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177 reviews for:
God and the Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Relationships
Matthew Vines
4.15 AVERAGE
177 reviews for:
God and the Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Relationships
Matthew Vines
4.15 AVERAGE
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Matthew Vines, founder of the Reformation Project, dives into his own personal story as a gay Christian and how is research of Scripture led him to accept and affirm himself as gay. "God and the Gay Christian" also tells the story of how Vines parents were persuaded by research into Scripture on the subject of affirming and accepting LGBTQ people.
The book is 178 pages so is a popular introduction to investigating what the Bible actually says about LGBTQ people and also importantly, what it does not say. If anything, Vines probably could have made his case stronger but there is enough here to give conservative Christians a different way to think about these issues than what they have commonly heard.
The book is 178 pages so is a popular introduction to investigating what the Bible actually says about LGBTQ people and also importantly, what it does not say. If anything, Vines probably could have made his case stronger but there is enough here to give conservative Christians a different way to think about these issues than what they have commonly heard.
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
informative
I highly recommend this book to anyone who has questions about the American evangelical church's views on same-sex relationships. It takes a lot of courage to examine beliefs that you have been fed all of your life, and Vines shows how he and his dad wrestled with this topic and found freedom on the other side.
informative
medium-paced
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
3.5*
I'm conflicted. I really appreciated the approach Matthew Vines took to this, but I think this is far more suited for more conservative Christian (who are willing to open their minds) as a starting point. As not only a gay Christian myself but a sex-positive one, this didn't quite hit for me. I agreed with a lot of things Vines said, but some of his arguments didn't quite sit right with me. Overall I did really enjoy this and I think it's great for people in the church who are questioning what they've been taught, or for LGBT Christians/allies who want to be prepared when having these conversations!
I'm conflicted. I really appreciated the approach Matthew Vines took to this, but I think this is far more suited for more conservative Christian (who are willing to open their minds) as a starting point. As not only a gay Christian myself but a sex-positive one, this didn't quite hit for me. I agreed with a lot of things Vines said, but some of his arguments didn't quite sit right with me. Overall I did really enjoy this and I think it's great for people in the church who are questioning what they've been taught, or for LGBT Christians/allies who want to be prepared when having these conversations!
Counting my blessings to be a part of a faith family that welcomes all God's wonderfully made people. I'm not sure this would turn the heart of someone who isn't affirming, but if there were genuine interest in learning, there is much to see in here. May books like this be a surprise in future generations that there was ever a time we were not an all accepting and affirming society.
Sunnyside UMC received a grant for anti-racism & anti-bias work. This book was purchased for our small group with those funds. This is one of many materials and activities in our work to eliminate racism and bias. We must make every effort whenever and where ever able.
You were made in love, by love, and for love. Sunnyside UMC welcomes all.
Sunnyside UMC received a grant for anti-racism & anti-bias work. This book was purchased for our small group with those funds. This is one of many materials and activities in our work to eliminate racism and bias. We must make every effort whenever and where ever able.
You were made in love, by love, and for love. Sunnyside UMC welcomes all.
challenging
informative
medium-paced
I had a difficult time getting through this book. While the overall arguments are sound and reasonable, I found the writing to be very scattered and convoluted: LOTS of call-backs/foreshadowing to other chapters, too many quotes from other sources, and frequently unclear lines of reasoning. As a queer Christian myself, I was familiar with these arguments already and still had a hard time deciphering some sections. That said, I personally cannot see this book being helpful for educating non-affirming Christians; I would much sooner recommend Torn by Justin Lee to anyone interested in the biblical argument for same-sex relationships and the larger impact of this issue on the church. Also, as other reviewers have mentioned, I was disappointed with how Vines lumped transgender people into this book without ever truly exploring gender identity and the biblical view of being transgender.
