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carebcut's review against another edition
5.0
Well written and thought provoking book. Helped me understand in a humble, logical, and biblical way both sides of the LGBT argument. Highly recommended for those wanting to come to their own conclusions instead of just accepting what has been done and said in the past.
speculativeshelves's review against another edition
3.0
As someone who has basically always been LGBTQ+ affirming, this book didn't really give me anything new as it's geared more toward evangelical Christians who are new to this topic. I think it's effective for that target audience - it's more moderate, respectful, and patient which probably works well for conservative Christians who are willing to look at this topic from a different point of view.
I appreciated the examination of the verses commonly used to advocate against inclusion, the author's response to critics of previous editions, as well as a section geared more toward progressives on "how not to argue" against traditionalists.
While this wasn't life-changing for me I can see it being life-changing for readers coming from a conservative evangelical background. If you're already at the point of being LGBTQ+ affirming and wanting to go a bit deeper this probably isn't quite the book for you.
I appreciated the examination of the verses commonly used to advocate against inclusion, the author's response to critics of previous editions, as well as a section geared more toward progressives on "how not to argue" against traditionalists.
While this wasn't life-changing for me I can see it being life-changing for readers coming from a conservative evangelical background. If you're already at the point of being LGBTQ+ affirming and wanting to go a bit deeper this probably isn't quite the book for you.
tessgalley's review against another edition
4.0
One of the best books I’ve read on the subject of LGBTQ inclusion and acceptance in the church. Well researched and thought-provoking.
lkthomas07's review against another edition
5.0
I think this is a must read for all Christians.
Frankly, I had to look up words all the time and read carefully. Not the easiest to read at all times - some bits got very academic. But he made his points really well. The intro parts were necessary, but it really got into it at Chapter 8, so stick with it if you’re struggling.
Frankly, I had to look up words all the time and read carefully. Not the easiest to read at all times - some bits got very academic. But he made his points really well. The intro parts were necessary, but it really got into it at Chapter 8, so stick with it if you’re struggling.
gjones19's review against another edition
4.0
This is a series of short essays by David Gushee about why and how he changed his mind about the inclusion of LGBTQ Christians in the church and in covenantal relationships. This is a helpful book for understanding this Christian perspective, and it’s written charitably so that even opponents should appreciate many of Gushee’s arguments.
emilyholladay's review against another edition
4.0
This is the most concise book I've read suggesting a new framework for a Christian sexual ethic. Gushee is a respected mentor of mine and I am proud of the way that he takes both scripture and personal experience seriously, going as far as to apologize for the way his previous teachings have been detrimental to LGBT Christians. I would recommend this book to any evangelical Christian looking to understand a pro- LGBT stance in light of true biblical scholarship. For many people who are "already there," this book might not go far enough for you, but I think it faithfully asserts a challenging and compelling ethic for Christians in the 21st century.
drbobcornwall's review against another edition
5.0
The question of the status of the LGBT community within the Church is a vexing one. Traditionally Christianity has held up the premise that sexual relations are to be confined to marriage, and marriage is the domain of a man and a woman. This premise has been grounded in understandings of biblical texts, theological reflection, culture, and understandings of the orders of creation. The traditional paradigm is collapsing, and therefore the church is in the midst of a time of crisis. If the traditional model doesn't work, what should we put in its place?
In recent years there has been a great abundance of new books that wrestle with this question. Several books by evangelicals have appeared in the past two years that open the conversation up in new ways. One of those contributions is this book by [a:David P. Gushee|146881|David P. Gushee|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-ccc56e79bcc2db9e6cdcd450a4940d46.png], an evangelical social ethicist. For a number of reasons David Gushee has had a change of mind on this topic, and has come out as a strong advocate for inclusion. In Changing Our Mind, Gushee shares how this change occurred and offers his rationale for why the church as a whole should follow his lead.
This is not a heavy read, though it will be a challenging one for many in the church. It will challenge both traditionalists and some revisionists. For one thing, he suggests that the way forward will require civility and patience. Speaking of traditional texts as clobber scriptures, while understandable, is not an effective strategy. For traditionalists, he wants them to understand that there are Gay Christians. Because of the closet, many have not known this to be true, but they're in our midst.
That is because while he embraces the full inclusion of LGBT folks in the church, he remains true to traditional values regarding the appropriate place for sexual relations to occur. In other words, it's not an anything goes kind of vision. Instead, he suggests that the idea of life-long covenant marriage be extended to LGBT persons. That will require, therefore, a commitment to one partner and one gender identity.
In the course of the book, he takes up texts that either are used in opposition to LGBT inclusion or that define marriage only in terms of male-female partnerships. He addresses the question of the orders of creation and notes their often problematic uses. Ultimately, this is a call for the church to recognize that the principle of exclusion is dangerous -- to body, soul, and spirit. It is an invitation to take up a new path.
For those of us who already embrace the change, this book should prove to be helpful in bringing others along. For those who are on the fence this may be the book that gets them to the other side. For those who have dug in their heals, if they are open to reading, perhaps their eyes will be opened to new realities. Whatever the case, this book has message whose time has come! Take and read!!
In recent years there has been a great abundance of new books that wrestle with this question. Several books by evangelicals have appeared in the past two years that open the conversation up in new ways. One of those contributions is this book by [a:David P. Gushee|146881|David P. Gushee|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-ccc56e79bcc2db9e6cdcd450a4940d46.png], an evangelical social ethicist. For a number of reasons David Gushee has had a change of mind on this topic, and has come out as a strong advocate for inclusion. In Changing Our Mind, Gushee shares how this change occurred and offers his rationale for why the church as a whole should follow his lead.
This is not a heavy read, though it will be a challenging one for many in the church. It will challenge both traditionalists and some revisionists. For one thing, he suggests that the way forward will require civility and patience. Speaking of traditional texts as clobber scriptures, while understandable, is not an effective strategy. For traditionalists, he wants them to understand that there are Gay Christians. Because of the closet, many have not known this to be true, but they're in our midst.
That is because while he embraces the full inclusion of LGBT folks in the church, he remains true to traditional values regarding the appropriate place for sexual relations to occur. In other words, it's not an anything goes kind of vision. Instead, he suggests that the idea of life-long covenant marriage be extended to LGBT persons. That will require, therefore, a commitment to one partner and one gender identity.
In the course of the book, he takes up texts that either are used in opposition to LGBT inclusion or that define marriage only in terms of male-female partnerships. He addresses the question of the orders of creation and notes their often problematic uses. Ultimately, this is a call for the church to recognize that the principle of exclusion is dangerous -- to body, soul, and spirit. It is an invitation to take up a new path.
For those of us who already embrace the change, this book should prove to be helpful in bringing others along. For those who are on the fence this may be the book that gets them to the other side. For those who have dug in their heals, if they are open to reading, perhaps their eyes will be opened to new realities. Whatever the case, this book has message whose time has come! Take and read!!