Why Sodom Still Matters - Jeremy Duncan

What really happened in Sodom and Gomorrah—and why has this story been so badly misunderstood? In this sermon, Jeremy Duncan takes us past the clichés and weaponized readings to explore one of the most difficult and infamous passages in the Bible.

Beginning with Abraham’s bold negotiation with God, we look at what this story reveals about divine character: a God who listens, responds, and invites us into courageous, honest conversation. Far from depicting a capricious or vindictive deity, the narrative highlights God’s patience, justice, and surprising willingness to engage with human questions.

We also explore what the Bible itself says about “the sin of Sodom”—drawing from Isaiah, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Jesus, and Jude—to show that this story has never been a single-issue judgment. Instead, Scripture portrays Sodom as a symbol of humanity’s worst impulses: arrogance, injustice, greed, violence, exploitation, and the refusal to welcome the stranger.

Most importantly, we confront the story’s deeper message: that it is extraordinarily hard to remove yourself from the reach of God’s grace. Even the worst city imaginable could have been saved for the sake of ten righteous people. Judgment is real, but God’s compassion is relentless—and the entire Abraham narrative points us toward a God whose primary posture is not power, but love.

If you’ve ever wrestled with hard texts, struggled with the idea of God’s judgment, or wondered what these ancient stories mean for a life of faith today, this teaching will help you see Sodom and Gomorrah in a new light.