Karen Keen Interviews Richard Hays on the Bible and Sexuality

In this insightful and warm-hearted interview, Karen Keen interviews New Testament scholar Richard Hays about his change of mind concerning LGBTQ affirmation. He discusses his new book The Widening of God's Mercy (co-authored with his son Christopher Hays, an Old Testament scholar). Among other questions, Karen asks Richard to respond to common traditionalist critiques of his book. The interview took place at the CenterPeace Conference in Dallas, Texas on October 25, 20024. CenterPeace works to provide Christian spiritual community for LGBTQ people, as well as resources for parents of LGBTQ individuals and pastors and ministry leaders. Learn more at centerpeace.net

RICHARD HAYS is George Washington Ivey Professor Emeritus of New Testament at Duke Divinity School. He is recognized across the globe for his work on the Gospels, the letters of Paul, and on New Testament ethics. An ordained United Methodist minister, he has preached in settings ranging from rural Oklahoma churches to London’s Westminster Abbey. Hays is a prolific author of numerous books including The Moral Vision of the New Testament, Echoes of Scripture in the Gospels, and Reading with the Grain of Scripture. His latest book, written with Christopher Hays, is The Widening of God's Mercy: Sexuality Within the Biblical Story.

KAREN KEEN is a biblical scholar, author, and spiritual care provider at The Redwood Center for Spiritual Care and Education (redwoodspiritualcare.com). She has taught biblical and theological studies in both academic and church settings. She is the author of multiple books, including Scripture, Ethics, and the Possibility of Same-Sex Relationships, The Jesus Way: Practicing the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises, and most recently, The Word of a Humble God: The Origins, Inspiration and Interpretation of Scripture. Karen earned her M.S. in education (counseling) from Western Oregon University, M.A. in exegetical theology from Western Seminary, and Th.M. in biblical studies from Duke Divinity School.