"The literal approach to the Bible claims not to interpret the Bible but merely to take it for what it obviously says. The words of the Bible in modern translation are taken to mean what they mean to the reader today. On this basis the Bible is said to condemn homosexuality in a number of places.

But an historical-critical approach reads the Bible in its original historical and cultural context. This approach takes the Bible to mean, as best as can be determined, what its human authors intended to say in their own time and in their own way. Understood on its own terms, the Bible was not addressing our current questions about sexual ethics. The Bible does not condemn gay sex as we understand it today."

These are the first two paragraphs from the 'summary and conclusion' of a book I have been reading of late.

The introduction opens with "the Bible condemns homosexuality. It says so in black and white". From there the author goes on to explain how we interpret the Bible - the literal approach and the historical-critical approach - and how the mainstream church uses a combination of both. The author also gives some pros and cons for both interpretations. For instance the literal approach "appeals to common sense and requires no detailed study", however we allow and encourage women to teach in Sunday School and to speak in church even though 1 Timothy 2:11-14 forbids that.

The historical-critical approach "can determine the meaning of a text objectively, following clear guidelines," but "it requires long and difficult study. Only specialists can apply it. This method makes Bible interpretation a technical science. Archaeology, history, ancient language, anthropology, minute analysis of words and texts are all required for proper interpretation."

Once these have been explained the author then explores in detail over the next five chapters the five main references in the Bible to homosexuality. The eighth chapter covers other minor references.

I picked this book up because I was slightly disturbed to see the way people use the Bible as authority to condemn and marginalise sections of God's creation. Historically the Bible has been used to support and promote slavery and the oppression of women, however I do not have the education to enable me to read Hebrew and Greek so that I can translate for myself what the scribes have written, so I did the next best thing (read the book). There are still parts of this book that go over my head but the book is written in understandable (to me!) English, and in a very readable format.

What I (naively) found surprising was that translation of actual words change throughout the ages apparently with the differing prejudices of the translators or those authorising the translations. For example, 'malakoi' in various modern versions is rendered as 'catamites', 'the effeminate', 'boy prostitutes', or even as 'sissies'. But previously the word 'malakoi' was thought to mean 'masturbators'.

This book raises some disturbing questions - do I oppose homosexuality because I think the Bible does? or is there some other reason? What is the real reason people urge me to oppose homosexuality? What is God saying to me, a homosexual/lesbian/heterosexual on matters of human sexuality?

For those of us caught between not knowing where to stand on this issue, this book will help us make an informed decision.

I recommend this book without reservations and I will leave the last words to the author:

"Does God's word in the Bible condemn what we know today as homosexuality? Consider all the biblical passages that refer to this topic, understand them in their original historical context. Evaluate the evidence with an open and honest mind."

- What the Bible Really Says About Homosexuality by Daniel A Helminiak, Ph.D Published by Alamo Square Press

Reviewed by Ian Cresswell for local Church magazine