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finalefile's review against another edition
5.0
I wanted to read this book because I've been reading a lot about Christian perspectives on LGBTQ+ people the past few years. I thought this would be yet another memoir that throws in some Bible verses here and there, though unlike most of what I've read, this book is anti-homosexual relationships. (I still don't know where I should stand regarding this issue; I'm glad I'm not gay myself, so that I don't actually have to make up my mind on this one way or the other anytime soon.)
But this book was SO MUCH MORE THAN THAT. It's not just a memoir about struggles with one's sexuality. It's a deep, vulnerable look at the author's religious beliefs, his temptations, and his experiences. Unexpectedly, I saw myself in much of this book. Though I don't experience Hill's sexual temptations, I felt that almost everything he wrote was true of me, too. Both he and I are non-heterosexual Christians (he is gay and I am asexual) who have felt for much of our lives that we are somehow on the outside looking in. Heterosexual Christians can seem to have it so easy. Hill writes in heartwrenching detail about the loneliness he struggles with, a loneliness that I have also felt quite strongly for years now. I particularly felt his pain when he describes his fear of eventually losing all of his friends due to them getting married or moving away. I feel so much less alone in my sorrows and fears now that I've read this book.
Washed and Waiting contains a deep, authentic, and heartfelt exploration of theological concepts that both Hill and I may continue to struggle with for a long time. What is the correct balance between "enjoying life to the fullest" and "bearing in our body the sufferings of Christ"? How is God present in our struggles? Should we see ourselves as the lowliest of the low due to our sinful nature, or rejoice in how much God cares about us? Will our faithful obedience to God be worth it in the end?
I've been waiting to read a book like this for a long while. It's so refreshing to read a Christian memoir that doesn't end with some variation of "I had some tough times but now I'm married and have kids and life is pretty awesome!" Washed and Waiting doesn't try to tie up all the loose ends. Hill knows that there are "thorns in the flesh" that we may perpetually suffer from. But he shows us that through Jesus, somehow we will be okay.
But this book was SO MUCH MORE THAN THAT. It's not just a memoir about struggles with one's sexuality. It's a deep, vulnerable look at the author's religious beliefs, his temptations, and his experiences. Unexpectedly, I saw myself in much of this book. Though I don't experience Hill's sexual temptations, I felt that almost everything he wrote was true of me, too. Both he and I are non-heterosexual Christians (he is gay and I am asexual) who have felt for much of our lives that we are somehow on the outside looking in. Heterosexual Christians can seem to have it so easy. Hill writes in heartwrenching detail about the loneliness he struggles with, a loneliness that I have also felt quite strongly for years now. I particularly felt his pain when he describes his fear of eventually losing all of his friends due to them getting married or moving away. I feel so much less alone in my sorrows and fears now that I've read this book.
Washed and Waiting contains a deep, authentic, and heartfelt exploration of theological concepts that both Hill and I may continue to struggle with for a long time. What is the correct balance between "enjoying life to the fullest" and "bearing in our body the sufferings of Christ"? How is God present in our struggles? Should we see ourselves as the lowliest of the low due to our sinful nature, or rejoice in how much God cares about us? Will our faithful obedience to God be worth it in the end?
I've been waiting to read a book like this for a long while. It's so refreshing to read a Christian memoir that doesn't end with some variation of "I had some tough times but now I'm married and have kids and life is pretty awesome!" Washed and Waiting doesn't try to tie up all the loose ends. Hill knows that there are "thorns in the flesh" that we may perpetually suffer from. But he shows us that through Jesus, somehow we will be okay.
xoffelokin's review against another edition
5.0
i've been really trying to only read books on this topic by actual lgbt people, as a lot of the time they can come across very disconnected/downright cruel when they aren't. and this one was very good, and very well done. i really appreciate how he comments on how he couldn't just mind over matter himself straight. also, his talks about loneliness was really relatable-i'm not gay, but i'm an older single christian, and his talks on that was actually really encouraging. really really recommend whether you are gay or want to understand more!
levelstory's review against another edition
UPDATE - This review is old and does not reflect my current opinions.
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I bought this book at a bargain store randomly and had not heard anything of it previously. I didn't read it right away though. The book I got to first was similar in topic, Torn by Justin Lee. I read that and found the entire subject of gay marriage and the gay vs Christian debate to be utterly fascinating and misconceived in today's culture...well, it has been misconceived in practically every culture but today's culture especially has a sugar coated and ignorant view on the issue. Anyway, I finally came to this book a few months after reading Torn and I made a point to see how this book compared not in the ultimate message of what it means to be gay in the church or why this is an important issue or what the author's stance on the issue was but rather how it compared in writing style. I found Hill's writing style to be an utter drag. Please don't misinterpret what I am saying. His story was relatable and heart wrenching and blunt. But relatability and sympathy in a narrative don't make it good. What makes it good is how well written it is and this book was not particularly well written. I found it is be utterly dull and dragging. It took so much effort just to get through one chapter which was usually super long and just another turn off to the book. The middle of the book seemed to go uphill in quality but quickly went back down toward the end. I don't plan on keeping the book. Yes I feel it was an important read and I am really glad someone is adding to the conversation in a unique way but this book really didn't hook me or make me passionate about it's topic quite like Justin Lee did with Torn, which was written much better than this book but had a bit of a different angle and overall message. So I give this book 3 out of 5 stars because yes the topic is interesting and it is awesome to see some more literature on the issue but the writing was not nearly as good as I would have hoped. I should also add that there were some sections in the book that were well written but glimpses of good writing isn't enough to make a book written well overall.
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I bought this book at a bargain store randomly and had not heard anything of it previously. I didn't read it right away though. The book I got to first was similar in topic, Torn by Justin Lee. I read that and found the entire subject of gay marriage and the gay vs Christian debate to be utterly fascinating and misconceived in today's culture...well, it has been misconceived in practically every culture but today's culture especially has a sugar coated and ignorant view on the issue. Anyway, I finally came to this book a few months after reading Torn and I made a point to see how this book compared not in the ultimate message of what it means to be gay in the church or why this is an important issue or what the author's stance on the issue was but rather how it compared in writing style. I found Hill's writing style to be an utter drag. Please don't misinterpret what I am saying. His story was relatable and heart wrenching and blunt. But relatability and sympathy in a narrative don't make it good. What makes it good is how well written it is and this book was not particularly well written. I found it is be utterly dull and dragging. It took so much effort just to get through one chapter which was usually super long and just another turn off to the book. The middle of the book seemed to go uphill in quality but quickly went back down toward the end. I don't plan on keeping the book. Yes I feel it was an important read and I am really glad someone is adding to the conversation in a unique way but this book really didn't hook me or make me passionate about it's topic quite like Justin Lee did with Torn, which was written much better than this book but had a bit of a different angle and overall message. So I give this book 3 out of 5 stars because yes the topic is interesting and it is awesome to see some more literature on the issue but the writing was not nearly as good as I would have hoped. I should also add that there were some sections in the book that were well written but glimpses of good writing isn't enough to make a book written well overall.
mariefennema's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Beautiful book, filled with vulnerability and the grace of God. Thankful for Wes Hill’s wisdom, faithfulness, and wrestling with the brokenness of the world and the goodness of God in his particular body. What a gift to learn from this pilgrim.
rachel_reece's review against another edition
5.0
WOW I am so thankful for this book. Hill shares his deep struggle with not being able to change, but believing that God's call is best. He offers the hope of the gospel to anyone struggling with ANY sinful desire that "just won't go away". Even though the topic is homosexuality, Hill's writing truly is applicable to every Christian and every person!
scshaffer's review against another edition
5.0
This book deserves to be read. Wesley Hill’s voice is needed both in the church and in the wider culture. In his beautifully written and deeply honest book, Washed and Waiting, Hill reflects on his journey as both a homosexual man and a Christian. If you are looking for fuel for the cultural debate surrounding human sexuality, look elsewhere. Hill spends little time ‘arguing’ and even less ‘convincing’ people. Instead, he seeks to share his life as a celibate gay Christian and tell others that they are not alone.
Living with the twin truths of being gay and Christian, Hill presents an often-pained picture of his struggle. He has prayed and not been healed of his desires. He is persuaded by the weight of Scripture and the fullness of the Christian witness that to act on his homoerotic desires would be wrong. Yet he recognizes why the biblical prohibitions seem to fall flat for many people, but seeks to understand why the commands were given and to identify the story that would make sense of the commands.
In the first part of the book, Hill shares the biblical vision that challenges him to a life of celibacy. More than simply one set of texts or another, Hill finds the larger shape of the Christian story to make sense of the call for him to live a life of celibacy. He identifies four aspects of the story that he finds compelling: the promise of forgiveness, the reality that all people stand in need of God’s transformation of their desires, that our bodies belong to God, and the value of patient suffering in Christ. The second part of the book deals largely with the loneliness that has accompanied Hill’s journey and his struggles to find love and community. In the last section, he speaks of the shame that often accompanies a homosexual Christian and the challenge to believe that one is beloved.
I found Washed and Waiting both challenging and compelling. The book is hopeful even as it speaks of deep pain. It is theologically and biblically rich even as it delves into the depths of human experience. Again and again, Hill shows how the mercy of God is good news to him and to all of us. It is a book every Christian should read for at least three reasons.
First, Washed and Waiting complicates our picture of Christianity and homosexuality. Without vitriol, Hill shows a different picture than is usually seen of either homosexual men or the Church. He does this with a level of authenticity and personal investment that speaks volumes. Second, reading Washed and Waiting invites compassion for Hill and others like him who struggle with their sexuality. The story of the loneliness and shame experienced by homosexual Christians should call us to greater love as we follow Christ together. Finally, Washed and Waiting invites each of us to see ourselves in his struggle. While the particular contours of his struggle are unique, every Christian wrestles with indwelling sin. Though the battles look different and have varying levels of intensity, we all have temptations that never seem to go away, only subside for a time. While the story Hill tells is certainly his own, it is also, in some way, the story of every Christian as we are washed clean and waiting for the fullness of redemption.
Living with the twin truths of being gay and Christian, Hill presents an often-pained picture of his struggle. He has prayed and not been healed of his desires. He is persuaded by the weight of Scripture and the fullness of the Christian witness that to act on his homoerotic desires would be wrong. Yet he recognizes why the biblical prohibitions seem to fall flat for many people, but seeks to understand why the commands were given and to identify the story that would make sense of the commands.
In the first part of the book, Hill shares the biblical vision that challenges him to a life of celibacy. More than simply one set of texts or another, Hill finds the larger shape of the Christian story to make sense of the call for him to live a life of celibacy. He identifies four aspects of the story that he finds compelling: the promise of forgiveness, the reality that all people stand in need of God’s transformation of their desires, that our bodies belong to God, and the value of patient suffering in Christ. The second part of the book deals largely with the loneliness that has accompanied Hill’s journey and his struggles to find love and community. In the last section, he speaks of the shame that often accompanies a homosexual Christian and the challenge to believe that one is beloved.
I found Washed and Waiting both challenging and compelling. The book is hopeful even as it speaks of deep pain. It is theologically and biblically rich even as it delves into the depths of human experience. Again and again, Hill shows how the mercy of God is good news to him and to all of us. It is a book every Christian should read for at least three reasons.
First, Washed and Waiting complicates our picture of Christianity and homosexuality. Without vitriol, Hill shows a different picture than is usually seen of either homosexual men or the Church. He does this with a level of authenticity and personal investment that speaks volumes. Second, reading Washed and Waiting invites compassion for Hill and others like him who struggle with their sexuality. The story of the loneliness and shame experienced by homosexual Christians should call us to greater love as we follow Christ together. Finally, Washed and Waiting invites each of us to see ourselves in his struggle. While the particular contours of his struggle are unique, every Christian wrestles with indwelling sin. Though the battles look different and have varying levels of intensity, we all have temptations that never seem to go away, only subside for a time. While the story Hill tells is certainly his own, it is also, in some way, the story of every Christian as we are washed clean and waiting for the fullness of redemption.
birdy1luv's review against another edition
3.0
Honest and insightful description of struggle and loneliness as a gay Christian. The parallels between the author and Henri Nouwen were striking in their similarity. Made me reconsider how much of Nouwen's anguish was a consequence of his sexuality.
The Scriptural reflection was traditional and did not shed new light no The conversation.
I was struck, however, by the compassionate response Hill received from his fellow evangelicals and how influential that was on his commitment to staying in the church.
The Scriptural reflection was traditional and did not shed new light no The conversation.
I was struck, however, by the compassionate response Hill received from his fellow evangelicals and how influential that was on his commitment to staying in the church.