The saying “God made Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve” is sometimes used to argue that homosexuality goes against God’s intended design for human relationships. This article will examine what the Bible really teaches about homosexuality and same-sex relationships, and evaluate whether this popular saying accurately reflects biblical principles.
The Creation of Adam and Eve
The saying refers back to Genesis chapters 1-2, which describe God’s creation of the first man and woman. Genesis 1:27 states: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” Then in Genesis 2, Adam is created first from the dust of the ground, and Eve is later created from one of Adam’s ribs to be his helper and companion.
Some Christians point to these passages to argue that God’s original design was for one man to be joined with one woman in the lifelong covenant of marriage. They say that homosexuality contradicts God’s intended pattern at creation. Since God made human beings male and female, some conclude that same-sex relationships are an invalid distortion of God’s design.
However, the early chapters of Genesis do not explicitly prohibit same-sex relationships. While they show God creating human beings in two sexes, male and female, the text says nothing directly about the morality of homosexuality. One might just as well argue from these passages that God approves of heterosexuality. But the text does not deal directly with sexual ethics at all. At most, Genesis 1-2 can be seen as describing God’s ideal for marriage as a lifelong union between one man and one woman. But this does not automatically rule out the possibility of morally permissible same-sex unions.
The Sin of Sodom
Those who say “Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve” often point next to the story of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19. The men of Sodom demand that Lot bring out his two male visitors so they “may know them” (v. 5). God then destroys Sodom for their “grave sin” (v.13). Many have understood this story as the condemnation of homosexual acts. However, the real sin of Sodom may have been the intent to commit gang rape and violate hospitality customs, not loving homosexuality. Ezekiel 16:49 explains that Sodom was destroyed for greed, injustice, and failure to help the poor, without mentioning homosexuality.
The fact that all the men of Sodom gathered to rape Lot’s visitors, both male and female, suggests the sin was coercion and violence, not homosexuality. Jude 7 confirms the people of Sodom and Gomorrah indulged in sexual immorality and “pursued unnatural desire.” But this likely refers to the unnatural desire to commit rape, not consensual gay relationships. So while the sin of Sodom is indeed grave, it is imprecise to claim Genesis 19 condemns all homosexuality outright.
Old Testament Laws on Sexual Ethics
Those who argue “Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve” also appeal to various Old Testament laws that prohibited homosexual acts:
Leviticus 18:22 – “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.”
Leviticus 20:13 – “If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.”
It is true that these laws prohibited same-sex intercourse between men. Lesbian relations are not mentioned, likely because Old Testament law tended to focus on male headship. In any case, this part of Leviticus was meant for ancient Israel to set it apart from the surrounding nations. These laws do not necessarily determine modern Christian ethics. The church today goes beyond Old Testament ritual codes, heeding Jesus’ ethic of love.
New Testament Views on Homosexuality
When we turn to the New Testament, the picture gets more complex. The Gospels record Jesus saying nothing about homosexuality or same-sex marriage. The example of Jesus was to go beyond surface interpretations of Old Testament law to focus on the weightier matters of justice, mercy and faith (Matthew 23:23). Jesus opposed divorce, but never spoke against gay people. He affirmed love as the fundamental moral ethic that fulfills the whole law (Matthew 22:34-40).
The main New Testament passage used to condemn homosexuality is Romans 1:26-27:
For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.
At first glance this passage seems to clearly condemn all homosexual acts. However, the context is Paul’s argument that all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). Paul describes idolatry leading to every kind of lustful excess, including same-sex intercourse. But he likely has in view the pederasty and prostitution common to Roman culture, not committed same-sex partnerships. The main point is excessive lust, not homosexuality itself. So again, the biblical judgment against gay people is not as clear as some claim.
Responding With Grace and Truth
In studying key biblical texts on homosexuality, we do not find an unambiguous rejection of all same-sex relationships. The scriptural case against gay marriage is not as plain as some suggest. This does not mean the Bible condones homosexuality. But neither does it unambiguously condemn all same sex partnerships. Biblical passages that seem to speak against homosexuality may have had a different meaning in their original context.
At most, we can say there is a diversity of viewpoints in both the Old and New Testament. Nowhere does the Bible claim that God made “Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve.” There is no proof text that definitively resolves the church’s debates over homosexuality. That does not mean the Bible has nothing to say. But it does mean we should be humble about insisting that the Bible plainly condemns all same sex unions without question.
The biblical call is to respond both in grace and truth when dealing with LGBT persons and issues (John 1:14, 17). We are called to welcome all people as loved sinners, just as Jesus did. Yet we also affirm God’s vision for human sexuality as intended for one man and one woman in marriage. There are good arguments from Scripture for defining marriage in the traditional heterosexual sense. At the same time, the Bible does not clearly condemn all same sex relationships in all circumstances.
There are faithful Christians who sincerely believe gay marriage can be blessed by God. There are others equally sincere who believe the Bible forbids it. But neither view is as obvious as slogans like “Adam and Eve” might imply. This debate cannot be resolved simply by easy appeals to “what the Bible says.” Scripture requires interpretation and discernment guided by the Spirit. Since the Bible is complex, our positions about homosexuality must be held with humility and openness to new light.
The church today finds itself in a similar position to the early church regarding slavery, or the church 500 years ago during the Reformation struggles. Christians can sincerely read the same Bible and come to different conclusions about sexuality and marriage. Yet we are still called to unity in Christ. Agreeing to disagree agrees with the pattern of scripture, and with Paul’s command to “accept one another” despite divergent opinions (Romans 15:7).
So is “Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve” a helpful argument against homosexuality? Or does it misrepresent what the Bible really says? The truth is, this pithy saying cannot resolve complex debates about sexual ethics. It reduces the biblical witness to a bumper sticker slogan that clearly condemns gay marriage. But thoughtful reading of scripture reveals a more nuanced perspective.
The Bible does not speak with a unified voice on this issue. There is enough diversity in the biblical canon that sincere Christians reach differing conclusions. Yet God calls us to love our neighbors on both sides. We must find unity even amidst our diversity of beliefs. And we must repent of the ways we have marginalized LGBT persons created in God’s image.
Romans 14 provides wisdom for today’s debates: “As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions… Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another?… Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother?” (vv. 1-10). Paul says we will give account for judging others since Christ alone is Lord. The same chapter concludes: “So then let us pursue what makes for peace and mutual upbuilding” (v. 19).
So a more helpful slogan might be: “Jesus loves everyone, period.” If the church takes this as its rallying cry, we can have grace-filled and honest dialogue. Christians can come to fuller truth together. And we may find new understandings of God’s word that better reflect Christ’s unconditional love for all people.
Different Views Among Christians
There are three main Christian viewpoints on homosexuality and same-sex marriage:
1. Traditionalists
This view holds that the Bible clearly prohibits all homosexual behavior in all circumstances. Marriage is only valid between one man and one woman. Gay marriage is therefore unbiblical.
This position appeals to the Genesis creation story, Old Testament laws against homosexuality, and New Testament passages like Romans 1. It claims these verses prohibit any kind of gay relationship.
Traditionalists say LGBT orientation is a result of the fall and must be overcome. God can heal people of homosexuality, and celibacy is the alternative if change does not occur. Traditionalists tend to oppose gay marriage as a cultural accommodation that departs from God’s design for sexuality.
2. Revisionists
This view argues that when properly understood, the Bible does not condemn committed same-sex unions. Biblical authors knew nothing of sexual orientation or loving gay relationships. Passages against homosexuality refer instead to idolatry, lust, violence, exploitation. Revisionists believe that loving, monogamous LGBT relationships can be blessed by God.
This view distinguishes between homosexual orientation and behavior. Orientation is a given condition, not inherently sinful. Behavior matters most. Revisionists hold that biblical texts prohibit abusive practices like temple prostitution, but do not address committed gay couples. So the church should bless faithful same-sex unions.
Revisionists make careful distinctions when reading scripture in context. They believe translators introduced anti-gay bias that is not in the original text. The overarching biblical theme of justice and love leads them to advocate full LGBT inclusion.
3. Centrist/Moderate
This third perspective affirms marriage between a man and woman as God’s ideal. But it also tries to allow space for disagreement. Moderates say the biblical case against homosexuality is not definitive enough to insist all gay relationships are sinful.
This view believes that marriage is biblically defined as heterosexual, yet also supports protections and rights for same-sex couples. It permits blessing ceremonies for gay couples, but not official weddings. The moderate position tries to strike a balance between affirming traditional marriage while making space for diversity.
Moderates say biblical judgments against homosexuality are rooted in ancient culture and may not apply today. They believe churches can support gay couples while reserving marriage for male-female unions. This middle path aims for broad inclusion while upholding scriptural authority.
Conclusion
The common saying, “God made Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve” purports to settle complex biblical and ethical questions about homosexuality in one pithy line. It claims same-sex unions clearly go against God’s design in creation. However, as we have seen, the issues are not that simple. The biblical evidence is complex, requiring careful interpretation. Sincere Christians reach differing conclusions on what the Bible teaches about homosexuality.
There are good arguments from Scripture defining marriage as between one man and one woman. Yet the Bible does not speak unambiguously against all same-sex relationships in every situation. Christian views range from believing all homosexuality is sinful, to the opinion that loving gay marriages can be holy. There are also intermediate positions that both affirm God’s ideal of heterosexual marriage yet make allowances for diversity.
Since the Bible can be interpreted in various ways, we must avoid dogmatism. Christians are called to ethical discernment guided by the Spirit, not simplistic appeal to “what the Bible says.” Our disagreements over homosexuality call for wisdom, humility, and openness to new understanding. We must seek unity in Christ even while debating different views. And above all, we are called to show unconditional love as Jesus did.
So wise Christians will likely move away from using the “Adam and Eve” argument. There are stronger cases against gay marriage than this slogan implies. At the same time, slogans do not settle complex questions. We must have grace-filled dialogue and respectful disagreement. As Romans 14 says, “Let us pursue what makes for peace and mutual upbuilding.” And let us remember, “Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another?”