Can you be gay and Christian? Does the Bible really require celibacy outside of heterosexual marriage? Isn’t it unrealistic and unfair, imposing loneliness and the loss of basic human satisfactions like sex and marriage? Is what the church teaches about homosexuality a plausible way of life?
In this honest book, Ed Shaw shares his pain in dealing with same-sex attraction – and yet he is committed to what the Bible says and what the church has always taught about marriage and sex. He shows us that obedience to Jesus is ultimately the only way to experience life to the full.
He also challenges missteps that the church has often made in its understanding of the Christian life and of sexuality. We have been shaped by the world around us, and urgently need to re-examine the values that drive our discipleship in the light of the Bible.
Only by reclaiming the reality of gospel discipleship, can we truly appreciate that life in Christ is the best way for all of us to flourish – whoever we are attracted to.
Table of Content
Foreword by Vaughan Roberts
1. The plausibility problem
2. The plausibility problem and me
Misstep no. 1: ‘Your identity is your sexuality.’
Misstep no. 2: ‘A family is Mum, Dad and 2.4 children.’
Misstep no. 3: ‘If you’re born gay, it can’t be wrong to be gay.’
Misstep no. 4: ‘If it makes you happy, it must be right!’
Misstep no. 5: ‘Sex is where true intimacy is found.’
Misstep no. 6: ‘Men and women are equal and interchangeable.’
Misstep no. 7: ‘Godliness is heterosexuality.’
Misstep no. 8: ‘Celibacy is bad for you.’
Misstep no. 9: ‘Suffering is to be avoided.’
Conclusion
Appendix 1: The plausibility of the traditional interpretation of Scripture
Appendix 2: The implausibility of the new interpretations of Scripture
Acknowledgments
Recommended reading
Notes
About the author
Ed Shaw is the pastor of Emmanuel City Centre in Bristol, England, and part of the editorial team at Living Out (www.livingout.org). He loves his family and friends, church and city, gin and tonic, and music and books.
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