Richard Hays, a leading New Testament theologian and former dean of Duke Divinity School, has passed away at the age of 76 due to pancreatic cancer. A prominent evangelical scholar turned advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, Hays is remembered for his dramatic shift in views on same-sex relationships.
Hays’s earlier work, including his book “The Moral Vision of the New Testament” (1996), argued that same-sex intimacy was sinful based on biblical passages. However, as he interacted with gay students and church members, his perspective began to change. He now asserts that the Bible supports acceptance and love for LGBTQ+ individuals.
In a remarkable act of repentance, Hays wrote “The Widening of God’s Mercy” (2018), which renounces his previous stance on same-sex relationships. The book is an apology and an effort to set the record straight, ensuring that his earlier condemnation would not be his lasting legacy.
Hays was born in Oklahoma City and grew up in a Methodist family. He later converted to Christianity after a college vacation. He earned degrees from Yale and Emory University and taught at several institutions before joining Duke’s faculty. Hays is survived by his wife, son, and grandchildren.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/12/us/richard-hays-dead.html