Is God anti-gay?: and other questions about homosexuality, the Bible and same-sex attraction (Practical and sensitive exploration of the Bible's teaching on sexuality) (Questions Christians Ask)

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A complimentary review copy was provided to me by Cross Focused Reviews (A Service of Cross Focused Media, LLC).

Unfortunately, it is worth questioning whether queer persons struggle with Allberry’s notion of “same-sex attraction,” or struggle with those leaders who commodify Allberry’s very identity as a mascot for anemic bastardizations of the Word of God.Little of this material is new; Alberry’s virtue is his ability to explain it winsomely in short space, backed up by his personal testimony and experience.

For some, SSA may be a serious but temporary temptation; for others, however, it will be a lifelong struggle. addresses the topic of homosexuality—or as Allberry prefers, “same-sex attraction”—in the Christian context. Ever since I have been open about my own experiences with homosexuality, a number of Christians have said something like this: 'the gospel must be harder for you than it is for me', as though I have more to give up than they do.Sam has a real Pastor’s heart, seeing to show how God’s vision for marriage between one man and one woman is good news for us today rather than depress us with a series of rules. Christians, the church and the Bible seem to be out of step with modern attitudes towards homosexuality. Allberry, a single pastor in England who has struggled with same-sex attraction for years, is firm on truth and orthodoxy while still being compassionate to those who deal with this particular temptation. This is an excellent book to understand what the Bible says about homosexuality and the approach Christians should be taking. I am grateful that in this simple summary Allberry makes it clear that the Gospel is not just about salvation (all too easily reduced to just heaven), but about new life, a fresh start, an offer, something bound up in death and resurrection.

A strategy of the deceiver is to place a barrier between people with SSA and the church, a wall that divides. Then he provides a brief overview of the various texts throughout Scripture that directly address homosexual behavior. However, alongside this caveat, Sam affirms that what the Bible does have to say about homosexuality is clear and important. Sam Allberry discusses the issues he himself encountered, and offers a way to stay faithful to the Bible while not denying his essential identity. In the introduction, he says, "Above all I want people to realise how good Jesus is, in this area of life and in every area of life.On this point, he helpfully cautions: “I believe change is possible, but a complete change of sexual orientation is never promised in the Bible” (46). While I would not express things exactly as Allberry does in this book, I found it to be soundly biblical, warm, kind, and pastoral- a book worth recommending to any member of my church or anyone struggling with the Bible's clear teaching on homosexuality.