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Examines the arguments used to claim that the Bible affirms same-sex relationships.
You may have heard the claim that the Bible, when read correctly, is not against believers entering monogamous, faithful same-sex relationships. The arguments sound quite compelling. "Jesus never talked about same-sex relationships.” “Paul was only condemning exploitative relationships, not consensual ones.” “We don’t keep the Old Testament food laws, so why would we keep the ones on same-sex sex?” “If God is love, he can’t be against relationships of love.” And more. Have Christians through the ages just been getting this one wrong?
In this concise book, Rebecca McLaughlin looks at ten of the most common arguments used to claim that the Bible affirms same-sex sexual relationships. She analyses the arguments and associated Bible passages one by one to uncover what the Bible really says.
For Rebecca, as someone with a lifelong history of same-sex attraction, this is not just an academic question. But rather than concluding that the Bible does affirm same-sex marriage, she points readers to the gospel purpose of male-female marriage, a different kind of gospel-centred love between believers of the same sex, and God's life-and-love-filled vision for singleness.
Introduction: A Tale of Two Testimonies
Claim 1: Christians Should Just Focus on the Gospel Message of Jesus’ Love
Claim 2: Jesus Was Silent on Same-Sex Relationships
Claim 3: God’s Judgment on Sodom Isn’t a Judgment on Same-Sex Relationships
Claim 4: It’s Inconsistent to Keep the Old Testament Laws on Same-Sex Sex but Not Shellfish
Claim 5: Paul Condemns Exploitative Same-Sex Relationships, Not Consensual Ones
Claim 6: The Word Homosexual Wasn’t Used in Bibles until 1946. It’s a Misinterpretation
Claim 7: Paul Was Condemning Excessive Lust, Not Same-Sex Sexual Orientation
Claim 8: The Trajectory of the Bible Is Toward Abolishing Slavery and Affirming Same-Sex Marriage
Claim 9: Unchosen Celibacy Yields Bad Fruit
Claim 10: A God of Love Can’t Be Against Relationships of Love
Epilogue
| Contributors | Rebecca McLaughlin |
|---|---|
| ISBN | 9781784989729 |
| Format | eBook |
| First published | April 2024 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | The Good Book Company |
This is a timely and sensitive book that offers a positive vision for human relationships. It shows that responsible handling of the Bible can lead to more love, not less.
With sensitivity, faithfulness, and clarity, Rebecca McLaughlin addresses ten questions often raised about the Bible and same-sex relationships. For each, she deftly engages with different interpretations of the Bible’s teaching and, in dialogue with personal stories, provides a more compelling interpretation. A most helpful book for anyone wanting concise, accessible, sensitive, and biblically faithful approaches to these questions.
Rebecca McLaughlin is not afraid to tackle the toughest questions our culture has for Christianity, and in this short book she has again shown her willingness to teach biblical truth clearly, straightforwardly, and compassionately. I hope this book is widely read by both those who agree and those who disagree.
SO helpful! As a pastor I have multiple people wrestling with same sex attraction. Rebecca McLaughlin addresses the main claims of same sex sexuality proponents but from a faithfully biblical perspective. She is refreshingly candid about her own same-sex attractions/temptations as a heterosexual married woman with children. Christ is the only One Who fulfills our desires and focus on Him enables us to live faithfully. I bought 10 of these to give away and will purchase more. Excellent resource!
This book is concise and well-written, and it engages with the heavy topic in a sensitive and respectful way. Rebecca McLaughlin includes stories from her own life and from some of her friends to help contextualize these issues in a personal context, and even though this book includes lots of scholarly content related to interpretations of Scripture, the writing style is highly readable and truly accessible.
McLaughlin engages with ten common arguments in favor of the Bible affirming same-sex relationships, and she acknowledges their stronger points while also showing why they don’t hold up to an accurate understanding of what the Bible teaches. She explores the misunderstandings or distortions behind these arguments, and she presents clear historical and linguistic support for a traditional reading of Scripture. She also engages with some practical issues, such as the importance of the church being a vibrant community of friendship and platonic love for all believers.
Because this book is so brief, McLaughlin cannot engage with every counterargument that someone would make, but she gives these ideas a fair hearing and argues against them in a thoughtful and balanced way. This book will appeal to people who share her stance and want to be able to better articulate it. This is also worthwhile reading for someone who disagrees with the author, because even if the book doesn’t change their mind, it can help them understand where other people are coming from.
I received a free copy from the publisher, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Rebecca McLaughlin is a writing wizard. It amazes me that she can balance truth and kindness. That sort of tenderness is lacking in our public discourse. Also, I must say that this book is a must read for every Christian. In a day where sexual identity has become the idol of the Western World, having this book on hand helps combat the attacks of the enemy.
Given the ambivalent leadership emanating from the Church of England on same sex relationships, this is an essential read for all bible believing Christians. The sensitively written conclusion might be slightly different from what you might expect.
I've read a lot of books on this topic. This one is one of the shortest, but it still manages to cover a lot! The ten claims McLaughlin looks at are ones I've heard people protest to Christianity. McLaughlin addresses each one with both love and truth reminding us that the true treasure in life is not sexual 'fulfillment' but Jesus himself. She corrects our understanding of all relationships and I think all will find hope in these pages.
Rebecca McLaughlin has written another gentle yet insightful and truth-filled book addressing one of the most controversial topics within our culture at the moment. "Does the Bible Affirm Same-Sex Relationships" addresses 10 claims people make to show how the Bible affirms same-sex relationships, and McLaughlin’s discernment and analysis of these arguments are both helpful and encouraging. This book is not meant to condemn but to point to Christ in whom all sinners–that is, everyone–can find eternal life.
The strength of this book is being able to articulate clearly in a short number of pages the biblical argument for sex and marriage to be between a man and woman, but also to elevate other kinds of relationships to their rightful place. It assures those with same-sex attraction that they still belong in the church and they still have a place in sharing in and portraying to others the love of Christ.
This book is short, barely 100 pages, and could easily be read in a day.
It’s not the most exhaustive book on the topic but it hits on 10 popular arguments that people, Christian and otherwise, give claiming that the Bible affirms same-sex sexual relationships.
The author is writing to us because she has been there and she currently is there. A place where she experiences same-sex attraction. She tried so hard to read the Bible in a way that affirms her heart’s longing.
She also shares the stories of some of her friends who had their own journeys of struggle and of coming to the Bible to shape it to their needs. But they all came to the conclusion that the Bible is clear in what it teaches.
“Following Jesus means being willing to give up everything— even our most treasured hopes, dreams, and relationships… Jesus is the treasure. When we find him, we find our life. And as we give ourselves to Jesus, we will find that we have gained each other too.”
How do you handle questions on the issue of same sex attraction, and the potential arguments some have that the Bible is supportive of same sex practice? Rebecca McLaughlin has systematically and carefully explored the main arguments that are being made, and shows how we can respond authoritatively yet sensitively to those claims. A very helpful resource to have on your bookshelf.
The personal gentleness of the writer oozes throughout this book, as does the biblical faithfulness and concern for compassionate truth and truthful compassion.
Each chapter is short but/and sufficient to address the concerns of many.
This is helpful for Christians, in equipping us for conversations with others, and yet so well written, it would be good to be given to anyone interested but questionning.
Rebecca McLaughlin speaks directly to the issue of same-sex relationships, but she does so with compassions and empathy. At the same time, her answers to the questions are biblically based - not simply proof-texting but thoughtfully reasoned. Her inclusion of cultural context was also helpful, especially in contrasting Jesus and Paul's handling of sexual matters (i.e. the argument that Jesus did not address same-sex relationships). The book is succinct and accessible, a must read for those who desire to have a biblical understanding of this issue.
