Almost three decades ago, Richard Hays, a United Methodist minister and dean of Duke Divinity School, wrote what became a leading traditionalist Christian argument against same-sex marriage.
His 1996 book, “The Moral Vision of the New Testament, “served as a cornerstone in evangelical seminaries and conservative Christian circles.
Hays has now undergone a profound transformation in his views on the subject.
Widening View of Same-Sex Marriage
In his new book, “The Widening of God’s Mercy,” Hays openly reflects on how his understanding of scripture has dramatically shifted. Expressing remorse for his earlier stance, he claims to be “deeply sorry” for the harm his previous teachings caused LGBTQ individuals who were excluded from Christian churches.
Hays has had a scholarly change-of-mind, along with different interpretations of what the Bible says. And the shift is from the head to the heart.
“I want to repent of what I wrote before,” Hays revealed in an interview alongside his son and co-author, Christopher Hays.
