The Forum > Article Comments > Final briefing on same sex marriage > Comments
Final briefing on same sex marriage : Comments
By Alan Austin, published 8/3/2011This transcript is just in from the Pearly Gates. Our source, Alan Austin, has dreamed a dream.
- Pages:
-
- 1
- 2
- 3
- ...
- 11
- 12
- 13
- Page 14
- 15
- 16
-
- All
34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.
35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
So what are the more striking differences in Luke's presentation? First is the introduction of Sodom and Lot. To me the writer is broadcasting a change in emphasis from Matthew's message. While I concede the original story of Sodom and Gomorrah was relating the moral virtues of hospitality by the time the writer of Luke put pen to paper it may have gained some of its more modern sexual connotations.
Secondly while Matthew only mentions two women once Luke mentions three pairs of the same sex.
Next note the move from day to night through Luke's version. Two men in a bed at night we can understand, but two women grinding together and two men in a field in the dark? The imagery is not just in our minds.
Am I overemphasising 'women grinding together'? For all Luke's fleshing out this tale in true Midrashic fashion he omitted Matthew's qualifier – 'in the mill'. I am personally convinced it was intentional. Not only is there the sexual act of grinding together there is also what appears to be a time worn euphemism first expressed in Job 31:9-11,
9 If mine heart have been deceived by a woman, or if I have laid wait at my neighbour's door;
10 Then let my wife grind unto another, and let others bow down upon her.
11 For this is an heinous crime; yea, it is an iniquity to be punished by the judges.
Do I think Jesus uttered Luke's words? No. However I think there is a solid argument to be made that the writer of Luke was putting the case for Jesus not being judgemental about same sex couples and may I say he does it very well.