The relevance of Romans 1 for the nature-nurture debate regarding homosexuality

Homosexuality is causing a crisis within many Christian denominations. Questions are emerging that deserve careful attention and research. As denominations seek to formulate a thoughtful response, they must consider many important factors. Historically, what has been the church's position toward same-gender sexuality? How has the voice of Scripture been heard and applied in various ways in the process of shaping an ethical position on homosexuality? How will recent findings from the scientific and psychological communities contribute to the church's response to same-gender sexuality?; The Christian community in its discussions of homosexuality has relied and must continue to rely on Paul's writings in Romans. Such discussions, in light of the recent data from the secular disciplines, raise some difficult questions about Pauline assertions found therein.; The opening chapter of this study will serve as an introduction by examining the purpose of the study, presenting a brief history of research, clarifying methodology, and developing a working definition of sexual orientation. The second chapter is composed of two major sections. The first section will present various models of exegesis as they relate to Romans 1. The second section of this chapter will contain my own attempt to understand Romans 1 by locating it within the broader rhetorical flow of the epistle.; Because the ethical matrix of the community of faith should be informed by data available from various disciplines, the third and fourth chapters will focus on aetiological concerns in regard to same-gender sexual orientations. The third chapter will present recent evidence from biological influences (nature) while the fourth chapter is concerned with the best evidence available in regard to experiential and social variables (nurture). The fifth chapter will formulate an informed ethical matrix for the community of faith. Consideration will be given to the church's attempt to assign weight to competing sources of authority, and various principles for addressing the issue of same-gender sexuality will be discussed.