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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
Life-giving and eye-opening
Matthew Vines has provided the answer to the question of how same sex relationships can and must be reconciled with the authority of the Scriptures. His dedication and integrity bring honor to all, especially those struggling under weight of shame heaped upon them from misguided theology and shortsighted congregations.
Matthew Vines has provided the answer to the question of how same sex relationships can and must be reconciled with the authority of the Scriptures. His dedication and integrity bring honor to all, especially those struggling under weight of shame heaped upon them from misguided theology and shortsighted congregations.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
I loved reading this book! Matthew's arguments in support of LGBTQ+ relationships were so eye opening to how I can be an LGBTQ+ affirming Christian without throwing away the bible.
informative
reflective
medium-paced
*3.5 stars
A book that really digs into Scripture, the love of Christ, and Biblical context and translation in support of LGBTQ+ Christianity and how/why Christians should affirm and stand by the LGBTQ+ community. While I didn’t agree with the author on all his views (he believes everything in the Bible must be taken quite literally/as absolute law), I highly appreciate his thoroughness with this issue and would recommend this book to those who are questioning or who are looking for the proof that they can still cling to their faith while supporting their LGBTQ+ friends, family members, and community.
A book that really digs into Scripture, the love of Christ, and Biblical context and translation in support of LGBTQ+ Christianity and how/why Christians should affirm and stand by the LGBTQ+ community. While I didn’t agree with the author on all his views (he believes everything in the Bible must be taken quite literally/as absolute law), I highly appreciate his thoroughness with this issue and would recommend this book to those who are questioning or who are looking for the proof that they can still cling to their faith while supporting their LGBTQ+ friends, family members, and community.
Interesting read. His thesis is if gays do not have a choice in who they're attracted to, then Biblical Christianity must change either its views on voluntary celibacy or same-sex marriage.
Two lynchpins of his argument are that homosexuals do not choose their orientation and they cannot change their orientation, although they may change their behavior. The most compelling evidence for this is the failure of the so-called ex-gay movement. Exodus International was a leading organization offering this "therapy" and recently closed its doors and issued an apology to all the people and families it harmed while trying to change the unchangeable. Christians have held strong beliefs about interracial marriage, slavery, divorce and remarriage, which have changed completely as a result of new information and modern culture. Vines believes a similar reinterpretation is happening now as a result of people realizing gays don't become gay by choice or as a result of a moral or spiritual failing.
Although he may not convince everyone -- this book comes pretty heavily from a fundamentalist perspective, and may not be entirely satisfying to someone from a Catholic background -- he makes some excellent historical and Biblical observations about views on same-sex relationships, and makes the case for God giving His blessing on faithful, monogamous same-sex marriages.
Two lynchpins of his argument are that homosexuals do not choose their orientation and they cannot change their orientation, although they may change their behavior. The most compelling evidence for this is the failure of the so-called ex-gay movement. Exodus International was a leading organization offering this "therapy" and recently closed its doors and issued an apology to all the people and families it harmed while trying to change the unchangeable. Christians have held strong beliefs about interracial marriage, slavery, divorce and remarriage, which have changed completely as a result of new information and modern culture. Vines believes a similar reinterpretation is happening now as a result of people realizing gays don't become gay by choice or as a result of a moral or spiritual failing.
Although he may not convince everyone -- this book comes pretty heavily from a fundamentalist perspective, and may not be entirely satisfying to someone from a Catholic background -- he makes some excellent historical and Biblical observations about views on same-sex relationships, and makes the case for God giving His blessing on faithful, monogamous same-sex marriages.
What itching ears want to hear, but no interest in truth.
Despite the fact there is 200 pages in this book is irrelevant. The argument can be summed up in one paragraph. The author feels that sexual orientation did not exist outside of this century, only sexual preference. Essentially committed gay relationships were not a thing. Therefore, the bible's prohibition of homosexuality does not address sexual orientation. Since it doesn't the author points to the pain caused by not accepting sexual orientation as proof that we should. It was an interesting although sadly humorous read for someone that was truly looking for hard bible study and evidence to reconcile the bible to the current trends. If it exists. It doesn't exist in this book.
Despite the fact there is 200 pages in this book is irrelevant. The argument can be summed up in one paragraph. The author feels that sexual orientation did not exist outside of this century, only sexual preference. Essentially committed gay relationships were not a thing. Therefore, the bible's prohibition of homosexuality does not address sexual orientation. Since it doesn't the author points to the pain caused by not accepting sexual orientation as proof that we should. It was an interesting although sadly humorous read for someone that was truly looking for hard bible study and evidence to reconcile the bible to the current trends. If it exists. It doesn't exist in this book.
Matthew Vines is a Bible-believing Christian. He upholds the authority of scripture. He's probably more literal than I am in his interpretation of scripture.
Vines is also gay. And he talks about what the Bible says about being a gay Christian. He does a great job not only of addressing the 6 scriptures that are cited continuously as being the definitive case against homosexuality, but also of looking at the Bible as a whole and asking if God could intend what so many people think God intends for someone who is gay. The section on celibacy alone is fascinating. This is the first text I've read that really addresses being gay based on the message of the Bible as a whole.
If this is a topic that you encounter in any way (and I'd have a hard time imagining a Christian that doesn't), this excellent book is worth a read.
(Though I thought his discussion with regard to Leviticus got too complicated; but that's just me.)
Vines is also gay. And he talks about what the Bible says about being a gay Christian. He does a great job not only of addressing the 6 scriptures that are cited continuously as being the definitive case against homosexuality, but also of looking at the Bible as a whole and asking if God could intend what so many people think God intends for someone who is gay. The section on celibacy alone is fascinating. This is the first text I've read that really addresses being gay based on the message of the Bible as a whole.
If this is a topic that you encounter in any way (and I'd have a hard time imagining a Christian that doesn't), this excellent book is worth a read.
(Though I thought his discussion with regard to Leviticus got too complicated; but that's just me.)