“Where I now stand on the question is that Scripture, read as narrative, offers a vision of a God who is dynamic and personal, and can constantly surprise us by reshaping what we thought we knew as settled matters.”
Hays’ earlier work was frequently referenced in evangelical settings, but he now seeks to address the damage done. “I hope that people who are dismayed about this book will actually read it,” he added.
Gay Christian Perspective
Hays’ 1996 teachings have been used as a tool to challenge LGBTQ people within religious communities. “That position has been weaponized,” Hays admits, noting how his earlier arguments were used by conservative evangelicals to oppress gay and lesbian people.
Unlike other progressive theological approaches, Hays focuses, not on untangling scripture’s condemnation of same-sex intimacy, but on emphasizing a broader, more inclusive vision of God’s grace.
Christopher Hays concurs, arguing that the Bible’s authors likely did not foresee the committed same-sex relationships of today when writing scripture.
