Born Again This Way ebook

I thank God for Rachel Gilson. She has written a book that is both a biblically faithful and a very personal explanation of and rationale for what the Bible says about human sexuality. She writes to all of us, but especially to those who deal with the pain and confusion of same-sex attraction and sexual dysphoria. She knows this pain from the inside. So while she addresses these issues with theological carefulness, she does so with tremendous compassion, helping us to see that God’s design for sexuality really is very good, merciful news.

This is a brilliant book by a remarkable writer with an astonishing story and a decade of theological training. It offers no glib before-and-after narrative, but is a practical guide for sinners—same-sex attracted and otherwise—who dare to believe that Jesus is the best lover. I wish I could have given it to my younger self.

This book is worth reading just to learn about and rejoice in God’s work through Rachel. But the book offers so much more, with rich biblical reflection on identity, marriage, singleness, romance, friendship, and more. Rachel’s honesty and clarity make this book useful for sharing in so many diverse contexts, whether you’re wanting to investigate Jesus and his gospel or you’re leading in the church.

Born Again This Way is a heartfelt, wise, and hope-filled book. In it, Rachel Gilson offers same-sex-attracted Christians and those who love them a Christ-centered and story-driven reflection on how to thrive in Christ. Not content to speak in generalities, Rachel delves into the practical every- day struggles of same-sex attracted Christians, speaking to questions about friendship, singleness, sex, and identity. The result is a warmly compassionate and theologically perceptive harvest of insights that will inform, challenge, and encourage the reader. Highly recommended.

Rachel Gilson’s life is a testimony to the sufficiency and power of the Scriptures. Her book is a testimony to a living faith that is based on that sufficiency and power. Rachel doesn’t just read Scripture faithfully—she lives it faithfully too. And her book challenges me, likewise, to grow in my faith beyond a life of comfort and easy answers.

This book has been missing from the shelves of the LGBT+ conversation for too long. People who are walking (or wondering if they should walk) a similar path to Rachel’s will feel seen, known, and loved as they read these tenderhearted and gospel-centered pages.

Rachel Gilson masterfully and disarmingly presents a winsome narrative and a solid Christian theology of sexuality that is much needed in to- day’s world. With so much confusion and polarization surrounding such issues, she offers a refreshingly honest perspective that is balanced and nuanced; there is lament and there is satisfaction, and amazingly they can coexist! Reading this book feels like you are sitting at coffee with her and that she cares for you.

This book is a pastoral gold mine full of biblical advice for us all—mov- ingly illustrated by the lives of Rachel and her friends. It wonderfully tells of how same-sex attracted people can both become Christians and stay Christian in a world which often believes that neither is possible.

This is a rich and unique contribution to the myriad stories of gay or same-sex attracted Christians who have committed to the counter-cultural centre of truth and love where Jesus is Lord. Rachel Gilson explores the vital territory of God’s good news about our desires and demonstrates that in Christ, our destination is to live in the greater satisfaction of holiness. As a same-sex attracted woman, Rachel's depiction of journeying through marriage with her husband, and of coming to knowing Jesus more deeply through her wrestle with sexuality, is a great gift and truly a must-read for all.