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micfennema's review
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
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
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
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.
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