Clobber passages
Special to United Methodist Insight
May 10, 2021, CENTENNIAL, Colo. – Christians have always interpreted the Bible differently, often contending their version is correct and confident others are fraudulent. As a result Catholics, Protestants, and Orthodox Christians have emerged over the centuries and countless communions have arisen. Internal denominational splits often occur based on contrasting and contradictory biblical interpretations.
In recent decades the interpretations of six biblical passages that seemingly speak negatively about homosexuality have been the source of much debate, division, and denunciation. In an upcoming Zoom Webinar on Thursday, May 20 from 6:30 to 8:00 pm (Mountain), two well-known retired pastors from Texas and Colorado will be “Examining the ‘Clobber’ Passages: A Scriptural Way Forward for United Methodism” and exploring how misinterpretations can harmfully bash the LGBTQ community, families, and friends.
"Initial interest has outstripped my expectations," said the Rev. Donald Messer, UMARC spokesman. "Sixty lay and clergy people from 13 states have already registered according to my notes. States are Colorado, Georgia, Texas, Montana, Tennessee, Indiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Missouri, Idaho, Arizona, and Wyoming. There is a hunger for this type of education."
Sponsored by the United Methodist Association of Retired Clergy (UMARC), speaking will be Rev. Dr. Joe Miller, Jr., former pastor, Moody Memorial United Methodist Church, Galveston, Texas, and Rev. Dr. Harvey Martz, former pastor of St. Andrew United Methodist Church, Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Rev. Dr. Valerie Jackson, Lead Pastor, Cameron United Methodist Church, Denver, Colorado, will serve as moderator. Opportunities for participants to ask questions will be available through the chat function of the webinar.
“The Bible verses under consideration have so often been used to slander and harm LGBTQ persons,” says Martz, “that they have been described as clobbering the heart, soul, and mind of faithful Christians.” Miller notes that as a pastor, “he witnessed how the misuse of the Bible caused irreparable damage to individuals and their loved ones.”
Contact https://www.umarc.org/ for advanced free registration. If you want to be a sponsor with a gift of at least $50, contact Rev. Dr. Donald E. Messer, Chair of UMARC, at dmesser@iliff.edu UMARC affirms an inclusive church that stands in solidarity with LGBTQ laity and clergy. For more details, see www.umarc.org