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Rainbow Savior
"Rainbow Savior" is addressed to two readers. The first half of the book is written by a pastor to a member of his church who has revealed that he is gay. The message is written humbly, respectfully and with love as it reviews many Bible teachings and how they connect with this topic. The second half of the book is written to church members, explaining why the standard approach to this topic by Christians has been hurtful and not productive, and suggesting a way for love to communicate on this subject.
202 pages, Paperback
First published August 20, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 20, 2015
I would recommend this book to every Christian, including those who identify themselves as gay Christians. I have not found any book written like this. It is startling in its approach. It is the book that every Christian hopes for when they pick up a book on homosexuality. Most people do not pick up these books to change their minds. This one will change your mind, at least on some issue, I think. It covers so much ground in a fresh, loving, thorough, and readable manner.
The book is written for two audiences. The first half is written to any Christian who identifies as gay, whether in struggling with same sex attraction or whether identifying with the modern gay lifestyle. The second half of the book is written for Christian congregations to help them view the gay struggle "outside the box" of trying to make the point that homosexuality is a sin. Both parts were written by a man who loves gay people and loves Christian congregations.
Do you love a gay person? You probably do, if it's your son or daughter, your close friend or respected adult in your life. If you do, you probably have cringed as you read Christian books on the topic that you would never give to this person you love. "Rainbow Savior" is the book written for you and those you love.
Part 1 is written in the words of a pastor whose heart aches for someone from his flock who admitted to him that he is gay. This pastor's words are crafted with the fear of hurting or driving away this beloved one. He calls the person he addresses, "Temple of God" and "beloved child of God" to show his esteem for this person who is identifying with the modern gay lifestyle and was raised with Christian thinking. The pastor doesn't use any of the tired half truths, cliches or examples you commonly encounter in such books. But he takes the reader through so many other topics to think about, including a thought provoking discussion on the three kinds of love as applied to same gender relationships. He finds common ground between often made statements and Biblical teaching, and then shows the Christian understanding of the differences in understanding those statements. Especially important to the approach of this book is the humble confessions of the author, both for himself when writing the first part, and for the church when writing the second half. "I, your pastor, am not worthy of God's love, either by my nature or my actions." At the same time that the author is assuring the reader of his love, he also appeals to the reader to act in love toward him. Love is the common ground in this book.
Part 2 is not as easy to digest as part one. The author covers even more topics than he did in part 1 and introduces many interesting Bible stories and passages with comments that makes the reader wish to discuss what was just said. This is not a repetition of the tired arguments often made in books on this topic! Despite the abundance of footnotes, there were many times the author makes assertions / assumptions that disposes of alternatives without explaining or identifying them (his definition of "nephilim" is one I've never heard and I wonder why the other definition is wrong). On the other hand, the author offers on line resources, so this book is not the end of the discussion. The book has a strong finish.
I feel that this book is a "must read" part of the discussion of Christianity's approach to the topic of homosexuality. Jesus told his apostles that repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name -- I've always found that the church is weak on either talking about repentance or weak in talking about forgiveness. This book does both, in a way that keeps in mind the human hearts of potential readers.
The book is written for two audiences. The first half is written to any Christian who identifies as gay, whether in struggling with same sex attraction or whether identifying with the modern gay lifestyle. The second half of the book is written for Christian congregations to help them view the gay struggle "outside the box" of trying to make the point that homosexuality is a sin. Both parts were written by a man who loves gay people and loves Christian congregations.
Do you love a gay person? You probably do, if it's your son or daughter, your close friend or respected adult in your life. If you do, you probably have cringed as you read Christian books on the topic that you would never give to this person you love. "Rainbow Savior" is the book written for you and those you love.
Part 1 is written in the words of a pastor whose heart aches for someone from his flock who admitted to him that he is gay. This pastor's words are crafted with the fear of hurting or driving away this beloved one. He calls the person he addresses, "Temple of God" and "beloved child of God" to show his esteem for this person who is identifying with the modern gay lifestyle and was raised with Christian thinking. The pastor doesn't use any of the tired half truths, cliches or examples you commonly encounter in such books. But he takes the reader through so many other topics to think about, including a thought provoking discussion on the three kinds of love as applied to same gender relationships. He finds common ground between often made statements and Biblical teaching, and then shows the Christian understanding of the differences in understanding those statements. Especially important to the approach of this book is the humble confessions of the author, both for himself when writing the first part, and for the church when writing the second half. "I, your pastor, am not worthy of God's love, either by my nature or my actions." At the same time that the author is assuring the reader of his love, he also appeals to the reader to act in love toward him. Love is the common ground in this book.
Part 2 is not as easy to digest as part one. The author covers even more topics than he did in part 1 and introduces many interesting Bible stories and passages with comments that makes the reader wish to discuss what was just said. This is not a repetition of the tired arguments often made in books on this topic! Despite the abundance of footnotes, there were many times the author makes assertions / assumptions that disposes of alternatives without explaining or identifying them (his definition of "nephilim" is one I've never heard and I wonder why the other definition is wrong). On the other hand, the author offers on line resources, so this book is not the end of the discussion. The book has a strong finish.
I feel that this book is a "must read" part of the discussion of Christianity's approach to the topic of homosexuality. Jesus told his apostles that repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name -- I've always found that the church is weak on either talking about repentance or weak in talking about forgiveness. This book does both, in a way that keeps in mind the human hearts of potential readers.
May 9, 2023
Solid theologically with many points that could be useful for ministering to those struggling with same-sex attractions or for educating a congregation to speak the truth in love with gentleness and respect that focuses on Christ our Savior. The only knock on this book is that after nearly a decade since its publication, the book has gotten outdated in a handful of aspects.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews