Debate On Jesus (Press, 3 November 1984)

In a series of letters published on 1 November 1984, readers addressed interpretations of Jesus’ teachings on love and morality, particularly in the context of homosexuality. M. Paul Mosley referenced the biblical account in John 8:11, where Jesus tells a woman caught in adultery that He does not condemn her, but also advises her to leave her life of sin. Mosley argues that while Jesus does not condemn individuals, He condemns sinful practices, including homosexual acts. He emphasises that Jesus' message promotes a form of love defined by active benevolence and compassion, rather than sexual love, which is not mentioned in the New Testament in relation to Jesus. Mosley further highlights the importance of love as expressed through actions, such as helping those in need, asserting that the true essence of Jesus' teachings is not a permissive stance on all behaviours presented as love. Another letter from a contributor identified only as 808 Webster contends that while various sexual sins, including homosexuality, have existed throughout history, the purpose of Christ's teachings was to guide people toward a proper way of living. Webster denies any suggestion that Jesus could be seen as homosexual, stating that He was sinless and perfect, which strengthens His moral authority. The letter asserts that Jesus' references to love pertain to human compassion and kindness and should not be conflated with sexual matters. This exchange reflects a broader dialogue about the interpretation of scripture, the nature of love, and the implications of Jesus' teachings on contemporary moral issues.

The text on this page is created, in the most part, using Generative AI and so may contain errors or omissions. It is supplied to you without guarantee or warranty of correctness. If you find an error or would like to make a content suggestion please get in contact

The text on this page is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 New Zealand