In this 20-module course, Matthew Vines (author of God and the Gay Christian) will lead you through an in-depth theological exploration of the Bible and LGBTQ inclusion. From the six biblical passages that refer to same-sex behavior to broader themes in Scripture about marriage, celibacy, sexual ethics, and the roles of men and women, this course carefully lays the groundwork for how Christians can both affirm the authority of the Bible and affirm their LGBTQ friends and loved ones.
20 Modules
Content is broken down into 6 major sections, each containing multiple modules.
7 Hours
The breadth and depth of the content make this the most in-depth video resource available on this topic.
High Quality
Filmed with a professional 20-person film crew and high-end 4K camera equipment.
Full PDF Guide
Course includes a downloadable PDF guide containing summarized notes from every module.
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Premier Digital Experience
Our team designed and developed this online course experience from the ground up. The custom interface is sleek, easy to use, and works effortlessly on every device size, from your mobile phone to your big desktop screen.
Premier Digital Experience
Our team designed and developed this online course experience from the ground up. The custom interface is sleek, easy to use, and works effortlessly on every device size, from your mobile phone to your big desktop screen.
Module List
Click on a module title to see a brief topic summary
I. The Invitation
01
Scripture and Experience
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20 Min Sign Up to Watch For Free
- Assessing the appropriate role of experience in shaping our beliefs and interpretation of Scripture
- Responding to non-affirming arguments against taking into account the consequences of interpretations of Scripture on people’s lives
01
Scripture and Experience
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20 Min
- Assessing the appropriate role of experience in shaping our beliefs and interpretation of Scripture
- Responding to non-affirming arguments against taking into account the consequences of interpretations of Scripture on people’s lives
02
Biblical Authority and Christian Orthodoxy
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12 Min
- Reviewing the most important theological beliefs of the Christian faith that Christians should continue to uphold regardless of their views about LGBTQ inclusion
- Addressing common concerns about the proverbial “slippery slope”
03
Biblical Interpretation and Moral Logic
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20 Min
- Understanding and applying the basic elements of biblical interpretation: exegesis and hermeneutics
- Recognizing how Christians have historically considered not just what biblical texts say, but the broader reasons or “moral logic” behind biblical texts
II. History of Sexuality
04
Same-Sex Practices in the Biblical World
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29 Min
- Surveying historical evidence about same-sex practices in the Ancient Near East, Greece, and Rome
- Assessing the sexual norms and taboos that prevailed in the biblical world and the attitudes that existed about same-sex behavior as a result
06
Tradition and Sexual Orientation
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21 Min
- Recognizing how Christians have historically reconsidered interpretations of Scripture when confronted with new information
- Surveying historical evidence about understandings of same-sex attraction in ancient societies
07
Did the Concept of Sexual Orientation Exist in the Biblical World?
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17 Min
- Responding to arguments from non-affirming writers about whether the concept of sexual orientation existed in the biblical world
III. Gender Complementarity
08
The Gift of Celibacy
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27 Min
- Assessing the viability of mixed-orientation marriages, ex-gay ministries, and celibacy mandates
- Reviewing biblical teachings about and traditional Christian understandings of celibacy as a gift and considering their applicability to LGBTQ Christians today
09
Anatomical and Biological Complementarity
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18 Min
- Responding to arguments from non-affirming writers about biological and anatomical interpretations of gender complementarity
- Studying the creation accounts in Genesis 1-2 and Jesus’s teaching on marriage in Matthew 19, including his reference to “male and female”
10
Procreative Complementarity
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16 Min
- Reviewing the overall role of procreation in the biblical narrative
- Assessing whether Scripture teaches that procreative capacity is required for marriage or that sexual intimacy must be open to procreation in order to be moral
11
Gender Hierarchy
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26 Min
- Considering the role of patriarchy in Scripture and whether marriages must reflect gender hierarchy
- Assessing the relevance of biblical arguments against slavery for the topic of patriarchy
IV. Old Testament Texts
12
The Sin of Sodom and Gomorrah
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29 Min
- Studying the story of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19 and later biblical references to it
- Reviewing the history of Jewish and Christian interpretations of the Sodom story
13
The Prohibitions of Leviticus
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25 Min
- Considering the role of the Old Testament law for Christians
- Studying the prohibitions of male same-sex intercourse in Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13, the moral logic behind them, and their applicability to Christians today
V. New Testament Texts
14
Romans 1:26-27: Lust and Desire
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16 Min
- Reviewing in detail Romans 1:26-27, focusing on Paul’s discussion of lust and desire and the broader cultural context of this passage
15
Romans 1:26-27: Honor, Shame, and Nature
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23 Min
- Analyzing the terms “natural,” “unnatural,” and “shameful” in both 1 Corinthians 11:14 and Romans 1:26-27
- Considering the role of texts like Genesis 3 and Wisdom of Solomon in shaping the backdrop of Romans 1
16
1 Corinthians 6:9: Is “Homosexual” an Accurate Translation?
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21 Min
- Studying in-depth the Greek words arsenokoitai and malakoi in 1 Corinthians 6:9 and 1 Timothy 1:10
- Reviewing the history of these terms’ translation into English and when the word “homosexual” was first used in any Bible translation
VI. The Path Forward
17
Marriage and Sexual Ethics
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25 Min
- Considering biblical teachings about marriage and sexuality in order to determine if same-sex unions are consistent with the Bible’s deepest principles about marriage
- Assessing the ongoing importance of values like monogamy and covenant for Christian sexual ethics
18
Gender and Sexual Minorities and the Arc of Scripture
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16 Min
- Considering specific theological questions related to transgender and intersex people
- Discerning the overall arc of Scripture when it comes to gender and sexual minorities
19
Affirming Arguments to Avoid
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20 Min
- Considering common but misguided biblical arguments sometimes made in defense of same-sex relationships
- Assessing common affirming mantras and ideas that require revision and refinement from a Christian standpoint
20
Tips for Having the Conversation
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14 Min
- Closing guidance for how to most effectively engage across disagreement in conversations about LGBTQ inclusion in the church
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people can use each license?
Licenses may be used by individuals or households but may not otherwise be shared. While the course is designed for individual viewing, if you choose to watch as part of a larger group, we ask that each group member obtain their own license.
We operate on an honor system, and all proceeds from course sales go to support our mission of advancing LGBTQ inclusion in the church.
Is there a group discount?
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