What do you think?
Rate this book
Is the Church Pro-Gay?: How to Respond to a Moral Crisis with God's Love
DESCRIPTION"This book is a must-read." -Dr. Rosaria ButterfieldMore people are LGBT than ever before — including in the churches. Gay acceptance is now an issue in historically conservative congregations. Christians must face the Biblical and pastoral implications. How does the Gospel answer the gay challenge to the church?In this challenging and helpful book, Presbyterian Pastor Shawn Mathis calls the church to take this moral crisis head-on. He faces hard facts that many Christians are afraid to face. He focuses on those who confess LGBT attractions and want to be an active part or a leader in the church. He ties all of this to the duty of mortification and provides an outline of how a faithful church can respond to this pressing issue.Shawn Mathis served in the Air Force and worked as an electrical engineer before ministering at Providence Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Denver in 2006. He is passionate about applying biblical truth to the pressing concerns of today's Christians. His writings are at PastorMathis.com and social media.ENDORSEMENTS"Weak pastors, some of whom are wolves, are commendeering evangelicalsm today, and many of us wonder how this happened so fast. Churches can’t major on the majors because the ABCs of the Christian faith have been replaced by LGBTQ+. Slogans replace doctrine, and category mistakes replace trusted catechisms. Seemingly gone are the days when born-again Christians, new creatures in Christ, live in the victory of deliverance from sin. The reigning idol of our land–LGBTQ+--demands the church bend the knee. Enter Pastor Shawn Mathis’s book, Is the Church Pro-Gay? Pastor Mathis shows how in recent decades “winsome” slogans replaced the sacred and powerful Word, the means of grace, the love of the church, and the hope of the Gospel. His critiques are incisive and necessary. Pastor Mathis’s treatise on concupiscence, mortification of homosexual sin, cultivation of heterosexuality and biblical marriage, and other politically incorrect virtues is pure gold. But the heart of this book is the heart of the pastor who defends his flock. He exposes as rank heresy the reigning idea that “being LGBTQ+” isn’t morally culpable if you aren’t having sex and rightly calls out anyone who would believe this is conservative, theologically biblical, or even logical. Christian readers will come away from this book emboldened, thinking “on the one hand, yes, the evangelical church is pro-gay, and on the other, not on my watch will this heresy be allowed to proliferate”. This book is dedicated to the children of this faithful pastor’s church. May the wolves read that and be put on notice. This book is a must-read."—Dr. Rosaria ButterfieldAuthor, The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert
- GenresChristianity
Paperback
8 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 8, 2023
At a first glance, the question “Is the Church Pro-Gay?” might seem like a strange one to put before most conservative Christians. Is not the Bible clear that homosexual practice is sinful and unfitting for the people of God? Sadly, many bad actors within and without the church have made great progress in making the certain doubtful and the unthinkable both present and increasingly common regarding homosexuality, transgenderism, and related issues.
In this book, Pastor Shawn Mathis thoroughly and meticulously documents the depth and breadth of compromise within the American church regarding homosexuality, with a particular interest in the Presbyterian and Reformed tradition in which he ministers. The sources and notes are extensive. Mathis demonstrates how many of the “leading” men and women of evangelicalism have failed the church by entertaining and promoting unbiblical and destructive ideas. But this book is not a mere theological treatise, it is also intensely practical, providing sound biblical teaching and helpful pastoral advice for a church and culture in crisis.
Mathis surveys the history and practices of queer culture in America. The picture is bleak: one of extreme promiscuity, disease, drug use, and inevitable death. He also talks openly about the manipulation, dishonesty, and violence that the LGBT movement has embraced and practiced in the furtherance of its cause both in the church and in broader culture. Mathis is unafraid to tell the dark but true story that Christians engaging these issues have long avoided. It is unlikely that mainstream Christian publications, publishers, and teachers would be willing to hear or speak of these things, and that makes this book all the more essential.
The book effectively critiques many of the errant ideas that the church has embraced regarding LGBT issues. Among them are the teachings of Sam Allberry (this book’s title is a counter to one of Allberry’s), Greg Johnson, Wesley Hill, and Nate Collins. Mathis ably demonstrates that the teaching of celibate gay Christianity popularized by Allberry, Revoice, and others is a denial of biblical and Reformed teachings on sin and sanctification. He also provides many examples of how these teachings inevitably lead to open and overt homosexual practice.
Where this book perhaps shines the most is in its practical instruction. Mathis exposes and rejects the errors of Side B and gay-affirming churches, instead reiterating the biblical and confessional (but culturally-taboo) call that Christians ought to repent of and mortify not only sinful actions but sinful desires, and that they should “avoid the means, causes, and occasions of homosexuality.” (p. 261, alluding to Westminster Larger Catechism Q. 99). Again, it seems strange that such a thing needs to be said, but the confusion, bad teaching, and cultural pressure in our day have obscured this once-plain truth. Additionally, Mathis calls churches to reject the excessively missional, winsome, and outreach-focused ethos that has led to much compromise. Instead, he calls for prioritizing biblical preaching of the law and gospel, ministry of the sacraments, and church discipline as well as safety and security precautions to prevent abuse and grooming. "In short," he writes, "a pro-God church is a safe space for Christians" (p. 260).
This book is essential reading for pastors and other Christians seeking to faithfully navigate our cultural moment. As the zeitgeist labors ever harder to suppress the truth in unrighteousness, we stand ever more in need of books like this and men like Pastor Mathis who are willing and unafraid to speak the truth.
Rev. Andrew Smyth
Westminster OPC - Hamill, SD
In this book, Pastor Shawn Mathis thoroughly and meticulously documents the depth and breadth of compromise within the American church regarding homosexuality, with a particular interest in the Presbyterian and Reformed tradition in which he ministers. The sources and notes are extensive. Mathis demonstrates how many of the “leading” men and women of evangelicalism have failed the church by entertaining and promoting unbiblical and destructive ideas. But this book is not a mere theological treatise, it is also intensely practical, providing sound biblical teaching and helpful pastoral advice for a church and culture in crisis.
Mathis surveys the history and practices of queer culture in America. The picture is bleak: one of extreme promiscuity, disease, drug use, and inevitable death. He also talks openly about the manipulation, dishonesty, and violence that the LGBT movement has embraced and practiced in the furtherance of its cause both in the church and in broader culture. Mathis is unafraid to tell the dark but true story that Christians engaging these issues have long avoided. It is unlikely that mainstream Christian publications, publishers, and teachers would be willing to hear or speak of these things, and that makes this book all the more essential.
The book effectively critiques many of the errant ideas that the church has embraced regarding LGBT issues. Among them are the teachings of Sam Allberry (this book’s title is a counter to one of Allberry’s), Greg Johnson, Wesley Hill, and Nate Collins. Mathis ably demonstrates that the teaching of celibate gay Christianity popularized by Allberry, Revoice, and others is a denial of biblical and Reformed teachings on sin and sanctification. He also provides many examples of how these teachings inevitably lead to open and overt homosexual practice.
Where this book perhaps shines the most is in its practical instruction. Mathis exposes and rejects the errors of Side B and gay-affirming churches, instead reiterating the biblical and confessional (but culturally-taboo) call that Christians ought to repent of and mortify not only sinful actions but sinful desires, and that they should “avoid the means, causes, and occasions of homosexuality.” (p. 261, alluding to Westminster Larger Catechism Q. 99). Again, it seems strange that such a thing needs to be said, but the confusion, bad teaching, and cultural pressure in our day have obscured this once-plain truth. Additionally, Mathis calls churches to reject the excessively missional, winsome, and outreach-focused ethos that has led to much compromise. Instead, he calls for prioritizing biblical preaching of the law and gospel, ministry of the sacraments, and church discipline as well as safety and security precautions to prevent abuse and grooming. "In short," he writes, "a pro-God church is a safe space for Christians" (p. 260).
This book is essential reading for pastors and other Christians seeking to faithfully navigate our cultural moment. As the zeitgeist labors ever harder to suppress the truth in unrighteousness, we stand ever more in need of books like this and men like Pastor Mathis who are willing and unafraid to speak the truth.
Rev. Andrew Smyth
Westminster OPC - Hamill, SD
December 13, 2023
Pastor Shawn Mathis’s book “Is the Church Pro Gay?” is a faithful and historically orthodox indictment of Evangelicalism’s slow, deliberate, and methodical capitulation on Christian sexual ethics. While American mainline denominations offered virtually no resistance to the encroachments of 20th-century cultural liberalism, the Evangelical world’s story is unique. Pastor Mathis documents how purportedly conservative churches and institutions feigned faithfulness and orthodoxy while deceitfully spawning gay-affirming movements and institutions designed to push pro-homosexual narratives into the wider evangelical world. “Is the Church Pro Gay?” details the complicity of some of Evangelicalism’s most renowned luminaries and connects the dots between the attempt to normalize SSA with other evils currently plaguing the church like abuse, promiscuity, pedophilia, grooming behavior, and transsexualism.
Mathis pulls no punches as he lifts the veil that covers the deep physical and psychological depravity of the sodomy movement that exists within the modern evangelical church and society at large. With precision, he documents the multi-layered efforts of doctrinal twisting and subversion of historic norms and sexual ethics. While morally unyielding and unwilling to compromise the doctrine of the holy law of God and man's depravity, Mathis offers his readers a path forward. To those locked in the grip of homosexuality and other assorted sins- the hope of the Gospel. To those churches struggling with these issues, Mathis reminds us that the love and mercy of God cannot be had at the expense of righteousness, and he issues a long overdue commendation- that the churches that love Christ and seek to obey Him be God-affirming, as opposed to Gay-affirming.
If you are a conservative pastor or church leader seeking to understand the relentless propaganda, the confusing jargon and conflicting accounts of the Revoice, Side B, and SSA movements, do yourself a favor and buy this book- but don’t stop there. Have your staff read and study this book. Mathis’s labors have given us a critical resource to navigate the signs of the times and we are in his debt.
-Ryan McCubbin, Texas
cultural activist
Mathis pulls no punches as he lifts the veil that covers the deep physical and psychological depravity of the sodomy movement that exists within the modern evangelical church and society at large. With precision, he documents the multi-layered efforts of doctrinal twisting and subversion of historic norms and sexual ethics. While morally unyielding and unwilling to compromise the doctrine of the holy law of God and man's depravity, Mathis offers his readers a path forward. To those locked in the grip of homosexuality and other assorted sins- the hope of the Gospel. To those churches struggling with these issues, Mathis reminds us that the love and mercy of God cannot be had at the expense of righteousness, and he issues a long overdue commendation- that the churches that love Christ and seek to obey Him be God-affirming, as opposed to Gay-affirming.
If you are a conservative pastor or church leader seeking to understand the relentless propaganda, the confusing jargon and conflicting accounts of the Revoice, Side B, and SSA movements, do yourself a favor and buy this book- but don’t stop there. Have your staff read and study this book. Mathis’s labors have given us a critical resource to navigate the signs of the times and we are in his debt.
-Ryan McCubbin, Texas
cultural activist
January 9, 2024
To anyone who has been paying close attention to the absolute state of Evangelicalism over the past ten years, the answer to this question is, of course, yes. Homosexuality is the favored sin of Evangelical elites because it is perceived as a high-status sin. Opposing it from the Bible is perceived as low-status behavior, something Evangelical elites will do everything possible to avoid.
Nonetheless, many Evangelical normies probably don't realize the extent to which their "conservative" denominations and churches have compromised on this issue. For them, Shawn's book should be required reading. He lays out the compromise from Evangelical elites, which includes a who's who of Big Eva leaders.
Shawn's specific focus is on so-called Side B, homosexuals who claim to be celibate on keeping with biblical commands against homosexual acts. Shawn shows that these claims of supporting celibacy are highly suspect, with Side B adherents telling same-sex attracted Christians they should remain in the gay subculture, including going to gay bars, living with other same-sex-attracted Christians, snd even engaging in romantic kissing with people of the same sex. To put it succinctly, Side B is a disingenuous attempt to push Evangelicalism towards full LGBTQ+ affirmation.
This book is a must-read.
Nonetheless, many Evangelical normies probably don't realize the extent to which their "conservative" denominations and churches have compromised on this issue. For them, Shawn's book should be required reading. He lays out the compromise from Evangelical elites, which includes a who's who of Big Eva leaders.
Shawn's specific focus is on so-called Side B, homosexuals who claim to be celibate on keeping with biblical commands against homosexual acts. Shawn shows that these claims of supporting celibacy are highly suspect, with Side B adherents telling same-sex attracted Christians they should remain in the gay subculture, including going to gay bars, living with other same-sex-attracted Christians, snd even engaging in romantic kissing with people of the same sex. To put it succinctly, Side B is a disingenuous attempt to push Evangelicalism towards full LGBTQ+ affirmation.
This book is a must-read.
April 7, 2024
A timely analysis of the modern American church
This book is relative short but full of references on how the church has strayed from a biblical understanding of sexuality in favor of the understanding of our culture.
It is both a cultural commentary as well as a discussion on the well stablished doctrines of sin and the mortification of sin rejected by the modern evangelical zeitgeist.
He does something that I find fundamental for a cultural Christian book, he analyses the culture from the Bible.
With the LGTB+ agenda in full swing all around us this book is really good. But I must warn you, it will be hard. It is a good reading.
I was surprised that the author decided to start its analysis with a bunch of references to social sciences studies to make his case.
This book is relative short but full of references on how the church has strayed from a biblical understanding of sexuality in favor of the understanding of our culture.
It is both a cultural commentary as well as a discussion on the well stablished doctrines of sin and the mortification of sin rejected by the modern evangelical zeitgeist.
He does something that I find fundamental for a cultural Christian book, he analyses the culture from the Bible.
With the LGTB+ agenda in full swing all around us this book is really good. But I must warn you, it will be hard. It is a good reading.
I was surprised that the author decided to start its analysis with a bunch of references to social sciences studies to make his case.
December 7, 2023
Shawn Mathis has given us a timely and exceptional book. Backed with copious sources, Mathis exposes the dangerous consequences of the homosexual lifestyle and unmasks the false narrative peddled in churches that homosexual attraction is not sin. The book provides a clear biblical foundation for evaluating the heinous nature of homosexuality, the nature of indwelling sin/temptation, and sounds a clarion call to the church to boldly stand against attacks on God's created order and moral law. A must read. ~ Mark Van Der Molen
January 31, 2024
Terms like “Rainbow Jihad” and “Alphabet Mafia” are not uses of inflammatory language but an accurate description of the blatant outward assault on the church (Note: The author does not use these terms). They hate you, hate your family, and hate your church. Pastor Shawn Mathis does a great service to the church and gives them a great gift with this forthright and well written book. Get a copy for yourself and make sure your Pastor has one as well.
July 23, 2024
Excellent. Mathis does a great job especially in chapters 2 and 8; the former painting a picture of the disturbing wickedness that takes place in the larger homosexual community, largely to the complete ignorance of Christians; the latter giving churches a very practical set of answers to the question, Where do we go from here?
February 13, 2024
I hope this book gets into the hands of many pastors, elders, and even laymen in the church. We are in the midst of a moral crisis, and Shawn Mathis has provided a biblical guide for how to respond to it.
February 14, 2025
A vile book that discriminates against gays written by a barely literate charlatan. Shawn was in the Air Force and now dubs himself a “Pastor” (always lots of money to be made in wacko churches from the gullible) uses mortifying grammar. For example, he writes must of instead of must have!
Read
May 18, 2024This was a helpful book on the subject. I recommend it.
January 14, 2024
Shawn Mathis has done the church a tremendous service by telling the ugly truth about how deeply the gay movement has worked its way into churches, even many churches that brand themselves as conservative and in support of historic Christian sexual ethics. He backs up his claims with an exhaustive array of evidence, all footnoted in detail. He provides many extended quotes from the individuals leading the gay charge in subverting conservative Christian institutions, leaving no doubt as to the dangers they pose and how much ground they have already taken. He also interacts with broader cultural events related to the gay agenda, revealing just how big the stakes are in this cultural battle.
But this book is not just a documentation of the moral rot working its way though the church. Mathis explores the arguments used to advance a pro-gay narrative and refutes them biblically. He also contrasts them with historic doctrinal standards, demonstrating that these novel views are a betrayal of the system of doctrine ministers in conservative churches vow to uphold. In evangelical and Reformed communities, the gay movement is more subtle in its attacks, often stopping short of blessing perverse sexual acts, even as it attempts to carve out a place for gay orientation and attraction as legitimate for Christians. Of, course this is just a step in the leftward ratchet that will inevitably bring the full camel into the tent, but they alone are sufficient to morally compromise the church in devastating ways even before that point. Mathis is not fooled by these tactics, but rather exposes them root and branch for the satanic lies that they are.
Finally, Mathis does not leave the reader to despair over the state of things with no path forward. He details the actions pastors and churches can and must take to beat this attack, and it can be beaten! For these reasons, this book should be recommended to every Bible believing pastor and elder. If you are one, get a copy right away and if you are a layman, buy a copy and give it to your church leadership. It might just save your church.
But this book is not just a documentation of the moral rot working its way though the church. Mathis explores the arguments used to advance a pro-gay narrative and refutes them biblically. He also contrasts them with historic doctrinal standards, demonstrating that these novel views are a betrayal of the system of doctrine ministers in conservative churches vow to uphold. In evangelical and Reformed communities, the gay movement is more subtle in its attacks, often stopping short of blessing perverse sexual acts, even as it attempts to carve out a place for gay orientation and attraction as legitimate for Christians. Of, course this is just a step in the leftward ratchet that will inevitably bring the full camel into the tent, but they alone are sufficient to morally compromise the church in devastating ways even before that point. Mathis is not fooled by these tactics, but rather exposes them root and branch for the satanic lies that they are.
Finally, Mathis does not leave the reader to despair over the state of things with no path forward. He details the actions pastors and churches can and must take to beat this attack, and it can be beaten! For these reasons, this book should be recommended to every Bible believing pastor and elder. If you are one, get a copy right away and if you are a layman, buy a copy and give it to your church leadership. It might just save your church.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews