You may have heard the claim that the Bible, when read correctly, is not against believers entering monogamous, faithful same-sex relationships. The arguments sound quite compelling. "Jesus never talked about same-sex relationships.” “Paul was only condemning exploitative relationships, not consensual ones." “We don’t keep the Old Testament food laws, so why would we keep the ones on same-sex sex?” “If God is love, he can’t be against relationships of love.” And more. Have Christians through the ages just been getting this one wrong?
In this concise book, Rebecca McLaughlin looks at ten of the most common arguments used to claim that the Bible affirms same-sex sexual relationships. She analyzes the arguments and associated Bible passages one by one to uncover what the Bible really says.
For Rebecca, as someone with a lifelong history of same-sex attraction, this is not just an academic question. But rather than concluding that the Bible does affirm same-sex marriage, she points readers to the gospel purpose of male-female marriage, a different kind of gospel-centered love between believers of the same sex, and God's life-and-love-filled vision for singleness.
(Review written for 'Does the Bible Affirm Same-Sex Relationships?')
A great little book! It is split into very short, very readable chapters, each filled with relatable stories and biblical insight. I thought the ten questions she tackled gave a great overview to the truths and challenges in the world of understanding sexuality.
SO helpful! As a pastor I have multiple people wrestling with same sex attraction. Rebecca McLaughlin addresses the main claims of same sex sexuality proponents but from a faithfully biblical perspective. She is refreshingly candid about her own same-sex attractions/temptations as a heterosexual married woman with children. Christ is the only One Who fulfills our desires and focus on Him enables us to live faithfully. I bought 10 of these to give away and will purchase more. Excellent resource!
(Review written for 'Does the Bible Affirm Same-Sex Relationships?')
This book is concise and well-written, and it engages with the heavy topic in a sensitive and respectful way. Rebecca McLaughlin includes stories from her own life and from some of her friends to help contextualize these issues in a personal context, and even though this book includes lots of scholarly content related to interpretations of Scripture, the writing style is highly readable and truly accessible.
McLaughlin engages with ten common arguments in favor of the Bible affirming same-sex relationships, ...and she acknowledges their stronger points while also showing why they don’t hold up to an accurate understanding of what the Bible teaches. She explores the misunderstandings or distortions behind these arguments, and she presents clear historical and linguistic support for a traditional reading of Scripture. She also engages with some practical issues, such as the importance of the church being a vibrant community of friendship and platonic love for all believers.
Because this book is so brief, McLaughlin cannot engage with every counterargument that someone would make, but she gives these ideas a fair hearing and argues against them in a thoughtful and balanced way. This book will appeal to people who share her stance and want to be able to better articulate it. This is also worthwhile reading for someone who disagrees with the author, because even if the book doesn’t change their mind, it can help them understand where other people are coming from.
I received a free copy from the publisher, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
