Browsing by Author "Le Roux, Olivia"

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    Inclusion or exclusion? : a Christian ethical investigation into biblical perspectives on homosexuality
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2006-12) Le Roux, Olivia; Koopman, Nico; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Systematic Theology and Ecclesiology.
    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.