Is God Anti-Gay? ebook

John Dickson, Host, the Undeceptions podcast

I know of no more trustworthy resource on the fraught questions around same-sex intimacy than this book. Whether it is Sam’s thoughtful commentary about key biblical terms or whether Jesus mentioned LGBTQ issues, or his generous pastoral response to difficult questions, his writing is marked by intelligence, clarity, and the warmth of a friend rather than the tone of an activist. Recommended for believers and doubters.

Rebecca McLaughlin

What I love about this book is also what I love about my brother, Sam Allberry: Jesus is its central theme. Christian sexual ethics makes no sense without Jesus at its heart. But as Sam helps us see, with Jesus's love for us as the animating center, all other kinds of love click into place. Don't read this book if you don't want to know how much the Son of God loves you, and how much more his love is worth than any other merely human love.

“Honest and Thoughtful”

In this honest, heartfelt book, Sam Allberry shares about some of his experiences as a celibate gay Christian, answering common questions about the Bible, Jesus, and sexuality to dispel common myths and help people better understand a traditional, biblical sexual ethic. Each section is typically just a few pages long, and Allberry's writing is concise and engaging.

This book will primarily appeal to Christians who want to better understand their beliefs, and to Side B Christians who experience same-sex attraction and hold to a traditional ethic themselves. This book can encourage them to hold their ground and live out their beliefs despite cultural pressure, and provides wise encouragement from a seasoned believer who has dealt with similar struggles.

Different sections deals with both theological concepts and practical concerns, such as how to handle someone coming out to you. The advice is gentle, practical, and compassionate, and Allberry's personal experience gives greater gravity to everything he writes. However, I would have liked him to come down harder on ways that churches have harmed gay people. It's absolutely acknowledged, but since it's not addressed in detail, that will make it more difficult for people opposed to his message to hear him out.

The new material makes this book more accessible to non-Christians, but because the book is so very brief, people who already fundamentally disagree with the author are unlikely to get much out of it. There are so many ways that they could counter his arguments and explanations, and additional layers of questioning and argumentation simply can't be addressed in a book of this size. Someone with an opposing view can walk away with a better understanding of what the Christian sexual ethic means in context and why so many Christians believe in it, but this is mainly for people who already share the author's convictions.

“A very important book”

Is God Anti-Gay? Is a much needed book especially in these times that we are in. It is a short book (I read it in one sitting and I am a slow reader) but it is packed with wisdom and is very accessible.
I found the book to be very informative and has been helpful for me to be mindful of how I understand SSE and how I best respond to those who may be struggling in this way.
What I love most about the book is that it is so Christ centred and Sam does a great job of making the point that Jesus is far greater than any of the sins that we desire.
At the end of every chapter Sam provides questions and answers to some of the objections that people may bring which I found to be a very important part of the book to help aid our understanding should we face the same objections.
Overall the book is biblical and practical and one I'm sure that I will return to and recommend to others.

“Clear, Concise, Needed!”

It used to be that to be considered a good writer, that you had to write a book that was full of large theological words and have a unbelievable length that scared people from actually reading it. However, what I have found is that those who cannot actually write to the point and clearly are those who actually are not very good writers, or at least don't have good editors. This is NOT the case for this book.

Sam Allberry has written, a biblically and theologically rich book, while saying it in a very clear way and in a length that can be read in an afternoon. This book is clear, concise, and biblically rich on a topic that the world is talking about and Christians need to be prepared to talk about. Get one for yourself, and maybe another one for a friend and talk through it together. You won't be disappointed.

“Concise, compassionate, informed, knowledge of Christian sexual ethics.”

Sam writes with such compassion, Biblical truth, insight, clarity, grace, love about the Christian response to homosexuals/ SSA/ gay community. It is a posture of our hearts to match God’s loving heart is what is required and Sam brings that across so very well.

“Superb Little Book”

An excellent exploration of the Bible’s teaching on sexuality. 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. The new expanded edition is even better than the first edition and is a must for any Christian seeking to think through how they should approach this topic.