Homosexuality is a topic that is prevalent in the
headlines today and many Christians are still unsure as to how we are supposed
to address this. But in this new book entitled Is God Anti-Gay? Sam Allberry explored the deeper questions that
Christians are asking about homosexuality and how are Christians supposed to
respond.
Sam Allberry is an associate pastor of St Mary’s Church
in Maidenhead, United Kingdom. He admitted throughout the book that he has
experienced homosexual feelings. He openly stated that he doesn’t define
himself as gay because using the term gay labels an identity. He promptly specified
that, “It is a part of the picture, but does not get to the heart of who I am.
So I prefer to talk in terms of being someone who experiences homosexual
feelings, or same-sex attraction.” (Page 9). He shared that over the years when
he expressed to his church that he was struggling with same-sex attraction,
most people reached out to him and encouraged him and prayed for him. They didn’t
reject him and make him feel like an outcast. They showed him the true message
of Christ.
The first chapter enclosed the significance of marriage and
that it is between a man and a woman. Sam Allberry begins discussing that God
created Adam and he made Eve from his body. Genesis 2:24 decrees that a man shall
leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife. When two people say their
vows and say I do they have been knitted together and they are now in union
with each other. Marriage is about two flesh becoming one flesh. Sam also explained
the gift God has freely given to married couples and it is the special connection
of making love and having sex. This is also the physical act of two flesh
becoming one. God commanded Adam and Eve to be fruitful and multiply and to
reproduce children. Having children is supposed to be grounded in marriage. He
also pointed out that marriage is meant to imitate our relationship with the
three person Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). Sam clarified that he has seen
many gay couples display commitment to each other but it’s impossible for male
and male or female and female to become one flesh.
The second chapter of the book covered what the
scriptures have to say about homosexuality. Sam Allberry stressed the critical
reminder that homosexuality is now the whole message of the Bible. We need to focus
on the newness that is found in Christ and the forgiveness that He offers. He
pointed out that Genesis 19 enclosed the hidden sins found in the city of Sodom.
For example, some of the sins were adultery, lying, oppression, criminals,
arrogance, not assisting the poor, and homosexuality. One of the sins isn’t any
greater than the others but they still faced the judgment of God. In Genesis
19, two angelic prophets were staying with Lot and a crowd of men gathered and
demanded to have sex with the two men. Jude 7 is very vocal about how the
cities Sodom and Gomorrah struggled with sexual sins and this is an extreme example
of punishment of fire for their sins. Next, Sam looks at Leviticus 18 and 20
and both of these verses stated that men shouldn’t lie with another man. The
rest of the chapter addressed many more scriptures against homosexuality. The
author went into the deep questions of, “Surely a same-sex partnership is OK if
it’s committed and faithful” and “But Jesus never mentions homosexuality, so
how it be wrong?”
Chapter three discussed homosexuality and the Christian
and it contained tips on what to do if you’re experiencing same-sex attraction.
Sam Allberry stated that many people who struggle with same-sex attraction feel
unclean or even damaged goods. But Christ message is that He is able to forgive
all sins and wipe all of our sins away. This chapter covered the vital
question, “Can God change our sexual desire?” He also goes into detail about
the gift of reminding single and what scriptures verses have to say about it. He
addressed the main struggles that homosexual Christian encounter and have to deal
with.
Chapter four revealed how churches are supposed to respond
to homosexuals in their church. A common problem that they feel is rejection
from Christians. But Christ message is for all and for anyone who believes that
He is Lord and He died for their sins. This chapter talked about what to do if
gay couples begin to attend your church and how do you handle it.
Chapter five addressed the precarious way to share the
true message of Christ with a homosexual person. This chapter shared how to
handle and react when someone has come out to you and says that they are gay.
As you can see, this book was written for today’s times
and it is a topic that many Christians are wondering on how to respond to
homosexuality. For that reason, I would recommend this brilliant book on the subject
to all Christians and church members. This book would be an enormous resource
for any church leader or pastor. Even though the book is a short book written
in about 83 pages, it has powerful concepts and life changing principles on
addressing homosexuality and how we are called to love everyone and exhibit Christ’s
love boldly. This is the very first book that I have read on the theme of
same-sex attraction and homosexuality. I will admit that I haven’t had a lot of
friends who struggle with homosexuality and it’s not something that I have
witnessed much of personally. But the book still impacted me into making sure
that if I do/ went I do come across someone that is gay that I must love them
just like Christ. I immensely loved that it was written from the view point of
Christians. Sam Allberry did an excellent job at exposing the hidden truths
found in the word of God about homosexuality and he even presented an outstanding
aspect about marriage and two flesh becoming one. The book has the potential to
influence many Christians into being the church that they we are called to be
and welcoming gays into our churches. Many Christians will have great difficult
doing this, and if that is you, then this is a must read for you! Remember that
Christ came and died for all sinners. This book is an essential read for every Christian
who is confused on how to handle homosexuality.
“I received this book for free from
Cross Focused Reviews / The Good Book Company for this
review”.
If you would like to purchase a copy of Is God Anti-Gay, then check it out on The
Good Book Company or Amazon.com:
Check
out the book trailer:
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1 comments:
Andrew,
Thanks for contributing to the blog tour.
Shaun Tabatt
Cross Focused Reviews
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