God Believes in Love: Straight Talk About Gay Marriage

by Gene Robinson

From the Bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire in the Episcopal Church, the first openly gay person elected (in 2003) to the historic episcopate and the world's leading religious spokesperson for gay rights and gay marriage—a groundbreaking book that lovingly and persuasively makes the case for same-sex marriage using a commonsense, reasoned, religious argument, made by someone who holds the religious text of the Bible to be holy and sacred and the ensuing two millennia of church history to be relevant to the discussion, equally familiar with the secular and political debate going on in America today, and for whom same-sex marriage is a personal issue; Robinson was married to a woman for two decades and is a father of two children and has been married to a man for the last four years of a twenty-three-year relationship.

Genres: Nonfiction, Religion, LGBT, Christianity, Christian, Theology, Queer

196 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

GENE ROBINSON was born and raised in Lexington, Kentucky, and graduated from the University of the South with a B.A. in American studies and history. He completed the MDiv degree in 1973 at the General Theological Seminary in New York, and was ordained deacon and then priest, serving as curate at Christ Church, Ridgewood, NJ. Robinson is a Senior Fellow at American Progress. He was elected bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire in 2003, having served as Canon to the Ordinary (assistant to the bishop) for nearly eighteen years.

Reviews

[Terri Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am a very liberal person who has always supported gay rights including gay marriage. On the other hand, I am an historian well versed in ancient cultures/history/mythology. It always strikes me as funny when people want to cling to christian mythology while at the same time trying to find a way to twist and mold what the bible says to what they WISH it said.

Here are the facts:
(1) The bible says that for a man to lie with another man sexually as he would with a woman is an abomination. Ditto for women doing the same with women. This is written directly and plainly.

(2) The bible says that those who do these things (gay/lesbian sex and relationships) are to be murdered (stoned to death).

(3) The character of "Jesus" says quite plainly that not one word of the Old Testament was to be changed or done away with until the end of the world.

(4) The world has not yet ended (As an Atheist, I don't expect it to).

(5) Therefore, what was said about gay/lesbian love being an abomination calling for the death penalty still stands regardless of what else is said about loving ones' neighbors.

What exactly is it about this that this gay minister does not understand? Plenty it seems. He spends the whole book trying to twist and mold the bible's very plain words to suit himself. Sorry, fella, it says what it says and if you truly believe the book, you have to take it as it is.

Fortunately, I am an Atheist with no ancient fairytales to believe in and no male bosses in the sky so I am free to support gay marriage.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

God Believes in Love is a wonderful delving into the subject of gay marriage.

It's a short book, and an easy read - but it covers all the bases.

Why talk about this now? Why should I care about it if I'm not gay? What does the Bible really say about it? Isn't this really more about validating immoral behavior than equal rights?

This is a major issue facing Christians today. To put our head in the sand and try to ignore it is almost as bad as taking an anti-gay stance without any understanding of what it is to be gay or any reading of the what the Bible really means when it seems to be talking about it.

If, in our society today, we think we don't know anyone who is gay, we better think again. And if we want to truly show the love of God to the world, then we better be working harder to understand those of this world that are being oppressed. As the title of the book suggests, this is an issue of love. Spend some time with it if you want to broaden your understanding.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I am already a firm believer in gay marriage, I saw Mr. Robinson on The Daily Show, and was so impressed by how kind and funny he seemed. I was curious about his book once he mentioned that he specifically discusses the Bible verses often used to mark homosexuality as evil and wrong. After checking it out from the library, I am thinking I may have to get a copy to keep.

Robinson, as most know, is the first openly gay Bishop of any faith in the United States. As such, he does have an underlying desire to see gay marriage become commonplace and DOMA disappear. And he makes no bones about how being gay and not allowed to wed for so long affected his life. However, he does get into scholarly research, as well as many explanations with regards to the history of the Bible and those within it. It was interesting to read many things I never knew, and how important context is to even the words of Jesus himself.

The only downside to the book is that Robinson does tend to repeat himself a little more than I would like, but I'm guessing it has to do with how the book was put together. Each chapter is about one main argument/question, and his rebuttal/answer. So naturally, some of the answers will tend to overlap a little bit.

For me, the mark of a good nonfiction book is whether it makes me ask more questions, and gives me the desire to do more research myself. This book did that. Again, I'm all for gay marriage, and I agree with the fact that it is a civil rights issue NOT a religion issue. Or shouldn't be, anyway. It was the history and the context he used during his arguments that had me fascinated and wanting to learn more.

This is a book well worth reading, regardless of where you stand. He makes rational, thought-out arguments, that at the very least might make you think a bit more. I want to have a copy on hand so I can go back to the conversation when words fail me in the future :)

[MAP · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written by Gene Robinson, the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal church. I was raised in a (very conservative - 1920s prayer book, yo) Episcopal church, but with (fairly) liberal parents, so I remember back when he was consecrated, all my very religiously conservative college friends were horrified, and I was going "Wooop woooop Episcopalians! Y'alls my boys!"

So needless to say this book what somewhat preaching to the choir for me, which is why I have a hard time reviewing it. I always think an important part of reviewing a book that makes a specific case or argument for something is how well it does it, and that's always hard to do when I'm already convinced. That said, I think it's nicely broken down into chapters, each one intending to answer a different question. I didn't agree with him on every Biblical interpretation, especially regarding the cultural interpretation of Jesus telling John and Mary that they are now each other's mother/son at the end of his life, but I never agree with everything from any religious source anyway, so that's hardly a giant blow to the book.

The main flaw for me is that starting around chapter 6, he starts to repeat himself. A lot. As in, entire paragraphs are almost verbatim from chapter to chapter, and it made me wonder if these were originally many separate articles that got squished into one book. I really really wish editors would pick up on these things, because I certainly do, and it makes me craaaaaaaaaaazy.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommended for any person of faith, regardless of what side of marriage equality you are on. Very reasoned, intelligent analysis of the same-sex marriage debate, which addresses all the arguments that are made against it -- then refutes these arguments by pointing out that not only are they unconstitutional, but that they are misinterpreting the supposed Biblical edicts against marriage.

Here's one of the many great passages:
"I believe (marriage) is the crucible in which we come to know most deeply about love. It is in marriage that God's will for me to love all of humankind gets focused on one person. That opportunity to love one person and to have that love sanctioned and supported by the culture in which we live is a right denied gay and lesbian people for countless centuries. It's time to open that opportunity to all of us. Because in the end, God believes in love."

[Nancy Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great little book for those who have honest questions about gay marriage and are looking for clear, well thought out answers. It would also be helpful to anyone who is sympathetic to the cause of marriage equality but doesn't know how to explain their views to friends and relatives who may not understand them or who object to gay marriage on religious grounds. Each chapter presents an argument against gay marriage and then carefully and logically refutes it. A well organized and thoughtful treatment of a very important subject.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful, affirming explanation for why gay marriage is good for society, heterosexual marriage, and Christianity. Even for those familiar with pro-gay marriage arguments, the chapters on Biblical interpretation and history make it worth a read. It’s rare I read a book on a politically-charged topic that leaves me with the warm and fuzzies. This book did. Beyond his arguments for gay marriage, Bishop Robinson also does a good job reminding us all of why marriage - regardless of gender - still matters. Highly recommended.

[Daniel Bushman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I agree with this man almost entirely, regarding a reasonable Christian perspective on the issue of marriage equality. I continually found my own opinions, being put into words, yet with much more elaboration, and many more references. I wish there was a way I could make this book required reading for any Christian who wants to discuss marriage equality with me. Not that I would expect any one of them to be swayed, and agree with it all, but at least it could be used as a starting place for rational discussion.

[emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started strong, then got pretty repetitive. Good ideas, but you can tell this was written in 2012. Lacking a lot of nuance, and for that reason I would recommend other authors who tackle the same subject.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoughtful, heartfelt rebuttal to gay “side B” Christians in the public eye like Laurie Krieg and Jackie Hill Perry.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"In the end, I came to believe that being gay was no better and no worse than being straight and that like everyone else I was a child of God, loved by God beyond my wildest imagining. The problem was no with God loving me. The problem was with loving myself."

"Imagine beginning the self-alienation at an early age: 'There's something about me, integral to me, that I can never, ever share with anyone - and especially not those who love me, because it will certainly mean losing their love.' Imagine pretending from adolescence onward that I am interested in and attracted to people I'm not interested in or attracted to - and at the same time stripping from my outward actions and words any indication of who I am interested in and attracted to. What does it do to a child to learn at a quite early age to filter absolutely everything I say - to rid it of every indication of what is really going on with me? To learn as an adult to never mention to my co-workers what I did over the weekend and whom I did it with? To deflect all attempts by my well-meaning friends to set me up with someone of the opposite sex? To completely compartmentalize my life into the 'respectable' parts versus the unspeakable parts? To feel 'less than' in every possible way? And to live in constant fear that the real me will be discovered and everything I have worked for and hoped for will go down in shameful flames? That is what it would mean to walk in a gay man's or lesbian's shoes."

"Being gay is not about what we do; it’s about who we are. It is impossible to overstate the importance of this and the degree to which heterosexual people don’t understand it. The word 'homosexual' seems to define us solely in terms of the gender of the person we’re sexually intimate with. There is much more to us than our sexuality. And besides, many gay and lesbian people—some very young, and some very old—have never been sexually intimate with anyone of the same gender, yet they know and understand themselves as gay. It’s more about the lens through which we see the world. It’s about our history of being an oppressed and discriminated-against minority. It’s about the culture that colludes to make us feel unworthy, immoral, and dirty. Every person, gay or straight, encounters the world in a particular body, with a particular sexual orientation. It affects every interaction, whether with the same or the opposite gender. That orientation affects every relationship, every encounter with another person, even if the relationship is not romantic or sexual in any way. It affects the chemistry of a relationship and the nature of the human interaction. And that is true whether or not a person has ever 'acted on' the same-sex attractions he or she has felt."

"Some religious groups now attempt to sound gay-positive by saying that being gay is not a problem-as long as you don't act on those attracted. This reduces being gay to sexual acts. Not only is it an affront to those of us who are gay; it is simply silly. I would argue that I am "gay" all the time, waking and sleeping. I am not just gay when I am making love to someone of the same gender, but all the time. "Gay" is who I am, a whole constellation of ways in which I see and engage the world."

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gene Robinson is the first widely known priest in an openly gay relationship to be consecrated a bishop in a major Christian denomination. He outlines the areas of the bible that discuss gay behavior, showing the distinction likely between this behavior (often in the setting of idolatry or rape) in contrast to modern day same partner relationships. His personal experiences nicely compliments his didactic arguments.

My favorite line in the book "I believe in marriage. I believe it is a crucible in which we come to know most deeply about love. It is in marriage that God's will for me to love all of humankind gets focused in one person. It is impossible to love humankind if I can't love the one person. The opportunity to love one person and to have that love sanctioned and supported by the culture in which we live is a right denied gay and lesbian people for countless centuries. It's time to open that opportunity to all of us. Because in the end, God believes in love."

[Duff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhat unclear exactly who he is addressing in the book. Some really good points about civil and religious "marriage" and how the two are intersecting in our concept of the issue of gay marriage. Helps to sort out the what both really mean. Made it clearer what the civil rights issues are in marriage equality. It almost seems that the various chapters were written to stand alone at some point, as he reiterates ideas/positions almost verbatim in different parts of the book. Worth reading, not a must read, though.

[Christine Farmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

this heartfelt, easy to read defense of gay marriage from a bishop is something i think everyone should read.

i don't agree with everything robinson asserts, and have some questions about how he gets to his conclusions, he has some excellent insights and makes some very challenging points.

as a left leaning former megachurch attender who is very fond of Jesus but struggling with some aspects of "Churchianity", this book asked many of the same questions i've been asking for a while. it was very refreshing.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of a 2.5 - I gave it 3 stars because I quite like Gene Robinson and clearly agree with his argument, but at the end of it, I felt like the book neither presented great theological arguments nor anything supremely rooted in fact or history. There were shockingly no footnotes and a great deal of the use of words like "many" and "generally," etc. Which is to say... it just kind of felt like Gene Robinson sitting at a dinner party having a conversation about same-gender marriage. And I've had those conversations before.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was written in 2012, so a lot of the justifications for gay marriage are pretty well known, although sadly, not everyone is in the boat with them yet. For me, the best chapter was the one that reviews the verses of the Bible that are used to argue against homosexuality and puts them in the context of the time when they were written, thus showing that they are not actually anti-homosexuality as we understand it today.

[Tom Lank · Rating 4 out of 5]

Repetitive in places, but some strong arguments nonetheless. Some that I hadn't seen anywhere else. All the more powerful because of his personal experience. One tidbit that will stick with me is that priests were not involved in weddings until the 12th century and did not have a central role in the ceremony until the 13th.

[Jerry Neves · Rating 4 out of 5]

More people need to read this book. It's too bad that they won't.

[Megan Summers · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a heterosexual, Christian conservative, I entered the reading of this book with an open mind, but there are several things that still did not make sense:

1. What is he arguing? God's approval of gay marriage? The right to legal and civil rights afforded to committed, loving, gay relationships? It is unclear, and does not follow a succinct pattern. If he's arguing the legal rights afforded to gay people in marriage, by all means, go for it. I picked up this book because I thought it was going to show primarily the Biblical backing. There was no real clear direction.

2. He argues certain "Biblical standards" using one manner of argument, yet assumes certain things are truth without feeling the needs to prove it. For instance, he states at the beginning of the book that "God was leading us to make this decision (divorce from his first wife)." Never once does he feel the need to back this by scripture. He also takes the verse out of context which speaks of hearing the "still small voice of God in his ear." The scripture he is referencing is in 1 Kings 19, which speaks of the still small voice of the Lord, guiding Elijah back in OBEDIENCE to the Lord. In the author's use of this, it is the still small voice of the Lord condoning his DIVORCE with his first wife. Throughout the book, he makes it clear that context is everything when reading the scripture. Yet here, he himself is taking scripture OUT of context to prove his own decisions were right.

3. When he does get to chapter 4, and sets out to prove according to Biblical standards that gay marriage is not actually condemned, I found Romans 1 the most interesting explanation. He zeros in on "trading what is natural for unnatural," by explaining that this is condemning heterosexuals who practice homosexuality, NOT homosexuals who practice homosexuality (which is natural for them). Very unique explanation. I have to give it to him here. However, if he's so intent on "context" then he has to take into account all of the context of the Bible that discusses on one man and one woman. Besides the fact that he never once mentions that Jesus DOES mention marriage, as it was intended from the beginning, in Matthew 19. The author states that Jesus is silent on the subject of marriage. That is simply not true.

4. At one point in chapter 4, he says, "let me be clear. I am not saying the the Bible specifically promotes gay practices." However, he states that is is simply NOT clear that homosexuality is outright condemned. Based on this statement of his alone, I'd say this is a VERY slippery slope to be hanging your beliefs on! Wow, that was very surprising to me, and it really opened my eyes to his lack of scriptural certainty.

All that being said, Gene had some great viewpoints on the focuses Jesus had in his life on earth, his redefining of family and family roles, his focus on the marginalized and the poor, etc. And of course, the focus on love.

I enjoyed this book and it does seem that Gene has a wonderful marriage with his now husband. I'm sure their love is amazing. However, this is not what I came into this book expecting to receive. I can certainly be convinced that there are many loving gay marriages. I believe many are better than heterosexual marriages. However, it doesn't convince me that they are Biblically sound, which is what I thought this book was about to tackle head on.

[Reid Mccormick · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is no way I can write a review of this book without upsetting someone. It is nearly impossible in today’s religious climate to discuss gay and lesbian issues without creating dissenters or even enemies.

So let me say this, I do not have the answers. Following the Lord can be very confusing (why do we pray and ask an immutable, omniscient God for things? He can’t change and already knows everything). I come into any discussion with a sense of humility; an understanding that there is so much I do not understand.

Gene Robinson loves the Lord and has dedicated his life to serving Christ and serving the Church. He believes in love, he believes in marriage, and he practices what he preaches. God Believes in Love is Robinson’s response to the gay marriage debate within Christianity. Robinson breaks down the arguments into ten simple questions. He confronts civil rights, social norms, and of course, theological understandings.

His responses are clear, concise, and pretty straightforward. I was not surprised by any of his answers. If you oppose Robinson’s interpretation of Scripture then you could probably an entire book on the faults in his theology. I doubt a dissenter reading this book would be persuaded by anything Robinson’s discusses.

By reading this book I received a better understanding of this issue. When gay marriage is discussed on television or from the pulpit, we make it a political or theological issue and not a personal issue. I know many people that would consider Gene Robinson a depraved sinner destined for damnation because of his sexual orientation. What a horrible thing to think about. Instead I think of Gene Robinson as a man loved by God, a love that cannot be impeded in any way. Is that not I should love him?

If you a Christian leader looking to love others unconditionally, this is a great book for you.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wish I could give half stars as I feel like this is more of a 2.5. I was disappointed by this book. Gene Robinson makes some good points. But I really wanted a book where I could grapple with some theological facts. I found the book contained more socio-cultural commentary, most of which feels quite self evident. The chapter on the biblical texts was quite interesting, but I was slightly dismayed by his treatment of the Greek word 'arsenokoitai' as an unknown, twice-used word. His blanket assertion that no one knows what it means is a bit deceptive as the stems of the word blatantly mean 'man' and 'to lie' or 'to bed', which is not to suggest a definitive position on this word, but simply that some sort of explanation should be advanced, rather than not offering one. I've heard some much more solid explanations for this terminology so don't see the reason for no engagement at all.
Overall I did think this book had some lovely moments but was very repetitive and seemed to be filled with a quite alot of sweeping generalisations with a focus on the culture of the world not on what we want from a culture of church.

[Isaac · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first Christian book I’ve ever read aside from religious texts, so I really have nothing to compare it to, but I full heartily loved this book. Being a gay Christian I’ve encountered scrutiny from both the LGBTQ community and Christian community. Since I was little I knew I was gay but hadn’t yet related with the word until I was 13. For years I belittled myself and suppressed by sexuality which had drastic repercussions on my mental well being and self confidence. I repeatedly told myself that “you’re an abomination” or “you can’t be gay and love god. Choose one or the other.” It hadn’t been until recently that I’ve accept both parts of myself, the Christian and the homosexual, and realized that they can coexist because “God Believes in Love.” To express how much this book meant to me is incomprehensible! To find someone as well versed as a bishop to deconstruct scripture to show that the Bible doesn’t condemn homosexuality or homosexual relations, brought this overwhelming sense of conformation of something I already knew to be true. This book was another step of my journey to accept myself for everything I am!

[Madeline · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was nothing inherently bad about this book but I only truthfully cared about the middle third of the book when we got into deconstructing passages from the Bible and how hypocritical Christians are when it comes to following some parts of the bible and not others. I also did not realize this book was written in 2012 and therefore half of it was about why we should legalize gay marriage in the US. There were however a couple quotes I really enjoyed:

"Do we really want to base our condemnation of an entire group of people on a shaky translation of an unknowable Greek word. A reasonable person, not to mention a compassionate Christian, would not."

"It seems that for [Jesus] human need trumped rules and centuries of tradition. People came first."

"Jesus was not deterred by tradition and long acknowledged religious thinking and customs. If people were in need and changing the tradition was required to respond to the needs of people, then so be it."

[Photovy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is good to get the argument (both secular and religious) from opposing views. Robinson comes from a much more emotional level which is good to hear but ultimately I found his rational and religious reasoning unconvincing. Here are some of his arguments that are worth noting
1. What would Jesus do? Jesus is a champion of poor and marginalized and full of compassion. He would reach out to LGBT community
2. Definition of marriage as 2 people committed to each other.
3. "Apostle who Jesus loved". He says that there is no romance but at least we know that Jesus was for strong non-familial relationship. Water thicker than blood.
4. Put yourselves in shoes of LGBT person who is shamed/persecuted.
5. Do unto others.... Do you desire happiness for yourself? Why deny others.
6. Naming matters. Gay vs. Homosexual (sounds like a clinical disease). Civil unions vs marriage.
7. When did marriage become a sacrament? MIddle ages? Fact check that.
8. Legal divorce easier for children. If you don't recognize gay marriage/unions, divorce will be messy.
9. Heteros can get married on a whim (Vegas) but committed gays who have been in relationship for years cannot get married. Unfair.
10. WE come to know GOd must fully by selfless caring of others. Marriage allows for that "astounding opportunity it gives us to love"
11. A truly bizarre definition of divorce: "Divorce is the process whereby a couple seeks to continue to love each other even when they don't like each other".

[Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first became aware of Bishop Gene Robinson while watching the documentary, "For the Bible Tells Me So." God Believes in Love addresses the same topic as the film, that is, the controversy over gay marriage, as well as whether or not gay couples should be allowed to adopt.

This book does not delve into the science in support or against the naturalness of homosexuality. That is a whole other argument that presets this debate, and for all intents and purposes Robinson treats this as secondary to the battle against the denial of basic rights to any group. He also saves a lot of time and superfluous explanation by orienting the book towards those individuals who quietly and respectfully disagree with the notion of the gay lifestyle, instead of violently protesting "Christian" mobs. Besides, anyone who is prone to writing death threats or tromping around military funerals with picket signs touting, "God hates fags" probably isn't level-headed enough to get through the text on the inside of the dust jacket anyway.

Supposing you do exhibit a basic level of rationale and do actually make it through the extremely accessible 195 pages of the book though, you will find at its core, four points:

1. Gay marriage does not change the traditional definition of marriage.
2. Homosexuality is not condemned in the Bible.
3. Gay marriage is not about "seeking approval for questionable behavior," but rather it is an important step in the social revolution against inequality imposed upon all minorities.
4. There is no evidence to suggest that a gay union is an unhealthy environment for raising children.

To the first point, it depends how far back you look. Merriam-webster.com defines "marriage" firstly as "the relationship that exists between a husband and a wife," "a similar relationship between people of the same sex" secondarily, and reserves the most ambiguous "a ceremony in which two people are married to each other" for last. However, Robinson points out the drastically different family system and marital traditions from the Old Testament and Medieval Times (polygamy, concubines, arranged marriages, women and children being viewed as subservient, etc.). He also points out that religion did not begin to play a part in marriage until the church began to assert its self-given authority around the 12th century.

The second point is probably the meatiest but, again, Robinson manages, for the most part, to support his claims. Although I resoundingly object to his assertion that "in order to interpret any passage in Scripture, we must employ the Scripture itself; the tradition of how the Church has interpreted that Scripture over the centuries; and ... our own God-given intellect and learning, up to and including how modern knowledge, science, psychology, and reason inform our understanding of the issues being addressed" - I understand where he is coming from, but this largely just sounds like an allowance of individual bias, which renders the Scripture unusable as a guideline - it would be hard to argue that the Bible's content is not set within a specific context, wherein lies the important determinants with which to understand it.

Robinson's study of the passages most infamously cited to condemn homosexuality (Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13, Genesis 19, and Judges 19) is sound, but certain other arguments, like the relativity of "normality," or when he implies that Jesus' silence on the issue of homosexuality in the gospels means he condoned it, Robinson makes himself appear to be grasping at thin air for additional support. His call for consistency in Christians' adherence to the holiness and purity codes is more than fair, and his uncovering of the "true" sins of Sodom and Gomorrah is probable and convincing. Most interesting, though, is his exposure of the liberties that were taken when translating Paul's letters in 1 Corinthians and 1 Timothy. However, this last point not only casts serious doubt on the Bible's purported condemnation of homosexuality, but also begs the question: how can anyone use a book so vulnerable to interpretative and translative discrepancies as more than an outline for any matter, but especially of morals and values?

The last two points are defended equally satisfactorily as well, although I will refrain from going into detail on them here, as the first two are definitely the more controversial and central aspects of the argument (besides, this is a review of the book, not a summary).

Some parts are a little too anecdotal and could benefit from more research, but overall Robinson has done an excellent job in assembling and communicating some very valid points. They may not serve as explicit approval of homosexuality, but at the very least invalidate the most commonly used tools of the anti-gay front. Although I was expecting Robinson's book to deal primarily with the theological side of the argument, it actually felt weighted in favor of secular concerns. This may seem like a weakness, but it actually ends up being more of an attribute because the Bible will always be subject to personal interpretation, and therefore a total consensus is virtually impossible.

Given the accessibility of his formatting, nonjudgmental tone of his writing, and (overall) strength of his argument, perhaps the biggest obstacle Bishop Gene Robinson will have to overcome in order to convince readers will be himself: will readers view Robinson's ordainment as a strong credential to speak on this subject, or will he be discredited as biased due to his sexual orientation?

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10 would recommend to anyone, straight or LGBTQ+, married pr engaged or unmarried.

Honestly, this book taught me more about marriage IN GENERAL than my premarital counseling did 😂

Although this book was published before marriage equality extended across the US, it makes excellent, bible-based points as to A) why marriage exists, B) why bible verses on “homosexuality” are often incorrectly translated into English, and C) why marriage is such a serious and important “sacrament” or covenant (depending on your tradition) to enter.

[Randy Rasa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was published in 2012, and while the law around marriage equality is mostly settled in the US, the underlying issue of LGBT equality is still very much a cultural hot point, especially among conservative Christians. As such, this is still essential information for LGBT Christians, LGBT allies, and those who want to understand the issues of LGBT inclusion and affirmation. The author is a gay parishioner, and so he has a definite perspective, but as someone who has both lived it and preached it, his perspective is quite valuable, relatable, and much appreciated.

[Rachel Carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from a goodreads giveaway.

This book really helped to clarify my thinking on gay marriage. As a supporter of gay marriage, I think I just trusted in my feeling that marriage was a right that all people should have, but through reading this book I think I have a better understanding of the issue and can argue my support of the issue in a much more coherent manner. This book won't convince everyone, but I think anyone with an open mind could benefit from reading it.

[Peter Walt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading news headlines, one can be forgiven for assuming that 'the church' is in natural, inevitable and permanent opposition to 'the gays'. Gene Robinson, a former Episcopalian Bishop, demonstrates why this may not necessarily be the case.

Eloquent, informed and clear - a gay person of faith here presents an alternative approach to the scriptures and homosexuality. Immensely readable and immensely important, even in a post-Marriage Equality world.

[Kenny Bishop]

With scholarship and compassion, Gene Robinson lays out the argument for a better understanding and a more thoughtful approach to the complex issue of same-sex relationships. However, those who don't want to understand, and are predisposed to ignoring any thinking outside their own religious traditions will likely dismiss these very pensive and prayerful reasonings. This book is especially helpful to those who want to prepare themselves with a proper defense.