John Boswell's influential interpretation of Rom 1:26-27 is seriously misleading in several important particulars. A careful exegesis of the passage shows that Paul unambiguously describes homosexual behavior as a violation of God's intention for humankind. Responsible interpretation must first recognize that Paul condemns homosexuality and then ask how that condemnation bears upon the formation of normative ethical judgments. The final section of the essay offers some guidelines on the use of Romans 1 in Christian ethics.
Founded in 1973 to "assist in shaping and locating the advanced edge of scholarly work in religious ethics." The Journal of Religious Ethics is committed to publishing the very best scholarship in religious ethics, to fostering new work in neglected areas, and to stimulating exchange on significant issues. Neither a tradition-specific journal of social ethics nor a tradition-neutral journal of philosophical ethics, the JRE offers serious ethical reflection set in the context of specific religious traditions and communities. The journal seeks to publish essays in three domains: studies in comparative religious ethics, considerations of foundational conceptual and methodological issues, and historical studies of influential figures and texts. An independent scholarly journal, the JRE is currently edited at Florida State University.
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