THREAD: When arguing against LGBTQ relationships, many traditionalist Christians cite Duke Bible scholar Richard Hays’ thoughts in his book, “The Moral Vision of the New Testament.” amazon.com/gp/product/006… (Spoiler coming...) 👇🏼
Well it’s a poorly kept secret that Richard Hays doesn’t exactly stand by what he wrote about homosexuality in that book anymore. I’ve spoken with numerous sources who recount him saying flatly that he would write that part of his book differently today.
Additionally, he and his wife attend, serve, and lead at an LGBTQ-affirming church in Durham. Here is their churches statement of inclusion: citywell.org/who-we-are/sta…
Suffice to say, if Christians want to invoke Hays’ arguments in that text to contend for a traditionalist view, you should be aware that you’re probably more enthusiastic about the content than the author is.
Let me also say I have a lot of respect for Hays and I can understand him not wanting to disturb his retirement by facing the ire of a the fundamentalist mob ala Eugene Peterson and @JenHatmaker
