When talking about LGBTQI+ issues, I think it’s important to look at the Bible’s complete story - not just a few verses

Writer Hope Bonarcher explores the biblical response to LGBTQI+ identifying people in the Church.

When considering LGBTQI+ identifying people in light of the gospel of Jesus Christ, we need to look at the Bible in context. It’s easy to argue points using specific verses. All scripture is God inspired and should be used to teach and train. However Satan also used God’s word to try to tempt and entrap Jesus. Let’s avoid this by looking at the Bible as a complete redemption story. How can we consider matters of identity without first looking at who God says he is and we are?‌

The Bible tells of an all-knowing, loving-kind, creator; perfectly holy, perfectly good, who IS love, exists outside of time, space and creation and makes everything good. He makes humans in his own image, for relationship, to give and receive love. He gives them free will to accept or reject him, for love is not love without a choice. The first couple were tempted by God’s enemy and use their choice was to reject and disobey God. Perfection is thwarted, sin and death enter the world.