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Is the Homosexual My Neighbour?: Another Christian View
A classic work of gay spirituality--newly revised to reflect today's issues, including gays in the military, the AIDS crisis, and genetic research on homosexuality.
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Published January 1, 1978
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 17, 2009
This is the best (evangelical?) Christian apologetic for positive full inclusion of gays and lesbians into the church that I've read. Originally published in the late 1980s--there's a revised second edition from the 1990s. It takes Scripture seriously while thoroughly examining the human experience, social concerns and scientific research at hand. It is also very compassionate towards the many different voices in the debate.
January 4, 2026
“Jesus knew all about stigma. He never hesitated to move among the oppressed people of his day, including the most despised social outcasts. He went about his ministry without worrying about the aspersions cast upon his character, his motives, his righteousness.
"If this man were a prophet," said some, "he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him—that she is a sinner" (Luke 7:39). He ignored the insinuations and seemed unconcerned about reputation. "Look," said those who criticized Jesus and passed judgment on him, "a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!" (Luke 7:34).
Jesus was not afraid of being called names, nor was he afraid to be identified with the most hated, discredited people in the society in which he lived. He cared about them. He felt their pain, knew their hunger and thirst, recognized their humanity, saw the image of God in them. In short, he loved them. And he longed to minister to them—even if others misunderstood and vilified him.”
Is the Homosexual My Neighbor? was originally published in 1974 and revised through 1994. There has been a steady stream of books on this topic since then. Honestly, this one still holds up. The most recent book I’ve read on homosexuality and Christianity was published in 2025, and Is the Homosexual My Neighbor? still stands well alongside it.
Even for readers who ultimately disagree with some of its conclusions, the questions the book raises about neighbor-love are imperative to read.
Many recent affirming Christian works focus heavily on hermeneutics and interpretation, which matters. This book, though, spends time in places I don’t see addressed as often. It takes a broader approach rather than a hyper-focused one, and that breadth works. It still engages interpretation and background in chapter five, but it doesn’t stop there.
I especially appreciated the historical accounts of gay and lesbian individuals who served in the U.S. military. People who would otherwise be celebrated as heroes were denied that recognition once they came out or were outed. That contrast is hard to ignore. The title and premise alone should give pause to anyone who claims to follow Jesus, regardless of where they land on the issue.
Chapter three, "The Homosexual as Samaritan", was particularly poignant. Part of what makes this book uncomfortable, especially for Christians who may not consider themselves affirming, is how directly it confronts caricature and fear. It reads like a snapshot of the 1970s through the 1990s, showing the range of homophobia and how it intersected with Christianity, cultural fear, and deep misunderstanding.
Something I keep thinking on is the book's opening chapter in which it speaks on the command not to bear false witness against our neighbor. Too often, Christian positions seem shaped by reflex, trope, and straw-man thinking rather than lived reality or careful listening.
“In addition to speaking only the truth about our neighbors, we are given the responsibility of aiding our neighbors in their livelihood. This biblical teaching is illustrated by commandments given to ancient Israel to help one’s neighbors if their animals were lost or overburdened (Exod. 23:4-5; Deut. 22:1-2). Since animals were a chief form of livelihood in that society, helping neighbors care for their animals meant assisting them in maintaining their daily sustenance. In the light of this enduring principle, if the homosexual is my neighbor, do I have any business supporting efforts to deprive him or her of the privilege of working for a living?
Zech. 8:17 specifies that none of us should allow ourselves to imagine evil in our hearts against our neighbor. Yet in the absence of accurate information about the homosexual condition, it is almost impossible to avoid distortions of our thinking. It is a universal human trait to fear what we don’t understand. If the homosexual is my neighbor, I must do my best to understand what his or her life is really like, so that I will not be guilty of imagining that he or she intends evil toward me or my loved ones and therefore of harboring ill will in return.”
Agreement or disagreement aside, the ethical questions raised here remain unresolved for the church.
"If this man were a prophet," said some, "he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him—that she is a sinner" (Luke 7:39). He ignored the insinuations and seemed unconcerned about reputation. "Look," said those who criticized Jesus and passed judgment on him, "a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!" (Luke 7:34).
Jesus was not afraid of being called names, nor was he afraid to be identified with the most hated, discredited people in the society in which he lived. He cared about them. He felt their pain, knew their hunger and thirst, recognized their humanity, saw the image of God in them. In short, he loved them. And he longed to minister to them—even if others misunderstood and vilified him.”
Is the Homosexual My Neighbor? was originally published in 1974 and revised through 1994. There has been a steady stream of books on this topic since then. Honestly, this one still holds up. The most recent book I’ve read on homosexuality and Christianity was published in 2025, and Is the Homosexual My Neighbor? still stands well alongside it.
Even for readers who ultimately disagree with some of its conclusions, the questions the book raises about neighbor-love are imperative to read.
Many recent affirming Christian works focus heavily on hermeneutics and interpretation, which matters. This book, though, spends time in places I don’t see addressed as often. It takes a broader approach rather than a hyper-focused one, and that breadth works. It still engages interpretation and background in chapter five, but it doesn’t stop there.
I especially appreciated the historical accounts of gay and lesbian individuals who served in the U.S. military. People who would otherwise be celebrated as heroes were denied that recognition once they came out or were outed. That contrast is hard to ignore. The title and premise alone should give pause to anyone who claims to follow Jesus, regardless of where they land on the issue.
Chapter three, "The Homosexual as Samaritan", was particularly poignant. Part of what makes this book uncomfortable, especially for Christians who may not consider themselves affirming, is how directly it confronts caricature and fear. It reads like a snapshot of the 1970s through the 1990s, showing the range of homophobia and how it intersected with Christianity, cultural fear, and deep misunderstanding.
Something I keep thinking on is the book's opening chapter in which it speaks on the command not to bear false witness against our neighbor. Too often, Christian positions seem shaped by reflex, trope, and straw-man thinking rather than lived reality or careful listening.
“In addition to speaking only the truth about our neighbors, we are given the responsibility of aiding our neighbors in their livelihood. This biblical teaching is illustrated by commandments given to ancient Israel to help one’s neighbors if their animals were lost or overburdened (Exod. 23:4-5; Deut. 22:1-2). Since animals were a chief form of livelihood in that society, helping neighbors care for their animals meant assisting them in maintaining their daily sustenance. In the light of this enduring principle, if the homosexual is my neighbor, do I have any business supporting efforts to deprive him or her of the privilege of working for a living?
Zech. 8:17 specifies that none of us should allow ourselves to imagine evil in our hearts against our neighbor. Yet in the absence of accurate information about the homosexual condition, it is almost impossible to avoid distortions of our thinking. It is a universal human trait to fear what we don’t understand. If the homosexual is my neighbor, I must do my best to understand what his or her life is really like, so that I will not be guilty of imagining that he or she intends evil toward me or my loved ones and therefore of harboring ill will in return.”
Agreement or disagreement aside, the ethical questions raised here remain unresolved for the church.
September 4, 2019
I read an older edition of this in 1990 when I was writing a paper for high school about whether gay people should be able to marry and be ministers/priests. I was very conflicted because I had several out gay friends but had been raised a fundamentalist Christian. I appreciated the nuances of this book then and appreciate them even more in retrospect.
September 17, 2009
Of the books I have read on the topic of homosexuality and the Christian faith this is one of the best. I wished I had read it earlier in my "coming out". It would be a great book to recommend to people who are asking how one can be gay and Christian. It is logical, scientific and easy to read. It doesn't sound biased or as if it started with a set agenda. Though it is an older book, it is just as current today as when it was written.
April 7, 2016
This book is a must read for anyone who has grown up gay and struggling to come to terms with it all and make sense of balancing a relationship with the church in any way, shape or form. I loved the way this book is written with no-nonsense ways to understand the fine balance gays/Christians have with one another, and unfortunately many times too often clash head on.
July 3, 2024
AN “EARLY” CHRISTIAN PROPOSAL FOR ACCEPTANCE AND OPENNESS
Virginia Ramey Mollenkott (born 1932) is Professor Emeritus at William Paterson University, and was (temporarily) a stylistic consultant for the New International Version of the Bible. She is an active member of the Evangelical and Ecumenical Women's Caucus, and Christian Lesbians OUT. Letha Dawson Scanzoni (born 1935) is a writer, and editor (for nearly twenty years) of ‘Christian Feminism Today.’
They wrote in the Preface to this 1978 book, “The question that makes up the title of this book shouldn’t be necessary. After all, Jesus made it clear that every person is our neighbor. And the Bible is likewise clear on what our responsibility is to our neighbor. Love… We Christians need to learn a lot about love---and about those who need our love. The homosexual is our neighbor, but we haven’t acted like it; we hold a stereotype in our minds… We use the Bible to clobber people rather than to uplift them… this hurtful approach has especially governed our attitudes toward the homosexual. It is in the hope of alleviating such hurtfulness (which harms us all) that we have written this book.
“We, the authors, first met in 1973, at a theological seminary where we both had been invited to speak at a symposium on women and the church… as we discussed our ideas over the years since 1973… the notion of sharing these ideas with others began to take root in our minds. This book is one result… We hope that both individuals and church study groups will find in this book material to help them deal with the inevitable questions that arise on a subject so misunderstood and, consequently, perceived as threatening.”
After listing two pages of eminent and important persons who were homosexuals, they point out, “we would like to issue a warning. Sometimes, in an effort to create sympathy for homosexuals, people attempt to enlist the names of famous persons without any definite evidence concerning their sexual orientation… we would not want to fall into the stylish trap of assuming that either celibacy or close friendship automatically spells homosexuality.” (Pg. 34-35)
They consider the case of Sodom: “the Bible is its own best commentary on many issues. And the Bible provides explanations for Sodom’s destruction that nothing at all to do with homosexuality. In the first chapter of Isaiah, the nation of Judah is rebuked through a comparison with Sodom and Gomorrah. The specific sins mentioned are greed, rebellion against God, empty religious ritual without true devotion to God, failure to plead the cause of orphans and widows, failure to pursue justice, and failure to champion the oppressed. There is no mention of homosexuality… In the New Testament… Jesus refers to Sodom, not in the context of sexual acts, but in the context of inhospitality [Lk 10:10]. Jude 7 does refer to the sexual sins of Sodom… The emphasis here is on heterosexual intercourse outside of marriage… and on ‘going after alien or other strange flesh’… These ‘unnatural lusts’ thus could, in this context… refer to a desire for sexual contact between human and heavenly beings.” (Pg. 58-59)
They note, “The problems of homosexual persons who have entered heterosexual marriages in the hope that this will bring about a ‘cure’ or change of orientation are also familiar to counselors. The tragedy here is not only the homosexual person’s pain, but also the anguish suffered by the spouse---which is intensified all the more if children have been born of the union. Unfaithfulness and eventual marital breakup are not at all uncommon in such situations. Better they had never been entered into in the first place.” (Pg. 128)
They conclude, “When Jesus walked the earth, the stigmatized persons were the Samaritans, and the term of insult was ‘You Samaritan!’ Jesus was willing to be called a Samaritan [Jn 8:48]. He made no effort at denial. He refused to dissociate himself from this disdained group, and… he chose the example of a Samaritan to illustrate the principle of neighbor-love. Are we willing to follow Christ’s example? Even when fulfilling the second great commandment may seem to go against tradition and public opinion?” (Pg. 135)
This book was one of the first books by Christians to call for acceptance of homosexuality by the Church. While a large part of its interest now is “historical,” it remains of great interest to those studying the history and background of Christian attitudes toward homosexuality.
Virginia Ramey Mollenkott (born 1932) is Professor Emeritus at William Paterson University, and was (temporarily) a stylistic consultant for the New International Version of the Bible. She is an active member of the Evangelical and Ecumenical Women's Caucus, and Christian Lesbians OUT. Letha Dawson Scanzoni (born 1935) is a writer, and editor (for nearly twenty years) of ‘Christian Feminism Today.’
They wrote in the Preface to this 1978 book, “The question that makes up the title of this book shouldn’t be necessary. After all, Jesus made it clear that every person is our neighbor. And the Bible is likewise clear on what our responsibility is to our neighbor. Love… We Christians need to learn a lot about love---and about those who need our love. The homosexual is our neighbor, but we haven’t acted like it; we hold a stereotype in our minds… We use the Bible to clobber people rather than to uplift them… this hurtful approach has especially governed our attitudes toward the homosexual. It is in the hope of alleviating such hurtfulness (which harms us all) that we have written this book.
“We, the authors, first met in 1973, at a theological seminary where we both had been invited to speak at a symposium on women and the church… as we discussed our ideas over the years since 1973… the notion of sharing these ideas with others began to take root in our minds. This book is one result… We hope that both individuals and church study groups will find in this book material to help them deal with the inevitable questions that arise on a subject so misunderstood and, consequently, perceived as threatening.”
After listing two pages of eminent and important persons who were homosexuals, they point out, “we would like to issue a warning. Sometimes, in an effort to create sympathy for homosexuals, people attempt to enlist the names of famous persons without any definite evidence concerning their sexual orientation… we would not want to fall into the stylish trap of assuming that either celibacy or close friendship automatically spells homosexuality.” (Pg. 34-35)
They consider the case of Sodom: “the Bible is its own best commentary on many issues. And the Bible provides explanations for Sodom’s destruction that nothing at all to do with homosexuality. In the first chapter of Isaiah, the nation of Judah is rebuked through a comparison with Sodom and Gomorrah. The specific sins mentioned are greed, rebellion against God, empty religious ritual without true devotion to God, failure to plead the cause of orphans and widows, failure to pursue justice, and failure to champion the oppressed. There is no mention of homosexuality… In the New Testament… Jesus refers to Sodom, not in the context of sexual acts, but in the context of inhospitality [Lk 10:10]. Jude 7 does refer to the sexual sins of Sodom… The emphasis here is on heterosexual intercourse outside of marriage… and on ‘going after alien or other strange flesh’… These ‘unnatural lusts’ thus could, in this context… refer to a desire for sexual contact between human and heavenly beings.” (Pg. 58-59)
They note, “The problems of homosexual persons who have entered heterosexual marriages in the hope that this will bring about a ‘cure’ or change of orientation are also familiar to counselors. The tragedy here is not only the homosexual person’s pain, but also the anguish suffered by the spouse---which is intensified all the more if children have been born of the union. Unfaithfulness and eventual marital breakup are not at all uncommon in such situations. Better they had never been entered into in the first place.” (Pg. 128)
They conclude, “When Jesus walked the earth, the stigmatized persons were the Samaritans, and the term of insult was ‘You Samaritan!’ Jesus was willing to be called a Samaritan [Jn 8:48]. He made no effort at denial. He refused to dissociate himself from this disdained group, and… he chose the example of a Samaritan to illustrate the principle of neighbor-love. Are we willing to follow Christ’s example? Even when fulfilling the second great commandment may seem to go against tradition and public opinion?” (Pg. 135)
This book was one of the first books by Christians to call for acceptance of homosexuality by the Church. While a large part of its interest now is “historical,” it remains of great interest to those studying the history and background of Christian attitudes toward homosexuality.
November 18, 2019
Who is my neighbor? It is anyone—no matter race, ethnicity, gender, religion, or age—who crosses my path. Will I relate with grace and love?
The Library Journal said in its review, “A compassionate, persuasive case for a fundamental shift in Christian attitudes."
A very thought-provoking, challenging book on a difficult subject.
The Library Journal said in its review, “A compassionate, persuasive case for a fundamental shift in Christian attitudes."
A very thought-provoking, challenging book on a difficult subject.
July 26, 2017
A must-read, for both the homosexual Christian AND their loved ones. The real Biblical interpretation of homosexuality, and a completely refreshing point-of-view for Christians.
September 12, 2008
This was the first book I ever read that told me I was okay as I was. When I saw the words "lesbian Christian" together, I cried, realizing that I didn't have to be excluded forever. A little dated, but definitely worth the read.
January 16, 2009
For the love of people, everyone needs to read this book. The way they look at homosexuality and the biblical evidence they used to support it will open the eyes of every person, Christian or not and regardless of how they feel about homosexuals. Everyone needs to read this book.
February 27, 2015
Well-written, with careful and thorough research. Society has come a long way since this was published in 1978, and still has a long way to go. It was interesting to read in retrospect the arguments I lived through and experienced at the time.
July 15, 2015
A historic first! A must read. This book was written at a time when literally no one would discuss the various ways sexuality and spirituality intersect, let alone dare speak loudly and proud the word homosexual.
June 22, 2008
The authors contribute an essential voice in the debate about homosexuality in Christianity. Agree or disagree, this is an exegetical contribution that must be taken into account on this issue.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews