'n Nuwe Testamentiese studie in hermeneutiek : die homoseksualiteitsdebat in die Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk (1986-2004) (Afrikaans)

Abstract

The debate about homosexuality in South Africa (and possibly the Church worldwide) does not focus primarily on the acceptance of homosexual persons, but that the church would accept and bless homosexual marriages. In their attempt to get the church to accept such marriages they (pro-gay theologians) have resorted to an hermeneutics which could be considered as postmodernistic. According to this postmodernistic hermeneutics the siences have greater importance than the Bible. The Word of God has been reduced to the words of men in their thoughts about God. This is done by casting suspicion on the Bible and by using similar examples which are not generally accepted anymore. They come to the conclusion that the Bible of today has a new version of morality. Where they do make use of the Bible, they cast suspicion by saying that the Bible has very little to say about homosexual relationships as it is known today. They try to say that the Bible is mainly concerned with perversity and that the Bible knows nothing about homosexual marriages or relationships of love and trust. In this study it has been shown that the above mentioned interpretation of the Bible concerning homosexual relationships and marriages cannot be sustained. Science cannot change a theological term (like sin). All the hermeneutic keys used in the debate (antique history – history of the church; the authority of the Bible and the use thereof; Biblical sexuality and Old and New Testament evidence) reject homosexual relationships – also those of love and trust.