychological context of humanity, which may help explain an aspect of the ancient cultures that is still relevant today. For example, the work of Rozin and Fallon (1987) and Haidt (2012), applied to the discussion of same-sex relationships (e.g., Beck, 2011; Sutton, 2016), emphasizes the common reaction of disgust by heterosexual men and women when learning about same-sex relationships. This reaction often leads to a moral stance that desires to expel all that is deemed disgusting and promote purity and sacredness, as seen in the biblical texts.
Notes
In addition to the works cited in the review, other books have also addressed the biblical texts about same sex relationships (Furnish, 2009; Knust, 2011)
REFERENCES
Beck, R. (2011). Unclean: Meditations on Purity, Hospitality, and Mortality. Wipf and Stock.
Coogan, M.D. (2010). God and sex: What the bible really says. Twelve.
Dwyer, J. F. (2021). Those 7 references: A study of "homosexuality" in the bible and its impact on the queer community of faith. Morehouse
Furnish, V. P. (2009). The Moral Teaching of Paul: Selected Issues, 3rd Ed. Abingdon.
Haidt, J. (2012). The righteous mind: Why good people are divided by politics and religion. Pantheon Books.
Knust, J. W. (2011). Unprotected texts: The Bible’s surprising contradictions about sex and desire. HarperCollins.
Rozin, P., & Fallon, A. E. (1987). A perspective on disgust. Psychological Review, 94(1), 23–41. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.94.1.23
Sutton, G. W. (2025). Eve, a serpent, and a woman’s place: Relating Christianity and psychology. Sunflower. Availability: Amazon Google Bookstore
Sutton, G. W. (2024). Irreconcilable differences? Apes, Adam and an ark: Relating Christianity and psychology. Sunflower. ISBN = 979-8323386581 AMAZON
Book Author: John F. Dwyer
John F. Dwyer is an Episcopal priest with experience in both seminary and parish settings, as well as prior legal and corporate work before ordination. He has focused on ways to witness and express love while being a married gay man. He resides in Berkeley, California.
Review Author
Geoffrey W. Sutton, Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Evangel University, holds a master’s degree in counseling and a PhD in psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia. His postdoctoral work encompassed education and supervision in forensic and neuropsychology. As a licensed psychologist, he conducted clinical and neuropsychological evaluations and provided psychotherapy for patients in various settings, including schools, hospitals, and private offices. During his tenure as a professor, Dr. Sutton taught courses on psychotherapy, assessment, and research. He has authored over one hundred publications, including books, book chapters, and articles in peer-reviewed psychology journals. His website is https://suttong.com
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