Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis reports on a study undertaken within Theology and Development with a focus on health and gender. Health, in this thesis, was not merely understood from a biomedical perspective, but defined in terms of the holistic wellbeing of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Intersex, Queer (LGBTIQ) persons with varying sexual orientations and gender identities. In the light of contextual phenomena such as the ‘corrective’ rape of gays and lesbians, the notion that homosexuality is considered to be ‘un-African’, and the churches’ response to homosexuality within South Africa, this study will attempt to utilise queer theory and queer theology ‘queery’ Gender and Development (GAD) scholars within Theology and Development. The current understanding of the GAD approach within Theology and Development discourse was argued to make use of the heterogendered binary and, as a result, is not inclusive of LGBTIQ identities as a discursive theme. Gender, in this thesis, is considered a socio-historical construct and it is argued that it expands across many cultures. This understanding of gender opens up a discussion on subjectivity and looks at how the subject is utilized within discursive practice. The thesis concurs with Feminist scholars who argue that language does not only communicate the link between one’s sex and one’s gender identity; but that it also constitutes that link. Michel Foucault’s framework of power and how it is used to regulate discourses together with Judith Butler’s work on performativity provide a valuable point of departure for queer theory and queer theology as the hermeneutical lenses utilised in this thesis. A brief literature survey is conducted concerning gendered subjectivities within development discourses within the social sciences. The historical movements of Women in Development (WID), Women and Development (WAD) and Gender and Development (GAD) were explored within development discourse with the purpose of highlighting some of the reasons for the historical inclusion of certain subjects and the exclusion of others within the discursive practice in particular. The most recent movement, GAD, is shown to have been critiqued for mainly utilizing ‘gender’ as a code word for ‘women’. There is a discursive shift within development discourses within the social sciences that has gone on to queery development discourses and advocate for the inclusion of sexual minorities as a discursive theme. Through agencies such as SIDA (Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency), sexuality was highlighted to also have links within a multi perspectival understanding of poverty. Finally, a thematic networks analysis coupled with the lenses of queer theory and queer theology, were conducted on seven articles that could possibly be related to the emerging field of Theology and Development. The thesis argues that the current use of heterogendered binary as an “informant” of theologising on gender is indicative of the fact that some of the Theology and development articles that are analysed here have not yet made a discursive shift to include LGBTIQ persons as a discursive theme. Indecent theology is recommended for future research as a queer theological tool to incorporate epistemological considerations of those on the sexual margins and thereby confronting heterosexist theologising within Theology and Development. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis is 'n studie binne die vakgebied Teologie en Ontwikkeling met 'n fokus op gesondheid en gender. Gesondheid in hierdie tesis is nie slegs van 'n biomediese perspektief verstaan nie, maar word in hierdie geval gedefinieer in terme van die holistiese welstand van LGBTIQ persone met wisselende seksuele oriëntasies en gender identiteit. In die lig van kontekstuele verskynsels soos die "regstellende" verkragting van homoseksuele mans en vrouens, die idee dat homoseksualiteit beskou word as iets wat 'nie eie aan Afrika' is nie en die kerke se reaksie op homoseksualiteit in Suid-Afrika ,sal hierdie studie poog om queer teorie te benut en deur queer teologie Gender en Ontwikkeling (GAD) diskoers in Teologie en Ontwikkeling te 'queer'. Daar word aangevoer dat die huidige begrip van GAD binne die Teologie en Ontwikkeling diskoers gebruik maak van die heterogeslagtelike tweeledigheid en as 'n resultaat is dit nie inklusief van LGBTIQ identiteite as 'n diskursiewe tema nie. Gender word in hierdie tesis beskou as 'n sosio-historiese konstruk en daar word aangevoer dat dit oor baie kulture strek. Hierdie begrip van gender maak 'n bespreking oop oor subjektiwiteit en kyk na hoe die onderwerp binne diskursiewe praktyk gebruik word. Die tesis stem saam met feministiese vakkundiges, wat argumenteer dat taal nie net die skakel tussen 'n mens se geslag en 'n mens se gender identiteit kommunikeer nie; maar dat dit ook die skakel vorm. Michel Foucault se raamwerk van mag en hoe dit gebruik word om diskoerse te reguleer, saam met Judith Butler se werk op uitvoerbaarheid bied 'n waardevolle vertrekpunt vir queer teorie en queer teologie as die hermeneutiese lense wat gebruik word in hierdie tesis. 'n Kort literatuur opname word onderneem aangaande geslagtelike subjektiwiteite binne die ontwikkelingsdiskoerse binne die sosiale wetenskappe. Die historiese bewegings van Women in Development (WIN), Women and Development (WAD) en Gender and Development (GAD) is ondersoek binne die ontwikkelingsdiskoers met die doel om van die redes vir die insluiting van sekere identiteite en die uitsluiting van ander binne die diskursiewe praktyk in besonder uit te lig. Daar is aangedui hoe die mees onlangse beweging, GAD, gekritiseer is vir hoofsaaklike gebruikmaak van 'gender' as 'n kodewoord vir 'vroue'. Daar is 'n diskursiewe verskuiwing binne die ontwikkelingsdiskoerse binne die sosiale wetenskappe wat voortgegaan het om ontwikkeling diskoerse te queer en op te tree as kampvegter vir die insluiting van seksuele minderhede as 'n diskursiewe tema. Deur agentskappe soos SIDA (Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency), is seksualiteit ook uitgelig as een van die skakels binne 'n multiperspektivale begrip van armoede. Ten slotte is 'n tematiese netwerk analise, tesame met die lense van queer teorie en queer teologie, uitgevoer op sewe artikels wat moontlik verband kan hou met/binne binne die ontluikende veld van Teologie en Ontwikkeling. Hierdie tesis argumenteer dat die huidige gebruik van die heterogeslagtelike tweeledigheid as 'n "informant" van teologisering oorgender, daarop dui dat die Teologie en die ontwikkelingsdiskoerse nog nie 'n diskursiewe verskuiwing gemaak het om LGBTIQ persone as 'n diskursiewe tema in te sluit nie. Onbehoorlike teologie word aanbeveel vir toekomstige navorsing as 'n queer teologiese instrument om epistemologiese oorwegings van diegene op die seksuele kantlyne te inkorporeer en sodoende, heteroseksuele teologisering binne die Teologie en Ontwikkeling te konfronteer.

The study explored the psychological role of homoeroticism in the spiritual growth of priests, using Grounded Theory and James Fowler’s stages of faith development as the basis for the research methodology. Three Anglican priests were interviewed using a semi-structured interview format. The research interview combined Fowler’s Faith Development Interview Guide and a semi-structured interview in order to ascertain the priests’ level of spiritual development, as well as to explore their experience of the homoerotic component to their sexuality, and its influence on their spiritual growth. The interviews and iterative analysis focussed on four major questions: (1) Are priests who experience and actively work at integrating the homoerotic aspect to themselves assisted thereby in their spiritual growth, and if so, how might this be accounted for?; (2) Following Fowler’s model of spiritual development, what processes characterise each priest’s approach to meaning-creation in their lives?; (3) Following Fowler’s model, can the psychological work of engaging with and accepting homoeroticism be conceived of as serving an initiatory function in the emergence of new processes of meaning-creation?; (4) What role does homoeroticism serve in the spiritual growth of priests? The interpretative phase consisted of three stages. A grounded theory analysis of each interview was undertaken, developing a model for understanding the role of homoeroticism in spiritual growth. In the second stage, the priest’s level of spiritual development was ascertained, using Fowler’s Faith Development Guide. The third stage linked each participant’s level of spiritual development (in Fowler’s terms) with their core stories regarding experiences, meanings, and roles of homoeroticism. Finally, an integrative theory of the role of homoeroticism in spiritual growth was developed, using Jungian and post-Jungian theory as a basis for the discussion. The results suggested that homoeroticism did not play any role in spiritual growth and individuation separate to the manner in which it was experienced as having been constructed by society and the Church, and separate to the manner in which each priest in the study expressed, experienced, or engaged with it. In this context the experience of homoeroticism appeared to play a diversity of roles, including representing the collective and personal shadow, the archetypal anima/animus, the archetypal puer/senex constellation, the transcendent function, and thereby, as an expression of these roles, contribute to the emergence of new processes of meaning-creation in the spiritual growth and individuation of priests.

陸靜梅. / "2008年5月". / "2008 nian 5 yue". / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 51-54). / Abstracts in Chinese and English. / Lu Jingmei. / Chapter 第一章： --- 教會是愛的群體嗎？ / Chapter 第二章： --- 回到早期敦會的爭議：基督的神性 / Chapter 1. --- 教父時代的基督論： / Chapter 2. --- 爭議的開端：亞流主義(Arianism)的形成及其內容 / Chapter 3. --- 教會回應：反對亞流的聲音 / Chapter 4. --- 爭端的經過： / Chapter 5. --- 尼西亞會議後的局面 / Chapter 6. --- 爭議的結束：君士坦丁堡會議的召開(381年） / Chapter 第三章： --- 由「基督是神嗎？ 」的爭議到「同性戀是罪嗎？」的爭議 / Chapter 1. --- 重尋彩虹路：同志運動誕生的背景 / Chapter 2. --- 同性戀爭議的再起：立法消除歧視的諮詢 / Chapter 3. --- 同性戀問題的爭議與分歧 / Chapter 第四章： --- 疏理「基督論」與「同性戀」爭議的關聯及引申 / Chapter 1. --- 打造一場「真理」vs「非真理」的戰爭 / Chapter 2. --- 宗教問題以政治方法解決：「求真」vs「求勝」 / Chapter 3. --- 看得見的真相？由對「基督神性」的理解到對「性」的詮釋 / Chapter 第五章： --- 總結 / Chapter 1. --- 歷史的代價 / Chapter 2. --- 在追尋真理下的開放和委身 / Chapter 3. --- 忠於聖經及傳統是識別信仰的唯一試金石？ / Chapter 4. --- 教會的標記 / 參考書目

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The homosexual orientation has been controversial in many countries around the world, with religion often used as the foundation for critique against this orientation. The prevalence of discrimination, and the expectation of rejection, often results in homosexual individuals concealing their sexual identity. In the process homosexual individuals may deny, hide, or even discarded their authentic selves. However, some individuals reach a point of comfort with both these constructs of their identity, a position that supports the authentic self. The aim of this study is to explore and describe the process of how individuals who identify as both Christian and homosexual align these parts into their identity, to reach a place of comfort. The study further seeks to generate insight that can be used to assist individuals in similar positions of identity conflict. The study uses qualitative methodology, more specifically an exploratory- descriptive design. The sample is identified through non-probability purposive sampling, and data collected through semi- structured interviews. The data is analysed using an interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) framework. Thematic analysis identified major themes of denial, conflict, anger, bargaining, deconstruction, and self- acceptance. These themes followed a non- linear and interactive process, and present participants reaching a place of comfort with their Christian beliefs and homosexual orientation; which is discussed through the interpretative lens of social constructionism and queer theory.

by Lung Ngan Ling. / Thesis (M.Div.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 116-121). / Acknowledgments --- p.i / Abstract --- p.iii / Chapter Chapter One: --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1. --- Presuppositions of the Study --- p.3 / Chapter 1.1. --- Homosexuality: a Part But Not a Deviation of Human Sexuality / Chapter 1.2. --- Homosexuality: Not Incompatible with the Christian Faith / Chapter 2. --- Significance of the Study --- p.5 / Chapter 2.1. --- Academic Significance / Chapter 2.2. --- Theological Significance / Chapter 2.3. --- Pastoral Significance / Chapter 2.4. --- Social Significance / Chapter 2.5. --- Personal Significance / Chapter 3. --- Organization of the Thesis --- p.9 / Chapter Chapter Two: --- Literature Review and Research Questions --- p.11 / Chapter 1. --- Literature Review --- p.11 / Chapter 1.1. --- Coming Out Process / Chapter 1.2. --- Denial of Homo sexual Identity / Chapter 1.3. --- Relationship with Partner / Chapter 1.4. --- Struggle between the Christian Identity and Homosexuality / Chapter 1.5. --- Discrimination / Chapter 2. --- Research Questions --- p.15 / Chapter 2.1. --- The Coming Out Experience / Chapter 2.2. --- The Experience of Denying Homosexual Orientation / Chapter 2.3. --- The Experience of Homosexual Partnership / Chapter 2.4. --- The Struggle between the Christian Identity and Homosexuality / Chapter 2.5. --- The Experience of Discrimination / Chapter Chapter Three: --- Research Methodology --- p.16 / Chapter 1. --- Justifications and Layout --- p.16 / Chapter 1.1. --- Reasons for Qualitative Approach / Chapter 1.2. --- Entry / Chapter 1.3. --- Research Strategy and Data Collection / Chapter 1.4. --- Samples and Sampling / Chapter 1.5. --- Data Analysis / Chapter 2. --- Key Issues Discussed --- p.19 / Chapter 2.1. --- As a Non-lesbian Am I an Appropriate Researcher to This Study? / Chapter 2.2. --- What Kind of Truth Does the Researcher Get? - / Chapter 2.3. --- Ethical Consideration / Chapter Chapter Four: --- Background Profiles of Interviewees --- p.26 / Chapter 1. --- Personal Data of the Interviewees --- p.26 / Chapter 2. --- "Interviewees' Relationship with the Church and the Circle, and Their Level of Coming Out" --- p.27 / Chapter 2.1. --- Tim / Chapter 2.2. --- Mark / Chapter 2.3. --- Sue / Chapter 2.4. --- Elsa / Chapter Chapter Five: --- Coming Out Experience --- p.30 / Chapter 1. --- Self-awareness of Homosexual Orientation --- p.30 / Chapter 1.1. --- Early Discovery / Chapter 1.2. --- Ways of Experiencing Homosexual Orientation / Chapter 1.3. --- Self-perception of Sexual Identity / Chapter 2. --- Coming Out to Peers --- p.33 / Chapter 2.1. --- People in Love / Chapter 2.2. --- Friends / Chapter 3. --- Coming Out to the Church Authority --- p.34 / Chapter 3.1. --- To Come Out / Chapter 3.2. --- Not to Come Out / Chapter 4. --- Coming Out to Family --- p.36 / Chapter 4.1. --- Coming Out Degrees / Chapter 5. --- Coming Out to the Circle --- p.37 / Chapter 5.1. --- Coming Out Degrees / Chapter 6. --- Discussion --- p.38 / Chapter 6.1. --- "Correlation among Homosexual Orientation, Homosexual Identity and Participation in the Circle" / Chapter 6.2. --- Church as a Hindrance in the Coming Out Experience / Chapter 6.3. --- Supportive Network / Chapter Chapter Six: --- Experience in Denying Homosexual Orientation --- p.41 / Chapter 1. --- Reasons for Denial --- p.41 / Chapter 1.1. --- Religious Consideration / Chapter 1.2. --- Unfavorable Environment / Chapter 1.3. --- Hurts from Homosexual Relationship / Chapter 2. --- Ways of Denying Homosexual Orientation --- p.42 / Chapter 2.1. --- Dating the Opposite Sex / Chapter 2.2. --- Prayer / Chapter 2.3. --- Professional Help / Chapter 2.4. --- Straight-acting / Chapter 2.5. --- Suppression of Homosexual Feeling / Chapter 2.6. --- Watching Heterosexual Pornographic Video / Chapter 3. --- Discussion --- p.45 / Chapter 3.1. --- Alternation of Sexual Orientation / Chapter 3.2. --- Challenge to Stereotypical Beliefs / Chapter 3.3. --- Church as a Driving Force for Denial / Chapter 3.4. --- Marriage and Straight-acting / Chapter Chapter Seven: --- Experience of Intimate Homosexual Relationship --- p.49 / Chapter 1. --- General Account --- p.49 / Chapter 2. --- Positive Implication --- p.50 / Chapter 2.1. --- Very Satisfying Experience / Chapter 2.2. --- Reflection on Love / Chapter 2.3. --- Certainty and Acceptance of Homosexual Orientation / Chapter 2.4. --- Personality Development / Chapter 2.5. --- Participation in the Circle / Chapter 2.6. --- Faith Reflection / Chapter 2.7. --- A Proud Experience / Chapter 3. --- Negative Implication --- p.53 / Chapter 3.1 --- Painful Experience / Chapter 3.2. --- Compulsory Heterosexuality and Homophobia / Chapter 3.3. --- Heterosexism / Chapter 4. --- Discussion --- p.55 / Chapter 4.1. --- Challenge to Stereotypical Beliefs / Chapter 4.2. --- "Homophobia, Compulsory Heterosexuality and Heterosexism" / Chapter 4.3. --- Church Reflection / Chapter Chapter Eight: --- Struggle Between Christian Identity and Homosexuality --- p.58 / Chapter 1. --- A General Account --- p.58 / Chapter 2. --- Different Processes of Struggle --- p.58 / Chapter 2.1. --- Tim / Chapter 2.2. --- Mark / Chapter 2.3. --- Sue / Chapter 2.4. --- Elsa / Chapter 3. --- Implications of the Struggle --- p.62 / Chapter 3.1. --- Image of God / Chapter 3.2. --- Weight of Experience in Faith Reflection / Chapter 3.3. --- Attitude towards Alternative Information / Chapter 3.4. --- Ministry in the Circle / Chapter 3.5. --- Ministry in the Church / Chapter 4. --- Discussion --- p.71 / Chapter 4.1. --- A Suggestion of Three-phase Development of Struggle / Chapter 4.2. --- Challenge to Stereotypical Beliefs / Chapter Chapter Nine: --- Experience of Discrimination --- p.74 / Chapter 1. --- Self Discrimination --- p.74 / Chapter 2. --- Discrimination among Peers --- p.74 / Chapter 2.1. --- People in Love / Chapter 2.2. --- Friends / Chapter 3. --- Discrimination in the Church --- p.77 / Chapter 4. --- Discrimination in the Family --- p.79 / Chapter 5. --- Discrimination in the Circle --- p.79 / Chapter 5.1. --- Gay vs. Lesbian / Chapter 5.2. --- Straight vs. Queer / Chapter 5.3. --- With Partner vs. Without Partner / Chapter 6. --- Discrimination in Society --- p.80 / Chapter 6.1. --- Homophobic Society / Chapter 6.2. --- Limited Room for Homosexual People / Chapter 6.3. --- Hatred towards Homosexual People / Chapter 6.4. --- Response of the Interviewees / Chapter 7. --- Discussion --- p.83 / Chapter 7.1. --- Self Discrimination and Coping / Chapter 7.2. --- Invisibility / Chapter 7.3. --- Discrimination and Homosexuals / Chapter 7.4. --- Church as an Oppressing Institution / Chapter Chapter Ten: --- Conclusion - Theological and Pastoral Implications --- p.86 / Chapter 1. --- Summary of Findings --- p.86 / Chapter 1.1. --- Understanding Homosexuals: Male and Female / Chapter 1.2. --- Challenge to Stereotypical Beliefs / Chapter 1.3. --- The Role of the Church / Chapter 2. --- Theological and Pastoral Implications --- p.90 / Chapter 2.1. --- A Critical Examination of the Theological Arguments and Implied Pastoral Practices Concerning Homosexuality in Hong Kong / Chapter 2.2. --- Salvation as Liberation: Recommendation for Pastoral Care Related to Homosexuality / Chapter 3. --- Recommendation for Further Study --- p.112 / Chapter 3.1. --- Samples / Chapter 3.2 --- Perspective of Analysis / Chapter 3.3. --- Foci of Study / Chapter 4. --- Conclusion --- p.114 / Appendix: Interviewing Schedule --- p.115 / Bibliography --- p.116

M.A. (Semitic Languages and Cultures) / The aim of this dissertation is to analyse some of the prominent elements that constitute the discussion of same-sex sexuality among Muslims such as the distinction between sexual acts and identities and its effect on the construction of sexuality in Muslim societies, the religious and legal permissibility of particular sexual acts, and the intersection between the struggle for justice and equality and sexuality. The theoretical framework for this study is based on postcolonialism and queer theory. I argue that a fundamental rethinking of sex and sexuality in Islam and in Muslim societies needs to transpire in order for a more equitable state of affairs to come into existence. The current prejudice associated with same-sex sexuality requires a considered and erudite overhaul of how sexual relationships and gender are constructed in Islamic ethics and Muslim societies. I first consider the effect of sexual identities, namely a homosexual identity, and the consideration of same-sex sexual acts on the Muslim imagination. The notion of unnatural sexual impulses, sinful desires and the interrelationship between various sexual crimes are important considerations in the discourse on sexual diversity among Muslims. Second, I critically assess the argument in favour of same-sex marriages in Islam based on the assumption of stable identities and the inherent righteousness of a human rights framework. I assess the legal tools used set out some of the challenges of the human rights discourse which influences the struggle for homosexual rights and raise some question as to the efficacy of this strategy or mode of resistance and acceptance. Third, I focus on the nexus between sexual diversity, secularism and empire as sites of contestation and collaboration that continue to influence articulations and constructions of how to be Muslim and be also part of a sexual minority. Fourth, I attempt to chart a way forward for queer Muslims and argue in favour of protecting the conceptual and social space of the ‘closet’ as a liberatory and protective domain for queer Muslims where it is possible to balance both the demands of one’s faith and the expression of one’s sexuality.

This study explores how gay Christian men in the pentecostal/charismatic movement reinterpret their spirituality as a reaction to the discourse about homosexuality in this movement. The spiritual experience of gay men is contextualized within the particular emphasis on individual experience found in pentecostal/charismatic spirituality. Practical theological research is conducted within a postmodern discourse set in context of a Participatory Action Research project. A narrative therapeutical approach served to identify harmful discourses and encourage the continuing deconstruction of such discourses. The extent to which power/knowledge relationships affect gay Christians' spiritual relationships became apparent. Conflict between the church's discourse about homosexuality and the gay Christian appears to start a process of deconstruction of fundamentalist pentecostal/charismatic hermeneutical approaches to the Bible. The research process facilitated a process of reconstruction of gay spirituality and created opportunities for spiritual and social growth. This research may inspire gay Christian voices in pentecostal/charismatic circles to become heard. / Practical Theology / M.Th.

This study explores how gay Christian men in the pentecostal/charismatic movement reinterpret their spirituality as a reaction to the discourse about homosexuality in this movement. The spiritual experience of gay men is contextualized within the particular emphasis on individual experience found in pentecostal/charismatic spirituality. Practical theological research is conducted within a postmodern discourse set in context of a Participatory Action Research project. A narrative therapeutical approach served to identify harmful discourses and encourage the continuing deconstruction of such discourses. The extent to which power/knowledge relationships affect gay Christians' spiritual relationships became apparent. Conflict between the church's discourse about homosexuality and the gay Christian appears to start a process of deconstruction of fundamentalist pentecostal/charismatic hermeneutical approaches to the Bible. The research process facilitated a process of reconstruction of gay spirituality and created opportunities for spiritual and social growth. This research may inspire gay Christian voices in pentecostal/charismatic circles to become heard. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M.Th.

Thesis (M.Th.)--Universiteit van Stellenbosch, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The debate on homosexuality has become increasingly painful and divisive between people of the Christian faith. A very relevant question is asked; are homosexual people included in the ecclesial community? The aim of my research paper is to propose a way forward for the inclusion of homosexual people in the ecclesial community. Inclusion, however, does not imply legitimization of wrongs. Conceptual clarifications are given in the definition of words such as; ekklesia, ethics and homosexuality. The Wesleyan Quadrilateral is used as an interpretive framework to illustrate that “evidence from four sources: scripture, tradition, reason and experience” is necessary when seeking guidance on complex moral issues. The role of scripture in ethics, specifically with regard to the homosexuality debate is mentioned while the different interpretations of scriptures are discussed. Two dominant opposing approaches are identified, namely the conservative-traditional approach and the liberal approach. The ethic of inclusion and the hermeneutic of hospitality is introduced. It is argued that inclusion and hospitality constitute the thrust of the ethics of the bible and the church through the ages. The point is made that the debate on homosexuality should take this broader ethic of inclusion and hospitality of the bible into consideration. One of the implications is that even though dissensus exist among Christians on the meaning of the biblical texts that deal directly with homosexuality, consensus should exist that the broader biblical message, as well as the witness of the long church history, is one of inclusion and hospitality. Heterosexual Christians are challenged to function with love, embrace and recognition of the full membership of homosexual brothers and sisters. The same challenge of love and embrace are directed to homosexual members of the body of Christ. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die debat oor homoseksualiteit veroorsaak verdeeldheid tussen gelowiges en het toenemend pynvol begin word. ‘n Baie belangrike vraag word gevra; word homoseksuele mense ingesluit in die gemeenskap van die gelowiges? Die doel van hierdie navorsingstuk is om ‘n rigting aan te wys wat homoseksuele gelowiges deelmaak en insluit in die kerk. Deelmaking beteken nie dat dit wat verkeerd is, nou wettig verklaar word nie. Woorde soos ekklesia, etiek en homoseksualiteit word gedefinieer om die begrippe te verduidelik. Wesley se viersydige metode van skrifuitleg word gebruik om komplekse aangeleenthede te vertolk. Hierdie metode word as noodsaaklik bestempel veral wanneer leiding benodig word rondom morele aangeleenthede. Twee oorheersende, teenoorgestelde posisies van skrifuitleg word geïdentifiseer, naamlik die konserwatiewe-tradisionele vertolking en die liberale vertolking. Die etiek en skrifverklaring van gasvryheid word voorgestel. Die argument word aangevoer dat gasvryheid die kern van etiek is wat deur die jare in die bybel en in die kerk saamgestel is. Alhoewel gelowiges nie saamstem met die verskeie skrifverklarings nie, behoort hulle saam te stem oor die wyer boodskap in die bybel, naamlik dat die getuienis van die lang kerk geskiedenis een is van deelname en gasvryheid. Heteroseksuele Christene word uitgedaag om in liefde op te tree, om die homoseksuele gelowige te omhels en ten volle te aanvaar as mede lidmate in die gemeenskap van die gelowiges. Homoseksuele Christene word uitgedaag om met dieselfde liefde hulle heteroseksuele broer en suster te omhels.