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A review by mrswhiteinthelibrary
Torn: Rescuing the Gospel from the Gays-vs.-Christians Debate by Justin Lee
5.0
Probably one of the most powerful books out there on a very important, increasingly relevant topic. Part memoir, part plea for sanity, Justin Lee's voice is approachable and conversational, and he tells his story with capability and sensitivity. Lee's story unfolds as does the story of so many countless others: raised devoutly Christian, and a conservative Southern Baptist, no less, he discovers to his own horror that while feelings for girls never developed, he cannot fight his attraction for men.
So begins his journey for understanding: of himself, of Christ, and of how a person like him fits into a culture that routinely pits gays and Christians against each other. Throughout his quest for understanding, he immerses himself in research and Biblical study and brings his reader along to wrestle with his difficult questions, trying to make sense of who and what he is.
And unlike many others, he ultimately finds more solace in faith than ever before. This is not the story of a man giving up God to be true to himself, nor lying about his nature in order to fit into church culture. This is a man seeking, at all costs, to bridge the gap between his sexuality and his faith. His story is gripping and eye opening, shining light on so many misconceptions about homosexuality within the church and espoused by so many who mean very well.
Perhaps the best part about Torn is that Lee does this without at any point trying to jump through hoops or find loopholes to justify himself. At all points he knows Christians mean well, even as he reveals the increasing ways they have been lied to, causing the growing rift between them and the gay community. Rather than seeking to dismantle church tradition, Lee knows the church rhetoric and spouts it to himself as much as anyone else does, trying to unlock how he can live right with God while knowing that no amount of praying is going to turn him straight. His earnestness is palpable in the pages.
The resulting is a deeply personal story that begs for understanding without Lee at any point insisting his own ideas are right, or trying to draw too firm of conclusions. Rather than attempting to reconcile himself with God, he tries to reconcile the church to the gays they are failing. He longs not to be right, but for a dialogue between gays and the church and, ultimately, the understanding that it does not matter what makes someone gay, whether it's inherent or a choice, or whether all gays are called to celibacy or if a committed same-sex relationship in Christ is possible. It only matters, at the end of the day, that God loves the gays- and we should too.
So begins his journey for understanding: of himself, of Christ, and of how a person like him fits into a culture that routinely pits gays and Christians against each other. Throughout his quest for understanding, he immerses himself in research and Biblical study and brings his reader along to wrestle with his difficult questions, trying to make sense of who and what he is.
And unlike many others, he ultimately finds more solace in faith than ever before. This is not the story of a man giving up God to be true to himself, nor lying about his nature in order to fit into church culture. This is a man seeking, at all costs, to bridge the gap between his sexuality and his faith. His story is gripping and eye opening, shining light on so many misconceptions about homosexuality within the church and espoused by so many who mean very well.
Perhaps the best part about Torn is that Lee does this without at any point trying to jump through hoops or find loopholes to justify himself. At all points he knows Christians mean well, even as he reveals the increasing ways they have been lied to, causing the growing rift between them and the gay community. Rather than seeking to dismantle church tradition, Lee knows the church rhetoric and spouts it to himself as much as anyone else does, trying to unlock how he can live right with God while knowing that no amount of praying is going to turn him straight. His earnestness is palpable in the pages.
The resulting is a deeply personal story that begs for understanding without Lee at any point insisting his own ideas are right, or trying to draw too firm of conclusions. Rather than attempting to reconcile himself with God, he tries to reconcile the church to the gays they are failing. He longs not to be right, but for a dialogue between gays and the church and, ultimately, the understanding that it does not matter what makes someone gay, whether it's inherent or a choice, or whether all gays are called to celibacy or if a committed same-sex relationship in Christ is possible. It only matters, at the end of the day, that God loves the gays- and we should too.