God and the gay christian review

Through her extensive experience in ministering to gay and lesbian Christians, Wendy VanderWal-Gritter has come to believe we need a new
paradigm for how the church engages those in the sexual minority. While I wouldn't want to make a sweeping generalization with all youth, I would
hazard a guess that some straight churched high school students may not understand all of what's being said in the book, but most LGBTQ
students would. But I cannot stop thinking about more questions What would you say to a man whose wife keeps nagging him and bothering
him when he falls in love with another woman and wants a divorce? This text is capable of offering millions of God's children hope, both here and
abroad. Men committed shameless acts with men and received in their own persons the due penalty for their error. Of course, I believe that he has
reached the right conclusions, but I am not a theologian. Sign up for our Funniest Tweets From Women email. As with the other book, lest you
take anything I say in this review out of context I would encourage you to read the book for yourself. How would you talk about Christ to them
when talking about marriage? However, assuming he is intellectually honest and not bias only towards the suffering of gay people, then, I presume,
he would teach the easy way out in everyone of the situations I presented above. This book will go far in helping those who are struggling with their
consciences on the seeming biblical injunction against homosexuality. That said, the response e-book that came out when this did is not such a
good response He relays that marriage goes beyond our day-to-day happiness and fulfillment; marriage is about demonstrating the nature and glory
of God through the covenant we make and keep with our spouse and the need for relationship that is deeply imprinted in us for both heterosexual
relationships and same-sex couples. There is zero doubt in my mind that Matthew Vines loves God deeply and is most interested in following the
words of God. He refrains from condescension, passive-aggression and straight-up insults which sadly have become a hallmark in such debates.
McLaren, author and theologian. Julie, thanks for showing how gay Christians who disagree can engage respectfully. The loving, inclusive life and
preaching of Francis of Assisi make him a recognizable and beloved saint across many faith traditions. Vines of course digs into those six passages,
but before he does so he spends several chapters laying some important conceptual groundwork. Galileo was condemned for his wrong
interpretation of Scripture when he said that the earth revolved around the sun, and many abolitionists were condemned by Christian slaveholders
because they were forcing their views that all people are equal upon the text. In order to truly flee from sin as well as the temptation to sin, they
must constantly attempt what has proven impossible: You are commenting using your Twitter account. Yours is the orthodox view, not mine. Like
the Reverend Martin Luther King, I refuse to believe that "the bank of justice is bankrupt," so I allow myself to dream. These questions eventually
cost Enns his jobbut they also opened a new spiritual path for him to follow. He presents his views without vitriol, with respect, and with a
sincere desir Last month I read another book of the same topic but with a differing view. It also offers practical advice for implementing generous
spaciousness in churches and organizations. I am truly thankful to engage in a conversation with you. What went without saying was that they were
likely accompanied by a large entourage of extended family. As Vines states early on in his book, "This debate is not simply about beliefs and
rights; it's about people who are created in God's image. He frequently took positions without any authority , , , , , , , , , But you were washed, you
were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. Yes, I dare to boldly dream. To enjoy our
website, you'll need to enable JavaScript in your web browser. Overall I do commend the book for skillfully compiling much of the recent
scholarship on this issue so that readers can easily see the arguments for this position. Instead, it was thought that everyone could at least be
attracted to the opposite sex and so same-sex behavior was a sign of weakness or excess. Robert Gagnon referenced Seeds of a Modern
Reformation Not only were they not harmful to anyone, they were characterized by positive motives and traits instead, like faithfulness,
commitment, mutual love, and self-sacrifice. According to Vines' view of history, it was not until the late s that "the modern understanding of
homosexuality as a sexual orientation began to develop among an elite group of German psychiatrists" Matthew raises a good point when he says:
Adultery and idolatry are often associated in the Bible and thievery and greed certainly go together. From what I have seen, Ford will always find a
way to take offense at our comments unless we give in to his demands, which we cannot do. I guess I first need to know what you mean by
intimacy. There is a scripture-based argument in favor of gay marriage, and I doubt you will ever find it more compellingly stated than in this book.
His method of interpretation is solid in MOST places. The book is winsomely written and claims to be guided by evangelical sensibilities. I hope
the rest of the church follows his lead. And this from Joe several posts above is also priceless: He has something surprising, hopeful, and
challenging to say to folks on all sides. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! But Vines hates mandated celibacy. The Biblical Argument
for Marriage Equality The ends do not justify the means. Let's also remember that the biblical writers knew nothing of the modern notion of a
married couple's mutual consent to an open marriage. Subscribers have full digital access. The underlying assumption which is merely asserted is
that for God to apply "traditional" Christian sexual ethics which prohibits homosexual acts in today's world would make him a moral monster and
responsible for the 'inevitable' depression and suicide which ensues from the resulting attempts of impossible sexual suppression by "gay
Christians". This book sets forth a positive calling for celibate gay Christians and suggests practical ways for all Christians to cultivate stronger
friendships.

God and the Gay Christian: A Critical Review

The readability is critical for Vines' work for, as Rachel Held-Evans' put it: It has taken a great variety of forms through the centuries and in
different cultures. Thanks Happiness, I agree with you. I have a dream that one day, not so far away, the "Bride of Christ" the Church , will focus
less on what she looks like, and more on how loving she's being. Times were a little different then. Vines admits that he is not a Biblical scholar and
says his goal is to make the work of scholars more accessible to laypeople Vines, Here is a quick assessment: I wish the rest of the Christian world
would follow your example. Having explored this critical cultural context, Vines breaks down the relevant passages of scripture chapter by chapter:
View all 3 comments. Refresh and try again. I think he makes a convincing case. Want to Read saving. But there are times such as in cases of
 physical or emotional abuse where the harm of staying in the relationship outweighs the harm of divorce. I have a bachelors in Biblical Studies and
an MDiv. Too many times we h Mr. In this book, he admits that he has been wrong on the LGBT issue. Top 10 Christian Movies for Your
Family. Do you recommend it? However, Julie, I am baffled at your assumption that the church has a responsibility to meet the intimacy needs of
gay Christians, or that it even could. Lists with This Book. Browse All Book Reviews By: Imagine someone claiming that, while he is committed to
a "high view" of Scripture, the Bible doesn't really condemn adultery or polygamy. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account.
Vines erroneously brushes this foundational truth away with the wave of a hand. Subscribe Subscriber Benefits Give a Gift. What's more, the main
reason that non-affirming Christians believe the Bible's statements should apply to all same-sex relationships - men and women's anatomical
complementarity - is not mentioned in any of the texts. McLaren says it best: Thank you for your thoughtful review, Julie. Any woman who got
close enough to such a man to consider marriage would surely know this about him. You are commenting using your WordPress. Are you
suggesting men who are predominantly or exclusively SSA enter into marriages with straight women. I believe in the permanence of marriage; and I
believe divorce is very harmful. You are using an outdated browser. Since this is going to be such an importantand debatedbook, I want to
write several blogs reviewing it. Your answers to these will help me to understand you point of view better I believe. We will always be
tempted, and we will always have to exercise self-restraint. Vines neglected verses about homosexuality. If you've ever been told you can't
"respect the authority of scripture" while affirming gay relationships this book is for you! Rescuing the Gospel from the Gays-vs. Well, there is no
perfect solution. When Adam and Eve took from the tree and ate they were not only disobeying God but accessing the knowledge of good and
evil by themselves leaving God to the margins. Aug 03, Heidi Archer rated it liked it. Tim Otto has wrestled with the issues at stake, both
theologically and personally, over many decades. In describing this book, Gushee continues: I need to add one last thing As God is my witness I
did not come to SF to set up traps or to insult anyone. Lord, have mercy on us all. These are important questions that the divided Church needs to
grapple with.

God and the Gay Christian: A Critical Review | Catholic Answers

That is, the author claims to respect the authority of Scripture. We need ghe like you who will support us spiritually and help us find ways to
minimize our sufferings without trying to make us abandon orthodox teachings. I've been surprised at how much the books of this kind depend on
an egalitarian understanding of gender roles. He frequently handles Scripture in the same way I do. It is a good thing to be able to disagree with
someone and still care about them. In Troubled Minds Amy Simpson, whose family knows the trauma and bewilderment of mental illness, reminds
us that people with mental illness are our neighbors and our brothers and sisters in Christ, and she shows us the path to loving them well and
becoming a church that loves God with whole hearts and whole souls, with the strength we have and with minds that are whole as well as minds
that are troubled. Come on the road with HuffPost and find out how Americans around the country are tackling issues that affect us all. He claims
that he is committed to a "high view" of Scripture, so he is not rewriting or revising anything, but simply coming to a more accurate understanding
hhe the text. I would also apologize to Matthew for the pat, unhelpful answers and rejection he's received from Christians who don't know how to
speak about homosexuality. Vines admits that he is not a Biblical scholar and says his goal is to make the work of scholars more accessible to
laypeople Vines, This book is probably most valuable to someone who was raised in a more conservative or fundamentalist church as he speaks
from that perspective and vernacular. He then bod that his lawyer father changed his mind about homosexualityso we should as well. I don't think
the book will have much impact, just because no one ever wants to question what they've been told to think. One-third of the way into the book,
Vines finally starts interpreting what he describes as the main scriptural passages. But there is nothing that prohibits you from sharing that love,
including sexual love, with someone else when you are with that other person. I think Vines would say that as long as they are monogamous with
the same-sex, bi-sexual people are not sinning, at least judging from an endnote he wrote on page of god and the gay christian review book.
Yes, I dare to boldly dream. There is certainly a lot of good information here, and he points to a number of other valuable resources. The video
quickly went viral. The two angels are in the city to save Lot because the judgment is already passed on the city by God. It is likely to swing that
door of acceptance wide open. It would be intellectually dishonest for traditionalists to deny this. When, in the New Testament, Jesus affirms the
Old Testament institution of marriage between one man and one woman, what he is talking about is commitment to that one person whenever you
xhristian with revie person. For one thing, it seemed that Vines couldn't decide who his exact audience was for this book. The Bible never portrays
same-sex relationships in a positive light but it does portray opposite sex relationships in that way. Reivew is a brilliant communicator. How god
and the gay christian review church can step up. But whatever you read, whether it's affirming or non-affirming of same-sex relationships, read
between the lines, too. It is better for the agy, spiritual and physical of these people, to allow them to marry same gender people. Why does this
teaching cause harm? The author argues that human ahd of homosexuality is radically different than it was in biblical times That's what the book is
all about. In Oriented to Faith, Tim Otto tells the story of his christan with being gay and what that taught him about the gospel. Vines then argues
that "Romans 1: In his review, Walker notes that not only does Vines identify himself as a conservative evangelical and claim to uphold the
authority of the Bible, but his book also comes at a strategic time for the gay revie movement as it was likely written to introduce confusion among
Evangelicals "one of the last remaining constituencies in America that has not embraced homosexuality with gusto. Therefore if the teachings
force came from our believe, how would you preach the gat to them? I was initially unsure whether I needed this book as I already have Justin
Lee's Torn, which approaches the questions from the same basic god and the gay christian review framework. Richard Mouw; Romans 1 is the
most important passage in this debate Personally I dont buy Vines view. Humans have free will. He side-stepped important verses like: Quotes
from God and the Gay C If the world is to "know that we are Christians by our love," the church needs to discover better ways to live out the
deep unity we share in Christ god and the gay christian review we engage with politics and our world. The teachings however, if taken as given
by God with God being first and the teachings coming from him, are good and make us whole. The former Harvard University student, who is gay,
rejected traditional Christian teaching on homosexuality and explained in an over hour-long argument using Scripture that the Bible does not
condemn loving, same-sex relationships. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. Worship and Work in Southeast Asia. But none of us can
expect to be completely satisfied all of the time. It is this last group the one that unleashes harm upon others. In this groundbreaking book, Lee
recalls the events--his coming out to his parents, his experiences god and the gay christian review the "ex-gay" movement, and his in-depth study
of the Bible--that led him, eventually, to self-acceptance. Rescuing the Gospel from the Gays-vs. Galileo was condemned for his wrong
interpretation of Scripture when he said that the earth revolved around the sun, and many abolitionists were condemned by Christian slaveholders
because they were forcing their views that all people are equal upon the text. Gay believers god and the gay christian review attempt to deny
their sexual impulses as sinful almost invariably suffer great psychological damage and engage in self-destructive behaviors. Although I whole-
heartedly disagree with the conclusions made in god and the gay christian review book I did thoroughly enjoy it and learnt a lot. However, after
we have a framework in mind for how people of Paul's time would have viewed 'gay god and the gay christian review, especially the common
gentile sexual and cultural customs of the day, Romans 1 appears in quite a different light, one that is certainly not a blanket condemnation of
homosexuality. Some just assume it.