Review: Is God anti-gay? by Sam Allberry

Is God Anti-gay? And Other Questions About Homosexuality, the Bible and Same-sex Attraction.

Sam Allberry

The Good Book Company: UK

2013, 2014

As a Christian, how am I supposed to think about the issue of homosexuality? How am I supposed to interact--in the workplace, in the family, or in the church--with those who have "come out" and identified as being homosexual? What do I say when an advocate for homosexuality accuses me of picking and choosing which Bible verses apply and which do not?  And what do I do if a Christian tells me that they are attracted to the same sex?

These are some of the issues that Christians are struggling with in this brave, new world in which we live. We want to remain faithful to the Bible, but the current pull of society is a strong one, and many are struggling with how to integrate their faith with the real-world issues of same-sex attraction (here after SSA).

If these questions and struggles resonate with you, then this little book is just what you have been looking for. It is not written to those who are struggling with SSA so much as it is written to those who are struggling with unanswered questions related to the issue of SSA, and specifically, how we as Christians can be faithful to Scripture and still be vessels of God's love to those who identify as having same-sex attraction.

This is a quick read (only 85 pages of text), but it is rich and deep and unlike some other books on the subject, it is extremely readable. After an autobiographical introduction, Sam organizes his material into five brief chapters, concluding with some helpful insights into the question, "What should I do if a Christian comes out to me?" The remainder of this review will focus on summarizing the main ideas of the book.

Chapter one addresses what the Bible says about sex and marriage, because Sam believes that before we ask what the Bible says about homosexuality, we must begin with what it says in general about sex and marriage (p.13). Only when we understand God's mind on these subjects will we be equipped to understand what He says about homosexuality and SSA.

Having established the biblical idea of marriage, chapter two addresses the specific texts of the Scriptures that speak directly to the issue of homosexuality, including responses to common objections to the traditional interpretations of these texts. As has been pointed out by Christians and non-Christians alike, there are not many texts that address this subject, but as Sam points out, infrequent references do not mean that the matter is not important. What it does tell us is that the Bible is not so much "fixated" on homosexuality as it is on placing the issue in the broader context of what the Bible is primarily about--"the announcement of what God has done for us in Christ, and the need for repentance and faith" (pp.25-26). The chapter concludes by helpfully addressing the common view that it is permissible to be in a committed same-sex relationship.

Chapter three begins with the provocative statement, "We should expect a number of Christians to experience forms of same-sex attraction" (p.43). This may seem shocking, but Sam reveals his reasoning for believing this. He roots it directly in the doctrines of the Fall and depravity. He writes, "Christians succumb to the ravages of this fallen order as much as anyone" (ibid). He continues:

Being Christian makes us no less likely to fall ill, face tragedy, or experience insecurity. It is not un-christian to experience same-sex attraction any more than it is un-christian to get sick. What marks us out as Christian is not that we never experience such things, but how we respond to them when we do" (ibid, emphasis mine).

When viewed from this perspective, SSA is no longer just some particularly deplorable sin, but a consequence of the depravity shared by all of us, just like anger, jealousy, heterosexual lust, etc. This idea needs to be carefully fleshed out, but I think Sam is on the right track. The bulk of the chapter is then made up of some pastoral encouragements on how a Christian struggling with SSA should respond, including an excellent discussion on the sensitive subject of singleness.

How should the church handle the issue of homosexuality? What should be the response if a homosexual couple begins to attend a church that believes that the practice is sinful? These and other related questions are helpfully addressed in chapter four. There is absolutely no suggestion that the issue can be just overlooked or ignored, but rather Sam encourages an appropriate timing for the conversation, and exhorts churches to ground that conversation in the gospel, rather then the sexual issue (p.65). Sam also has some valuable suggestions for how a local church can support Christians who are facing with SSA (pp.66-71).

Chapter five is loaded with suggestions and encouragements for how to have a conversation about homosexuality out in the marketplace. Just as with any lost person, the center of our message is the gospel. The gospel message is a difficult one for people to hear, and that is particularly true when it comes to the issue of homosexuality in our highly-charged current atmosphere. But it remains the only message that offers any hope. Here Sam's wisdom is invaluable as he guides the reader through some recommendations on how to share Christ with someone who is gay.

Finally, Sam concludes by addressing a fear that most Christians have: what do I do if a Christian comes out to me? (pp.84-85). What do I say? Sam's encouragement is twofold: 1) Thank them for trusting you with this disclosure. And 2), listen, pray with them, and encourage them:

"The Christian actively wrestling with these feelings, striving to flee from temptation, wanting to honor Christ and walk faithfully with him--they'll need encouragement, prayers and people to talk to from time to time" (p.85).

Paul's encouragement to the Galatians is surely an encouragement to us as well when we find ourselves with the responsibility of encouraging a fellow believer struggling with SSA:

"Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ" (Gal.6:1 NASB). 

I have been looking for a book like this one for some time. It is timely, sensitive, and rich in wisdom for such a time as this. I commend it to you!

http://www.amazon.com/God-anti-gay-Questions-Christians-Ask/dp/1908762314

http://www.christianbook.com/is-god-anti-gay/sam-allberry/9781908762313/pd/762313