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the_art97 's review for:
Unclobber: Rethinking Our Misuse of the Bible on Homosexuality
by Colby Martin
Been reading this text off and on throughout the year. Colby Martin offers a very accessible engagement with texts that have been used to “clobber” or attack the humanity/lived lives of LGBTQIA+ people. He does a good job of providing an introduction to the broader historical context, translation intricacies, and interpretive history of the main texts in question. In so doing, he opens the door to interpreting these texts in a more authentic and affirming way that affirms they too are beloved children of God. While the text is not perfect, the expanded edition in particular names potential shortcomings and additional learnings from the author as his ministry has continued, highlighting the lifelong learning we all get to do as children of God.
Martin also shares his own journey from being a pastor within a socially conservative religious system to being an affirming ally of, and minister with, LGBTQIA+ people. The inclusion of his own story here reminds readers of the profoundly personal and unique journey each of us have as we wrestle with Scripture and what the Spirit is guiding us to say and do in the world in response. Indeed- receiving, digesting, and embodying lessons from the Spirit often takes time, and we give thanks as the Spirit leads us to love more authentically and more fully along the way.
Notably, he names the potential gift of his more neutral entry into the question of LGBTQIA+ affirmation by Christian individuals: “Whereas, because I didn’t have a horse in the race—neither for myself nor, as mentioned in chapter 7, even a close friend or family member—when they read my words, the ideas and arguments appear to be more neutral. As a result, my perspective has allowed many readers to not just hear that the Bible truly does not condemn them but begin to believe it for the first time as well” (206, Kindle). The personal distance named here is viewed as a benefit by Martin because it removes the common dismissal by opponents of affirming interpretations saying that “sound biblical interpretation has taken a back seat to the relationships one has.” Martin’s particular testimony/work provides a unique lens that is an excellent introduction to this important topic for our day as we answer the call to love and serve our neighbor, following the example of Jesus Christ.
Martin also shares his own journey from being a pastor within a socially conservative religious system to being an affirming ally of, and minister with, LGBTQIA+ people. The inclusion of his own story here reminds readers of the profoundly personal and unique journey each of us have as we wrestle with Scripture and what the Spirit is guiding us to say and do in the world in response. Indeed- receiving, digesting, and embodying lessons from the Spirit often takes time, and we give thanks as the Spirit leads us to love more authentically and more fully along the way.
Notably, he names the potential gift of his more neutral entry into the question of LGBTQIA+ affirmation by Christian individuals: “Whereas, because I didn’t have a horse in the race—neither for myself nor, as mentioned in chapter 7, even a close friend or family member—when they read my words, the ideas and arguments appear to be more neutral. As a result, my perspective has allowed many readers to not just hear that the Bible truly does not condemn them but begin to believe it for the first time as well” (206, Kindle). The personal distance named here is viewed as a benefit by Martin because it removes the common dismissal by opponents of affirming interpretations saying that “sound biblical interpretation has taken a back seat to the relationships one has.” Martin’s particular testimony/work provides a unique lens that is an excellent introduction to this important topic for our day as we answer the call to love and serve our neighbor, following the example of Jesus Christ.