Coming to Dallas on October 5-6
CenterPeace is an organization founded to help church leaders, educators, and families better understand same-sex attraction and have open conversations about faith and sexuality. Led by my friend, Sally Gary, the organization (and Sally) is doing great work. Check out the website at centerpeace.net. As you look, I encourage you to take a few minutes to watch and listen to excerpts from last year’s conference.
I’m honored this year that Sally has invited me to teach a few classes at the conference. The following is from the CenterPeace Facebook page:
We are so excited to welcome Glenn Pemberton to our fantastic lineup of speakers for the e3 Conference! … He will offer three presentations on “Reading Scripture Backwards: Same-Sex Intimacy in the Old Testament.” A brief summary: At first glance, four Old Testament texts refer to same-sex attraction or intimacy (Gen. 19; Lev. 18:22, 20:13; Deut. 22:5). It’s easy to read these texts from our place and time and make quick claims about “the clear teaching” of scripture. Simple conclusions, however, are more elusive when we slow down and read backwards, beginning with a text’s ancient setting and its first reader’s culture. In these sessions, we will attempt such back-ward readings, encounter its complexities, and be challenged by new considerations.
Friday, October 5:
Session #1: “The Great Sin of Sodom … or America?” (Gen. 19)
Session #2: “RuPaul and What Not to Wear” (Deut. 22:5)Saturday, October 6:
Session #3: “Tattoos, Gibberish, and the Same-Sex Ban of Leviticus” (18:22, 20:13)
I ask for your prayers as I prepare and present this material, first that I handle the texts with wisdom and sensitivity, and second that my body will withstand the exertion of two one hour sessions on Friday, followed by another on Saturday. Ten years ago, I could do this with both hands tied around my back. Today is a different story. This will be the most I have attempted to do since leaving ACU two years ago. I think I can, I hope I can, I pray I can get through it. Then, once I’m finished, however long it takes me to recover will be okay. If you come to the conference, be sure to look down, find me in my chair, and say hello.
