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Reviews
Single, Gay, Christian: A Personal Journey of Faith and Sexual Identity by Wesley Hill, Greg Coles
honniker's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
I've thought a lot about what to say in my review of this book since I finished reading it last night. I don't know how to describe it. It's beautiful and sad and it made me cry. It's sad because my heart aches for what Greg has gone through. My heart aches for his decision to remain celibate. My heart breaks for everyone trying to reconcile their sexuality with their faith.
Yet in the midst of the ashes and brokenness I really appreciate what Greg has to say. It is clear that he has deeply studied on this issue and it is clear he has an understanding of Christianity that most Western Christians can't even imagine. At one point he discusses the role of suffering, the fact that most American Christians view suffering as something that shouldn't happen, yet we are never promised an easy life in our walk. My husband and I have discussed this idea a lot and so it was nice to have someone else who gets it.
I also appreciated what Greg had to say about brokenness, how homosexuality isn't a special form of it, all sexuality is broken due to the fall. This is so true as well and though on a level this is something I knew, the way Greg described it was very clear and helped give me a new perspective.
Greg does not apologize for who he is, nor does he beat the reader over the head. Instead, he just lays out his story, his reasoning and his love for God. The bravery Greg shows in choosing Christ and his willingness to share his story is inspiring. This is a must read for all Christians, no matter which side of the debate you fall on.
Yet in the midst of the ashes and brokenness I really appreciate what Greg has to say. It is clear that he has deeply studied on this issue and it is clear he has an understanding of Christianity that most Western Christians can't even imagine. At one point he discusses the role of suffering, the fact that most American Christians view suffering as something that shouldn't happen, yet we are never promised an easy life in our walk. My husband and I have discussed this idea a lot and so it was nice to have someone else who gets it.
I also appreciated what Greg had to say about brokenness, how homosexuality isn't a special form of it, all sexuality is broken due to the fall. This is so true as well and though on a level this is something I knew, the way Greg described it was very clear and helped give me a new perspective.
Greg does not apologize for who he is, nor does he beat the reader over the head. Instead, he just lays out his story, his reasoning and his love for God. The bravery Greg shows in choosing Christ and his willingness to share his story is inspiring. This is a must read for all Christians, no matter which side of the debate you fall on.
xtinamariet's review
3.0
3.5 stars. I always appreciate the opportunity to hear someone else's story. It did feel, as Greg himself says, like a long journal entry that didn't really plunge into the depths. But compassionate and honest.
The greatest challenge to me (and probably to others!) was this quote: "There are a few things I know for sure about showing love to gay people, and one of them is this: If you really want to love us, you have to respect us enough to make our own decisions. Even if you think we might get it wrong. Even if you're sure we've gotten it wrong. You can't just tell us what to believe and expect us to believe it. That's not how belief works."
The greatest challenge to me (and probably to others!) was this quote: "There are a few things I know for sure about showing love to gay people, and one of them is this: If you really want to love us, you have to respect us enough to make our own decisions. Even if you think we might get it wrong. Even if you're sure we've gotten it wrong. You can't just tell us what to believe and expect us to believe it. That's not how belief works."
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