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4.32 AVERAGE
4.32 AVERAGE
I really enjoyed this book. The way in which it started as an autobiography and continued to be so all the way through, yet included theological and social reflections impressed me. Lee covered a lot of ground in building the bridge between the two seemingly mutually exclusive groups of "gays" and "Christians." For those that think the two cannot be reconciled, this is a must-read; even if they don't end up agreeing with Lee and his conclusions there are still things in this book that could help them work towards bridging the "gay-Christian gap," something that needs to be done no matter where you fall on the issue.
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Justin Lee is one good example of the power of Storytelling. In these divisive times that's all the world needs: to listen to other humans' experiences.
Justin has a powerful story and shares it well in his book. There is grace and love, but a clear challenge to the church to stop missing the forest for the trees when it comes to the way we engage and interact with the LGBT community. A must-read for any Christian, church leader, parent...this is an important book.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
A vitally important book that is filled with God's grace.
Do you ever read a book and afterwards you just sit there with your head buzzing in thought, because it's completely changed the way you think? And you feel so passionate about what it has to say that you want to buy copies and copies to give away? Or just run around hitting people on the head in excitement yelling "You need to read this!"?
Torn was one of those books.
Justin Lee grew up in a conservative southern baptist church, and loved God with everything he had. Knowing this, people often asked him his thought on controversial issues, such as homosexuality. Justin thought he knew all the answers until he reached college. And then he realised he was gay.
Caught in the middle of one of society's biggest culture wars, this book contains Justin's story as he came to terms with his identity and used his position as a gay Christian to bridge the gap between Christians and the LGBT community. Most of all he focuses on testimonies from LGBT Christians and the way that well-intended but misguided people in the church have tried to 'help' them, only to steer them away.
I believe wholeheartedly that Justin's message is one that needs to be heard, and that God is using him as a catalyst for change through ministries such as The Gay Christian Network (https://www.gaychristian.net/) and this book. Justin closely examines the bible passages often used to condemn homosexuality in their historical context, yet at no point does he try to enforce what he believes onto the reader. Rather he focuses on the bigger issue at hand: Love, acceptance, and bridging the gap.
Torn was one of those books.
Justin Lee grew up in a conservative southern baptist church, and loved God with everything he had. Knowing this, people often asked him his thought on controversial issues, such as homosexuality. Justin thought he knew all the answers until he reached college. And then he realised he was gay.
Caught in the middle of one of society's biggest culture wars, this book contains Justin's story as he came to terms with his identity and used his position as a gay Christian to bridge the gap between Christians and the LGBT community. Most of all he focuses on testimonies from LGBT Christians and the way that well-intended but misguided people in the church have tried to 'help' them, only to steer them away.
I believe wholeheartedly that Justin's message is one that needs to be heard, and that God is using him as a catalyst for change through ministries such as The Gay Christian Network (https://www.gaychristian.net/) and this book. Justin closely examines the bible passages often used to condemn homosexuality in their historical context, yet at no point does he try to enforce what he believes onto the reader. Rather he focuses on the bigger issue at hand: Love, acceptance, and bridging the gap.
Justin Lee makes himself vulnerable and pours himself out for the purpose of changing the church from the inside out. It is bold and brave, and he does a great job of holding up the many questions he has about the Bible and the church and their treatment of LGBT+ folks. I do think that this is an important book for all church leaders to read, even if they—like me—are progressive and are already affirming of the LGBT+ community and their involvement in the church. It just sheds light on some common personal struggles of LGBT+ Christians and how straight Christians often perpetuate the oppression of this community.
What did bother me, though, was Lee’s strong belief that LGBT+ people carry the burden of changing the system. I have a hard time with the idea that it is the oppressed’s responsibility to do the work to change the system that oppressed them. They certainly CAN do this work if they feel “called” to it, but this “must” and “need to” language was difficult to read.
What did bother me, though, was Lee’s strong belief that LGBT+ people carry the burden of changing the system. I have a hard time with the idea that it is the oppressed’s responsibility to do the work to change the system that oppressed them. They certainly CAN do this work if they feel “called” to it, but this “must” and “need to” language was difficult to read.
challenging
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
No matter what your theological convictions on gay relationships, you need to read this book. If you think "gay Christian" is an oxymoron, you need to read this book. If you know someone who's gay, you need to read this book. If you don't know anyone who's gay, you need to read this book. If you think gays have an "agenda," you need to read this book. If you think the church knows how to show grace to gay individuals, YOU NEED TO READ THIS BOOK. If you are aware that the church is failing in this area, you need to read this book.
Basically: You need to read it.
It's not a book defending the morality of gay relationships. Less than one chapter is spent describing Justin's perspective on the passages in the Bible dealing with homosexuality. Rather, this book is his story, and his thoughts on how the church has failed to show grace to gays, and how Christians of all theological persuasions can change this. Don't read this as a theological treatise. Read it as a story, because that's what it is.
I cried when reading how people in the church have failed to show grace to gay individuals, and how they have even told celibate gay Christians they're going to hell for their "sin". This is not showing grace to gay people.
We (Christians) need to be aware of what gay individuals are going through, we need to be educated on the issues, we need to stop looking at this issue with a "Christians vs. gays" mentality, when there are many people who are both Christian and struggle with same-sex attraction. And this book is a most excellent starting point.
Though I don't agree with Justin's theological conclusions, I still recommend this book wholeheartedly.
Basically: You need to read it.
It's not a book defending the morality of gay relationships. Less than one chapter is spent describing Justin's perspective on the passages in the Bible dealing with homosexuality. Rather, this book is his story, and his thoughts on how the church has failed to show grace to gays, and how Christians of all theological persuasions can change this. Don't read this as a theological treatise. Read it as a story, because that's what it is.
I cried when reading how people in the church have failed to show grace to gay individuals, and how they have even told celibate gay Christians they're going to hell for their "sin". This is not showing grace to gay people.
We (Christians) need to be aware of what gay individuals are going through, we need to be educated on the issues, we need to stop looking at this issue with a "Christians vs. gays" mentality, when there are many people who are both Christian and struggle with same-sex attraction. And this book is a most excellent starting point.
Though I don't agree with Justin's theological conclusions, I still recommend this book wholeheartedly.