This week at Refuge, we continued our QTNA (Questions That Need Answered) series with a question that deserves a thoughtful, grace-filled response.

The Gay QTNA. This question directly challenges how some Christians have used the Bible to link homosexuality and sin, causing deep shame. So, instead of just giving a theological deep dive (though we love a good word study), we stepped back to talk about what the Bible really says about homosexuality and sin.

For far too long, people have weaponized scripture to control others, enforce shame, and exclude LGBTQ+ people from God’s love. But here’s the truth: being gay is not and has never been a sin. That idea is rooted not in Jesus’ teachings, but in fear, mistranslation, and a long history of religious control.

We named the verses often used to condemn queer folks (Romans 1, 1 Corinthians 6, 1 Timothy 1), and we talked about what’s really going on in those passages — context, language, power dynamics, and cultural relevance. But more than anything, we returned to what Jesus says matters most:

“Love God. Love your neighbor. Love yourself.” (Matthew 22:37–40)

If your theology causes harm, if it excludes people from belonging.If it leads to shame instead of love — it’s not the way of Jesus.

At Refuge, we affirm LGBTQ+ people not in spite of scripture, but because of it. We believe in a love that restores, not divides. In a community that lifts up, not tears down. We believe that what the Bible says about homosexuality and sin has been misunderstood and misapplied. And we want to try and set the record straight with grace, love, and truth.

No shame. No fear. Just love.