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About Out in Scripture
You don’t have to leave your mind, heart and body behind when you encounter the Bible. This Human Rights Campaign resource places comments about the Bible alongside the real life experiences and concerns of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people of faith and our allies.
Out In Scripture is a collection of over 175 conversations about the Bible. With the skilled help of 100 diverse scholars and pastors, from over 11 different denominations, you will discover a fresh approach to Scripture. Here you can be honest, question and go deeper.
Out in Scripture is a great devotional resource as you consider your life of faith and put that faith into action. It is also especially helpful for preachers preparing sermons based on the Revised Common Lectionary.
The Bible’s not about beating you up, but lifting us all up. It includes the seeds of liberation and justice. You, too, can be out in Scripture.
The Out in Scripture Collection
The lectionary is a three-year plan of selected Bible readings for each Sunday of the year. To figure out what are the assigned passages for a particular week in the Church Year, check out the 2009-2011 Lectionary Calendar. Find out even more about the lectionary at the Consultation on Common Texts
Select Bible conversations from the following seasons. The conversation will appear at the bottom of the page.
Year A
Ash Wednesday, Lent and Easter through Pentecost Sunday
1st Sunday in Lent, Year A
2nd Sunday in Lent, Year A
3rd Sunday in Lent, Year A
4th Sunday in Lent, Year A
5th Sunday in Lent, Year A
6th Sunday in Lent: Palm/Passion Sunday, Year A
Holy Thursday/Maundy Thursday, Year A
Good Friday, Year A
Easter Day, Year A
2nd Sunday of Easter, Year A
3rd Sunday of Easter, Year A
4th Sunday of Easter, Year A
5th Sunday of Easter, Year A
6th Sunday of Easter, Year A
7th Sunday of Easter, Year A
Day of Pentecost, Year A
Ordinary Time through Reign of Christ Sunday
8th Sunday in Ordinary Time, {Proper 3), Year A
9th Sunday in Ordinary Time, {Proper 4), Year A
10th Sunday in Ordinary Time, {Proper 5), Year A
11th Sunday in Ordinary Time, {Proper 6), Year A
12th Sunday in Ordinary Time, {Proper 7), Year A
13th Sunday in Ordinary Time, {Proper 8), Year A
14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, {Proper 9), Year A
15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, {Proper 10), Year A
16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, {Proper 11), Year A
17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, {Proper 12), Year A
18th Sunday in Ordinary Time, {Proper 13), Year A
19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, {Proper 14), Year A
20th Sunday in Ordinary Time, {Proper 15), Year A
21st Sunday in Ordinary Time, {Proper 16), Year A
22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 17), Year A
23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 18), Year A
24th Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 19), Year A
25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 20), Year A
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 21), Year A
27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 22), Year A
28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 23), Year A
29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 24), Year A
30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 25), Year A
All Saints Day, Year A
31st Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 26), Year A
32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 27), Year A
33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 28), Year A
Reign of Christ Sunday, (Proper 29), Year A
Thanksgiving Day, (Proper 29), Year A
Year B
Ash Wednesday, Lent and Easter through Pentecost Sunday
1st Sunday in Lent, Year B
2nd Sunday in Lent, Year B
3rd Sunday in Lent, Year B
4th Sunday in Lent, Year B
5th Sunday in Lent, Year B
6th Sunday in Lent: Palm/Passion Sunday, Year B
Holy Thursday/Maundy Thursday, Year B
Good Friday, Year B
Easter Day, Year B
2nd Sunday of Easter, Year B
3rd Sunday of Easter, Year B
4th Sunday of Easter, Year B
5th Sunday of Easter, Year B
6th Sunday of Easter, Year B
7th Sunday of Easter, Year B
Day of Pentecost, Year B
Ordinary Time through Reign of Christ Sunday
11th Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 6), Year B
12th Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 7), Year B
13th Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 8), Year B
14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 9), Year B
15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 10), Year B
16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 11), Year B
17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 12), Year B
18th Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 13), Year B
19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 14), Year B
20th Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 15), Year B
21st Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 16), Year B
22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 17), Year B
23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 18), Year B
24th Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 19), Year B
25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 20), Year B
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 21), Year B
27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 22), Year B
28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 23), Year B
29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 24), Year B
30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 25), Year B
All Saints Day, Year B
31st Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 26), Year B
32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 27), Year B
33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 28), Year B
Thanksgiving Day, Year B
Reign of Christ Sunday, (Proper 29), Year B
Year C
Ash Wednesday, Lent and Easter through Pentecost Sunday
1st Sunday in Lent, Year C
2nd Sunday in Lent, Year C
3rd Sunday in Lent, Year C
4th Sunday in Lent, Year C
5th Sunday in Lent, Year C
6th Sunday in Lent: Palm/Passion Sunday, Year C
Holy Thursday/Maundy Thursday, Year C
Good Friday, Year C
Easter Day, Year C
2nd Sunday of Easter, Year C
3rd Sunday of Easter, Year C
4th Sunday of Easter, Year C
5th Sunday of Easter, Year C
6th Sunday of Easter, Year C
Ascension Day, Year C
7th Sunday of Easter, Year C
Day of Pentecost, Year C
Ordinary Time through Reign of Christ Sunday
10th Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 5), Year C
11th Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 6), Year C
12th Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 7), Year C
13th Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 8), Year C
14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 9), Year C
15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 10), Year C
16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 11), Year C
17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 12), Year C
18th Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 13), Year C
19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 14), Year C
20th Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 15), Year C
21st Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 16), Year C
22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 17), Year C
23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 18), Year C
24th Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 19), Year C
25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 20), Year C
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 21), Year C
27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 22), Year C
28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 23), Year C
29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 24), Year C
30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 25), Year C
All Saints Day, Year C
31st Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 26), Year C
32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 27), Year C
33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, (Proper 28), Year C
Reign of Christ Sunday, Year C
Thanksgiving Day, Year C
10th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Proper 5), Year A |
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Coming Out Across Borders, Hoping
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Who's in the
Conversation A conversation among the following scholars and pastors |
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“Whether we are leaving closets, families, or homelands, hope is necessary for our journey of faith.” |
“A true coming-out demands acceptance of the other as brother and sister. In a true coming out, blessings flow; cultures are exchanged and enriched; the stranger becomes a friend, the sojourner becomes a citizen.” |
What's Out in the
Conversation
A conversation about this week's lectionary Bible passages Genesis 12:1-9 tells the story of people who are called out of their country and their family of origin. God tells Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you” (12:1). Abram (later Abraham) and his wife Sarai (later Sarah) are considered symbolic ancestors of three great religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Paul, in Romans 4:13-25, considers Abraham “the father of all of us” (4:16). However, our recollection of Abraham and Sarah is a consequence of their willingness to be called out of family and homeland. Abraham’s journey from Haran did not happen in a single move. In fact, Abraham as well as his descendants continued to travel throughout their lives. Moreover, Abraham is initially given only limited information about the ways in which God will “bless” him (Genesis 12:2-3). His first move is therefore a step taken in faith. As Paul notes about Abraham, “hoping against hope, he believed” that God would provide the blessings promised to him (Romans 4:18). In modern society, the experience of leaving behind one’s family of origin is more common than it was in the ancient world. Nevertheless, few people are more familiar than LGBT folks with the uncertainty and pain that can accompany such leave-taking. Far too often, a break with family happens for LGBT folks under conditions that are characterized by alienation or hostility. Even when relations are less strained, differences in experiences and ways of life can make LGBT people feel as removed from their families of origin as those who travel great distances. Yet the story of Abraham reminds us that coming out of one situation and traveling into another has always been a part of the journey of faith. Although it is sometimes necessary to leave loved ones behind, the presence in Abraham’s story of Sarah and Lot reminds us that we do not usually travel alone. Companions are found along the way. Neither the difficulties nor the joys encountered during his travels are completely revealed to Abraham in advance. Similarly, our own future difficulties and joys are seldom revealed to us. Nevertheless, “hoping against hope,” and sustained by “the steadfast love of God” referred to in Psalm 33:5, we, like Abraham and Sarah, come out of current circumstances to journey towards God’s welcome and affirmation. Our blessings, moreover, are not only for ourselves. As God tells Abraham, “all the families of the earth shall be blessed” when people “come out” to a journey chosen by God.
It is important to keep in mind, however, that Abraham and Sarah do not simply travel away from their families of origin. They also cross borders of nation and land. They do not cross borders empty-handed. They bring with them “possessions they had gathered” (12:5) and blessings for others (12:2-3). But they are immigrants. Like LGBT folks, contemporary immigrants often face a journey filled with both peril and promise. Like LGBT folks, they frequently face not simply prejudice or hostility, but legalized discrimination. “Hoping against hope,” they leave families of origin behind to travel an uncertain path. They bring with them talents, visions, and blessings for others. Instead of being met with compassion or welcome, they find themselves being made scapegoats for all sorts of social ills. Should a church that is truly welcoming and affirming accept lesbians and gay men while ignoring or turning away immigrants? How can such a stance be justified if Abraham the immigrant is considered today, as he was by Paul, “the father of all of us”?
Both religious tradition and legal custom are used today, as they were in the ancient world, to draw borders and boundaries between peoples. Many Christians are afraid to embrace anyone who is marginalized by society or seems to threaten those borders and boundaries. In the contemporary United States, both LGBT folks and immigrants of all genders and sexual orientations suffer as a consequence of such fears. In Matthew 9:9-13, however, Jesus openly associates with those who are mistrusted and disdained. When adherents of the law criticize Jesus for keeping company with outcasts, he reminds them that God, in Hosea 6:6, desires mercy more than the observance of legal stipulation. Just as Abraham and Sarah left Haran, just as LGBT folks leave their closets, and just as immigrants leave their homes, so also contemporary people of faith must leave their fears and prejudices behind and respond to the call of God, who “loves righteousness and justice” (Psalm 33:5). In this way we show that we are “hoping against hope” for a more welcoming and affirming world.
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