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hannah_hodges's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
3.75
katemoreton's review against another edition
5.0
This is a must-read for any Christian within a church culture which does not accept same sex relationships, and probably for any Christian generally - LGBTQ+ or not. It will build empathy and compassion, give insight, and grow love for those who are discriminated against on grounds of ‘the bible clearly says…’.
alanyoung's review against another edition
4.0
I had been recommended to read this book but did not press on and engage with it until I had read another book looking at the same issue (Born Again This Way by Rachel Gilson). It was evident from the cover descriptions that these two books, both written by Christian women experiencing same-sex attraction, came to very different conclusions. Thus prompted, I returned to Vicky Beeching.
Whereas Rachel Gilson was settled in her same-sex orientation but, when she became a Christian, had to re-examine her situation in the light of her new faith, Vicky Beeching's path had been one of wrestling with her emerging sexual awareness in a very strict evangelical Christian setting. It is impossible to say how much these different pathways contributed to their different conclusions but the need to ask the question is inescapable.
Vicky Beeching is an intelligent, eloquent and creative Christian woman and delivers a highly moving account of her early awareness and her ongoing and internal struggles before 'coming out'. She was courageous in doing so and it is a challenge to us that it was such a long struggle.
Her pre-adult church subculture was one that I recognise but has not been my experience. It resonated with that described in another book (Faith Unraveled by Rachel Held Evans) where expressing doubt and engaging in dialogue were not encouraged.
There are many memorable moments in her account and some episodes and experiences that were so painful for her that I was close to tears as I read them.
Two passage I would like to highlight.
1) She found a fresh reading of Acts 10 to be an epiphany for she saw in it (as I do) the clear confirmation that the gospel and kingdom is open to all. In Acts it was the Gentiles but I believe she legitimately applies it to same-sex attracted Christians. I remain unconvinced however by the conclusions she reaches by extrapolation, namely that this confirms the legitimacy of same-sex marriage.
2) She describes a moving encounter with her grandfather when, despite their theological differences they came together recognising the wisdom in a quotation from Billy Graham ‘It’s God’s job to judge, the Holy Spirit’s job to convict, and my job to love.’”
She describes reading it twice before asking her grandfather. “Can you leave it with God to judge me, if he needs to, and just focus on you and I loving each other? Our ‘job description’ as Christians is to love. God’s job description is to judge. Sometimes we get our roles mixed up; judging other Christians isn’t something that should be our focus. We have plenty to keep us busy—learning to love others the best we can.”
In summary, this is a courageous book from a courageous woman of faith. I do not agree with her ultimate conclusions but the reading of the book has been a challenge to me as I look at an issue that is theologically divisive but pastoral urgent.
Whereas Rachel Gilson was settled in her same-sex orientation but, when she became a Christian, had to re-examine her situation in the light of her new faith, Vicky Beeching's path had been one of wrestling with her emerging sexual awareness in a very strict evangelical Christian setting. It is impossible to say how much these different pathways contributed to their different conclusions but the need to ask the question is inescapable.
Vicky Beeching is an intelligent, eloquent and creative Christian woman and delivers a highly moving account of her early awareness and her ongoing and internal struggles before 'coming out'. She was courageous in doing so and it is a challenge to us that it was such a long struggle.
Her pre-adult church subculture was one that I recognise but has not been my experience. It resonated with that described in another book (Faith Unraveled by Rachel Held Evans) where expressing doubt and engaging in dialogue were not encouraged.
There are many memorable moments in her account and some episodes and experiences that were so painful for her that I was close to tears as I read them.
Two passage I would like to highlight.
1) She found a fresh reading of Acts 10 to be an epiphany for she saw in it (as I do) the clear confirmation that the gospel and kingdom is open to all. In Acts it was the Gentiles but I believe she legitimately applies it to same-sex attracted Christians. I remain unconvinced however by the conclusions she reaches by extrapolation, namely that this confirms the legitimacy of same-sex marriage.
2) She describes a moving encounter with her grandfather when, despite their theological differences they came together recognising the wisdom in a quotation from Billy Graham ‘It’s God’s job to judge, the Holy Spirit’s job to convict, and my job to love.’”
She describes reading it twice before asking her grandfather. “Can you leave it with God to judge me, if he needs to, and just focus on you and I loving each other? Our ‘job description’ as Christians is to love. God’s job description is to judge. Sometimes we get our roles mixed up; judging other Christians isn’t something that should be our focus. We have plenty to keep us busy—learning to love others the best we can.”
In summary, this is a courageous book from a courageous woman of faith. I do not agree with her ultimate conclusions but the reading of the book has been a challenge to me as I look at an issue that is theologically divisive but pastoral urgent.
drbobcornwall's review against another edition
4.0
Although not everyone is on board, attitudes towards LGBTQ persons are changing, and changing quickly. The Supreme Court ruling a few years back, legalizing same-sex marriage across the country, a move that has wide support in the United States, was a game changer. There are still signs of resistance. Bakers, wedding sites, and churches, but there really is no turning back. On the religious side of things, the question of what the Bible has to say about same-sex marriage and LGBTQ relationships has been well-litigated. When it comes to same-sex marriage, most of what the Bible has to say can be applied to both same-sex and opposite sex marriages (see my book [b:Marriage in Interesting Times: A Participatory Study Guide|30135674|Marriage in Interesting Times A Participatory Study Guide|Robert D. Cornwall|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1462746308s/30135674.jpg|50567593] So what is really needed is testimonies from LGBTQ persons, their family members, and their allies.
Undivided by Vicky Beeching is one of those needed testimonies. What memoirs like this do is humanize the "issue." It is one thing to discuss the topic in the abstract, pulling this or that scripture into the conversation. It is another to see how real people wrestle with their sexuality and the communities that form their understandings of their own sexuality. After my brother came out, I found reading Mel White's [b:Stranger at the Gate: To Be Gay and Christian in America|825563|Stranger at the Gate To Be Gay and Christian in America|Mel White|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1400415261s/825563.jpg|811309] to be most helpful. The fact that he had been a professor at the seminary I was a graduate of, and that he had pastored the church I once attended, opened my eyes. His story made clear that this is not something one "chooses." No one would go through the trauma he went through to "overcome" his sense that he was gay by choice. Vicky Beeching's memoir has the same feel as Mel White's. Their stories are different, but the core message is similar. The church's message that homosexuality is sinful and contrary to God's design has proven to be damaging to the lives of so many LGBTQ Christians.
I agreed to review this book by Vicky Beeching, though I was unfamiliar with her. Before coming out as a lesbian Christian, she was well known in evangelical circles as a worship leader, musician, and song writer. That Harper Collins chose to publish her memoir suggests that she is fairly well known. My lack of familiarity with her life and music likely stems from the fact taht I haven't been attuned to the Christian music scene for some time -- I am more familiar with Larry Norman and Sandy Patty than those who have emerged in the past two decades. Nonetheless, I chose to read and review this book because I am interested in well-told testimonies told by Christians who happen to be gay or lesbian or bi-sexual or transgender. I am especially interested in the stories of those who come out of the evangelical world, and whose theology is evangelically oriented.
I won't share her complete story, because you need to read it for yourself. But here is the gist of the story. Vicky Beeching was a beloved Christian musician and song-writer, whose songs were being sung in churches across the world. She grew up Pentecostal in England. She felt called to a ministry of music at a young age. She wanted to use her gifts at songwriting and music to share the gospel and lead people in worship. That sense of call was complicated by a sense that she was attracted to girls rather than boys (at a very young age). She knew she was different, but she also knew that her faith community condemned same-sex relationships as sinful. Like many in her situation, she tried to suppress this identity, believing it to be evil. She bought into the message, even as she knew it didn't make sense. She would go on to study Bible and Theology at Oxford, while continuing in music ministry. That led to a move to Nashville, and more open doors. Again, she had to suppress her sense of identity to fulfill her dreams. But this aching sense that she was gay wouldn't go away. Like many gay Christians, she contemplated suicide.
In time, she discovered she could no longer stay in the closet. She had never pursued relationships with women, even as she turned away numerous men who were interested in her. Finally, as she entered her mid 30s and her health deteriorated, she could no longer remain in the closet. I will leave it to your reading to discover what happened next, but I think you can figure this out.
Her life has changed dramatically. The focus of her energies and her ministry have changed. She is still struggling to deal with decades of teaching that condemned her own sense of identity. The subtitle of the book speaks of "coming out, becoming whole, and living free from shame." I sense that this is a work in process, but she has made the turn and is ready to speak out for herself and others like herself.
If you have some knowledge of her music, and are trying to figure out how to make sense of the change of attitudes in our society and in parts of the church, perhaps this will speak to you. While she does address biblical and theological matters, and is in the process of earning a PhD in theology and sexuality from Durham University, it is the personal elements that will speak. It is the sense of shame that her context brought on that will speak. Even if you don't know her back story, I believe that this book will provide insight for those who are beginning to see a new day for the church, society, and for all who define themselves as being part of the LGBTQ community. Take and read.
Undivided by Vicky Beeching is one of those needed testimonies. What memoirs like this do is humanize the "issue." It is one thing to discuss the topic in the abstract, pulling this or that scripture into the conversation. It is another to see how real people wrestle with their sexuality and the communities that form their understandings of their own sexuality. After my brother came out, I found reading Mel White's [b:Stranger at the Gate: To Be Gay and Christian in America|825563|Stranger at the Gate To Be Gay and Christian in America|Mel White|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1400415261s/825563.jpg|811309] to be most helpful. The fact that he had been a professor at the seminary I was a graduate of, and that he had pastored the church I once attended, opened my eyes. His story made clear that this is not something one "chooses." No one would go through the trauma he went through to "overcome" his sense that he was gay by choice. Vicky Beeching's memoir has the same feel as Mel White's. Their stories are different, but the core message is similar. The church's message that homosexuality is sinful and contrary to God's design has proven to be damaging to the lives of so many LGBTQ Christians.
I agreed to review this book by Vicky Beeching, though I was unfamiliar with her. Before coming out as a lesbian Christian, she was well known in evangelical circles as a worship leader, musician, and song writer. That Harper Collins chose to publish her memoir suggests that she is fairly well known. My lack of familiarity with her life and music likely stems from the fact taht I haven't been attuned to the Christian music scene for some time -- I am more familiar with Larry Norman and Sandy Patty than those who have emerged in the past two decades. Nonetheless, I chose to read and review this book because I am interested in well-told testimonies told by Christians who happen to be gay or lesbian or bi-sexual or transgender. I am especially interested in the stories of those who come out of the evangelical world, and whose theology is evangelically oriented.
I won't share her complete story, because you need to read it for yourself. But here is the gist of the story. Vicky Beeching was a beloved Christian musician and song-writer, whose songs were being sung in churches across the world. She grew up Pentecostal in England. She felt called to a ministry of music at a young age. She wanted to use her gifts at songwriting and music to share the gospel and lead people in worship. That sense of call was complicated by a sense that she was attracted to girls rather than boys (at a very young age). She knew she was different, but she also knew that her faith community condemned same-sex relationships as sinful. Like many in her situation, she tried to suppress this identity, believing it to be evil. She bought into the message, even as she knew it didn't make sense. She would go on to study Bible and Theology at Oxford, while continuing in music ministry. That led to a move to Nashville, and more open doors. Again, she had to suppress her sense of identity to fulfill her dreams. But this aching sense that she was gay wouldn't go away. Like many gay Christians, she contemplated suicide.
In time, she discovered she could no longer stay in the closet. She had never pursued relationships with women, even as she turned away numerous men who were interested in her. Finally, as she entered her mid 30s and her health deteriorated, she could no longer remain in the closet. I will leave it to your reading to discover what happened next, but I think you can figure this out.
Her life has changed dramatically. The focus of her energies and her ministry have changed. She is still struggling to deal with decades of teaching that condemned her own sense of identity. The subtitle of the book speaks of "coming out, becoming whole, and living free from shame." I sense that this is a work in process, but she has made the turn and is ready to speak out for herself and others like herself.
If you have some knowledge of her music, and are trying to figure out how to make sense of the change of attitudes in our society and in parts of the church, perhaps this will speak to you. While she does address biblical and theological matters, and is in the process of earning a PhD in theology and sexuality from Durham University, it is the personal elements that will speak. It is the sense of shame that her context brought on that will speak. Even if you don't know her back story, I believe that this book will provide insight for those who are beginning to see a new day for the church, society, and for all who define themselves as being part of the LGBTQ community. Take and read.
sfletcher26's review against another edition
4.0
An open and honest memoir of faith and sexuality. Beeching's story is at times heartrending but filled with hope. Hope for her own life and hope for the lives of all LGBTQ+ people of faith. Should be required reading for all Christians.
babyfacedoldsoul's review against another edition
5.0
Thoroughly loved this book. I had never heard of Vicky Beeching before but as a queer Christian who grew up in a very conservative church it deeply resonated with me.
daid64's review against another edition
5.0
What a stunning book. This will break your heart. How brave of Vicky to share the hurt and pain she has gone through in her life keeping her sexuality a secret. As a Christian I pray that I never treat anyone the way Vicky has been. Thank you Vicky for telling your story. It has made a huge impact on me.
catcaird's review against another edition
4.0
An honest and open book that I learnt a lot from. I may not come to all the same conclusions, but whatever you believe, reading Vicky's story highlights the way the church has dealt with sexuality in the past has been shameful and unhelpful. A better conversation is needed. Plus it was pretty cool seeing my friend mentioned in the book!!