What do you think?
Rate this book
Love Into Light: The Gospel, the Homosexual and the Church
"Powerfully insightful book . . . I am not aware of a more valuable first resource to help shape our thinking on this very contemporary issue."
—Dr. Fred G. Zaspel, Calvary Baptist Seminary
Homosexuality is one of the most controversial moral issues of our day. Headlines teem with stories of athletes “coming out,” politicians changing positions, and courts handing down same-sex marriage rulings.
Sadly the church has often been afraid to talk about homosexuality. Many Christians feel confused and divided between the call to love and the call for truth. And many who struggle with unwanted same-sex attraction feel alone and alienated by the church.
The time is ripe for God’s people to think and speak about same-sex attraction in a way that is both biblical and beneficial. We must reject our fears and misunderstandings and see ourselves together in need of the grace of Jesus. "Love Into Light" is designed to move the church toward that end.
Written from the heart of a pastor with a love for people and a sensitivity to our culture, "Love Into Light" is your next step toward becoming more faithfully and helpfully engaged with people in your families, in your church and in your neighborhood.
Endorsements:
This comes at just the right time. . . . Those who live under Scripture are increasingly eager to put on humility, speak with and learn from those who experience same-sex attraction, and consider what all this means for life in Christ’s Kingdom.
—Dr. Ed Welch, counselor and faculty member at CCEF
We live in a day where we face challenges that require God’s wisdom. These challenges are designed by God to cause us to look to Him as to how He might use them to revive His church and equip it to be humble enough to love a broken world. This book reflects the wisdom from above which is described as both gentle and full of mercy as well as pure, unwavering , and without hypocrisy (James 3:17). It is a labor of love and contains vital truths that all of us need to hear and heed.
—Dr. Bill Thrasher, Moody Theological Seminary and Moody Bible Institute, Author and Professor
"Love into Light" is a big welcome mat at the church’s front door for people who struggle with same-sex attraction and for those who wish to love them in Christ’s name.
—Dr. Mark S. Gignilliat, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University
Peter Hubbard is a gifted teacher, and he wisely navigates what are uncharted waters for many Christians: How should churches relate to others with same-sex attractions?
—Dr. Andy Naselli, Bethlehem College and Seminary
"Love into Light" . . . invites us to see our own hearts honestly and to reach out to people many churches would turn away . . .
—Laura Baker, President of Prasso Ministries
—Dr. Fred G. Zaspel, Calvary Baptist Seminary
Homosexuality is one of the most controversial moral issues of our day. Headlines teem with stories of athletes “coming out,” politicians changing positions, and courts handing down same-sex marriage rulings.
Sadly the church has often been afraid to talk about homosexuality. Many Christians feel confused and divided between the call to love and the call for truth. And many who struggle with unwanted same-sex attraction feel alone and alienated by the church.
The time is ripe for God’s people to think and speak about same-sex attraction in a way that is both biblical and beneficial. We must reject our fears and misunderstandings and see ourselves together in need of the grace of Jesus. "Love Into Light" is designed to move the church toward that end.
Written from the heart of a pastor with a love for people and a sensitivity to our culture, "Love Into Light" is your next step toward becoming more faithfully and helpfully engaged with people in your families, in your church and in your neighborhood.
Endorsements:
This comes at just the right time. . . . Those who live under Scripture are increasingly eager to put on humility, speak with and learn from those who experience same-sex attraction, and consider what all this means for life in Christ’s Kingdom.
—Dr. Ed Welch, counselor and faculty member at CCEF
We live in a day where we face challenges that require God’s wisdom. These challenges are designed by God to cause us to look to Him as to how He might use them to revive His church and equip it to be humble enough to love a broken world. This book reflects the wisdom from above which is described as both gentle and full of mercy as well as pure, unwavering , and without hypocrisy (James 3:17). It is a labor of love and contains vital truths that all of us need to hear and heed.
—Dr. Bill Thrasher, Moody Theological Seminary and Moody Bible Institute, Author and Professor
"Love into Light" is a big welcome mat at the church’s front door for people who struggle with same-sex attraction and for those who wish to love them in Christ’s name.
—Dr. Mark S. Gignilliat, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University
Peter Hubbard is a gifted teacher, and he wisely navigates what are uncharted waters for many Christians: How should churches relate to others with same-sex attractions?
—Dr. Andy Naselli, Bethlehem College and Seminary
"Love into Light" . . . invites us to see our own hearts honestly and to reach out to people many churches would turn away . . .
—Laura Baker, President of Prasso Ministries
176 pages, Paperback
First published June 18, 2013
58 people are currently reading
577 people want to read
About the author
Peter Hubbard
7 books3 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Peter Hubbard is Teaching Pastor at North Hills Community Church in Taylors, SC, where he has communicated the truth of the scriptures since the church began in 1992. Peter appreciates the never- ending opportunities to engage with hurting people and to apply the hope of the gospel to the messy places of our lives. He has earned two masters degrees. He has also completed a doctor of ministry degree in pastoral counseling at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. Peter and his wife Karen have been married for twenty-five years and have four children.
Peter Hubbard is Teaching Pastor at North Hills Community Church in Taylors, SC, where he has communicated the truth of the scriptures since the church began in 1992. Peter appreciates the never- ending opportunities to engage with hurting people and to apply the hope of the gospel to the messy places of our lives. He has earned two masters degrees. He has also completed a doctor of ministry degree in pastoral counseling at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. Peter and his wife Karen have been married for twenty-five years and have four children.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
July 24, 2017
After I came out to my Southern Baptist father, he gave me this book. The title is hopeful enough, but what I found inside rarely helped and mainly hurt. I have never annotated a book like this one, which I peppered with sticky notes and my refutations, exclamations, and expletives. I transcribed and expanded them into two-column notes in a word processing document that reached thirteen pages.
Some highlights:
*In the Introduction, Hubbard acknowledges "feeling spoiled" to get to come home to his wife and children--a basic human experience he would deny LGBT people
*Hubbard employs the bizarre (and evangelical?) term "same-sex attraction" to refer to gay men and women, stripping them of their identities. SSA begins to sound like a disease or plague after a while, which can be "cured."
*Hubbard uses the incorrect term transgendered instead of transgender.
*Hubbard never acknowledges that Jesus never spoke about LGBT people. Paul made references, sure, but not Jesus.
*Hubbard claims that Christians live in a casteless society, yet he still does not accept LGBT people. They are separate and other to him.
*Hubbard never addresses children who become Christians but later realize they are LGBT. All of his examples are about "sinners" who find Jesus & attempt to lose their SSA.
*Hubbard harps on and on about not being able to determine what causes someone to be gay. That is not the point, Peter!
*Hubbard thinks gay people are obsessed with sex. What about straight people, Pete?! This entire book is anti-sex. (All you need is Jesus.)
*Hubbard compares homosexuality to bestiality and incest! I mean, really!
*Hubbard claims LGBT people's feelings are not true or valid. What a jerk!
*Hubbard never reveals any of his sexual sins or struggles. Sure is he easy for him to beat up gay people with a few verses from the Bible, though!
*Hubbard argues that being gay is a choice but later says some people are naturally gay. He argues both sides. Fail!
*Hubbard thinks you can pray the gay away. He thinks sexuality, which is fixed, can be changed. No!
*Hubbard says that since Jesus was single, gay people can just be single too, amirite? (Wrong!)
*Hubbard uses the word "image" as a verb. Yes, that's irrelevant, but I'm an English teacher, and it really bothered me when did that.
*Hubbard denies gays because they can't have children, even though some straight couples are infertile or choose not to have children.
*Hubbard says since marriage and sex are temporary things and won't exist in heaven, it's not a big deal to deny them to gay people on Earth. Are you freaking kidding me?!
*Hubbard calls homosexuality an addiction. Where does he get off? Fine. Then being straight is an addiction too, Pete.
*Hubbard wants a pat on the back because his church now acknowledges some people have SSA. That's not enough!
*Hubbard never acknowledges the Bible verses that say divorce is a sin, and which is commonly accepted in evangelical churches. So divorced people get a free pass, but gay people don't.
*Hubbard never says if he has close friends or family members who are LGBT.
Some highlights:
*In the Introduction, Hubbard acknowledges "feeling spoiled" to get to come home to his wife and children--a basic human experience he would deny LGBT people
*Hubbard employs the bizarre (and evangelical?) term "same-sex attraction" to refer to gay men and women, stripping them of their identities. SSA begins to sound like a disease or plague after a while, which can be "cured."
*Hubbard uses the incorrect term transgendered instead of transgender.
*Hubbard never acknowledges that Jesus never spoke about LGBT people. Paul made references, sure, but not Jesus.
*Hubbard claims that Christians live in a casteless society, yet he still does not accept LGBT people. They are separate and other to him.
*Hubbard never addresses children who become Christians but later realize they are LGBT. All of his examples are about "sinners" who find Jesus & attempt to lose their SSA.
*Hubbard harps on and on about not being able to determine what causes someone to be gay. That is not the point, Peter!
*Hubbard thinks gay people are obsessed with sex. What about straight people, Pete?! This entire book is anti-sex. (All you need is Jesus.)
*Hubbard compares homosexuality to bestiality and incest! I mean, really!
*Hubbard claims LGBT people's feelings are not true or valid. What a jerk!
*Hubbard never reveals any of his sexual sins or struggles. Sure is he easy for him to beat up gay people with a few verses from the Bible, though!
*Hubbard argues that being gay is a choice but later says some people are naturally gay. He argues both sides. Fail!
*Hubbard thinks you can pray the gay away. He thinks sexuality, which is fixed, can be changed. No!
*Hubbard says that since Jesus was single, gay people can just be single too, amirite? (Wrong!)
*Hubbard uses the word "image" as a verb. Yes, that's irrelevant, but I'm an English teacher, and it really bothered me when did that.
*Hubbard denies gays because they can't have children, even though some straight couples are infertile or choose not to have children.
*Hubbard says since marriage and sex are temporary things and won't exist in heaven, it's not a big deal to deny them to gay people on Earth. Are you freaking kidding me?!
*Hubbard calls homosexuality an addiction. Where does he get off? Fine. Then being straight is an addiction too, Pete.
*Hubbard wants a pat on the back because his church now acknowledges some people have SSA. That's not enough!
*Hubbard never acknowledges the Bible verses that say divorce is a sin, and which is commonly accepted in evangelical churches. So divorced people get a free pass, but gay people don't.
*Hubbard never says if he has close friends or family members who are LGBT.
July 30, 2013
This book is not very well known but I suspect it will become very popular in the next year or so.
Hubbard writes as a pastor committed to the truth of the Bible, but it is also very clear in his writing that he has many gay friends and has much experience interacting with and helping those who struggle with same-sex attraction, as well as those who don't struggle with it at all but embrace it.
The biggest strength of this book is that it doesn't fall to the extreme of being so focused on why homosexuality is sinful that it alienates gay people that might find help through the book... and it also doesn't fall the other extreme of simply accepting LGBT lifestyles and reinterpreting the Bible on those grounds. He stays committed to the truth of the Bible that homosexuality is a sin, all the while communicating a message of love toward those in its grasp.
Not sure how someone who is gay would respond to this book, but I think all Christians would benefit from reading this, if only to better learn the balance between loving the LGBT community while refusing to compromise on God's word.
Hubbard writes as a pastor committed to the truth of the Bible, but it is also very clear in his writing that he has many gay friends and has much experience interacting with and helping those who struggle with same-sex attraction, as well as those who don't struggle with it at all but embrace it.
The biggest strength of this book is that it doesn't fall to the extreme of being so focused on why homosexuality is sinful that it alienates gay people that might find help through the book... and it also doesn't fall the other extreme of simply accepting LGBT lifestyles and reinterpreting the Bible on those grounds. He stays committed to the truth of the Bible that homosexuality is a sin, all the while communicating a message of love toward those in its grasp.
Not sure how someone who is gay would respond to this book, but I think all Christians would benefit from reading this, if only to better learn the balance between loving the LGBT community while refusing to compromise on God's word.
October 16, 2013
Peter Hubbard writes winsomely and pastorally. You can feel he’s struggled with, loved, and cared for those who’ve come to him for care regarding their same sex attractions (SSA). He says,
The more I listened the more I learned, the more I realized--we are not different. We are the same. Our specific battles and sins may vary, but our hearts are the same. And our daily need for the grace of Jesus Christ is the same. (11)
He also tethers himself to the Scriptures as God’s Word and the truth God reveals about Jesus Christ in the gospel. Right off the bat, Peter delves into the gospel and how it should change the way we approach SSA. He corrects our tendency to speak of us and them, and instead talk just about us as image bearers who have fallen. If that’s the case, then the solution is the same for all of us. “The gospel of Jesus . . . is a death certificate that unfolds into a new birth certificate, providing us with a renewed identity!” (26). So the struggles we face are not uniquely heterosexual and homosexual. All sin strikes at our identity.
I also appreciated Peter readily admitting the why and how are complex. Often Christians are sloppy on this point. We want easy, clean lines, yet life in a fallen world is rarely simple. There’s almost always blurred lines. Recognizing this, would allow us to not shrink away if one day it was determined SSA was primarily biological. Things fall apart in a fallen world. As a he frequently does, Peter brings this approach back to God.
But here’s the good news: our cravings, with all their complexities, point beyond themselves. They are insatiable signposts directing us away from temporal relief. We need God to search our hearts. We need God to satisfy our hearts. (41)
Finally, outside of exploring the topic of SSA and homosexuality from a Biblical point of view, Peter urges us to bring SSA struggles into the light. Find a church family who will minister and love you through your struggles. Hand in hand, churches encourage open relationships with SSA strugglers. We do this by preaching the gospel fully and making application on this topic. Silence kills engagement. Church members who struggle with SSA must know the church is ready to love and encourage them to the gospel.
Love into Light is a book you can confidently share with your friends, family members, and churches. Peter isn’t a political pundit. He’s a pastor who loves the gospel and loves people. Those truths come across in the book. He doesn’t hide truth in the shadows, but brings the light of the gospel to bear on our hearts by focusing on our identity in Jesus Christ.
The more I listened the more I learned, the more I realized--we are not different. We are the same. Our specific battles and sins may vary, but our hearts are the same. And our daily need for the grace of Jesus Christ is the same. (11)
He also tethers himself to the Scriptures as God’s Word and the truth God reveals about Jesus Christ in the gospel. Right off the bat, Peter delves into the gospel and how it should change the way we approach SSA. He corrects our tendency to speak of us and them, and instead talk just about us as image bearers who have fallen. If that’s the case, then the solution is the same for all of us. “The gospel of Jesus . . . is a death certificate that unfolds into a new birth certificate, providing us with a renewed identity!” (26). So the struggles we face are not uniquely heterosexual and homosexual. All sin strikes at our identity.
I also appreciated Peter readily admitting the why and how are complex. Often Christians are sloppy on this point. We want easy, clean lines, yet life in a fallen world is rarely simple. There’s almost always blurred lines. Recognizing this, would allow us to not shrink away if one day it was determined SSA was primarily biological. Things fall apart in a fallen world. As a he frequently does, Peter brings this approach back to God.
But here’s the good news: our cravings, with all their complexities, point beyond themselves. They are insatiable signposts directing us away from temporal relief. We need God to search our hearts. We need God to satisfy our hearts. (41)
Finally, outside of exploring the topic of SSA and homosexuality from a Biblical point of view, Peter urges us to bring SSA struggles into the light. Find a church family who will minister and love you through your struggles. Hand in hand, churches encourage open relationships with SSA strugglers. We do this by preaching the gospel fully and making application on this topic. Silence kills engagement. Church members who struggle with SSA must know the church is ready to love and encourage them to the gospel.
Love into Light is a book you can confidently share with your friends, family members, and churches. Peter isn’t a political pundit. He’s a pastor who loves the gospel and loves people. Those truths come across in the book. He doesn’t hide truth in the shadows, but brings the light of the gospel to bear on our hearts by focusing on our identity in Jesus Christ.
April 22, 2018
As much as I appreciate a pastor attempting to break down the details of SSA, it becomes increasingly clear he does not understand the realities of SSA men. It is contradictory. This is an updated version of "loving the gay way." Wildly uneducated, and inappropriate.
Loving others is not something to be applauded, as if it is a performance. Why, pastor? Why must you feel you need to write a book on homosexuality while applauding how well your church has loved gays. You are establishing further roots in how disconnected the christian culture is from knowing/seeing gay people.
I strongly urge you to have anyone who has been "healed" from homosexuality to come forward. Exodus International apologized for the damage they have done to many, many innocent souls by conversion therapy. They have no evidence that it helped anyone, while the original founders left their wives and ended up together.
As long as the church feels like "loving others" is the way to help someone escape their sexuality, then the church will continue to be a damaging force to be reckoned with.
This book grieves me. It is a masked version of the damage that has already been done. I urge anyone to read Matthew Vines "God and the gay christian."
Loving others is not something to be applauded, as if it is a performance. Why, pastor? Why must you feel you need to write a book on homosexuality while applauding how well your church has loved gays. You are establishing further roots in how disconnected the christian culture is from knowing/seeing gay people.
I strongly urge you to have anyone who has been "healed" from homosexuality to come forward. Exodus International apologized for the damage they have done to many, many innocent souls by conversion therapy. They have no evidence that it helped anyone, while the original founders left their wives and ended up together.
As long as the church feels like "loving others" is the way to help someone escape their sexuality, then the church will continue to be a damaging force to be reckoned with.
This book grieves me. It is a masked version of the damage that has already been done. I urge anyone to read Matthew Vines "God and the gay christian."
October 15, 2019
This book espouses the same kind of bigotry that caused my committed life partner to complete suicide.
Bc of religious counseling and the pressure put on him, he became so conflicted. He did not want to leave me. We were in a healthy, committed relationship with unconditional love for each other (and isn’t that what it’s all about?), yet he was being pressured to leave me, and instead took his own life.
This bigotry has to stop. It is what this pastor espouses that killed my soulmate. Who were we hurting? No one. So why is it up to another human to judge?
Apparently this pastor does not trust God to judge and feels the need to do it himself.
Bc of religious counseling and the pressure put on him, he became so conflicted. He did not want to leave me. We were in a healthy, committed relationship with unconditional love for each other (and isn’t that what it’s all about?), yet he was being pressured to leave me, and instead took his own life.
This bigotry has to stop. It is what this pastor espouses that killed my soulmate. Who were we hurting? No one. So why is it up to another human to judge?
Apparently this pastor does not trust God to judge and feels the need to do it himself.
August 13, 2020
Wow. If you have ever wondered “How in the world do I tackle this issue of homosexuality as a Christian in love AND in truth?” like I have, I would highly recommend this book.
The information is concise and extremely helpful. More information and Q&A on loveintolight.org also appear to be really good.
On top of that, this book offers a great reminder of the Gospel, and how it speaks into even the most challenging issues of our day. Reading this book involved a lot of me texting pictures of quotes to friends, which is always a good sign. Fantastic! Will definitely use this as a reference for years to come.
The information is concise and extremely helpful. More information and Q&A on loveintolight.org also appear to be really good.
On top of that, this book offers a great reminder of the Gospel, and how it speaks into even the most challenging issues of our day. Reading this book involved a lot of me texting pictures of quotes to friends, which is always a good sign. Fantastic! Will definitely use this as a reference for years to come.
November 24, 2024
Strålende bok om hvordan evangeliet er evangeliet også for homofile, og hvordan vi som enkeltkristne og som kirke kan møte mennesker som strever med dette på gode måter, fulle av Guds nåde og sannhet. Hubbard skriver klokt, pastoralt, kjærlig og praktisk om denne tematikken, samtidig som han er tydelig på sitt konservative syn. Han advarer mot fallgruver kristne har falt i for mange ganger, veileder leseren i ord og handling, og inspirerer til å leve helhjerta som Jesu disippler.
June 23, 2014
Disclaimer: My mother is Peter's assistant so I heard a lot about the behind the scenes process of getting this book written and published. I did not, however, read the book until many months after publication. Whoops :)
This is an excellent book. I have been privileged to attend North Hills Community Church and sit under Peter Hubbard's teaching since I was 10 years old. I have learned and grown so much. This book is simply an extension of what he does every Sunday from the pulpit.
In clear, easy to understand but not watered down words, Peter navigates this difficult topic. His narrative is theologically sound and well- formatted. His points thoroughly support his main premise. He uses relevant and succinct illustrations to support his points.
This book is definitely a must read. The only thing I wish I would have done differently is to have read it sooner.
This is an excellent book. I have been privileged to attend North Hills Community Church and sit under Peter Hubbard's teaching since I was 10 years old. I have learned and grown so much. This book is simply an extension of what he does every Sunday from the pulpit.
In clear, easy to understand but not watered down words, Peter navigates this difficult topic. His narrative is theologically sound and well- formatted. His points thoroughly support his main premise. He uses relevant and succinct illustrations to support his points.
This book is definitely a must read. The only thing I wish I would have done differently is to have read it sooner.
August 24, 2015
Peter Hubbard has a knack for clearly and concisely stating his point. This book was chock full of truth and mercy. It's accessible to the layman, and provides an excellent perspective on an issue that is pervading the church. I did leave the book feeling like much more could have been said but also appreciated what was said. Hubbard taps into the surface of a deep issue and does an excellent job of familiarizing readers with biblical truths on the homosexuality debate and helping those who are struggling with SSA. I would love to see a follow-up book with a more in-depth study of SSA with helpful tools for pastors and others in ministry for incorporating ways to help those struggling with SSA.
November 15, 2017
The title for this book is somewhat misleading. Hubbard assumes homosexual individuals all suffer from unwanted same-sex attraction, which informs his understanding of the relationship homosexual individuals seek to have with the church.
Secondly, Hubbard offers very little for churches seeking to answer basic and practical questions about how to relate to homosexual individuals as the church.
Balancing out these deficiencies are several interesting and important insights, such as the need for churches to emphasize both sides of the gospel without putting too much weight on full exclusion (interpreted as condemnation or rejection) or full inclusion (interpreted as affirmation or compromise). Conservative or traditionalist readers will not learn how to do this from this book.
Secondly, Hubbard offers very little for churches seeking to answer basic and practical questions about how to relate to homosexual individuals as the church.
Balancing out these deficiencies are several interesting and important insights, such as the need for churches to emphasize both sides of the gospel without putting too much weight on full exclusion (interpreted as condemnation or rejection) or full inclusion (interpreted as affirmation or compromise). Conservative or traditionalist readers will not learn how to do this from this book.
January 27, 2015
Density of ideas, compassionate heart packed industriously into 170ish pages.
This book spoke hope to me as a sinner and opened up the Gospel to me in ways I have never considered. My hunch is that this book will not reach a popular status until more of us recommend it.
It truly is stellar.
Generous use of Scripture; not just the standard proof-texts contra homosexuality.
I love the applied Lion-Lamb Christology to the issue.
Any pastor who wants to counsel better ought to read this book, and every team of elders who wants to courageously and humbly lead a church through a cultural transformation on this issue would do well read and pray through this book together.
This book spoke hope to me as a sinner and opened up the Gospel to me in ways I have never considered. My hunch is that this book will not reach a popular status until more of us recommend it.
It truly is stellar.
Generous use of Scripture; not just the standard proof-texts contra homosexuality.
I love the applied Lion-Lamb Christology to the issue.
Any pastor who wants to counsel better ought to read this book, and every team of elders who wants to courageously and humbly lead a church through a cultural transformation on this issue would do well read and pray through this book together.
August 19, 2013
Very solid and candid discussion of how the Church should respond biblically to homosexuality/same sex attraction. Everything Pastor Hubbard says is biblically informed and well thought out. I can't say that he presented me with something that I didn't already know, but the way that he packages it is both thought-provoking and insightful. This book is definitely a resource that the Church today is in great need of! I hope it is the first of many like it. I would recommend "Love Into Light" to anyone.
July 22, 2015
Simply an amazing book. He stresses the most loving conservative theology I've ever seen. Every thought is very thought out. There isn't a cliche in the book. Loved every chapter. I cannot imagine anyone reading this book and not being inspired to be more thoughtful, strong, and loving in this ongoing culture war surrounding homosexuality.
July 27, 2016
This book took a little while for me to push through, but that last two chapters were worth all the work. Excellent, thoughtful words.
'Jesus often exposes our sin and highlights His grace in the midst of “insignificant” or, from our perspective, “useless” people. The kind of people we most fear, despise, or misunderstand may be the very ones who open our eyes to more of Jesus.'
'Jesus often exposes our sin and highlights His grace in the midst of “insignificant” or, from our perspective, “useless” people. The kind of people we most fear, despise, or misunderstand may be the very ones who open our eyes to more of Jesus.'
October 11, 2013
Excellent. I highly recommend this book on a topic every church will have to think through in our new cultural climate.
September 16, 2014
A most helpful book by a seasoned veteran pastor. It caused me to think and re-think. Highly recommended!
August 18, 2015
One the best books I have read on the subject. Heartfelt, compassionate, thought-provoking and balanced with truth.
March 21, 2016
The most helpful book I have ever seen when it comes to facing this issue as a Christian
September 26, 2017
This started out weak and I was afraid it'd be shallow, but Hubbard surprised me as I got further into it. Here's a pastor in the heart of the south who is utterly committed to applying the gospel to one of the toughest pastoral issues in the church today.
He challenges churches to address same-sex attraction openly and even-handedly, recognizing that no one is sexually pure and all of us should be living in repentance through God's grace. Christians living with unwanted same-sex attraction need communities where they can be honest about their struggling and questions without shame or fear of rejection. The church may soon be the only place where people can go to hear that their identities are not defined by their desires, sexual or otherwise. Contrary to popular perception, there are a lot of people who want out of the homosexual lifestyle and need support to change their lives - communities who will allow them to follow their conscience without attacking them as "traitors", who will offer them safe same-sex friendships and patience to work through their beliefs.
Hubbard does touch a little bit on the biblical passages that prohibit homosexual sex, why he holds to a traditional understanding of marriage, factors that contribute to same-sex attractions, etc., but if you're looking for a detailed discussion of that you'll be disappointed. This is primarily a call for churches to be more intentional about helping people (both straight and gay) to follow their callings and grow in their faith.
He challenges churches to address same-sex attraction openly and even-handedly, recognizing that no one is sexually pure and all of us should be living in repentance through God's grace. Christians living with unwanted same-sex attraction need communities where they can be honest about their struggling and questions without shame or fear of rejection. The church may soon be the only place where people can go to hear that their identities are not defined by their desires, sexual or otherwise. Contrary to popular perception, there are a lot of people who want out of the homosexual lifestyle and need support to change their lives - communities who will allow them to follow their conscience without attacking them as "traitors", who will offer them safe same-sex friendships and patience to work through their beliefs.
Hubbard does touch a little bit on the biblical passages that prohibit homosexual sex, why he holds to a traditional understanding of marriage, factors that contribute to same-sex attractions, etc., but if you're looking for a detailed discussion of that you'll be disappointed. This is primarily a call for churches to be more intentional about helping people (both straight and gay) to follow their callings and grow in their faith.
September 23, 2019
Possibly one of trickiest topics that the modern day church has to deal with right now: sexuality and the gospel. Personally, this is something that I've struggled to understand and reconcile with how the church has handled/currently handles sexuality. This book was given to me by someone I respect immensely and I found it to be a concise, biblical, and grace filled affirmation that (as with all things) the gospel isn't a rule book full of "do"s and "don't"s but rather a completely transformative relationship that will speak into every aspect of our lives - and for our ultimate good. Truth spoken with humility and grace; this is a wonderful read.
January 20, 2018
This book is a solid primer for Christians who want to think biblically — that is, with grace and truth — about homosexuality. Peter Hubbard has a genuine love for homosexuals and those in the church who have same-sex attraction (SSA). At the same time, he is firm on his conviction that homosexual behavior is sin. His goal here is to help believers remember that they, too, need Christ as much as homosexuals. They aren’t any more lost than anyone else God invites to the table. As we share the gospel, we should keep this foremost in our minds.
December 28, 2018
This book is incredible. Two quotes:
“The antidote for homosexuality is not heterosexuality. A crack addict can “repent,“ and switch to math and remain a drug addict. Likewise homosexual can pursue heterosexuality and remain bound by lust, greed, and fear.“ - page 47
“Any Christian who can mock a homosexual or speak unkindly to a drag queen is suffering from amnesia. We have forgotten what it is like to be without Jesus!“ - page 161
“The antidote for homosexuality is not heterosexuality. A crack addict can “repent,“ and switch to math and remain a drug addict. Likewise homosexual can pursue heterosexuality and remain bound by lust, greed, and fear.“ - page 47
“Any Christian who can mock a homosexual or speak unkindly to a drag queen is suffering from amnesia. We have forgotten what it is like to be without Jesus!“ - page 161
January 16, 2025
A Gracious call to the church to be gracious in our speech and conduct when dealing with someone struggling with same-sex attraction and a clear explanation of some of the Biblical texts speaking about Homosexuality. The Author also graciously engages cultural views on these sensitive issues without being arrogant towards those who disagrees with the Bible or insensitive to those who grapple with their identity. Recommended.
December 11, 2020
A very comprehensive look at the struggles of SSA, how to stand firm but gracious as Christians toward SSA and how to welcome those struggling with SSA into your life in a christelike loving kindness.
July 11, 2021
So full of love and truth. I’m incredibly thankful for this book and I pray that it blesses many more people the way it blessed me. I would recommend this to anyone in need of clarification about what the Bible says about homosexuality or any people struggling with SSA.
August 21, 2019
I do wish this book had gone into more specifics in some cases, but the overall message is good and Biblical.
May 5, 2020
Great Book!
January 5, 2022
I can’t rate this book highly enough. It was challenging and encouraging and full of hope and truth.
Read
September 16, 2023Interesting
July 9, 2025
Biblically balances truth and love.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews