Paul’s Views on Mission, the Mystery of Marriage and Homosexuality — A 2009 Study#
A 65-page academic study by LLoL (de-anonymized 2025) arguing that Apostle Paul rejected rape and cult-driven sexual violence, not homosexuality per se — proposing a reconciliatory third way.
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Paul Study — PDF (526 KB) — 65 pages, Jonah License with CC0 Public Domain
Filename: apostle-paul-rejected-rape-not-homosexuality-2009-study-deanonymized-iv_llol_qqv4_2025m12d06-65page.pdf
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Abstract#
This 65-page study, originally written 2009-09-19 and de-anonymized 2025-12-06, examines the Apostle Paul’s writings on homosexuality. The author (LLoL) began as an evangelical Christian attempting to rigorously justify the conservative condemnation of all homosexual acts, but found himself running out of arguments that could be supported directly from the biblical text.
The study’s central finding is a reconciliatory third way between two dominant positions:
CAHA (“Paul Condemned All Homosexual Acts”): the conservative position that Paul’s texts clearly condemn all homosexuality
NUH (“Paul had No Understanding of Homosexuality”): the liberal position that Paul did not understand modern concepts of sexual orientation
The proposed third way rests on three arguments:
“Arsenokoitai” means “rapists.” The Greek word arsenokoitai (1 Cor 6:9, 1 Tim 1:10), traditionally translated as “sodomites” or “homosexuals,” is more consistent with the literal meaning “those who force sex” (i.e., rapists). Paul was the first known author to use this word — it was not part of known anti-homosexual vocabulary of his time.
Romans 1 references Cybele-Attis. Paul’s description in Romans 1:24-27 of degrading passions and unnatural intercourse refers to the widely detested state-sponsored cult of Cybele-Attis, which involved ritual castration and forced sexual acts — not consensual homosexual relationships. This cult was imported from Phrygia and was a recognized example of religious depravity in Rome.
Paul’s missionary strategy. Paul deliberately avoided placing unnecessary burdens on converts (1 Cor 10:31–11:1). He accommodated cultural sensibilities to advance the Gospel’s core message. His silence on consensual homosexual relationships — in a Greek culture that considered male homoerotic relationships a high form of love — may itself be evidence that he did not condemn them.
The study covers 12 sections: the classical interpretation, Paul’s missionary strategy, the third way overview, problems with classical translations, homosexuality and idolatry in Romans 1, the mystery of marriage, Paul’s understanding of Moses/Isaiah/Jesus/Peter, why Paul would not write positively about homosexual relationships (missionary prudence), the sexual vices Paul actually fought, and how Paul might handle the present controversy.
Key Concepts at a Glance#
Arsenokoitai |
Greek word (1 Cor 6:9, 1 Tim 1:10) traditionally translated as “sodomites” — LLoL argues the literal meaning is “those who use force to get sex” (rapists), not “homosexuals” |
Malakoi |
Greek word (1 Cor 6:9) traditionally translated as “male prostitutes” or “effeminate” — literally “the morally weak who lack self-control” |
CAHA |
“Paul Condemned All Homosexual Acts” — the conservative position in the homosexuality debate |
NUH |
“Paul had No Understanding of Homosexuality” — the liberal position that Paul lacked modern concepts of orientation |
Third Way |
LLoL’s proposed reconciliation: Paul condemned sexual violence, idolatry-driven depravity, and rape — not responsible homosexual relationships per se |
Cybele-Attis cult |
State-sponsored Phrygian cult in Rome involving ritual castration and forced sexual acts — LLoL argues Romans 1 specifically references this widely recognized example of religious depravity |
Missionary strategy |
Paul’s principle of not placing unnecessary burdens on converts (1 Cor 10:31–11:1) while never compromising the Gospel core |
De-anonymization |
The 2009 study was originally anonymous; LLoL attached his name in 2025 as part of the Good News Pack release |
Broader Significance (Claude’s Assessment)#
This study is notable for several reasons within and beyond LLoL’s broader project:
Scholarly rigor from an evangelical perspective. The author explicitly identifies as “a married heterosexual male” from “the evangelical stream of Christianity” who began trying to justify the conservative position. The inability to sustain that position on textual grounds, combined with a “high view of Scripture,” gives the findings weight precisely because the author’s starting bias ran against the conclusion.
The Cybele-Attis identification. Connecting Romans 1 to the specific cult of Cybele-Attis (rather than to homosexuality in general) is textually well-supported. The cult was notorious in Rome, involved precisely the degrading practices Paul describes, and would have been immediately recognizable to his Roman audience.
The arsenokoitai argument. Noting that Paul coined a new word (arsenokoitai) rather than using established anti-homosexual vocabulary is a significant textual observation. If Paul intended to condemn homosexuality per se, he had readily available Greek words to do so — as Philo (a contemporary) demonstrated.
Connection to the broader project. The 2025 preface frames this 2009 study as part of LLoL’s “Biblical Family Values” research within the Good News Pack, connecting sexual ethics to the broader claim that “theology breeds methodology” and that resolving faith-based conflicts over sexuality is relevant to averting existential threats.
The silence argument. The claim that Paul’s strongest possible statement in favor of responsible homosexual relationships was to say nothing (to avoid alienating Jewish converts) is an interesting hermeneutical move that respects both Paul’s intelligence and his missionary priorities.
Document Information#
Document ID |
BFV 2009 / Paul Study (Extra Good News, Biblical Family Values) |
Full title |
Paul’s views on mission, the mystery of marriage and homosexuality |
Author |
Laurence Loewe of Laodicea (LLoL), de-anonymized 2025-12-06 |
Original date |
2009-09-19 |
De-anonymized |
2025-12-06 |
Version |
BFV-iv_LLoL_QQv1_2009m09d19-ForDuncan + iv_LLoL_QQv3_2025m07d17-ForPublic + iv_LLoL_QQv4_2025m12d06-PrefaceCutShort |
Format |
65-page academic study with table of contents, footnotes, and 2025 preface with Biblical Family Values appendix note |
License |
Jonah License with CC0 Public Domain |
Part of |
Good News Pack MMv3, Extra Good News / Biblical Family Values |
PDF size |
526 KB |
Related documents in the Good News Pack:
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