Summer Reading List
It’s been a while since I blogged! I’ve been in the process of moving into our new home and just haven’t had the time or the brain power...
Our study of TORN, however, has been a good one. We have one more session to go in Justin Lee’s book which tells of his experience of growing up in an Evangelical church and home and realizing that he is gay. He was torn between his desire to serve God and to be true to his own self, which leads him on a quest for answers as to what God wants him to do with his life - and whether God would sanction a love relationship with another man for him.
While coming ultimately to the conclusion that God would affirm same sex relationships, Justin acknowledges all along that some would not agree and his way of arguing both sides of the question make this book a really great read, no matter what your position is on the topic.
There are so many wonderful books that I have read over the past six years having to do with the challenge of being Christian and Gay. I’ll list some of them here so that you may add them to your summer reading list.
Walking the Bridgeless Canyon by Kathy Baldock
This epic book is an in depth study of LGBTQ treatment by the church including history, science, scripture, and politics. It explains in great detail how we got to where we are right now. I recommend it highly.
UnClobber: Rethinking Our Misuse of the Bible on Homosexuality by Colby Martin
This book pours out the compelling story of an evangelical pastor’s dealing with LGBT+ people from a biblical and compassionate framework. Along the way the author, who is not gay, loses his job and retains his integrity.
Changing our Mind by David Gushee
From his own careful Bible study, research, and prayer, Gushee takes us along an conversational theological journey. In one book, he concisely marks out every single component of historic Christian sexual morality. He covers all of the relevant biblical passages and all the theological positions, including the key argument of creation. With a careful study of context and biblical language, he walks us through a principled discussion that is respectful of traditionalists while calling for inclusion and the end of contempt.
God and The Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same Sex Relationships by Matthew Vines
“Matthew Vines lives at an intersection of identities: a committed, theologically conservative Christian who also happens to be an out gay man. In offering both a scholarly and profoundly personal reconciliation of a duality often depicted as hopelessly at odds, he performs a public service that is valiant, hopeful and long overdue. He points the way forward for all those still stranded at the intersection.”
Well written, biblically based and compelling.
Risking Grace: Loving our gay family and friends like Jesus by Dave Jackson
In his own words....
“As someone who helped write a book advocating reparative therapy for gay people back in 1987, it was with gut-wrenching love that my wife and I did not let our daughter go when she came out 16 years ago. We first prayed that God would change her, then that he would work out his purpose in her life, and finally, “Lord, what are you trying to teach us?” God answered with insights that led me to write RISKING GRACE, Loving Our Gay Family and Friends Like Jesus.
It’s a father’s story about my agonizing personal journey of coming to realize that we evangelicals have lost our way when it comes to gay people by substituting a works/righteousness requirement for the clear Gospel message that salvation comes by grace through faith alone. I explore alternative interpretations to the “prohibitive texts,” but the main foundation for my change of heart is the life and ministry of Jesus, how he embraced marginalized people, and the way he and the early church dealt with difficult issues.
I share our story with you, our church family, because many of us have family members or friends who are gay, and we all need help learning how to love like Jesus. I’ve written with as much transparent vulnerability as I can, wrestling with the questions and presuppositions of the average straight dad (or mom) . . . who loves his daughter and his church but discovers that we have been driving gay people away from Jesus.”
Well, there are many more of course, but that should give you some good reading this summer.
If anyone would like to join our reconciling team of Gracious Reconcilers, we usually meet once a month on the third Tuesday on zoom at 7:30 pm.
Please email me @ merryldietz@verizon.net if you’re interested or would just like to attend to show your support.