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How Ancient Artwork From Pompeii Proves The Bible Doesn't Condemn Homosexuality

"We throw Bible verses around without understanding their context.”

A well-known Baptist pastor is arguing that the New Testament doesn't actually condemn same-sex relationships in its passages about homosexuality, and he's using ancient erotic art to prove it.

Rev. Steve Chalke gave a recent talk in which he states the unearthing of carved penises and other explicit Roman imagery found in the ruins of Pompeii proves that many people are incorrectly interpreting Bible verses that seem to be banning gay sex.

Art Media/Print Collector/Getty Images

Mural of Mercury, Pompeii, Italy. Erotic portrait of a figure with an erection. (Photo by Art Media/Print Collector/Getty Images)

“Because of widespread ignorance of the ancient world and Graeco-Roman culture in churches across the West, we throw Bible verses around without understanding their context," says Chalke, whose open support of same-sex marriage had him thrown out of the Evangelical Alliance, according to Church Times.

Chalke argues that the New Testament verses that label same-sex activity as sinful were actually condemning abusive sexual activity that was common in those times.

“If you were a man in Roman culture, so long as someone was your social inferior — a slave, a gladiator, a woman, etc. — it was considered socially acceptable and respectable to penetrate them," Chalke said about the behavior that the Bible verses are actually speaking out against.

Christophel Fine Art/UIG via Getty Images

“Every Christian believes God to be a God of love. It is no wonder that these abusive practices are condemned by inspired scripture," he explained. "But it is a disingenuous misreading of the text to conclude that what Paul describes in Romans 1 can be used to prevent people forming loving, faithful and nurturing relationships with people of the same sex."

Chalke believes that many Christians' interpretations of the Bible are based in prejudice and that they have used these passages as weapons to "destroy LGBT people and their lives and their credibility and their sense of peace."

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