The "Gay Galilean"?
by Nathan Battey
Nothing should surprise me anymore, but today I found myself cringing as I read, "Robert Williams and Bishop Hugh Montefiore have dubbed Jesus "the Gay Galilean.""
Rather than merely dismissing such a statement without rebuttal I would like to offer an explanation of how we know Jesus was not a practicing homosexual. First, Willam's and Montefiore's accusation is based in part upon Jesus not being married. Both men fail to realize most Rabbis did not marry until their late thirties or early forties (Smith 303).
Second, Willaims and Montefiore base their theory on Jesus having “loved” the disciple John. The term “loved” is interpreted by Williams and Montefiore as “homosexual love” without any basis whatsoever. There are four Greek words that can be translated into English as “love”: Agape (sacrificial /unconditional love), Storge (familial love as between parents and children), Philia (brotherly love or friendship), and Eros (physical or sensual love – from whence the term “erotic”). The word translated “loved” in reference to the disciple whom Jesus loved in passages such as John 19:26 is the word agape and does not carry with it even a hint of physical attraction; such an interpretation is one of will not exegesis.
Lastly, it is impossible for Jesus to have been a homosexual and it not have been discovered by the Pharisees. The Pharisees investigated the life of Christ with efforts equal to those of modern FBI or KGB agents. The Pharisees left no stone unturned in their efforts to dig up dirt and discredit the Savior. Despite all of their evils and shortcomings, the Pharisees established the innocence and purity of our Lord in a way none of his disciples ever could.
Williams and Mantefiore have dreamed up a false depiction of Christ without the slightest scrap of evidence. May God have mercy on the souls of such men who blaspheme the Sinless Lamb, and may their folly be evident to all.
Smith, James E. Sex in the Bible. Lulu. 2014, p.303, 312.
Second, Willaims and Montefiore base their theory on Jesus having “loved” the disciple John. The term “loved” is interpreted by Williams and Montefiore as “homosexual love” without any basis whatsoever. There are four Greek words that can be translated into English as “love”: Agape (sacrificial /unconditional love), Storge (familial love as between parents and children), Philia (brotherly love or friendship), and Eros (physical or sensual love – from whence the term “erotic”). The word translated “loved” in reference to the disciple whom Jesus loved in passages such as John 19:26 is the word agape and does not carry with it even a hint of physical attraction; such an interpretation is one of will not exegesis.
Lastly, it is impossible for Jesus to have been a homosexual and it not have been discovered by the Pharisees. The Pharisees investigated the life of Christ with efforts equal to those of modern FBI or KGB agents. The Pharisees left no stone unturned in their efforts to dig up dirt and discredit the Savior. Despite all of their evils and shortcomings, the Pharisees established the innocence and purity of our Lord in a way none of his disciples ever could.
Williams and Mantefiore have dreamed up a false depiction of Christ without the slightest scrap of evidence. May God have mercy on the souls of such men who blaspheme the Sinless Lamb, and may their folly be evident to all.
Smith, James E. Sex in the Bible. Lulu. 2014, p.303, 312.
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