Outreach is pleased to announce the publication of its first book, The Bible and Homosexuality: Expanding Our Image of God, a collection of articles by some of the world’s leading Scripture scholars exploring what the Bible says, and does not say, about homosexuality. The book, edited by Michael O’Loughlin and published by Paulist Press, includes a new foreword by Outreach founder, James Martin, S.J., and is now available from the publisher and on outlets such as Amazon.
The Outreach Guide includes 16 essays, including:
- “How to Read the Bible’s ‘Clobber Passages’ on Homosexuality,” by Amy-Jill Levine, Ph.D.
- “The Context of New Testament Passages on Homosexuality,” by Harold W. Attridge, Ph.D.
- “Three Tips for LGBTQ Catholics Interpreting Scripture,” by Yunuen Trujillo
- “Scripture and Modern Gender Controversies,” by Richard J. Clifford, S.J.
- “‘Texts of Rigor’ and ‘Texts of Welcome,’” by Walter Brueggemann, Ph.D.
“We’re delighted to be able to share this unique resource. So often LGBTQ people and their families have felt that the Bible is an enemy. This new book, featuring some towering biblical scholars, help us understand not only verses that have historically been used as weapons against LGBTQ people, but, more broadly, how the Bible is a source of wisdom, comfort and inspiration for everyone–including LGBTQ people and their families and friends”,” said Father Martin.
The book is based on essays originally appearing at Outreach, which continue to rank among the site’s most read resources.
“The Outreach community continues to crave Scriptural exegesis and interpretation, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to offer these insightful essays from some of the most thoughtful voices in the field,” said Michael J. O’Loughlin, Outreach’s executive director and editor of the new book.
The publication of The Outreach Guide will be celebrated at Outreach 2026, with a panel featuring several authors featured in the book. More information about Outreach 2026, which will take place June 19-21, 2026, at Georgetown University, in Washington, D.C., will be posted on the Outreach website later this year. Registration is expected to open in early 2026.
