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jeremybmueller's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
gcaseiv's review against another edition
5.0
I completely disagree with everything in this book because it is not my experience or my understanding of the gospel. I do not believe God has revealed himself or led me in this way. However, I admire the honesty and consideration put into this and the care and compassion with which it is presented.
adamrshields's review against another edition
4.0
Short review: This is a short book (only 160 pages) but I think it does more to describe a right understanding of Christian sexuality than most marriage and sex books I have read.
The first half of the book is biographical, describing how Hill became aware of his sexual orientation and then how he came to the place of understanding celibacy as the only option for him. I think the description of the struggle is important to his understanding. Many do not come to the same place, but I think he clearly describes how he came to the position.
The second half walks through brief bios of two other celibate Christians and attempts to ground his understanding in something more than his 20 something experience.
I think this is a good book both to understand one person's view of homosexuality and the issues it raises as a Christian, but also a takes a different look at the purpose and meaning of sexuality as Christians. As someone committed to abstaining from sex, Hill brings some fresh eyes.
Full review at my blog http://bookwi.se/washed-and-waiting-reflections-on-christian-faithfulness-and-homosexuality-by-wesley-hill/
The first half of the book is biographical, describing how Hill became aware of his sexual orientation and then how he came to the place of understanding celibacy as the only option for him. I think the description of the struggle is important to his understanding. Many do not come to the same place, but I think he clearly describes how he came to the position.
The second half walks through brief bios of two other celibate Christians and attempts to ground his understanding in something more than his 20 something experience.
I think this is a good book both to understand one person's view of homosexuality and the issues it raises as a Christian, but also a takes a different look at the purpose and meaning of sexuality as Christians. As someone committed to abstaining from sex, Hill brings some fresh eyes.
Full review at my blog http://bookwi.se/washed-and-waiting-reflections-on-christian-faithfulness-and-homosexuality-by-wesley-hill/
gjones19's review against another edition
4.0
Wesley Hill walks a delicate - and rare - line between traditional Christian sexual ethics and the affirmation of same-sex attracted individuals. Hill’s story and theology offers a pointed critique of the Evangelical church and a challenge to those who mold theology to fit their desire.
aspiringorakle's review against another edition
4.0
I suppose I was hoping more for a rationale of the problems with homosexuality, and Hill more or less asserted the traditional reading of scripture. In some sense this is valid, and he did his best to show me that understanding precisely why it is bad is not really the question. I always find it hard to object to these kind of books, filled with descriptions of deep suffering and pain--especially this one, with its talk of loneliness, isolation, and desperation to please. Hill's arguments on the whole were convincing, and it was a good read.
lydalbano's review against another edition
5.0
a beautiful and heart wrenching look into Christian suffering through a lens that’s still unfamiliar to me, but so important.
neilrcoulter's review against another edition
5.0
I was looking for books on the topic of Christianity and homosexuality. To be honest, I haven't had many personal encounters with this issue--I haven't known many openly gay people, Christian or not, nor have I been pushed to give an opinion on homosexuality and the church. However, events during the past year in America have forced the issue, and I feel that its irresponsible for a Christian to be uninformed. No longer can I get along with second-hand, half-formed opinions. So, as usual when I want to learn something, I turn to books (not exclusively, and not to aver that books are necessarily the best way to learn about a complex issue). And as I searched online for worthwhile books about homosexuality and Christianity, Wes Hill's Washed and Waiting appeared at the top of a number of lists.
I expected to learn something from Hill about the experience of a gay Christian--and certainly I did get that from Hill. But I didn't expect to be personally challenged and inspired in how I live my own life in faith. Hill begins with his own life, but from his experiences he draws the reader into contemplation on the right way to live as a Christian. I especially enjoyed his thoughts on the idea of self, or personhood. Hill believes that the current discussion about the "homosexual lifestyle" and the choices open to a homosexual Christian is very much about where our concept of the self comes from. Are we autonomous, individual beings? If so, then it makes perfect sense to do what fulfills us as individuals; for the homosexual Christian, this most likely means living in a committed, monogamous same-sex relationship. But if our selfhood comes from our relationship to others, then we are accountable to a wider community, not merely our own individual desires. And as Christians if we truly believe that we belong to a loving God, then our identity comes from God's constant love. Out of this discussion, Hill wrestles with whether we as humans are most fulfilled in a marriage relationship, or whether there is another way of realizing fulfilled selfhood and identity. He concludes that it's wrong to idolize the marriage relationship as necessarily the ultimate fulfillment of human relationship needs. Rather, the New Testament seems to offer the church itself as the community in which we truly find ourselves.
Still, Hill wonders why he has to live a life seemingly destined for loneliness, since he believes his homosexual desires are contrary to God's expectations for human love. His conclusion is that even though his preferences are confusing, contradictory, and seemingly unfair, a celibate life is his act of worship and obedience to God. Rather than pity himself, he considers that every person has inclinations that are contrary to God's law, and we all daily commit to living as we believe God wants us to, even when that goes against what our desires tell us. Homosexuality is an extreme and challenging cross to bear, but Hill is willing to make that difficult commitment. I admire him, and I'm grateful for the ways he challenged me in my own daily struggles. At the heart of Hill's musings is not a cold adherence to some set of impersonal cosmic laws, but rather a perspective of gratitude and love toward a God who always reaches out to us in love.
I'm not expressing any of this very clearly, I know, but Hill puts his thoughts together in a logical, coherent way. Washed and Waiting is a pleasure to read (though achingly sad), and in its very short length (the whole book can be read in just a couple sittings) I was led through a great deal of contemplation and reflection. I know Hill's conclusions will be contested by other gay Christians who have made different choices, and by non-Christians who don't have a basis from which to understand what he is talking about (he was raised in a Fundamentalist background, attended Wheaton College, and has spent his early adulthood in a variety of ministry and church settings), but I hope it will be accepted as at least one valid viewpoint--and a challenging one, at that.
One final thought: throughout the book, Hill references friends who spent time with him in conversation and written correspondence. He looks back at a number of moments as pivotal in his understanding of God's love. As I read excerpts of these letters from his friends, I was struck by how many wise and thoughtful people Hill has known. And I was challenged to try to be that kind of friend to whoever comes into my life. May I not be flippant or hasty, but may I always take the time to really think and pray with my friends, to truly be present with them.
I expected to learn something from Hill about the experience of a gay Christian--and certainly I did get that from Hill. But I didn't expect to be personally challenged and inspired in how I live my own life in faith. Hill begins with his own life, but from his experiences he draws the reader into contemplation on the right way to live as a Christian. I especially enjoyed his thoughts on the idea of self, or personhood. Hill believes that the current discussion about the "homosexual lifestyle" and the choices open to a homosexual Christian is very much about where our concept of the self comes from. Are we autonomous, individual beings? If so, then it makes perfect sense to do what fulfills us as individuals; for the homosexual Christian, this most likely means living in a committed, monogamous same-sex relationship. But if our selfhood comes from our relationship to others, then we are accountable to a wider community, not merely our own individual desires. And as Christians if we truly believe that we belong to a loving God, then our identity comes from God's constant love. Out of this discussion, Hill wrestles with whether we as humans are most fulfilled in a marriage relationship, or whether there is another way of realizing fulfilled selfhood and identity. He concludes that it's wrong to idolize the marriage relationship as necessarily the ultimate fulfillment of human relationship needs. Rather, the New Testament seems to offer the church itself as the community in which we truly find ourselves.
Still, Hill wonders why he has to live a life seemingly destined for loneliness, since he believes his homosexual desires are contrary to God's expectations for human love. His conclusion is that even though his preferences are confusing, contradictory, and seemingly unfair, a celibate life is his act of worship and obedience to God. Rather than pity himself, he considers that every person has inclinations that are contrary to God's law, and we all daily commit to living as we believe God wants us to, even when that goes against what our desires tell us. Homosexuality is an extreme and challenging cross to bear, but Hill is willing to make that difficult commitment. I admire him, and I'm grateful for the ways he challenged me in my own daily struggles. At the heart of Hill's musings is not a cold adherence to some set of impersonal cosmic laws, but rather a perspective of gratitude and love toward a God who always reaches out to us in love.
I'm not expressing any of this very clearly, I know, but Hill puts his thoughts together in a logical, coherent way. Washed and Waiting is a pleasure to read (though achingly sad), and in its very short length (the whole book can be read in just a couple sittings) I was led through a great deal of contemplation and reflection. I know Hill's conclusions will be contested by other gay Christians who have made different choices, and by non-Christians who don't have a basis from which to understand what he is talking about (he was raised in a Fundamentalist background, attended Wheaton College, and has spent his early adulthood in a variety of ministry and church settings), but I hope it will be accepted as at least one valid viewpoint--and a challenging one, at that.
One final thought: throughout the book, Hill references friends who spent time with him in conversation and written correspondence. He looks back at a number of moments as pivotal in his understanding of God's love. As I read excerpts of these letters from his friends, I was struck by how many wise and thoughtful people Hill has known. And I was challenged to try to be that kind of friend to whoever comes into my life. May I not be flippant or hasty, but may I always take the time to really think and pray with my friends, to truly be present with them.
leahegood's review against another edition
4.0
I often struggle with how to shape my response to people with a homosexual orientation. Since it's not something I have needed to confront in a practical way on a daily basis, I typically shove it to a corner of my brain and move on with life. But this book has been on my mental to-read-list for a while and finally jumped to the top.
When I noticed this book last year, it immediately stood out to me. In my sporadic efforts to deepen my perspective on the subject, I'd come to two conclusions. 1) I couldn't accept the popular idea that there's nothing wrong with homosexuality and Biblical teachings on the topic are not culturally relevant, and 2) I wasn't comfortably with the large on theology but short on compassion approach taken by many Christians with a more traditional perspective. A book like [b:Washed and Waiting|7994726|Washed and Waiting Reflections on Christian Faithfulness and Homosexuality|Wesley Hill|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327998086l/7994726._SX50_.jpg|12489002] seemed like it would give a new and unique perspective on the subject.
Hearing a defense of sexual relations only in the context of a traditional, heterosexual relationship from the perspective of a man with a homosexual orientation definitely offered a unique look at the subject. It also offered a deeply compassionate view a gay persons struggles.
I really appreciate the author's ability to write this book with a solid defense of a traditional Biblical interpretation of marriage while simultaneously calling for, asking for, fighting for all the depth of love and compassion the people of God can possibly offer to someone with homosexual desires.
This book gave me a lot to think about and ponder, and I'd definitely recommend it to other Christian's who aren't satisfied with recognizing the problem without seeking an option for compassion as well.
When I noticed this book last year, it immediately stood out to me. In my sporadic efforts to deepen my perspective on the subject, I'd come to two conclusions. 1) I couldn't accept the popular idea that there's nothing wrong with homosexuality and Biblical teachings on the topic are not culturally relevant, and 2) I wasn't comfortably with the large on theology but short on compassion approach taken by many Christians with a more traditional perspective. A book like [b:Washed and Waiting|7994726|Washed and Waiting Reflections on Christian Faithfulness and Homosexuality|Wesley Hill|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327998086l/7994726._SX50_.jpg|12489002] seemed like it would give a new and unique perspective on the subject.
Hearing a defense of sexual relations only in the context of a traditional, heterosexual relationship from the perspective of a man with a homosexual orientation definitely offered a unique look at the subject. It also offered a deeply compassionate view a gay persons struggles.
I really appreciate the author's ability to write this book with a solid defense of a traditional Biblical interpretation of marriage while simultaneously calling for, asking for, fighting for all the depth of love and compassion the people of God can possibly offer to someone with homosexual desires.
This book gave me a lot to think about and ponder, and I'd definitely recommend it to other Christian's who aren't satisfied with recognizing the problem without seeking an option for compassion as well.
mikepage7176's review against another edition
5.0
This is an amazing book. It was recommended to me by a counselor since a large focus of his pain is the loneliness he experiences. I was often feeling similar as a single hetero Christian.
His story is remarkable and heartbreaking, but like the greatest of all stories, it finds redemption in the pain and suffering. His desire to seek out those that shared his experience to try and understand it better opens the door for lots of exploration and some beautiful prose. He isn't skimming the surface. It's raw and powerful. His self-awareness is commendable and has really opened the door of understanding for those that relate, even in limited fashion.
It's a great book
His story is remarkable and heartbreaking, but like the greatest of all stories, it finds redemption in the pain and suffering. His desire to seek out those that shared his experience to try and understand it better opens the door for lots of exploration and some beautiful prose. He isn't skimming the surface. It's raw and powerful. His self-awareness is commendable and has really opened the door of understanding for those that relate, even in limited fashion.
It's a great book