Books
Torn: Rescuing the Gospel from the Gay vs. Christian Debate by Justin Lee
As a teenager and young man, Justin Lee felt deeply torn. Nicknamed “God Boy” by his peers, he knew that he was called to a life in the evangelical Christian ministry. But Lee harbored a secret: He also knew that he was gay. In this groundbreaking book, Lee recalls the events–his coming out to his parents, his experiences with the “ex-gay” movement, and his in-depth study of the Bible–that led him, eventually, to self-acceptance. But more than just a memoir, TORN provides insightful, practical guidance for all committed Christians who wonder how to relate to gay friends or family members–or who struggle with their own sexuality. Convinced that “in a culture that sees gays and Christians as enemies, gay Christians are in a unique position to bring peace,” Lee demonstrates that people of faith on both sides of the debate can respect, learn from, and love one another.
God and the Gay Christian by Matthew Vines
As a young Christian man, Matthew Vines harbored the same basic hopes of most young people: to someday share his life with someone, to build a family of his own, to give and receive love. But when he realized he was gay, those hopes were called into question. The Bible, he’d been taught, condemned gay relationships.
Feeling the tension between his understanding of the Bible and the reality of his same-sex orientation, Vines devoted years of intensive research into what the Bible says about homosexuality. With care and precision, Vines asked questions such as:
* Do biblical teachings on the marriage covenant preclude same-sex marriage or not?
* How should we apply the teachings of Jesus to the gay debate?
* What does the story of Sodom and Gomorrah really say about human relationships?
* Can celibacy be a calling when it is mandated, not chosen?
* What did Paul have in mind when he warned against same-sex relations?
Unique in its affirmation of both an orthodox faith and sexual diversity, God and the Gay Christian is likely to spark heated debate, sincere soul searching, even widespread cultural change. Not only is it a compelling interpretation of key biblical texts about same-sex relations, it is also the story of a young man navigating relationships with his family, his hometown church, and the Christian church at large as he expresses what it means to be a faithful, gay Christian.
Bible, Gender, Sexuality: Reframing the Church’s Debate on Same Sex Relationships – by James Brownson
This thought-provoking book by James Brownson develops a broad, cross-cultural sexual ethic from Scripture, locates current debates over homosexuality in that wider context, and explores why the Bible speaks the way it does about same-sex relationships.
Fairly presenting both sides in this polarized debate — “traditional” and “revisionist” — Brownson conscientiously analyzes all of the pertinent biblical texts and helpfully identifies “stuck points” in the ongoing debate. In the process, he explores key concepts that inform our understanding of the biblical texts, including patriarchy, complementarity, purity and impurity, honor and shame. Central to his argument is the need to uncover the moral logic behind the text.
Written in order to serve and inform the ongoing debate in many denominations over the questions of homosexuality, Brownson’s in-depth study will prove a useful resource for Christians who want to form a considered opinion on this important issue.
Walking the Bridgeless Canyon – by Kathy Baldock
In Walking the Bridgeless Canyon: Repairing the Breach between the Church and the LGBT Community, Baldock uncovers the historical, cultural, medical, and political filters of discrimination through which the LGBT community is seen. With the foundation firmly established, she examines the most controversial filter of all: what the Bible says about same-sex behavior.
Changing Our Mind – by David Gushee
“Every generation has its hot-button issue,” writes David P. Gushee, “For us, it’s the LGBT issue.” In Changing Our Mind, Gushee takes the reader along his personal and theological journey as he changes his mind about gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender inclusion in the Church. “For decades now, David Gushee has earned the reputation as America’s leading evangelical ethicist. In this book, he admits that he has been wrong on the LGBT issue.” writes Brian D. McLaren, author and theologian.
Mom I’m Gay – Loving Your LGBTQ Child Without Sacrificing Your Faith by Susan Cottrell
“When our child told us they were attracted to the same sex, we were shocked. The usual questions flooded us: what would this mean for their life? Would they be safe? Would they ever have children? We truly had no idea what lay ahead. But here’s the realization that smacked us: we were now the ‘others.’ Over the three years following our child’s revelation, we met many Christian parents of gay kids, and realized we were not the only ones to see that the emperor had no clothes. I believe that God is shaking the church until what’s left is the unshakable: God. There IS a way to love your LGBTQ child without sacrificing your faith. We can have more peace than we ever knew possible, and joy beyond our wildest dreams, as our children flourish in God’s inexhaustible love for them. I hope you will join me on this quest.” – Susan Cottrell
How We Sleep at Night – by Sara Cunningham
A Christian mother comes to terms with her son being gay through a personal journey that starts with the Church and ends at the Pride Parade.
Steppingstones to My True Colors – by Joey Newton
Steppingstones To My True Colors is a personal journal reconciling the clash of religious beliefs with reality. The solid basis of my faith grew and strengthened even as the great struggle of restructuring my beliefs brought me into the Holy Presence of The God of Creation to learn His truth and purposes for me as part of His plans. In the grand scheme of eternity, non-heterosexuality is significant to the kingdom of God. Join me, and let’s discover it together.
Stranger at the Gate – by Mel White
Until Christmas Eve 1991, Mel White was regarded by the leaders of the religious right as one of their most talented and productive supporters. He penned the speeches of Ollie North. He was a ghostwriter for Jerry Falwell, worked with Jim Bakker, flew in Pat Robertson’s private jet, walked sandy beaches with Billy Graham. What these men didn’t know was that Mel White- evangelical minister, committed Christian, family man- was gay.
In this remarkable book, Mel White details his twenty-five years of being counseled, exorcised, electric shocked, prayed for, and nearly driven to suicide because his church said homosexuality was wrong. But his salvation – to be openly gay and Christian – is more than a unique coming out story. It is a chilling expose that goes into the secret meetings and hidden agendas of the religious right. Told by an eyewitness and sure to anger those Mel White once knew best, Stranger at the Gate is a warning about where the politics of hate may lead America…a brave book by a good man whose words can make us richer in spirit and much wiser too.
Podcasts/Website
For nine years, Brett Trapp kept a secret journal of thoughts on being gay and Christian, knowing one day he’d shout the story he feared most.
On a Tuesday morning in late 2016, he logged on Facebook and began shouting…
He started by publishing a Gossip Guide to his sexuality – a cheeky way to let friends know his secret. He then began sharing the vivid details of his story through a 44-episode memoir, published as one episode per day. Each episode combined visually-rich prose and stunning photography. He called the story Blue Babies Pink.
Within days, word began to spread. Though there was no advertising or major publicity, people began to share the story through social media. Thousands of readers tuned in, eagerly waiting for the daily installment to be released. Several readers called it “the Netflix of blogs.”
To date, Blue Babies Pink has drawn nearly 100,000 readers from around the world and spawned a 2,200 mile, five city “Bookless Tour.” In 2017, the series released as a podcast and hit number one on the iTunes Religion/Spirituality chart and the top 50 of all podcasts worldwide. To date, Blue Babies Pink podcast episodes have been downloaded over 450,000 times.
Resources for Teens and College Students
Websites
If you are a parent of an LGBTQ+ child and would like to join a private Facebook group of moms or dads, contact me on my contact page and I will get you connected.
Love Matters 