He formerly advocated against same-sex marriage from a Christian perspective, but he has shifted his stance now.
Now, Hays confesses a shift in perspective.
In a dramatic turnaround, one of the prominent and influential New Testament scholars of the past century, Richard Hays, expresses remorse for his past stance — writing in his new book, "Expanding God's Compassion", that he feels "deep regret" for the hurt inflicted on LGBTQ individuals who've been excluded from Christian churches due to his earlier views.
"I want to confess my errors in my prior writings," Hays stated in an interview with me, alongside his co-author and son, Christopher Hays. "The current standpoint I hold is that the Bible, interpreted as a narrative, conveys a God who evolves and personally interacts with us, continually challenging our preconceptions and expanding our understandings."
"At the time, I felt this was the necessary action to rectify my relationship with God and my fellow church members," Hays explained about his change in beliefs. "The entire narrative of the Bible, I believe, challenges us all to engage in the practice of repentance."
For nearly three decades, Hays' influential analysis on homosexuality in his 1996 book, "The Ethical Perspective of the New Testament", has been a go-to source in evangelical seminaries and traditionalist studies nationwide. As a gay Christian myself, I've lost count of the instances when I've encountered his views on homosexuality—or been steered towards them by religious leaders—since I came out 12 years ago.
Hays now acknowledges the misuse of his work by some Christians to marginalize and exclusion of LGBTQ individuals from Christian churches. "That position has been appropriated, I would say quite forcefully—even overstating it a bit—by conservative elements of evangelical churches, who wield it as a tool to exert what can only be described as oppressive actions towards gay and lesbian individuals."
As the child of a pastor growing up in suburban Grand Rapids, Michigan, church was an integral part of my upbringing. I served as the pianist during worship services, starred in Vacation Bible School productions, and even shifted the frozen letters on the church marquee during harsh Michigan winters.
However, I eventually recognized that I was gay—a revelation that seemed to threaten the very foundation of my existence.
My faith and connection to church mattered immensely to me. I attended a denomination-affiliated university and launched my journalism career at our church's magazine. I was deeply immersed in God's story of creation, fall, and redemption, which embraced all people and the world. The sense of God's love and grace towards me still resonates as a core aspect of my self-perception. But my homosexuality appeared to challenge this foundation.
Unlike other progressive arguments that try to explain away the six most prominent Bible passages that appear to condemn same-sex intimacy, Hays and Christopher approach the issue in a different manner.
"We need to understand the Bible as a narrative and recognize the formative impact its stories have on our personal growth and our role as interpreters of the text," Richard Hays explained. "We should step back and question why specific prohibitions—such as those concerning same-sex relationships—are deemed essential, when other passages, such as those dealing with slave ownership, are largely ignored."
"My understanding of those key passages hasn't changed," Hays admitted. "I believe that the Bible clearly expresses disapproval of homosexual behavior. But there seems to be an arbitrary focus on those two verses in Leviticus as the basis for such views."
Several factors prompted Hays to revise his stance on same-sex marriage. One major influence was his perception of a dynamic God who is open to change and expanding God's grace to encompass growing numbers of individuals. He noted that these beliefs were strengthened by his personal experiences with LGBTQ individuals who exemplified the fruits of the spirit.
Christopher, Hays' son and co-author who teaches Old Testament studies at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, concurred.
"There's a powerful thread in the Bible that mirrors God's ability to initiate change, as stated in Isaiah 43:19 – 'I am doing a new thing; do you not perceive it?'"—a constant reminder that we may struggle to keep pace with God's evolving prowess," Christopher said. "Over time, we realize that this isn't the depiction of God we see in our reading of Scripture."
Christopher also expressed belief that the Bible's authors did not intend to address contemporary same-sex relationships when they drafted the scripture. "We don't think that these concerns were relevant to Paul's views or to the original authors of the Torah," he said.
"I'm proud of my father," Christopher concluded. "His transformation into a kinder, more compassionate, and understanding figure in this discourse is inspiring. He has demonstrated to others how they can approach their own transformations with grace and humility."
Hays' shift in beliefs has sparked fierce opposition from conservatives. Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Al Mohler criticized it as "a complete doctrinal betrayal." Conventional scholar Robert Gagnon dismissed Hays' arguments as "aberrant" and "preposterous."
More moderate traditionalist scholars, such as Preston Sprinkle, who directs the Center for Faith, Sexuality, and Gender, offered a different perspective: "The fundamental question in this debate is whether sexual difference is an inherent component of what marriage entails. This question is never explicitly addressed in 'Expanding God's Compassion.'"
But Christopher Hays disagrees with the criticism, stating, "I understand why they're concerned if they wish to preserve their power in the same manner. It's not meant for Preston Sprinkle and those consistently engaged in this battle. This is a more fundamental and elementary book."
Progressive Christians, like Matthew Vines, head of the pro-LGBTQ Christian advocacy group, The Reformation Project, welcomed the shift from Hays. Vines shared with CNN, "I'm truly grateful that Richard Hays changed his stance and chose to publicly express it despite the backlash he anticipated. I'm thrilled to now have him supporting LGBTQ inclusion in the church."
In my role as a member of the Christian Reformed Church in North America, a relatively small Protestant denomination with approximately 250,000 members throughout the U.S. and Canada, I'm familiar with my church's teaching that being attracted to the same sex is not a sin, but intimately engaging in same-sex relationships is. After coming out as a student at my denomination's university, I experienced periods of despair as I grappled with this viewpoint for years.
However, over time, I also came to believe that God and Scripture support same-sex marriage. In essence, I believe that God's redemptive work propels the institution of marriage toward our identities in Christ, offering a fulfillment rather than merely reiterating God's work at creation.
Contrarily, my institutional church has chosen a different course. During our annual assembly, we affirmed our church's opposition to same-sex marriage as a confessional belief, expecting compliance and agreement in conscience from all pastors, elders, deacons, and members. My father, a pastor and congregant for six decades, left the assembly in protest.
Fuller Theological Seminary, where Christopher Hays teaches, requires adherence to a faith statement that opposes same-sex marriage. A high-ranking official was let go from the university in February for refusing to sign the statement, as reported by Religion News Service.
"I'm not presently concerned about my job," Christopher told me. "I wrote this book to provide a space for dialogue in the circles I inhabit and in those across the country where similar discussions are occurring."
Fuller issued a statement stating that the book represents the author's views, not the seminary's position. Seminary president David Emmanuel Goatley said, "Fuller has always approached challenging topics thoughtfully and faithfully, and we will continue to do so."
Other denominations have ventured further: The Southern Baptist Convention and the Presbyterian Church in America have denounced merely recognizing a same-sex orientation – even if one remains celibate. The PCA expelled celibate gay pastor Greg Johnson and his St. Louis church two years ago. The SBC has expelled numerous LGBTQ-affirming churches in recent years.
However, demographic trends suggest a collision course with younger churchgoers. Though support for same-sex marriage has leveled off lately, recent surveys from Gallup show that more than one in five Gen Z Americans identify as LGBTQ, and approximately 90% of Americans under 30 support same-sex marriage.
Eventually, I'm grateful that my apprehensions about being shunned by my closest friends and family did not materialize, though I understand that others have faced far worse. My closest friends and I, who love both God and LGBTQ individuals, are endeavoring to traverse the tension, even as the most influential Christian institutions of my life maintain a distance.
The shift from Hays will not settle the debate among Christians regarding same-sex marriage. Nevertheless, I hope it encourages opponents of same-sex marriage to consider – is there a faithful path that accommodates individuals like me?
As for Richard Hays, he wishes that those who have read his previous work would approach his new book with an open mind.
"I would simply hope that people would not draw hasty conclusions," he said. "I hope that those disappointed with this book will actually read it."
"I'm glad to see that Richard Hays, who significantly impacted my understanding of homosexuality in the past, is now acknowledging the misuse of his work by some Christians," I commented.
"In the spirit of repentance and growth, Hays and his son, Christopher, believe that the Bible challenges us all to engage in repentance, including himself, as he reconsiders his stance towards LGBTQ individuals," the text continues.
