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sonofstdavid's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.5
Reverend Greg Johnson wonderfully shows how the church can and should love gay Christians. In an incredibly pastoral approach, he doesn't shy away from the utter destructive depravity of sin, nor does he diminish the utter hope the gospel brings. In fact, the robust theology of this book relies on the truth that we are simul iustus et pecator.
Johnson challenges the evangelical church to respond in this cultural moment not with erasure or fear but with truth and loving community. The ex-gay movement failed, largely because of its faulty name-it-and-claim-it theology that functioned with a low view of fallenness and a displaced eschatology. To replace one type of lust with another is a bit of a faulty project. Johnson is right to remind us that heterosexuality does not equal holiness. It too is the result of the Fall. (Sexual desire should only be for one's spouse, not just generally every one of the opposite sex.) On the other hand, one can be gay and a faithful Christian. There's a difference between homosexuality (a fallen tendency towards disordered desires, as well as a morally neutral lack of attraction to the opposite sex) and Homoeroticism (lust and sexual activity outside of biblical marriage). All Christians have sinful tendencies we struggle with, and Johnson even points out that for gay folk like himself, their worst sinful tendencies are often not even their same sex attraction, even though that's what gets all the attention! And it is good to be honest and forthright about our tendencies, especially with those like homosexuality that have both sinful aspects mixed up with neutral ones.
I found it especially helpful when he pointed out that progressivism and purity culture both suffer from an idolization of romance and sexual intimacy. Sex becomes THE defining human experience. Gay celibates are "repressed" according to the revisionists, and on the other hand celibates are "incomplete" as seen by many in the church. Instead Johnson casts vision for the beauty of Christian celibacy.
4.5 stars
I thoroughly recommend this book. It is a theologically orthodox and robust work that I believe offers a path for the future of evangelicalism.
My only gripe is that he seems to bite off a whole lot for one book: early history of positive Evangelical engagements with homosexuality, a detailed history of the ex-gay movement, the biblical theology of homosexuality, as well as how the modern church should respond.
Johnson challenges the evangelical church to respond in this cultural moment not with erasure or fear but with truth and loving community. The ex-gay movement failed, largely because of its faulty name-it-and-claim-it theology that functioned with a low view of fallenness and a displaced eschatology. To replace one type of lust with another is a bit of a faulty project. Johnson is right to remind us that heterosexuality does not equal holiness. It too is the result of the Fall. (Sexual desire should only be for one's spouse, not just generally every one of the opposite sex.) On the other hand, one can be gay and a faithful Christian. There's a difference between homosexuality (a fallen tendency towards disordered desires, as well as a morally neutral lack of attraction to the opposite sex) and Homoeroticism (lust and sexual activity outside of biblical marriage). All Christians have sinful tendencies we struggle with, and Johnson even points out that for gay folk like himself, their worst sinful tendencies are often not even their same sex attraction, even though that's what gets all the attention! And it is good to be honest and forthright about our tendencies, especially with those like homosexuality that have both sinful aspects mixed up with neutral ones.
I found it especially helpful when he pointed out that progressivism and purity culture both suffer from an idolization of romance and sexual intimacy. Sex becomes THE defining human experience. Gay celibates are "repressed" according to the revisionists, and on the other hand celibates are "incomplete" as seen by many in the church. Instead Johnson casts vision for the beauty of Christian celibacy.
4.5 stars
I thoroughly recommend this book. It is a theologically orthodox and robust work that I believe offers a path for the future of evangelicalism.
My only gripe is that he seems to bite off a whole lot for one book: early history of positive Evangelical engagements with homosexuality, a detailed history of the ex-gay movement, the biblical theology of homosexuality, as well as how the modern church should respond.
bsparks145's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
3.0
baileycowen's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
slow-paced
3.75
micfennema's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Johnson offers a helpful paradigm, moving from "curing" to "caring."
I think this work can be best understood as a practice in Contemporary Historical Theology, with some personal anecdotes sprinkled throughout and application at the very end. He moves from a quick overview of the paradigm of the four major evangelicals into a larger overview of the 40 year ex-gay movement. His arguments for nuance surrounding language as well as his understanding of a historical christian sexual ethic are both nuanced and helpful.
For someone working with college students in a conservative, evangelical environment, I could not be more grateful for Johnson's contribution.
I think this work can be best understood as a practice in Contemporary Historical Theology, with some personal anecdotes sprinkled throughout and application at the very end. He moves from a quick overview of the paradigm of the four major evangelicals into a larger overview of the 40 year ex-gay movement. His arguments for nuance surrounding language as well as his understanding of a historical christian sexual ethic are both nuanced and helpful.
For someone working with college students in a conservative, evangelical environment, I could not be more grateful for Johnson's contribution.
ian_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Sexual violence, Violence, Torture, Rape, and Self harm
Graphic depictions of gay conversion therapy, often including psychological abuse, humiliation, and torture.waveycowpar's review against another edition
4.0
This book is interesting, it’s mostly a response to the closure of Exodus and the realisation sexuality doesn’t change for most people. I thought the part on the ex-gay movement was very fair. The author highlighted the failings but also the benefits that ex-gay ministries brought to people, including highlighting that some people experienced some form of orientation Re-orientation. There’s a lot in this book to love. The idea of living out and gay and bisexual people being open with who they are in church, even if that’s in a celibate state of being, is in itself revolutionary. Imagine if openly gay people, even celibate openly gay people, were normal in our churches. That would be unreal. I love all he said about the church as family and “adopting” the gay members of their congregations into their families and having that notion of extended family. That’s great.
kara4's review against another edition
5.0
This book is part history, part personal perspective, and a whole lot of gospel grace. It is a book written to the Church from inside the Church, and I hope it will be read and bring compassion and greater empathy to those inside of it. Dr. Johnson speaks from a position of a loving pastor and his own personal experiences. I appreciate his willingness to be honest while casting a vision of community in the church body. I pray we heed this call of repentance and work towards better.
koechliniana's review against another edition
challenging
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
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