Scripture has always been interpreted within community. LGBTIQ Christians have the right to read the Bible with their lived experience taken seriously.

In Depth

Interpretation Has Never Been Neutral

There is no such thing as a completely “objective” reading of scripture. Every interpretation is shaped by:

• Culture
• Language
• Historical context
• Personal experience
• The community someone belongs to

Even the most confident or traditional interpretations are not untouched by human perspective. They are shaped by it. Recognizing this does not weaken faith. It makes interpretation more honest.

The Myth of a Single Authority

Throughout history, different groups have claimed authority over how scripture “should” be read. At times, this has been used to:

• Maintain power
• Exclude certain voices
• Present one interpretation as the only valid one

However, scripture has never existed in a vacuum. It has always been read, discussed, debated, and wrestled with across communities. No single group owns interpretation. It has always been a shared, evolving process.

The Role of Community in Understanding

Faith has always been communal. Interpretation grows through:

• Conversation
• Questioning
• Shared reflection
• Listening to different perspectives

Community helps prevent narrow readings that ignore context or lived reality. When voices are excluded, interpretation becomes limited. When voices are included, understanding deepens.

Why Lived Experience Matters

Lived experience is not separate from faith. It is part of how people encounter and understand it. For LGBTIQ Christians, experience can:

• Highlight where interpretations have caused harm
• Offer insight into themes of identity, belonging, and dignity
• Reveal new depth in stories of exclusion and restoration

Ignoring lived experience often leads to interpretations that are disconnected from real life. Taking it seriously leads to interpretations that are more grounded, compassionate, and honest.

The Risk of Excluding Voices

When certain groups are excluded from interpreting scripture, it creates imbalance. It can result in:

• Partial or incomplete understanding
• The reinforcement of harmful beliefs
• A lack of accountability for how scripture is used

Exclusion does not protect truth. It limits it. Truth becomes clearer when more voices are part of the conversation, especially those most affected by the outcomes.

Reading Through the Lens of Christ

For Christians, interpretation is not just about the text. It is about how the text is understood through the life and teaching of Jesus Christ. This lens prioritizes:

• Love over fear
• Mercy over judgement
• Inclusion over exclusion
• Restoration over harm

When interpretations move away from these values, it is worth asking whether they still reflect the heart of the Gospel.

What Responsible Interpretation Looks Like

Interpretation is not about asserting control. It is about seeking truth with humility. It involves:

• Recognising your own perspective
• Being open to learning from others
• Paying attention to the impact of interpretations
• Remaining grounded in love and compassion

This is not about abandoning conviction. It is about ensuring conviction is shaped by integrity.

Scripture

Note: These scriptures are quoted from the New International version of the bible, access an online version here.

Understanding Comes Through Community

Acts 15:6-9

“The apostles and elders met to consider this question… After much discussion… God… showed that he accepted them…”

This moment shows that interpretation was never done in isolation. Leaders gathered, debated, listened, and responded to what they were witnessing in people’s lives. Lived experience and community discernment shaped understanding.

Scripture Requires Interpretation

Acts 8:30-31

“Do you understand what you are reading?” … “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?”

This makes it clear that scripture is not always self-explanatory. Interpretation is expected. It happens through conversation, guidance, and shared insight rather than individual certainty.

Wisdom Is Found in Many Voices

Proverbs 11:14

“For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.”

This reinforces that truth is not strengthened by a single voice dominating. It grows through multiple perspectives. Excluding voices weakens understanding rather than protecting it.

Testing and Discernment Are Required

1 Thessalonians 5:21

“Test everything. Hold on to what is good.”

Interpretation is not about accepting one viewpoint without question. It involves examining, reflecting, and discerning. This requires engagement, not passive agreement.

God Shows No Favoritism

Acts 10:34-35

“God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.”

This challenges systems that elevate certain voices over others. If God does not show partiality, then interpretation that excludes particular groups stands in tension with that truth.

Truth Is Known Through Love

Ephesians 4:15

“Speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become… mature…”

Truth is not separated from love. Growth in understanding comes through relationships that are honest and compassionate. This creates space for voices to be heard rather than dismissed.

In Summary

Scripture itself reflects a pattern of shared interpretation, ongoing discernment, and the inclusion of multiple voices. You see:

• Communities gathering to wrestle with difficult questions
• Acknowledgement that understanding requires explanation and dialogue
• Encouragement to seek wisdom from many perspectives
• A clear rejection of favouritism and exclusion

Interpretation has never belonged to a single authority. It has always been shaped through people engaging together, listening, questioning, and responding to what they see in real lives.
LGBTIQ Christians are part of that ongoing conversation. Their lived experience is not separate from faith. It is one of the ways faith is understood more deeply.

Excluding those voices does not preserve truth. It limits it. When interpretation becomes more inclusive, it becomes more honest. It reflects a faith that is alive, responsive, and grounded in both truth and love.
This is how understanding grows. Not through control, but through community, humility, and a willingness to listen.