I remember talking to someone recently and they said, “Why is it that all you Christians talk about is homosexuality?” I told them, “Everyone is talking about homosexuality, not just Christians.”
The topic is in the paper, in Hollywood, at the water-cooler, and increasingly, at the dinner table. Invariably, the question comes to the Christian, “Is God anti-gay?”
We have to be thoughtful in how we answer questions about God and the Bible. We are always required to be faithful, and part of this requires that we graciously adorn the gospel.
Sam Allberry has written a book to help us think through this question as well as other questions about the Bible and same-sex attraction. What makes this book uncommon is its author. Allberry discloses early on that he has lived with same-sex attraction since his early teen years. This fact enables Allberry a unique voice to speak biblically to an increasingly contentious subject.
Through it all, as someone who lives with homosexuality, I have found biblical Christianity to be a wonderful source of comfort and joy. God’s word to me on this issue at times feels confusing and difficult. But it is nevertheless deeply and profoundly good. The gospel of Jesus is wonderful news for someone who experiences same-sex attraction. (p.10)
The book is not about the author however, but the issue. The writer’s story brings a personal texture and experience to the truth that he proclaims.
So, he asks the question, “Is God anti-gay?”
His answer:
No. But he is against who all of us are by nature, as those living apart from him and for ourselves. He’s anti that guy, whatever that guy looks like in each of our lives. But because he is bigger than us, better than us, and able to do these things in ways we would struggle to, God loves that guy too. Loves him enough to carry his burden, take his place, clean him up, make him whole, and unite him for ever to himself. (p. 13)
What he is doing is showing that God is opposed to all sin, including, but not limited to homosexuality. We might say, “God is anti-sin.”
From here the book really asserts its usefulness. In chapter 2 Allberry builds a biblical framework for marriage and sex. And, in subsequent chapters we are walked through biblical answers to some very common and important questions:
- Surely a same-sex partnership is OK if it’s committed and faithful?
- But Jesus never mentions homosexuality, so how can it be wrong?
- Aren’t we just picking and choosing which Old Testament laws apply?
- Can’t Christians just agree to differ on this?
- What should I do if a Christian comes out to me?
A strength of the book is the author’s persistent combination of biblical faithfulness and a gracious tone. While being very transparent, he explains what the Bible says about homosexuality, interacts graciously with objections, points people to Jesus, and pastorally equips others to do the same.
This topic does not appear to be going away any time soon. Sam Allberry has served us well with this concise volume (80 pages). If you want to be equipped to faithfully and graciously speak on this issue, I heartily recommend getting a copy of Is God anti-gay?
Discounted copies are available at Amazon (including Kindle) by clicking here or at Westminster Bookstore.
*Disclosure: if you make purchases at Amazon or Westminster, consider clicking through the links on this blog. It costs you nothing and quietly helps support this blog by giving me a small commission. Thanks!
