Does the Bible Support Same-Sex Marriage? 21 Conversations from a Historically Christian View
Preston Sprinkle. Colorado Springs, CO: David C. Cook, 2023. 237 pp. USD 19.99.

There are available on the market a fair number of books that address the issue of homosexuality from a biblical-Christian perspective. The recent book by Preston Sprinkle, Does the Bible Support Same-Sex Marriage?, stands out from the crowd for several important reasons. For one, Preston Sprinkle is a gifted writer and New York Times bestselling author who is not just knowledgeable about the subject on the theoretical and theological level, but also brings with him a wealth of practical engagement with people who identify themselves as gay. He has spent a good chunk of his life engaging the LGBTQ conversation and is the president of the Center for Faith, Sexuality, and Gender that seeks to provide theologically sound teaching and practical guidance on questions related to sexuality and gender. He has authored or edited a number of related books, like People to Be Loved: Why Homosexuality Is not Just an Issue (2015); Living in a Gray World: A Christian Teen’s Guide to Understanding Homosexuality (2015); Two Views on Homosexuality, the Bible, and the Church (Counterpoints: Bible and the Church) (2016); and more recently, Embodied: Transgender Identities, The Church and What the Bible Has to Say (2021).

But more than his reputable knowledge, Sprinkle in this book displays a rare virtue in his use of language and in the conciliatory spirit in which he engages the reader in the conversation. Throughout the entire book, one can tell that he tries hard to ensure that he represents opposing views with honesty, integrity, and charity (p. 13), and I think he succeeded admirably. What makes this book so valuable is his ability to present sensitive subjects and controversial positions in an accessible and well-informed manner. The content is written in such a way that people who have not immersed themselves in the extensive research of the subject can nevertheless easily follow the discussion. He also presents current scholarship respectfully and engages recent proposals and positions in a thoughtful and fair manner.

To deal with such a theological and ethical hot potato that is one of the most divisive issues the Christian church faces today requires not only competence but humility and honesty. Sprinkle brings both to the discussion and he excels in dealing with the sensitive and controversial subject with keen acuity of its various perceptions and an awareness of the multifaceted dimensions that are part of this topic. His ability to present complex and often loaded subjects in a theologically responsible and yet highly readable manner is a rare quality that is often missing in the current debate. This is important because the manner in which we hold and present our biblical views is at least as important as what we believe.

For this reason, Sprinkle has dedicated the first introductory chapter to the important question of how we can have fruitful conversations on contentious topics—not just on homosexuality (Foundation 1, pp. 17–33). He lays out some basic principles that will foster an effective conversation. In chapter 2 he presents a detailed and helpful description of the historical Christian view of marriage (Foundation 2, pp. 35–63). With this foundation he then engages in twenty-one conversations about different arguments against the traditional view of marriage (pp. 65–237). These twenty-one chapters are conversations, rather than dogmatic pronouncements or sly arguments. Every chapter follows the same pattern: a) it starts with a short but fair summary of the argument in favor of a same-sex relationship or an argument against traditional marriage; b) the next step is where Sprinkle mentions points of agreement. Here the author seeks to point out common ground and legitimate concerns in each presented position. And c) a thoughtful response is provided for each perspective that makes clear why the author thinks that to affirm God’s blessing on same-sex marriage is not the best interpretation of Scripture.

The prominent arguments proposed in support of same-sex marriage that Sprinkle addresses in these chapters are: “Sex Difference is Described, Not Prescribed, in Scripture” (Conversation 1); “‘One Flesh’ Does Not Imply Sex Difference” (Conversation 2); “No One Actually Believes in ‘Biblical Marriage’” (Conversation 3); “Paul Was Not Talking About Consensual Same-Sex Relationships” (Conversation 4); “Romans 1 Is Condemning Excessive Lust, not Same-Sex Love” (Conversation 5); “The Biblical Writers Didn’t Know About Sexual Orientation” (Conversation 6); “Romans 1:26 Isn’t Referring to Female Same-Sex Sexual Orientation” (Conversation 7); “The Word Homosexual Was Added to the Bible in 1946” (Conversation 8); “The Biblical Writers Were Products of Their Homophobic and Patriarchal Culture” (Conversation 9); “Jesus Never Mentioned Homosexuality” (Conversation 10); “Paul Said It’s Better to Marry Than to Burn (1 Cor. 7)” (Conversation 11); “Jesus’ Sabbath Hermeneutic Informs How We Should Interpret Same-Sex Prohibitions” (Conversation 12); “God’s Acceptance of Gentiles Mirrors How We Should Accept LGB People” (Conversation 13); “The Trajectory of Women and Slavery Justifies Same-Sex Prohibitions” (Conversation 14); “The Traditional View of Marriage Is Harmful Toward Gay and Lesbian People” (Conversation 15); “Some People Are Born Gay, So It Must Be Okay” (Conversation 16); “Same-Sex Marriage Is on the Right Side of History” (Conversation 17); “Christians Are Hypocritical” (Conversation 18); “Love is Love” (Conversation 19); “It’s an Agree-to-Disagree Issue” (Conversation 20); and “The Traditional Sexual Ethic Is Not Livable for LGB People” (Conversation 21). In addressing these challenging ideas, Sprinkle has not shied away from tackling some of the most difficult topics that have been promoted in support of same-sex marriages with understanding and grace without compromising the biblical and historical Christian view of marriage.

Sprinkle is an engaging author who at times uses humor to make a point, without thereby denigrating any opposing view. His honesty in grappling with difficult questions is admirable and it is encouraging to see where he is humble enough to admit that he changed his position in light of more thorough and convincing research. This lends credibility to his case. His profound sympathy for those who have suffered through loveless acts and insensitive communication or who have experienced degrading attitudes towards gay people fosters sensibility in our understanding of their views and helps to connect with greater sensitivity to those with whom we might differ. This becomes visible not only throughout the entire book but is highlighted in the final chapter that deals with the challenging view that the traditional Christian sexual ethic is unlivable for LGB people. Rather than ending the chapter by presenting his perspective, the author deliberately gives room to reflect our view of things and invites the readers to craft their own responses to it.

The thoughtful and tactful responses to tough questions create an atmosphere where the reader can reflect on his/her own perspective and even prejudices and provides a much-needed example of how a conversation about same-sex marriages should be conducted. An important contribution Sprinkle makes in this book is his focus on the traditional-Christian meaning of marriage and how it impacts our understanding of the discussion. He repeatedly brings this biblical view of marriage into proper perspective and compares alternative models of living together with what the text of Scripture teaches about marriage and what is affirmed from a historically Christian view. For him the question about same-sex sexual relations is primarily a question about the nature of marriage (p. 146), which leads to the subsequent question: “What is the marital and sexual ethic that God calls all his covenant people to follow?” (p. 172). Sprinkle upholds what historical Christianity and Judaism have affirmed throughout the centuries—namely, that in order to form a “one-flesh” union according to the Creator’s design, the two persons need to be human, and they need to be sexually different (p. 41). He also points out that marriage in the Christian tradition symbolizes the unity between God and His people, which is an important purpose that same-sex marriage cannot fulfill.

There is one area in which his reasoning is not as strong and convincing as in the rest of his otherwise excellent and very readable book, and that is when he briefly presents the Sabbath as not mandatory for Christians today. Here Sprinkle’s reasoning could be even more stringent and biblically astute. To depict the Sabbath and the keeping of the Sabbath (cf. pp. 157–165, 215, 223), as something that isn’t mandatory for Christians (p. 223) or as something where Jesus and the biblical writers applied humanitarian exceptions to the rule (p. 158, 162) does not do justice to a careful biblical study of the Sabbath in Scripture. The insights from careful recent biblical scholarship on this question could broaden Sprinkle’s horizon on the enduring validity and significance of the Sabbath, which was instituted by God together with marriage in Eden.¹ But even with this caveat, he is certainly right in pointing out in his chapter on the Sabbath hermeneutics that any view that assumes that marriage is primarily for companionship and to solve the problem of human loneliness reflects a reduced and secular view of marriage rather than a biblical one. He writes, “Companionship is part of how the Bible describes marriage, but there are other, more fundamental purposes of marriage. God didn’t design marriage to be the solution to loneliness. Humans can live without sex. But we can’t live without love and intimacy. And until the church understands the difference, we will continue to fail our gay and same-sex attracted (and all our single) brothers and sisters” (pp. 165–166). That marriage and sex are not essential to human flourishing, as he capably outlines already on pages 50–52, is a thought that is worth pondering more deeply for our understanding of marriage and human relations.

The usefulness of the book would have been enhanced with an author and Scripture index at the end of the book. Some of these details aside, the book is a gem and should be on the desk of every pastor or anyone who is following this thoughtful debate. It is highly recommended.