If you want more heat than light, try raising the topic of homosexuality. Too often the subject becomes a shouting match. Emotions run high and accusations fly. What is needed is a thoughtful, careful conversation, and Sam Allberry is the type of guide needed today.
Allberry is a pastor in Maidenhead, England, and is a man who has faced same-sex attraction throughout his life. Rather than allowing his identity to be shaped by his feelings of sexuality, Allberry has sought to let his definition of self come from the good news of Jesus Christ. He writes:
“It sounds clunky to describe myself as ‘someone who experiences same-sex attraction’. But describing myself like this is a way for me to recognize that the kind of sexual attractions I experience are not fundamental to my identity. They are part of what I feel but are not who I am in a fundamental sense. I am far more than my sexuality.”
Allberry presents a picture of God’s good design in sexuality as seen in Genesis 1 & 2. He explores how sin has corrupted all things, including our sexuality, and how sin has created challenges for each one of us. He then examines what the Bible has to say about homosexuality, including many of the common questions people raise, including:
- Jesus never mentioned homosexuality, but focused on love – so isn’t love what matters?
- Isn’t a faithful, committed same-sex relationship okay?
- Aren’t Christians just picking and choosing which Old Testament laws to apply?
- Can’t Christians just agree to disagree on this issue?
- What should I do if someone comes out?
While many would contend that mere belief in a Christian sexual ethic is bigoted, intolerant, and hateful, Allberry notes that “what marks us out as Christians is not that we never experience such things, but how we respond to them when we do.” God is not anti-gay, but against sin that destroys and minimizes humanity.
Allberry’s vulnerability and honesty is refreshing, as is his call for the church to be a loving community. Having been cared for by his church, Allberry commends the good news of Christ’s death and resurrection to us – if God so loved us, then we ought to love one another with the same kind of love: “We need to love [people who face same-sex attraction] more than their gay friends do, and we need to love them more than they love their homosexuality. Only then can we point to the greater love that God as for them.”
If you want to hear more about Sam’s story, watch this 4-minute video. Or you can pick up his brief (83 pages!) and helpful book here. Check out “Living Out” – a ministry seeking to help people facing same-sex attraction. You’ll be challenged and encouraged.
~Pastor Andrew
P.S.
I was asked about my summer reading list. Here are four books that will sneak into my suitcase:
David McCullough, The Wright Brothers – The history of two courageous brothers who taught the world to fly.
Zack Eswine, Spurgeon’s Sorrows: Realistic Hope for Those Who Suffer from Depression – lessons learned from a man greatly used by God who was afflicted with melancholy.
Mark Dever & Jamie Dunlop, The Compelling Community: Where God’s Power Makes A Church Attractive – Biblical principles to glorify God, edify saints, and attract the lost.
Richard Middleton, A New Heaven & A New Earth: Reclaiming Biblical Eschatology – because what would holidays be without some end times reading?!?