Richard Hays Changes His Mind
Richard Hays Changes His Mind
The prominent New Testament scholar now affirms same-sex relationships.
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a review for Baptist News Global on The Widening of God’s Mercy: Sexuality Within the Biblical Story. The new book by New Testament scholar Richard Hays and his son Christopher Hays, an Old Testament scholar, reveals that both authors have changed their minds on covenanted same-sex relationships. They now believe these faithful commitments are a means of grace for LGBTQ people, as they are for heterosexual people. Yet the book is about much more than sexuality. In my review, I summarized the thesis this way:
So, do Richard Hays and Christopher Hays make a compelling case for the full inclusion of LGBTQ people into the life of the Church? When Richard contacted me last year to ask if I would provide feedback on the manuscript (along with several others), my first reaction was, “What an amazing God we serve!” That’s still my response. The book addresses far more than sexuality; the bulk of it comprises a beautiful canonical portrayal of what God is like. Whether or not every reader is persuaded to affirm same-sex relationships, I’m hopeful all will be reminded of how great and merciful is our God.
The book is really about the gospel. In fact, they hope The Widening of God’s Mercy will speak not merely to those who are nonaffirming, but also people who are already affirming but may feel disillusioned with Christianity because of opposition to LGBTQ people.
I know from experience that hearing about a person’s change of mind can be hard. In this case, I rejoice in Richard’s and Christopher’s new perspective. It encourages my weary heart. And yet, I know there are other weary hearts who will feel discouraged. When I was in my ex-gay days and Side B days, hearing a role model or friend had become affirming made me feel more alone in the world. I was trying my best to live for God, and losing a teammate on an already beleagured team grieved me.
So, I understand how some of my ex-gay or Side B friends might be feeling. I am not here to gloat. Instead, I want to reiterate: I support you in the call God has put on your life. I pray that across differences, we can do more to support each other as sexual and gender minorities.
And I hope you will extend understanding to me as well, that you will hear my heart. Even if you can’t fully rejoice with me, you can understand the feeling of hope and encouragement when allies take a risk to get hit by stones alongside us. As someone who is affirming, I often feel beleagured when it comes to ecclesial and societal responses to LGBTQ people. On a daily basis I labor to bring change for the better, including the full affirmation and inclusion of sexual and gender minorities. And so Richard’s and Christopher’s new book gives me much needed hope and encouragement.
Wherever you are theologically, I hope you will at least listen to what Richard and Christopher have to say in their book. I also look forward to doing a live interview with Richard this October at the CenterPeace Conference. He will be sharing his story during a mainstage session, and then I will interview him about the book afterward. Come join us if you can!
The CenterPeace Conference is October 24-26th in Dallas, Texas. See the conference webpage for details on programming and speakers. The early bird rate ends this Friday!
