Intertextuality, Paul within Judaism, and the Biblical Witness against Same-Sex Practice

Abstract

In attempting to overturn the biblical witness against same-sex practice, several scholars and ecclesial bodies neglect intertextuality. Attention to where one Scripture interprets another helps to establish meaning and authorial intent. The Genesis creation story is used in Leviticus, the Gospels, and Romans, and Leviticus used in Acts, Romans, 1 Corinthians, and 1 Timothy. Paul was Jewish in his teaching against same-sex practice and in appealing to the Septuagint. The biblical witness against same-sex practice is rooted in creation, and the practice of reading the biblical witness against such behavior in a canonic synthesis reflects the intentions of the writers. The context of the passages, and the dynamic interplay between them, bring themes of God’s creative intentions, guidance, wrath, and redeeming righteousness together.