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A review by leswag97
People to Be Loved: Why Homosexuality Is Not Just an Issue by Wesley Hill, Wesley Hill, Preston M. Sprinkle
4.0
In his book “People To Be Loved”, Preston Sprinkle takes his readers—whether they be affirming readers or non-affirming readers—on a journey through the discussion revolving around the LGBTQ+ community, same-sex orientation, same-sex attraction, and same-sex activity. As a biblical scholar, Sprinkle filters this conversation through the lens of Scripture, hearing arguments from both the left and the right, but ultimately seeking to find, as best any of us can through the help of the Holy Spirit, what the Bible, and more importantly what the God of the Bible, has to say about not only the topic or the “issue” of homosexuality, but the people that have been caught in the throes of this debate within Christianity.
I appreciate Sprinkle’s handling of the topic, and his transparency throughout the book. I applaud his thorough research not only of the biblical text(s), but also of the people that have been most affected by these texts—whether for good or for evil. One can tell simply by reading the first few pages that Sprinkle does not have simple or easy answers to these hard and difficult questions, because all of these answers will in one way or another impact the lives of many, many people—including individuals who he considers to be close friends and colleagues. Sprinkle succeeds in being both scholarly and pastoral as he exegete Scripture and examines his fellow brothers and sisters.
This book is meant for Christians, who are interested in such a discussion concerning homosexuality, and who hold to a high view of Scripture (i.e. in some form or fashion, the Bible is authoritative for how Christians behave and believe). It touches on a plethora of topics and discussions that were most definitely “out of my league”, and yet the way in which Sprinkle explains, dissects, and unfolds these complexities of the conversation is incredibly helpful, and allows for any sort of interested reader to glean from his writings. He does not shy away from competing arguments, but rather tackles them head on—pointing out both strong and weak aspects of any specific argument—and ultimately, Sprinkle has challenging words for both affirming and non-affirming Christians.
I would highly recommend this book to my fellow Christian brothers and sisters, who are wondering about the topic of homosexuality, but more than anything, who are willing and ready to befriend, love, defend, and care for all people, all neighbors, whether gay or straight.
I appreciate Sprinkle’s handling of the topic, and his transparency throughout the book. I applaud his thorough research not only of the biblical text(s), but also of the people that have been most affected by these texts—whether for good or for evil. One can tell simply by reading the first few pages that Sprinkle does not have simple or easy answers to these hard and difficult questions, because all of these answers will in one way or another impact the lives of many, many people—including individuals who he considers to be close friends and colleagues. Sprinkle succeeds in being both scholarly and pastoral as he exegete Scripture and examines his fellow brothers and sisters.
This book is meant for Christians, who are interested in such a discussion concerning homosexuality, and who hold to a high view of Scripture (i.e. in some form or fashion, the Bible is authoritative for how Christians behave and believe). It touches on a plethora of topics and discussions that were most definitely “out of my league”, and yet the way in which Sprinkle explains, dissects, and unfolds these complexities of the conversation is incredibly helpful, and allows for any sort of interested reader to glean from his writings. He does not shy away from competing arguments, but rather tackles them head on—pointing out both strong and weak aspects of any specific argument—and ultimately, Sprinkle has challenging words for both affirming and non-affirming Christians.
I would highly recommend this book to my fellow Christian brothers and sisters, who are wondering about the topic of homosexuality, but more than anything, who are willing and ready to befriend, love, defend, and care for all people, all neighbors, whether gay or straight.