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Forgive Us Our Sins: Homosexuality in the Light of God's Truth
This book is both a topical discussion on the difficult issue of homosexuality and the first-person testimony of one man's real-life exit from a gay lifestyle back to Jesus Christ. The authors avoid judgment and stereotypes by delicately balancing Biblical law and gospel for an encouraging message to all believers who struggle with any sort of temptation. The book also provides hope and support for those who, just as Scott did, seek to turn away from a life of homosexuality.
102 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 20, 2015
The two authors of this book write in very different styles as they strive to put together a thorough (yet brief), Biblical (yet personal) treatment of the spiritual struggle to keep the "eye on the ball" (my words)-- to live as a redeemed child of God despite homosexual desires. One writes about his life and the other writes as a pastor commenting on the biography and giving a Biblical exposition.
This is not one of those "God will cure you" books. It is a book that clears up a lot of smoke and mirrors from those who try to obscure what the Bible says about sexual sin. At the same time it attempts to persuade a lot of disgusted churchgoers that Jesus Christ loves sinners and calls us to committed love, patience, and prayer for anyone who is living the gay lifestyle or even struggling with temptations.
This book treats the active gay sexual life and the temptation to same gender sexual relations by comparing the struggles of alcoholics -- but also makes distinctions granting where the parallels fail. In this model, as both heterosexuals and homosexuals have experienced, desires for sexual immorality don't just evaporate, but can be a lifelong struggle (harder for some than for others). In fact, I would say that one of the strengths of this books is that most of us can plug our own moral struggles into what is written here and see the spiritual struggle as we experience it.
Despite references to other books on the subject, it seemed to me that some of the topic was covered here that is lacking from other books on this subject. Jesus outlined his message for future generations just before He ascended into heaven, that "repentance and forgiveness of sins would be preached in his name." I see a lot of writing about love and forgiveness (including this book), but rarely anything about repentance and what that looks like for people who struggle with falls into sin. I think this book captures that in the biographical section and in the questions at the end.
My criticism of the book would be that the authors assume that only their own church body's membership would be interested in this book. At least that's how I perceived the references to what their church teaches and referral to their church body's counseling agency. On the other hand, with the huge spectrum of viewpoints on this subject, it helps to know where to find counselors who use a message of grace that includes a model of addiction and imperfection to support a repentant Christian's struggle for sexual purity.
Full disclosure: I attended school with one author and have heard the other author tell his story before this book was written. I am a member of the same church body.
This is not one of those "God will cure you" books. It is a book that clears up a lot of smoke and mirrors from those who try to obscure what the Bible says about sexual sin. At the same time it attempts to persuade a lot of disgusted churchgoers that Jesus Christ loves sinners and calls us to committed love, patience, and prayer for anyone who is living the gay lifestyle or even struggling with temptations.
This book treats the active gay sexual life and the temptation to same gender sexual relations by comparing the struggles of alcoholics -- but also makes distinctions granting where the parallels fail. In this model, as both heterosexuals and homosexuals have experienced, desires for sexual immorality don't just evaporate, but can be a lifelong struggle (harder for some than for others). In fact, I would say that one of the strengths of this books is that most of us can plug our own moral struggles into what is written here and see the spiritual struggle as we experience it.
Despite references to other books on the subject, it seemed to me that some of the topic was covered here that is lacking from other books on this subject. Jesus outlined his message for future generations just before He ascended into heaven, that "repentance and forgiveness of sins would be preached in his name." I see a lot of writing about love and forgiveness (including this book), but rarely anything about repentance and what that looks like for people who struggle with falls into sin. I think this book captures that in the biographical section and in the questions at the end.
My criticism of the book would be that the authors assume that only their own church body's membership would be interested in this book. At least that's how I perceived the references to what their church teaches and referral to their church body's counseling agency. On the other hand, with the huge spectrum of viewpoints on this subject, it helps to know where to find counselors who use a message of grace that includes a model of addiction and imperfection to support a repentant Christian's struggle for sexual purity.
Full disclosure: I attended school with one author and have heard the other author tell his story before this book was written. I am a member of the same church body.
July 1, 2015
We bought this book after our pastor friend recommended it as a good resource for responding to homosexuality in the face of the recent SCOTUS decision. It is very short but packed with good information.
Each chapter has two parts. First is the continuing story of Scott, who lived a homosexual lifestyle for most of his life, despite being a Christian in his childhood before hitting rock as an adult and turning back to Christianity. He talks about joining a church who accepting the homosexual lifestyle and what his beliefs were at that time. It is a great perspective for heterosexuals who can't relate to someone struggling with homosexual desires.
The second part of each chapter is Pastor Starr who expounds on what Scott has talked about. He brings in scriptural commentary to show what the Bible teaches about homosexuality. He also goes into what homosexual accepting churches often say about the Bible and refutes it. At the end he also has suggestions for talking to homosexuals about Jesus.
I thought the book was very well balanced between Scott's story and Pastor Starr's commentary.
Each chapter has two parts. First is the continuing story of Scott, who lived a homosexual lifestyle for most of his life, despite being a Christian in his childhood before hitting rock as an adult and turning back to Christianity. He talks about joining a church who accepting the homosexual lifestyle and what his beliefs were at that time. It is a great perspective for heterosexuals who can't relate to someone struggling with homosexual desires.
The second part of each chapter is Pastor Starr who expounds on what Scott has talked about. He brings in scriptural commentary to show what the Bible teaches about homosexuality. He also goes into what homosexual accepting churches often say about the Bible and refutes it. At the end he also has suggestions for talking to homosexuals about Jesus.
I thought the book was very well balanced between Scott's story and Pastor Starr's commentary.
February 14, 2016
Thought-provoking... and convicting. No, not because I am homosexual or have any thoughts in that direction. I have a family member who professes quite boldly to be gay --- an immediate family member. I haven't necessarily handled it well and now there's no possible contact. Also, though, I stand convicted because we ought not to cherry-pick sins. 1 Corinthians 6:9 talks about all sexual immorality (not just homosexuality). Are we all completely innocent of any sexual immorality? Really?!Or have each of us broken all the commandments not once but many times? Or how about verse 10? There are many sins listed there. Who is guilty of none of them? Not I. Not any of us. This is a worthwhile read for all of us. There are recovery steps that each and every one of us would do well to consider regarding our own "pet" sins and recurrent temptations.
April 19, 2014
A MUST READ for every Christian in today's world.
I highly recommend this book as a step in understanding the truths of God's Word in regards to unrepentant sin, in this case, homosexuality. It gives the reader concise instruction on how to understand God's love for all sinners and how to show that love toward fellow sinners; how to "speak the truth in love". A huge thank you to Scott Barefoot for sharing his struggles so openly and to Pastor Starr who boldly speaks God's truth to ALL sinners.
I highly recommend this book as a step in understanding the truths of God's Word in regards to unrepentant sin, in this case, homosexuality. It gives the reader concise instruction on how to understand God's love for all sinners and how to show that love toward fellow sinners; how to "speak the truth in love". A huge thank you to Scott Barefoot for sharing his struggles so openly and to Pastor Starr who boldly speaks God's truth to ALL sinners.
February 23, 2016
The sin deception fools us all. We all have sinful desires that we can easily justify to ourselves, but the Truth nags at us. Something isn't right. Are we going to be honest with ourselves and God? Or will we push ourselves away from those who love us most dearly, even when we disagree with them. When you think all hope is lost, God is working. God loves to forgives.
July 4, 2018
well written - useful information and a great resource from WELS pastor and co-author, Scott. I highly recommend it as an addition to your social-skills-library.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews