I found this book to be very informative. Matthew Vines really did his research for this and wrote it in a way that was by no means argumentative or trying to shove anything down your throat. He simply gave his case based on Biblical text, historical context and looking more deeply into the translation of words and their meaning.
This won't change your mind if you don't want it to and you're not going into it with and open mind and heart, but if you're someone who is genuinely curious and are wondering what other people out there have to say on the subject outside of what you've always heard from the church then I think you would find this book just as interesting as I did.

I found myself quite impressed with this book. Vines makes thoughtful and reasoned arguments for his belief that committed, same-sex relationships are not condemned by the Bible. I specifically appreciated how clear it was that this is a man who has a deep respect for the Biblical text, and has carefully studied to find an answer he believes to be true, not just the answer he wants to be right. Will it still be a hard sell for most conservative Evangelical Christians? Certainly. But I think Vines has earned the right to be heard, and his clear and well-researched thesis deserves a place at the table. Important stuff, this. (To be clear - I agree with Mr. Vines' conclusions, and am grateful to him for his work.)
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Excellent primer for anyone looking into the theological discussions surrounding this topic.

Especially for anyone still stuck on the idea that the Levitical texts and Sodom and Gomorrah have a word to contribute to the modern discussions around homosexuality and the church.

Overall, a very thorough, yet brief, exploration of the topic with plenty of reference material (with equal amounts from all view points/sides of the debate) for anyone who needs to look further. The main sticking point I have with this book was with Vine's interpretation of Eph. 5 occurring the the second to last chapter. Maybe, given more space and exploration, I could come round to his side but, as it is, we simply disagree on that point. It felt as though he was using it as a finishing argument to seal his case but instead it was like he opened a door to a whole new debate (that would have had to have been discussed in order for Vines to make the final point that he did) before promptly shutting off the book and calling it.

Despite that, this book is a marvelous accomplishment and I would recommend it to absolutely anyone in the church, or who doesn't  feel welcome in the church because of the church's handling of this topic. Vines is rather modest with his description of his book and his aims with it- even if you are well versed in this topic, I would still recommend you pick it up if you haven't already.



So. *Sigh* I can't rate this book right now, because it's still really hard for me to take a stance between affirming and non-affirming.
This isn't really a spoiler, but it makes me feel a little vulnerable, so I'm very literally hiding my emotions, lolol.
This is a very important issue for me, and I'm trying to collect as much evidence from each side as I can. It's hard because I know either way I turn, I will be rejecting people, possibly even myself. But I can't take a definitive position until I'm absolutely positive that I know what the Bible says on the matter.

It's very well written and well-researched. Matthew Vines knows his stuff. And I think even if you don't agree, you should respect his opinion because he didn't just make it flippantly. No one raised in a conservative/fundamentalist background can make this decision flippantly.
In short, I really wish everyone in my life would read it with an open mind so that at the very least, non-affirming Christians aren't attacking a misrepresentation.
AND PLEASE, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, CAN WE RECOGNIZE THAT EVEN IF SOMEONE DISAGREES WITH YOU ON A SPIRITUAL ISSUE, THAT DOESN'T MEAN THEY'RE NOT A CHRISTIAN .

I absolutely loved this book.

My only quibble---and it's a small one---is that I would've preferred if we had seen more of a personal side to it. But I absolutely understand why Matthew Vines made the choices he did: the people he's trying to convince are more likely to be swayed by Bible verses than by stories from his life and from his family.

I would recommend this book for anyone, but especially for gay kids who are in a Christian church. Obviously this is a great book for their families, too, but if there's anything that gay kids in those churches need to hear, it's this: "Don't listen to the people who say otherwise. God loves you. God values you. You matter." And I can say it (and so can all the gay celebrities) but this book can back it up with verses and historical context.

It's also incredibly nice for people to know that you can be both Christian and gay. You don't have to choose between dying alone or forfeiting your beliefs. You may have to change churches, but that's not a horrible thing.

This is a book that could literally save lives. Highly, highly recommended.