Forging a Sacred Weapon Discussion Guide—coming June 2026

Description

The story behind the word homosexuals entering the English Bible in 1946 does not begin in 1946.

It begins in 3200 BC—in the ancient cultures that produced Scripture, in the Hebrew Bible and New Testament texts that have been cited for centuries in debates about same-sex behavior, and in the long chain of translation decisions and cultural forces that slowly transformed specific terms—associated with legacy, boundaries, idolatry, and exploitation—into something the original authors never wrote or intended.

Forging a Sacred Weapon traces that entire arc, era by era, text by text. This discussion guide is your structured pathway into it.

If you have read the book, this guide is where the conversation continues.

Designed as an eight-week study, each session pairs guided reading with chapter summaries and discussion questions. Participants move through every major period — from the ancient Near East through the Reformation, the rise of modern medicine and psychology, and into the twentieth century—building historical and linguistic literacy across the full sweep of the evidence. The questions are designed not to drive participants toward a predetermined conclusion, but to ensure that wherever your community lands, you arrive there having done the work.

No specialized training is required to lead. The format is clear. The goal is understanding.

This guide is well-suited for pastoral teams, elder boards, and church leadership groups pursuing informed, theologically grounded discussion — and equally valuable for adult educators, lay leaders, parents, LGBTQ individuals, and allies who want greater historical depth and confidence in these conversations.