Learning to Interpret Toward Love: Actually Embracing People of Different Sexuality

by Peter Fitch

Different groups interpret the Bible according to their core beliefs, emphasizing some ideas while allowing others to lie dormant. In this reflection on the meaning of Scripture, Peter Fitch argues that the Bible itself gives many clues as to the appropriate lens with which to read love. It is not meant as a rulebook, binding for all generations; rather, it provides an atmosphere for people to meet with and be transformed by a living God. Next, Peter describes his own story of gradually realizing that this truth would lead to a new way of seeing and accepting people with different sexuality. Along the way, he shares the stories of university students and family members, and of a church that wrestled deeply with these issues. He believes that there are times that the heart can be a better theologian than the brain, and that churches would do well to learn to embrace people of different sexuality. Learning to Interpret Toward Love is a theological explanation of why this is a path to a better future.

Genres: Theology

156 pages, Paperback

First published June 21, 2013

Reviews

[As You Wish · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I would have read this book when it came out 8 years ago. I grew up in a religious background that utterly excluded LGBTQ+ people from fellowship with God. This is on a totally different tack. This book would have been helpful on my own journey to acceptance and celebration of my friends. Alas for me, but it was still full of many good insights for Christians trying to wrap their mind or heart around this issue in a way that is more like the example Jesus set for us. Highly recommend.

[Jason Baskerville · Rating 4 out of 5]

I respect and appreciate how Peter Fitch shares his heart around the issue of inclusion of our LGBTQ2S+ friends into our faith communities. I have shared many of the same thoughts and wrestled with many of the same barriers in how I have been taught over the years. This book is approachable and thoughtful. It is one person's story, but that person, the author, has also had decades of teaching and studying experience in Christian educational circles. Thank you for continuing the discussion, Mr. Fitch. It is one of utmost importance.

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fitch offers us a compassionate exploration of Scripture and personal story that leads us to the way of Jesus, the way of Love.

Fitch holds scripture with honour and love for what it is and the stories and guidance it holds without mishandling it as a legalistic rule book to restrain us and Jesus' call for us to love one another.

This book is a necessary read for anyone who is wrestling with how to respond to people of different sexualities in a way that honours Scripture and Jesus.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tells the story of how he became LGBTQ affirming. He says the key is love, then applies this to interpreting the bible. He makes the case that the bible is not really a rule book but rather (my words) a book of wisdom of understanding God and Jesus that we need to apply in our context. A well written, short, clear book.

[Lyndon · Rating 4 out of 5]

ready for a challenge?

This book provides insights that will challenge one on their beliefs about the bible and lgbt people. While I disagreed on some points, the title aptly describes what Christians should do with all people and in how they read scripture.

[Steve Watson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Peter Fitch recounts his journey as an evangelical pastor who comes to fully accept the presence and marriage of gays and lesbians in churches. He tells his story well and captures a number of interesting points from his experience as a Bible professor and pastor.

One of the most helpful lines was his clarification of the options available to churches:
"Christian churches tend to characterize same-gender orientation under four headings, and each of these can be seen to have an appropriate and corresponding response. Some think of it as rebellion, so the response is thought to be repentance. Some thing of it as addiction, calling for a response of abstinence. Some think of it as brokenness (i the sense that not everything works out perfectly in a broken world), so the need is for grace. An some thing of it as variant or different, calling for the appropriate response of celebration." (88-89) Can a church, and can even friends, happily land on different places amongst those options?

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately, I believe this book to be too short. Much of Fitch's argument is based on personal experience rather than on what the bible actually says, although he is certainly on the right track with what he does say about scripture.