I’ve had many trolls come across my podcast over Homosexuality and the LGBTQ community in relation to certain Biblical texts found here– https://www.tonywuerfel.com/2017/05/episode-15-sodomites-homosexuals-mishpat/

One recurring argument people will make safely behind their computer screens as they troll from one post to another is this: “Interesting points but– (And here it comes with their prideful smirk attached) you’re neglecting the Genesis account of marriage. God never created Adam for Steve; it was Adam and Eve”.

(Mic dropped with emoji attached)

So essentially what they’ve said is that the Genesis narrative is their source for the institution of marriage. It’s the template for how we live monogamously with our partner. Interesting. Let’s consider that for a moment.

History of Marriage:
It wasn’t until the 12th century that the Roman Catholic Church formally defined marriage as a sacrament, sanctioned by God. Before it was simply a way of life— a way in which you acquired land, familial connections— love was something you hoped would occur but not the center or purpose.

Stephanie Coontz, the author of “Marriage, a History: How Love Conquered Marriage– a book I’d recommend you reading if you’re already shaking your head in disagreement writes—

“What marriage had in common was that it really was not about the relationship between the man and the woman. It was a way of getting in-laws, of making alliances and expanding the family labor force. But as family plots of land gave way to market economies and Kings ceded power to democracies, the notion of marriage transformed. Now, most Americans see marriage as a bond between equals that’s all about love and companionship.”

So please understand— the construct of marriage today— God in the center of your Christian love triangle— God creating Adam and Eve to love each other from now and into eternity— being in love with one person and marrying them in order to live the Cinderella dream of finding your soul mate, this is all a new idea historically. This was something that evolved over time. Marriage between ONE man and ONE woman is actually a far cry from what you literally see in the majority the Bible.

Let me show you what you’ll find when taking the Bible literally in connection with the fundamentalist’s idea of marriage.

First of all let’s consider who the audience is and why this story and others are written.

Context and Audience:

This series of stories compiled in the book Genesis was not actually written by Moses for the simple reason that Moses would not have had the written scrolls and others to write on. These stories were not, as many fundamentalist Christians believe, from original scrolls handed down as a historical account. Most of the stories we find in the Torah, the five books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, were mainly oral tradition. And after Israel falls under Babylonian oppression somewhere around mid to late 500 BC, only after this they begin writing down their stories. And the reason for writing them down? They are attempting to hold on to their identity as Hebrews. Mono-theism vs Polytheism.

So they begin writing the stories that show how they sometimes have allowed knowledge and power to guide them rather than wisdom– the essence of the Genesis narrative.

Genesis was never an attempt to scientifically explain how the world came to be or the institution of marriage that simply wasn’t even around yet. It was an attempt to hold on to their identity as Jews and understand the larger cycles of oppression they continued falling prey to.

Now– let’s consider the Genesis Narrative from a Literal Perspective:

Take this Genesis story as your model for marriage and you’ve actually got a lot of explaining to do.

Adam and Eve:
God creates Adam and Eve and they have two sons. One son kills the other because he’s got vegetable envy. Now, we’re told that from these two people the world is populated. So…in order to literally do this Eve is going to have to have sex with her son or son sex with sister and the incestious cycle will begin until the world is populated? That’s how this “original plan for marriage” begins? God couldn’t have created the Flanders family there in the garden as well?

So far literalism is not looking compelling. Let’s continue moving through Genesis literally to see this perfect plan for marriage unfold.

Abraham:

Father of the Hebrew nation sleeps with his sister Sara continuing the incestuous institution of marriage… After sleeping with Sara Abraham then is told by his sister/ wife to have sex with her slave Hagar. Biblical marriage you say? “If only you’d read the scriptures and go back to God’s original plan” you say?

And if you’re going to be literal then please take time to read over each of the chosen leaders of Israel– you’ll find their polygamous, incestuous marriages everywhere.

And let’s say you can’t seem to find a wife? Rather than going to Christian Tinder sites or your church social groups it would appear God has a different plan.

Raid and Rape Other Tribes:

In Numbers 31:15-18, after his soldiers had killed all of the men among the Midianites, Moses ordered his army officers to kill all of the male children, kill all of the nonvirgin females but to save all of the virgin girls for his troops and make them their wives. So, taking the Bible literally would mean that rape is an acceptable way to begin a marriage union… And not only rape but murdering her family, children, and tribe. This is getting a little awkward. I get that you may not like your in-laws, but murder? Really?

David and Other Kings:

The kings of Israel were to be an example to the people of God’s guiding hand leading them into the promise of homeland. Consider marriage for them– again– one man and one wife.

Reading through the story of David you’ll find one woman, a woman who’s husband he murdered in order to sleep with, a bunch of concubines and other slave girls. Literal example of marriage?

On top of that you have Solomon, the wisest man to live. His idea of marriage? (1 Kings 11:3) We’re told Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines. Biblical example of marriage? I doubt most of us would want to go back there any time soon.

Slavery:

And what happens when Christian Tinder doesn’t pan out for your female daughters and the men in your community have died out from wars? Well, taking the Bible literally you can do what is commanded in Leviticus 25: 44-46 and purchase foreign men at a cheaper price and pass them onto your female children to multiply your tribe. Sound a bit barbaric? That’s because it is. These understandings of unions completely revolved around sustaining your tribe, gaining land, and continuing on your family name.

I write this all with some humor and sarcasm; but the reality is, if you’re going to use the Bible as your benchmark for marriage today then you’ve got a lot of really awkward, sticky situations that simply don’t fit with the moral/ ethical trajectory of the tribe of Israel.

The reality is the discussion of marriage between same sex partnerships cannot be argued over scriptural texts because these weren’t the conversations they were having.

So what conversations should WE be having in 2017? How about this:
1. Learning to be in relationship with each other in healthy, loving ways?
2. How to be the best human being we can be while we have breath and life in us?
3. What we can do to help bring restoration to those who’ve been marginalized and hurt?
4. How we can begin viewing the Bible in responsible ways avoiding bludgeoning people with archaic understandings of the world?

Maybe it’s time to start a new conversation.