Does the Bible Support Same-Sex Marriage?: 21 Conversations from a Historically Christian View

by Dr. Preston M. Sprinkle

Many arguments are made for and against same-sex marriage that end with divisiveness and confusion instead of thoughtful conversation. New York Times –bestselling author Dr. Preston Sprinkle provides a resource that will encourage respectful and thoughtful conversations around the question “Does the Bible support same-sex marriage?”
 
Equipped with thorough research, history, and biblical context, this book will enable you to wade into some of the main arguments against the historically Christian view of
   
Preston carefully answers 21 of the strongest cases for same-sex marriage and offers a humanizing and thoughtful response to each one.  
 
 

Genres: Christian Living, Theology

240 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2023

Reviews

[Kim Shay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Preston Sprinkle is clearly someone who knows what the issues are for gay Christians. He's been writing about it, studying it, and more importantly, talking to gay Christians. This book is obviously the fruit of a lot of study. He has written not only on issues revolving gay Christians but trans Christians as well. He's a compassionate writer on the issue, and it is clear that he would like the church to be better in how it treats gay people.

The book contains two chapters of foundational issues: 1) have to have a fruitful conversation, and 2) a presentation of the traditional Christian view of marriage. Following that, Sprinkle presents 21 "conversations," which reflect some of the most common challenges he has had from those who affirm same sex marriage. The book is meant to discuss the biblical support (or lack, as Sprinkle maintains) for same sex marriage.

Some of the conversations are not specifically about the biblical support. For example, conversation 16, which discusses whether or not people are born gay, really cannot be answered entirely by looking at biblical support. Sprinkle acknowledges when this occurs, and he does remain faithful to discussing the biblical aspects of same sex marriage. Personally, I found that his responses which focused on biblical issues were stronger. His area of strength is approaching the text, and he was good at not only showing his views, but highlighting those who are affirming. When it came to the last five conversations, I admit my mind was wandering because these were not specifically about biblical support. I thought he could have written a shorter volume if he had focused on just the issues that discussed biblical support.

I was very disappointed with conversation 10, "Jesus Never Mentioned Homosexuality," because it seemed rather carelessly approached. Opening up with telling the reader that as a teacher himself he was not aware that Jesus never mentioned homosexuality seemed an odd way to open up. Even I know Jesus never mentions homosexuality. He speculates in this chapter about whether or not Jesus was affiliated with the Hillel group or the Shammai group of Jews. He provides no citation for this assertion, something an academic would know to do. This seemed irresponsible to me. There is nothing wrong with pondering out loud in a book, but be up front about it. For someone with a PhD (a fact we the readers are reminded of more than once) this was a bit of a goof up in my opinion.

Sprinkle is definitely a true believer in absolute inerrancy of the Bible. He is up front about his conservative views in this area. This means the book won't be appealing to those gay Christians who question whether everything in Scripture has a modern application. In some ways, he is preaching to the converted or the fence sitter. He is also one who sees procreation as a significant reason for marriage. In the foundation chapter 2, regarding Christian marriage, he says he sides somewhat on the Catholic side regarding child bearing. He would wonder why anyone would get married if they don't want children. This helps his argument when it comes to companionship being the reason for marriage, a reason gay Christians give for wanting marriage. Sprinkle says something along the lines of "there are other places to get companionship." He is definitely entitled to view things this way, and he's not alone in this. But a reader should know this right away. "There's other places for companionship" is a hard truth for heterosexual couples as well. It is true that marriage is not the only path to human flourishing, but it's one that must be addressed, because not only the church, but the culture in general sees it as important.

It is an engaging book, and the average person will have no problem with the discussion. He is very fair with engaging with affirming writers, and I think a reader would benefit a lot (myself included) from reading the works of men like Matthew Vines and James Brownson, whom he refers to often. I personally would like to see if he represented them fairly. And I'm sure Sprinkle would agree that getting the other side is helpful as well.

[M W · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️ This was a very difficult read. Preston split his book into 21 arguments regarding same-sex marriage/relationships as they relate to Scripture and the church and then discussed them thoroughly from both sides of
the argument. Overall, I thought he did a good job in his delivery; however, I found a couple of his points on both sides of the argument to be theologically weak. Additionally, there were a couple points he made about heterosexual marriages that I also didn’t agree with. Nevertheless, my worldview was challenged and shaped whilst reading this. One of my goals with the theological books I read this year is to not shy away from topics that are uncomfortable or controversial in the church; if I don’t take time to research and read about these topics, I can’t form an educated opinion about them.

[Jake Preston · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5. This book is classic Preston - winsome, backed by Scripture, and incredibly gracious. I came away convinced of two things: (1) God's vision for marriage and sex is beautiful, compelling, and essential to the storyline of Scripture and (2) the church has often spectacularly failed to embody the radical love and generosity of Jesus when emphasizing belief in a traditional sex ethic.

The final few pages where Preston unpacks Jesus's promise in Mark 10:29-30 were incredibly sobering yet hopeful. In that passage, Jesus promises that anyone who gives up a biological family, economic security, etc. will receive a hundredfold family and security in this present age (not just in the age to come). I had never made the connection between these verses and the calling of Jesus followers to fully welcome celibate gay Christians into the church as members of the family.

Preston challenges the reader to refuse to see truth and love as characteristics to be emphasized at different times, but as two sides of the same coin. Our failure to love those on the margins of society (and the church) reflects a failure to be truthful. May we go forward like Jesus, as a people defined by their love and truth.

[Gloryanna Boge · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are unsure what Scripture says about this topic and looking for in depth research done by someone who is credible in this area who presents both sides of the debate in a well written, easy-to-read way, then I would recommend this book for you. Preston is well known by many from both sides of the debate for his respect for what people have to say but still holding to his convictions based on Scripture. I really love how he keeps coming back to engaging with actual people, not an issue and how he encourages us to walk in love snd truth, based on what Scripture says. I have seen many from both sides of this debate give their beliefs on this topic without ever really considering and researching what the Bible actually says. It blows my mind how morphed people have made the Bible in order to fit what they already believe instead of letting it shape them. But of course, I myself have been guilty of this I’m sure, so I can see how easily we do this. Preston does a great job cutting through that thinking by consistently pointing to what scripture actually says while looking at the context in which it was written.

[Dakota Lorèn · Rating 4 out of 5]

a deep, thorough look at a traditional, biblical sexual ethic.

i appreciate that Sprinkle doesn’t just address same-sex attracted christian’s, but all christian’s when it comes to a traditional, sexual ethic.

some parts of this book were hard to read, but i appreciated his care in theological research, and human understanding.

my personal feelings would rate it a 4.4/10
for its theological depth i would rate it a 10/10

so my final rating is:

7.6/10

[Simon Fletcher · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting but ultimately unsatisfying book because Sprinkle never really discusses his doctrine of scripture and how and why it is inspired. For me, had he done this and explained why he holds Genesis 1 and 2 as so foundational, I might have understood his position more, even if I disagree with it.

[Suzi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the way this book is laid out. Like all the books I have read the things he says are endlessly debatable but this one is highly accessible and states an argument followed by a for and against style. It’s not seeking to give answers merely seeking to help someone resolve their thoughts. I liked the approach and it was helpful.