Page 48 - University of Pretoria Research Review 2017

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Weerlose Weerstand
The gay debate in the Dutch Reformed Church André Bartlett, Centre of the Formation of Ministry (Excelsus)
Homosexuality is a major concern in Christian churches all over the world, as is the case in South Africa. Debate often reveals deep theological differences and proves to be highly divisive in most churches.
Dr André Bartlett’s research in the Centre of the Formation of Ministry at UP gives an important insight into the thought processes and theological reflection around human sexuality and the position of sexual minorities. In this book, Weerlose Weerstand (vulnerable resistance), published by Protea Boekhuis in 2017, he gives an account of the gay debate in the Dutch Reformed Church, covering the period from the 1980s to the present.
The importance of the debate is that the Dutch Reformed Church was the first mainstream church
in South Africa, and in the rest of Africa, that not only accepted gay believers as full members, since 2004, but also recognised, in 2015, same sex unions and allowed its ministers to officiate at ceremonies where such unions are celebrated. Even though the last decision was overturned in 2016, the church is still at the forefront of the movement towards recognising the full human dignity of sexual minorities among its members and in society.
Written with a church member in mind, the book
gives an account of the research findings of study commissions and theologians of the church. The findings focus mainly on the interpretation of biblical texts, the insights of the social and health sciences, and the life stories of LGBTI members of the church. There is no consensus that the biblical texts provide an unambiguous condemnation of homosexuality,
or of committed same-sex relationships. The book also highlights the consensus in scientific circles that homosexuality is not a choice but a genetic orientation and a normal variation of human sexual expression. The scientific facts are confirmed by numerous life stories of individuals struggling to come to terms with their sexual identity, and by the witness of therapists working in the field of sexuality.
Although written by a single author, the book is based on the work of numerous other participants in the debate. It provides an insight into the often conflicting positions on sexuality and other related issues in South African churches, and gives an indication of the shifting of positions that necessarily takes place in the processes of research and deliberation.
The author is still involved in this ongoing process in his own church, and is working on research in other African churches and in African society in general. He is especially interested in the development of strategies to overcome bias and stereotypes with regard to sexual diversity.