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Early Christian perspectives on homosexuality

Started by Justin Bennett
December 30, 2025
3 replies
427 views
#1

Hey there everyone. Does anyone have some good clear quotes expressing early Christian perspectives on homosexuality? I have seen them reference and condemn the pedophilic practices of the Greeks in their time, but I haven't found clear references directly to homosexuality between consenting adults.


The scriptures are very clear regarding the matter that it is sin that must be turned away from in order to be saved in Christ, but I want to see if there is any good added support we can glean from the earliest believers' writings to speak to people today about the truth of this issue. If anyone has some quotes or information they can share on this matter please share!

Replies (3)

#2

http://earlychristiandictionary.com/Homosexuality.html

#3

According to Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs by David Bercot, there are several quotes under "Homosexuality":


"You shall not commit adultery; you shall not commit pederasty." Didache (c.80-140, E) 7.377

- The key means the quote is from 80 AD to 140 Ad, and on the 7th volume of ante-nicean church fathers, page 377

"It is well that they should be cut off from the lusts of the world, since 'every lust wars against the spirit', and 'neither fornicators, nor homosexuals. . . will inherit the kingdom of God." Clement of Rome, (c. 96, W) 1.34

"Some polluted themselves by lying with males." - Aristides (c. 125, E) 9.269

"The Greeks, O King, follow debased practices in intercourse with males, or with mothers, sisters, and daughters. Yet, they, in turn, impute their monstrous impurity to the Christians." Aristides (c 125, E) 9.279

"Pederasty is condemned by the barbarians. However, by the Romans it is honored with certain privileges. In fact, they try to collect herds of boys like grazing horses." Tatian (c. 160, E), 2.77

"They do not abstain even from males, males with males committing shocking abominations, outraging all the noblest and comeliest bodies in all sorts of ways." Athenagoras (c. 175, E), 2.143

"Show me yourself whether you are not an adulterer, a fornicator, a thief, or a robber. Show me that you do not corrupt boys. . . For God is not manifest to those who do these things." Theophilus (c. 180, E), 2.89

"Men play the part of women, and women that of men, contrary to nature. Women are at once both wives and husbands . . . O miserable spectacle! Horrible conduct!" Clement of Alexandria (c. 195, E) 2.276

"The fate of the Sodomites was judgement to those who had done wrong, and instruction to those who hear. The Sodomites had fallen into uncleanness through much luxury. They practiced adultery shamelessly, and they burned with insane love for boys." Clement of Alexandria (c. 195, E) 2.282

"The Christian man confines himself to the female sex." Tertullian (c. 197, W) 3.51

"I find no dress cursed by God except a woman's dress on a man. For he says, 'Cursed is every man who clothes himself in woman's attire." Tertullian (c. 200, W) 3.71

"The coupling of two males is a very shameful thing." Tertullian (c. 200, W) 3.509


#4

Thank you both for those references! And that website looks like a really great resource and will be helpful in my studies!! I appreciate it a lot!!

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