What Does the Bible Really Teach about Homosexuality?

by Kevin DeYoung

In this timely book, award-winning author Kevin DeYoung challenges each of us—the skeptic and the seeker, the certain and the confused—to take a humble look at God's Word regarding the issue of homosexuality.

After examining key biblical passages in both the Old and New Testaments and the Bible's overarching teaching regarding sexuality, DeYoung responds to popular objections raised by Christians and non-Christians alike, making this an indispensable resource for thinking through one of the most pressing issues of our day.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Nonfiction, Sexuality, Christianity, Cultural, Christian Living

160 pages, Paperback

First published April 7, 2015

About the author

Kevin DeYoung is the Senior Pastor at University Reformed Church (RCA) in East Lansing, Michigan, right across the street from Michigan State University.

Reviews

[John Suddath · Rating 3 out of 5]

A review is supposed to be about readability, writing style, anecdotes, logic and credibility. I give the author high marks on all of the above criteria. It’s hard, however, to review a theological exegesis without also commenting on the theology of the author. In this case, one who declares the inerrancy of the Bible and suggests that we’ve had no new revelations from God in 2,000 years. In other words, the case was closed a long time ago so we should just shut up and stop questioning traditions.
In my opinion, that elevates the Bible to another form of idolatry, one that excludes all other sources of spiritual insight. It relegates the Holy Spirit to some mystical shroud without daily relevance in our lives. It flips the coin from the Catholic theology of the primacy of tradition, church teachings, and the authority of the clergy to state that only what is written in the Bible is relevant to an understanding and observance of Christianity.
He’s right that he doesn’t understand the history of homosexuality. It’s not a new phenomenon that has occurred only in the past 50 years. It’s been around since the beginning of time, and from the beginning of the church. He should have read John Boswell first.
I see no point in proof texting the scriptures of the Bible according to how one interprets them. I will leave responses to the author’s assertions to Jack Rogers, Matthew Vines, and Justin Lee. The scriptures are sometimes contradictory, sometimes prurient, sometimes unholy, and sometimes even factually inaccurate. But they were not written primary as histories, except for the narrative of the nation of Israel, nor are they intended as a scientific treatise. They are a living revelation of the nature of God and how mankind through the centuries has related and come to understand him. Jesus critized the Pharisees for their emphasis on dogma rather than practice and legalism versus the intentions of the heart.
Sexual preference, orientation, expression, behavior, and gender identity are not synonymous, and the evangelical preoccupation with behavior betrays that misunderstanding. His chapter on how some people with same-sex attractions have “changed” to become heterosexual displays his ignorance of the concept of bi-sexuals. Perhaps he first should have read the definitive Masters and Johnson study on sexuality.
First, the “church,” i.e. primarily the fundamentalist, evangelical, judgmental church has done terrible damage to millions of lives, and must accept the consequences of what it has done and repent. He carefully avoids any discussion of the conversion therapy treatments endorsed by the church, and weakly states that repression of same-sex feelings is possible only through prayer and reading of the Bible. But sexual orientation is more than just thoughts or feelings; it is a basic part of who we are. I could put in contacts to change the color of my eyes from blue to brown, but I can’t change the way God made me. I could hide, repress, and seek psychological counseling as I did for a decade, but it only drove me further from the church and from God. It was not God’s will only to make homosexuality a burden for me to bear. If sin is separation from God, then the church abandoned me to a state of sin because I could not reject the way God made me. It was only when I could accept myself that I could renew my spiritual journey and respond to God’s love. I have spent the past decade involved with intensive Bible reading and study, but we went into that with an attitude of what can we learn from the Bible in how to live our lives today as Jesus did and not try to conform our study to some pre-conceived notions.
The cliché of “love the sinner and hate the sin” is a cop-out, and I resent being categorized with prostitutes, alcoholics, and pedophiles. I agree that we must be civil, loving, and not engage in calling names, but it’s hard to hide the resentment that I felt for so long.

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to this book on audio. Very careful, very thoughtful, DeYoung does a masterful job walking through the Bible's teaching on the subject of homosexuality. Really well done. If I had to muster a complaint, it would be that he is sometimes too courteous to his opponents, and gives them the benefit of the doubt (with regard to motivations) where perhaps a good deal less ought to be given, but he doesn't flinch anywhere in outlining what the actual teaching of the Bible is. There are many believers who are dealing with the ramifications of same sex behavior in their families and extended circles and this book would be an indispensable place for them to get oriented. Wonderful introduction to this subject.

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most controversial subjects for Christians and those that are fighting for the rights for the gay community. Christians want and should desire to love well. How do we reconcile what the bible says and the people we love? It seems like you can't have a conversation without being labeled a bigot or a hater. I so appreciate the teaching of Kevin DeYoung. I have followed his blog for several years and appreciate his heart for the word of God and standing firm in the faith. He is not looking to change the minds of those who are on "the right side of history", but he desires to encourage Christians to stand firm in the faith. Is this a faith issue? I think it is. This is not a fight to win the argument, but a proclamation of what the word of God says and applies. Homosexuality deals with the created order and God's design. Satan's design, the destroyer of life and truth, will pervert all that is part of God's design for redemption. How does he do that? Is most famous line is still being used today...Did God say? Being made in the image of God, we are moral beings. This makes homosexuality a moral issue.

As Romans 1:24 "Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen". Homosexuality is exchanging the truth of God for a lie. Romans goes on to say that we exchange the truth for the lie, our hearts will grow hard against the truth of God. To say that is not happening is a lie and not living in the reality. It is also a form of apostasy.

DeYoung lays the foundation of what the bible says but also the response from the definition of homosexuality as stated in the bible, what Jesus said about Homosexuality, the other sins of Christians, and embracing our identity in Christ. Embracing our identity in Christ enables all sinners to live life.

Jackie Hill former lesbian shares this...

I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that this may be your dilemma as well. You see what God has to say about homosexuality, but your heart doesn’t utter the same sentiments. God’s word says it’s sinful; your heart says it feels right. God’s word says it’s abominable; your heart says it’s delightful. God’s word says it’s unnatural; your heart says it’s totally normal. Do you see that there is a clear divide between what God’s word says and how your heart feels?

So which voice should you believe?

Read the whole letter here.

http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/l...

Our struggles are different and our sins may feel right that being so, we must be honest about sin. I love DeYoung's statement.."If sexual intimacy is nothing in heaven, how can we make it everything here.". Biblical marriage is shadow of the Gospel, the kingdom and God's design. Sexual intimacy is God's gift to us here. Let us honor that, fight for that. It is wise to remember the 7 seven churches in Revelation. The church of Thyatira did everything well. It could easily be any thriving church in the West. However, Jesus had this against them - they tolerated Jezebel which in doing so they tolerated false teaching immoral behavior. Your tolerance is not love but unfaithfulness.

In conclusion Deyoung covers what is at stake. What will the Pandora box open as homosexuality becomes more accepted and the church is kept quiet? How is the authority of God of at stake? The work of the church? What happens when our experience becomes the authority? Has liberalism become the new Christianity? How does the acceptance of homosexuality change the narrative of scripture? What is the threat of same sex marriage?

These answers may not satisfy but I think the questions are legit and worth contemplating. it is a tension that we cannot escape. We are called to extend grace and to proclaim the truth. We cannot pit grace against truth.

How do we love our brothers and sisters that have same sex attraction? We validate their struggle. We feel their pain. We encourage them in the better way in community.

A huge special Thank you to Crossway and Netgalley for the ARC to review

[Matthew Swihart · Rating 1 out of 5]

“What Does the Bible Really Teach about Homosexuality?” is a misnomer. This book has very little to do with what the Bible teaches about anything. Instead, it’s a platform book with a specific political agenda: campaigning against homosexual marriage.

Based on the title and back cover copy (which promises an examination of “the Bible’s overarching teaching regarding sexuality”) I expected this book to go into some of the realities and myths of sexuality and how it changed (and stayed the same) throughout Biblical times. I had hopes that the author would address Mosaic Law about homosexuality (which he does, but practically in passing), but also address issues with concubines (male and female) and polygamy, church acceptance of other Old Testament sins such as tattoos, remarriage, divorce (this last one was addressed, but only in passing and with no real argument), and maybe even a discussion of the theories that certain characters (such as David and Paul) were gay or bisexual, and the implication of all this on modern Christianity, just to name a few.

Instead, what I got was a political book thinly disguised as a religious book. And it wasn’t even well-argued. This book would serve its best use in a class on logical fallacies, since it violates almost all of them. Just a few examples:

1. It includes myriad unsupported and aggrandized claims. DeYoung’s work is fraught with false appeals to popularity, such as claims that his beliefs are “Along with most Christians around the globe and virtually every Christian in the first nineteen-and-a-half centuries of church history….” (p. 17), and claims that “Everyone agrees….” (p. 34).

2. DeYoung sets up a false dichotomy, setting up the “conservative,” “historic,” “nonaffirming,” and “traditional” stance versus the “progressive,” “liberal,” “affirming,” and “revisionist” stance (p. 20). This false dichotomy ignores the myriad other positions out there held by Christians. Further, it corrupts the two different positions (well, the two the author allows) into political speech, suggesting without argument or support that a conservative reader must believe the “conservative” position, and likewise that the evil liberal must believe the “liberal” position. The problems with labeling arguments “traditional” and “revisionist” are inherent in the labels. From the language he uses, DeYoung clearly has no intention of giving any credibility to any opinion not his own. This book isn’t about discussion or examination; it’s about indoctrination.

3. DeYoung argues that the primary purpose of marriage is reproduction (p. 28). This facile argument is not supported by any verses, nor any real argument. Further, it apparently means that people who are incapable of reproduction (e.g., straight couples who are infertile, the elderly, those with injuries, cancers, or other illnesses to their reproductive organs that prevent reproduction, etc.).

4. Perhaps the worst offender is this sentence from page 31: “monogamy makes sense and same-sex marriage does not.” This is a false comparison. It suggests that all straight couples are monogamous (which any review of divorce petitions will clearly demonstrate is false), and that gay couples are incapable of monogamy (which is also a flawed assertion with no valid data or logic for support).

I could go on and on, as almost every page is stuffed with logical fallacies, unsupported arguments, and facile or contradictory arguments.

In short, it is the single worst book I’ve ever read that makes an argument on any topic.

[Dr. David Steele · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read an important book today. It is not a weighty theological treatise. It is not a book about spiritual formation. And it certainly is not written to inspire. This book is about homosexuality. Like it or not, in our culture, the topic of homosexuality has moved from stage left to center stage. Everyone is talking about it. Many people are affirming homosexual relationships - liberals and conservatives alike.

I recently read Steve Chalke's booklet, A Matter of Integrity. The author, who happens to be a Baptist pastor, seeks to legitimize and normalize homosexuality. The booklet is written with tones of grace and the author appears very kind. The only problem - the book is dead wrong. The book opposes Scripture. And the book fails to glorify God.

Kevin DeYoung's new book, What Does the Bible Really Teach About Homosexuality?> addresses a controversial topic with grace but never at the expense of truth.

Part One - Understanding God's Word

The author guides readers through the maze of texts and helps them unravel what Scripture really says about homosexuality. His tone is gracious. Yet he is unafraid to proclaim what God proclaims - homosexuality is a sin to be repented of. Everyone who turns from their sin may find peace and forgiveness that flow freely from Jesus who paid to set sinners free. DeYoung is quick to demonstrate that homosexuality is not acceptable in God's economy. But he is even more eager to point people to God who forgives:

The God we worship is indeed a God of love. Which does not, according to any verse in the Bible, make sexual sin acceptable. But it does, by the witness of a thousand verses all over the Bible, make every one of our sexual sins changeable, redeemable, and wondrously forgivable.

Part Two - Answering Objections

DeYoung has left no stone unturned here. In part two, he answers typical objections and responds with grace and truth. All his answers are supported by the weight of Scripture.

There is much to commend here; more than one review can cover. However, Kevin DeYoung helps readers understand what is at stake in this debate and uncovers four vital issues that every Christian should be concerned with. I urge readers to purchase the book and study these powerful warnings:

The moral logic of monogamy is at stake.
The integrity of Christian sexual ethics is at stake.
The authority of Scripture is at stake.
The grand narrative of Scripture is at stake.

What Does the Bible Really Teach About Homosexuality? will not be the most inspiring book you'll read all year. However, it may be the most important book you read. It is a book that may cause you discomfort. It is a book that will certainly cause you to reevaluate your position on homosexuality. Ultimately, this book will point you to the Book. And sacred Scripture clearly reveals God's position on homosexuality. Homosexual behavior, like any other ungodly behavior, is sin; a sin which must be repented of and forgiven.

May readers approach this subject with minds and hearts that are open to God's revelation. May they be challenged and moved to obedience. And may the gospel open doors of hope so that many will find their rest in Christ the Savior!

[Jeremy]

Read Ch. 1 here.

Some have claimed that DeYoung isn't clear on whether SSA (same sex attraction) itself (the attraction, not the action) is sinful or not. This post/video supports that claim. (See related posts here, here, here, and here.) These posts are from 2015. DeYoung was a member of the PCA Ad Interim Committee on Sexuality, along with Bryan Chapell (nominated for Stated Clerk in 2020), Tim Keller, and others. The report, published in May 2020, is available here, and it is much more clear that disordered desires are themselves sinful (in contrast to the Catholic view of concupiscence).

Read here for "why gay marriage proponents can't appeal to the abolitionist movement." Marvin Olasky reviews books on this issue here and here. Also in WORLD, Janie Cheaney writes about The New Atlantis study that found we actually don't know as much as we thought we did regarding orientation. Read here for why celebrating essential differences in the sexes does not diminish one sex or the other.

[Kathy Baldock · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kevin DeYoung’s What Does the Bible Really Teach About Homosexuality? offers yet another utterly maddening viewpoint of “God’s truth” about gay people.

I’ve read the bulk of such books written over the past few decades, beginning with the first “gays are out to destroy America” book written for the evangelical community by Tim LaHaye in 1978: “The Unhappy Gays.”

Once the new genre started, it triggered an onslaught. Next came the religious-political books from authors like Falwell and Dannemeyer in the 80s. In the 90s, came a deluge of we-are-no-longer-gay books by Chambers, Dallas, Jernigan, et al. I have slogged through most of them, including the “truths” built upon assumptions tome by the contemptuous anti-gay theologian Gagnon. I’ve endured the lunacy of Lively and even tried to find a pastoral heart in Hubbard and McDowell’s writings. To my great disappointment, they too failed. I’ve stomached Brown’s fringe venom poorly cloaked as compassion, and been left nonplussed by the shallow philosophical-political arguments of Anderson and Satinover.

All of these books, with DeYoung’s latest entry as no exception, ignore a simple foundational truth. What is referred to in the Bible in each of the passages used to bolster the avalanche of modern anti-gay ideological writing is not homosexuality. What is depicted and examined are violent, abusive, lust-filled, same-sex behaviors performed no less than two millennia ago in cultures where the social and sexual status of men and women were entirely different from what we have known in the past 60 to 70 years.

All of these authors (each white, heterosexual, conservative Christian men, by the way) base their entire ideological theology upon the foundational presumption that people have historically participated in same-sex relationships with some semblance to the relational structure we see today.

No. Not true. At all.

Until the beginning of the 20th century, gay relationships -- as we now them now: equal status and mutually attracted -- were virtually unknown in any previous culture.

The perception and cultural response to same-sex behavior between males has intractable roots in the social and sexual status of women throughout history. Because same-sex acts placed one male in the submissive, penetrated role of a woman, one male was invariably looked upon as if he were a woman.

Until women began to gain minimal upward status in the late 19th century, for a man to be treated sexually as a woman was both shaming and humiliating.

Before about the early 1900s, the sexual interaction between men and younger men or older boys included significant power differentials. The younger, submissive partner took the sexual-social role of a woman – again, a demeaning position for any male throughout history.

It was only as recent as 1879 that Karl Kertbeny first noticed there were men of equal status who were mutually attracted to one another. This newly witnessed notion made slow inroads to American culture. In fact, it was first mentioned in a medical journal in 1911. Before that, if a man was attracted to a male, all was fine in man-land as long as he maintained the dominant role of penetrator.

Until this period, people were defined by the role they played in sex, not by the sex of the person to whom they were attracted.

This monumental shift of identifying the sexual roles of people at the start of the 20th century started the transformation of how same-sex relationships came to be viewed.

As women rose in status, as cities formed, and as men began to explore sexual attractions, the interaction, which had always been associated with excess, lust and the reduction of one partner to the role of a woman, came to be seen differently.

The dynamic began to change in the 1920s; it would have been the first time in history that there was a minimal cultural understanding that people of the same sex were mutually and equally attracted.

The word “homosexual” first appeared in an English translation of the Bible in 1946. No theological documents at the time support this shift. This was clearly a cultural response to the most perverted sexual act translators could imagine to insert in the New Testament passages.

In fact, Derrick Sherwin Bailey, an English Anglican theologian, wrote Homosexuality and Western Traditions (1955) in which he closely examined the cultural and legal response to gays. Together with a team of theologians, historians, anthropologists, lawyers, and legislative leaders to study homosexuality and the sodomy laws, Bailey produced a groundbreaking work that should have been the primer for all theological writers after him. But, it was ignored.

The conservative American church and authors had been so unconcerned about gays that no one bothered to write a book addressing this most “abominable sin” until LaHaye’s The Unhappy Gays in1978.

Gays, while certainly scorned in the culture from the 1930s (see my Chapter 3), were ignored for the most part in Christian writings.

As gays were finally rising out from under cultural and medical oppression in the early 1970s, unfortunately, the conservative religious and political groups merged right around that time in the late 1970s. A smattering from within the unholy alliance saw the polarizing potential the “abominable gays” could have on amassing unregistered and uninvolved conservative voters. (I address this transition period in Chapters 5 and 6 of my book, Walking the Bridgeless Canyon.)

And thus the deluge of modern negative conservative writings on homosexuality and faith, followed by gender identity and faith started.

That was a quick overview of modern events.

There is no possibility that Apostle Paul, or the author of Leviticus, or Deuteronomy, could have had an inkling that over time, with the radical shift in views of women as equals and other social and cultural modifications, people could possibly engage in same-sex sex as a natural, healthy expression of love and mutual attraction. Additionally, the concept of gender identity could not have been more remote in ancient cultures.

The same-sexual behavior that biblical authors wrote about was the outcome of violence (Genesis), power dominance and social-sexual dominance (Leviticus and Deuteronomy), and lust and lack of self-control (Romans, 1 Corinthians, and 1 Timothy).

And people keep right on comparing yesterday’s apples to today’s oranges.

The prerequisite of every single anti-gay Christian author, including DeYoung, who presumes to interpret six Bible passages as what God “really says,“ or “really teaches” about gay and transgender people is that readers must fully ignore social and medical histories of how we have come to understand the role of women and the progression of human sexuality.

Those are some darn big oversights we need to participate in to agree with their findings!

Every professional medical and mental health organization in the U.S. asserts that homosexuality is a normal variation of human sexuality, though certainly less prevalent than heterosexuality, still, it is a normal, expected variation. These organizations also all agree that attempting to change a person’s natural orientation is damaging.

How can any truth, especially one presumed from God Himself, come out of such severely flawed foundational presumptions?

Christians don’t bind our treatment of women and slaves to words written thousands of years ago. We have allowed time, cultural shifts, science, and even the witness of women and people of color to inform our more egalitarian modern stances.

Yet somehow many conservatives have not allowed this same process to guide them when forming a set of sexual ethics specifically for LGBT people.

We are in a new place in history and understanding and are being asked to wrestle with concepts that have emerged over the last half-century, concepts our forefathers in the faith never could have imagined.

I did finish reading DeYoung’s What Does the Bible Really Teach About Homosexuality?, but by page 52 my highlighting marks and margin notes were becoming too annoyingly frequent. It’s difficult to address arguments reasonably which are so foundationally flawed. All of DeYoung’s presumptions of “God really says” or “really means” about homosexuality simply have no standing in historical accuracy.

I have a lot more than 40 questions for DeYoung and gang, but I will start with these.

How is it possible to intellectually engage yet another book that thoroughly ignores the historical space and progression in between what was written thousands of years ago to and in a specific culture and what we know today?

If an author refuses to address the subject of the intersection of faith with sexual orientation and gender identity with academic integrity including acknowledging: the cultural shifts in the status of women, the progression of understanding and input from experts in human sexuality, the merger of conservative politics and religion since the late 1970s with its destructive impact, each significantly influencing the ability to take an honest look at biblical translations, then why should we listen to you?

This sort of flimsy ideologically-infused theology created over the past 45 years is myopic, shallow, and destructive to LGBT people, their families, those that love them, and the church itself.

Though I am not a theologian or a historian, I did do broad and extensive research to try to understand how this whole mess got so tangled up. Having done that work, how could I possibly respect such superficial input and allow it to dictate my treatment or interaction with my gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender brothers and sisters in Christ?

More importantly, such anti-gay “truth” about what God “really” had in mind is contrary to the witness I see in the lives of thousands of LGBT Christians.

DeYoung does what all those before him (since 1978), and Lord help us, those coming after for another decade or so will do. Lacking the influence of solid historical, cultural and medical research in their work, they impose presumptions on biblical texts to arrive at what God “really says,“ or “really teaches.” DeYoung thus joins fellow condemners in constructing a wall blocking LGBT Christians from full inclusion.

When I investigated the Bible, and allowed my understanding to be informed by history, medicine, science, and the powerful witness of LGBT Christians themselves, I arrived at a fully affirming decision for Christian inclusion.

Thankfully, there are increasing numbers of Christians who also demand higher academic integrity resulting in more faithful expressions of Christian tenets without exclusionary practices.

LORD, let this ignorance end for the sake of Your Kingdom.

[Lindsay Lemus · Rating 5 out of 5]

“We don’t get to pick the age we will live in, and we don’t get to choose all the struggles we will face. Faithfulness is ours to choose; the shape of that faithfulness is God’s to determine.”

This book was well thought out and put together. It made me think about how I can better approach this topic with truth but also with love, and it also confirmed what I already knew the Bible said many times over. Yes, this book clearly talks about one sexual sin in particular because that's the one that's celebrated over the others but that doesn't negate the many other sexual sins or any sin committed in our culture. He does go into both sides of the argument to make it fair, which is educational to see.
Ultimately, we ALL fall short, but by God's grace, mercy, and love, He's given us the opportunity to become new in Him by believing and turning to Him for ALL fulfillment. We still have to sacrifice our sinful desires to follow Christ who sacrificed more by giving His life to make eternity in Heaven available and find everlasting fulfilling joy. Highly recommend for everyone whether a Christ follower or not.

"The God we worship is indeed a God of love. Which does not, according to any verse in the Bible, make sexual sin acceptable. But it does, by the witness of a thousand verses all over the Bible, make every one of our sexual sins changeable, redeemable, and wondrously forgivable."

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the complete package. DeYoung starts with thorough exegesis of the biblical texts dealing with homosexuality and then proceeds to respond to the objections we hear from culture surrounding us to the traditional stand. The appendices also continue to bring clarity. Highly recommended.

A quote that really resonates from the chapter on the "It's Not Fair" Objection: ..."what's needed in the wider culture is a deep demythologizing of sex. Nothing in the Bible encourages us to give sex the exalted status it has in our culture, as if finding our purpose, our identity, and our fulfillment all rest on what we can or cannot do with our private parts. Jesus never had sex. How did we come to think that the most intense emotional attachments and the most fulfilling aspects of life can only be expressed in sexual intimacy?"

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

DeYoung offers a strong argument for the traditional view of marriage as between one man and one woman. If you agree with him, this book is probably for you. If you don't agree with him, you should probably still read this book.

[Pedro Pamplona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Um livro básico e importante sobre o assunto. Muito bom para quem nunca leu algo sobre.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

An approachable work on the topic that is gracious yet uncompromising on biblical truth.

[Michael Hagstrom · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book uses a conservative exegetical framework to strike fear into people regarding homosexuality. In particular, the appendices appear to be written with the intentions to instill a fear based self-righteousness into Christians in regards to gay relationships and marriage. The work also fails to acknowledge the social, political, and ideological power structures influencing the authors of the text at the time of the writing of the Bible. It also ignores other important, potent, and diverse perspectives from other areas of biblical criticism.

[Thomas Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every Christian should read this book. Every PERSON should read this book. Kevin‘s arguments (1) are the result of careful and precise biblical exegesis and (2) do not straw-man other perspectives. He deals fairly with other viewpoints without capitulating on the biblical standard and his presentation is sensitive, compassionate, and balances both truth and grace marvelously.

[Michael Boling · Rating 5 out of 5]

If there is one hot button issue both within and outside the church that has risen above all others it is undeniably the discussion swirling around homosexuality and same-sex marriage. With Christian bakers and photographers being sued and the seemingly never ending avalanche of political rancor over same-sex marriage, let alone the increasing number of churches and denominations embracing this lifestyle going so far as to appoint homosexuals to positions of leadership, it is vital to grasp what God has to say. Kevin DeYoung, in his latest book What Does the Bible Really Teach About Homosexuality, shines the clear light of God’s Word on this very important issue, bringing clarity to confusion, a firm foundation to wavering belief systems, and providing a practical yet scholarly look at the arguments for and against homosexuality.

There have been quite a few books written on this subject matter of late from both sides of the debate. DeYoung’s effort rises to the top in my humble opinion for a number of reasons. Foremost, DeYoung rests his case on the firm foundation of Scripture. He rightly notes in the introduction that this is unapologetically a Christian based approach rooted in the truth found in Scripture. While DeYoung certainly explores the world of scholarship and historical fact, his commentary on this subject matter flows from the pages of Scripture.

As noted, DeYoung does not shy away from scholarly discussion. While this is not as scholarly an approach as Dr. Robert Gagnon’s for example, DeYoung does go into great detail on a number of important Hebrew and Greek words that must be properly understood in order to have a proper perspective on what God has to say in His Word on the matter of homosexuality and its associated activities. I found DeYoung’s approach in this area to be quite excellent and those not familiar with Hebrew or Greek will not find themselves lost in translation. Conversely, DeYoung does a marvelous job breaking down terms, walking the reader through the meaning and application of those terms both from Scripture and other ancient texts, along the way ensuring the reader has a firm grasp on why God used certain terms and not others. Excellent exegesis on all fronts.

I also appreciated that DeYoung does not shy away from this difficult issue as a whole not does he shy away from addressing the various objections utilized by homosexual advocates. For instance, many object to the focus on homosexuality by the church, noting the plethora of other sins that permeate society. DeYoung rightly notes that all sin must be addressed and he uses examples from his own church and his role as a pastor in dealing with behavior such as divorce.

Perhaps the most often used approach in support of homosexuality outside of the “they were born that way” argument is that God is a God of love so we should just love everyone because God certainly would not this intolerant would He? DeYoung does a great job of dealing with this question, noting that true biblical love is more than just the mushy feeling that allows one to do whatever they feel is right in their own eyes. Biblical love involves discipline, correction, and helping your brethren back on the path of righteousness. True love has an eternal focus and it is rooted in the truth of God’s Word. God loves us so much that He sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins. Since homosexuality is noted throughout Scripture as being a sin, something DeYoung establishes beyond a shadow of a doubt, love must involve helping others through the power of the Holy Spirit deal with all sin in their lives, including homosexuality.

In a world where so much confusion exists on the issue of homosexuality and what Scripture has to say on this topic, DeYoung’s book could not have come at a better time. He adroitly deals with this important topic with grace, purposefulness, and lucidness. Furthermore, this is one of the most biblically rooted books I have read in quite some time on this subject matter. For those who have any question as to what Scripture has to say on homosexuality, I recommend you read this book. I echo the endorsement of Russell Moore in that every Christian should take the time to read this book. It will be informative, it will drive you to the pages of Scripture, and it will greatly assist you in developing a sound biblical apologetic on this issue.

I received this book for free from Crossway Books for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A graciously short but challenging read. The way in which Deyoung writes is so accessible and theologically sound that makes this book an easy recommend for anyone looking to study more. What's interesting is Deyoung manages to show grace in his writing while also dismantling opposing arguments of traditional marriage. I appreciate how Deyoung made the best use of the space on the page: not too deep but not too surface-level. To be honest, I think reading this book and The Same Sex Controversy by James White would be a powerful study combo.

Very well written and thought-provoking book. I agree with Russell Moore's recommendation: "Every Christian should read this book".

[Brandi Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a well researched and Biblical focused resource on the topic of homosexuality. Very grounding on Biblical truth in an affirming culture. The tone was respectful and gracious but not wavering. There were moments when I felt the author was using assumptions and maybe even “slippery slope” type fear to convince the reader. I didn’t feel these tactics were necessary.

[Brian Pate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful resource. DeYoung deals with common attacks like "the Bible only condemns abusive relationships " and "the Bible barely mentions homosexuality." He is clear, courageous, and compassionate.

[Han · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m glad I read this immediately after engaging with a progressive argument. It helped to work through some lingering issues that I felt I had insufficient answers for.

I’m normally not a fan of Kevin’s books, but this one was helpful and good.

[Daniel Bouchoc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal book. Here's my outline - though not perfect.

Chapter 1: One Man, One Woman, One Flesh
Five reasons that God’sdesign for marriage requires one man and one woman
1. First, the way in which the woman was created indicates that she is the man’s divinely designed complement.
2. Second, the nature of the one-flesh union presupposes two persons of the opposite sex.
3. Third, only two persons of the opposite sex can fulfill the procreative purposes of marriage. One
a. Mal 2:15 as a primary argument
b. Westminster confession, BOCP, Humanae Vitae confirm.
c. Procreation is not the sole purpose in marriage, and sexual intimacy is not given only as a means to reproduction, but marriage cannot be defined without reference to offspring
4. Fourth, Jesus himself reinforces the normativity of the Genesis account.
5. Fifth, the redemptive-historical significance of marriage as a divine symbol in the Bible only works if the marital couple is a complementary pair.

Chapter 2: Those Infamous Cities Gen 19
Reasons the story of Sodom and Gomorah refers to homosexual sin
1. Ezekiel 16:49 – The word “abomonination is referred to in Lev. 18:22 and 20:13 as
2. (2) Literature from Second Temple Judaism (the time between the reconstruction of the temple in 516 BC and the final destruction of the temple in AD 70) shows that Sodom’s reputation for same-sex behavior cannot be ex- plained as a first-century invention by Philo or Josephus.
3. (3) Most importantly, Sodom and Gomorrah are asso- ciated with homosexual practice in the New Testament. Jude 7
a. Other flesh is a reference not to having sex with angels but to men lying with men.

Chapter 3: Taking a Strange Book Seriously Lev 18, 20
What is the sin?
- The text does not allow for qualifiers thus it is all aspects of homosexuality.
Still Relevant?
6 Reasons For Relevance.
1. (1) No disciple of Jesus should start with the presump- tion that the Mosaic commands are largely irrelevant.
2. (2) There is no indication in the New Testament that Leviticus should be treated as particularly obscure or pe- ripheral.
a. . The sexual ethic of the Old Testament was not abrogated like the sacrificial system, but carried forward into the early church.
3. (3) Paul’s term for “men who practice homosexuality” (1 Cor. 6:9; 1 Tim. 1:10) was derived from two words—arsēn (man) and koitē (bed)—found in Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13 (Septuagint).
4. (4) Leviticus uses strong language in denouncing homosexual behavior, calling it “an abomination.”
5. (5) The reference to a woman’s menstrual period (18:19; 20:18) should not call into question the rest of the sexual ethic described in Leviticus 18 and 20.
6. (6) Apart from the question of sex during menstru- ation, the sexual ethic in Leviticus 18 and 20 is squarely reaffirmed in the New Testament.

Chapter 4: The Romans Road in the Wrong Direction
Romans 1
• Gender is the point, not orientation or exploitation or domination.
• Excess is not the problem as some argue. The ungodly were dissatisfied and lusted after new experiences.
• Natural relations is not a reference of the state of our desires but the state of our design.
• The word “contrary to nature” is used of homosexuality in Plato, Plutarch, Philo, and Josephus along with Stoic philosophers.
“There is no way to “rescue” Paul from his strong condemnation of homosexual behavior. We can’t make “unclean” mean “ritually impure.” We can’t make “contrary to nature” mean “out of the ordinary” or “against my personal orientation.” We can’t make this text about nothing more than pederasty, exploitation, and excess passion. The allusions to Genesis and the emphasis on the “exchange” present in same-sex sexual intimacy will not allow for any other conclusion but the traditional one: God’s people ought not engage in homosexual behavior or give approval to those who do (1:32).”

Chapter 5: A New Word from an Old Phrase 1 Corinthians 6, 1 Tim 1
Two Debated Words
• Μαλακοι αρσενοκοιται
Some say it refers to only a specific kind of homosexual behavior like pederasty or prostitution. It does not refer to committed, consensual same-sex relationships as we know them today.
Side comments
1. English translators are almost always right.
2. Words have a semantic range. The word needs to be compared with other uses of the same word.
3. Context is King
Getting down to Business
• Αρσενκοιται means man and bed. Paul coined the term from Lev 18 and 20. He combined αρσενος from 18:22 with αρσενος κοιτεν from 20:13.
• Nothing in 1 Cor or 1 Tim links the word to Sodom and Gomorrah
•
PART 2 Objections
Chapter 6: The Bible Hardly Ever Mentions Homosexuality.
A Fair Question with Plenty of Answers – 6
1. (1) We need to remember that this controversy was not dreamed up by evangelical Christians.
2. (2) The reason the Bible says comparatively little about homosexuality is because it was a comparatively uncontroversial sin among ancient Jews and Christians.
3. (3) Having said all that, it’s not like the Bible is silent on the issue of homosexual behavior.
4. (4) Furthermore, there is nothing ambiguous about the biblical witness concerning homosexual behavior.
5. (5) It cannot be overstated how seriously the Bible treats the sin of sexual immorality.
6. (6) To insist that Jesus never said anything about homosexuality is not really accurate.
a. Mark 7:21, Matt. 19:4-6, Mark 10:6-9
A Third Way
A third way is not possible because it is not an indifferent matter.

Chapter 7: Not That Kind of Homosexuality
“The ancient world had no concept of sexual orientation, no understanding of egalitarian, loving, committed, monogamous, covenantal same-sex unions. The issue was not gender (whether the lovers were male or female), but gender roles (whether a man was overly feminized and acting like a woman). The issue was not men having sex with men, but men having sex with boys. The issue was not consensual same-sex sexual intimacy, but gang rape, power imbalances, and systemic op- pression. “
Two Problems with This
1. Silence is not always Golden
a. It’s an argument from silence. If they wanted to forbid certain forms of homosexuality they would not have condemned the act in such absolute terms.
2. What do the texts say?
a. It is an argument against the evidence
i. “If the ancient world not only had a category for committed same-sex relationships but also some understanding of homosexual orientation (to use our phrase), there is no reason to think the New Testament’s prohibitions against same-sex behavior were only for pederasty and exploita- tion.”
ii. Scholars of all different stripes have said the same thing: the cultural distance argument will not work. There is nothing in the biblical text to suggest Paul or Moses or anyone else meant to limit the scriptural condemnation of homosexual behavior.

Chapter 8: What about Gluttony and Divorce
These issues should be taken seriously by the church but it still does not negate the issue at hand concerning the sin of homosexuality.
Chapter 9: The Church is Supposed to Be a Place for Broken People
1. Repentance is part of the gospel
2. Assurance of salvation can’t be provided to those engaged in sinful activity

Chapter 10 You’re on the Wrong Side of History
1. This is not demonstratable.
2. That doesn’t make the argument wrong.
3. It doesn’t mean that being on the right side of history is correct.

Chapter 11: It’s Not Fair
1. I was Born this Way
a. This doesn’t remove culpability
2. I don’t have the gift of celibacy
a. This fails on several accounts
i. It assumes homosexual desire cannot change and that thus marriage is an impossibility.
ii. Overstates the sexual freedom found in marriage. Marriage is not a sufficient outlet for all sexual desires.
iii. IF chastity is too much to ask of the person with same-sex sexual desires, then it is too much to ask of the person with heterosexual desires.
iv. It misunderstands 1 orr. 7.
3. God Wouldn’t Want Me to Be So Miserable
a. You see what God has to say about homosexuality, but your heart doesn’t utter the same sentiments. God’s word says it’s sinful; your heart says it feels right. God’s word says it’s abominable; your heart says it’s delightful. God’s word says it’s unnatural; your heart says it’s totally normal. Do you see that there is a clear divide between what God’s word says and how your heart feels? Jackie Hill-Perry
b. Ethical decision needs to be based on more than subjective sense of what feels right.

Chapter 12: The God I Worship is a God of Love
1. Jesus the Intolerant
a. The sin of Thyatira was that they tolerate Jezebel. Jesus’ message is not to tolerate her.
2. Show me the Text
a. God is love is different than our cultures understanding of love must be God.

Conclusion
Walking with God and Walking with Each other in Truth and Grace


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[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear, concise, helpful.

[Phil · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book to hand to someone who is genuinely curious about what the Bible really has to say about this.

[Aria Berry · Rating 1 out of 5]

TL;DR: This is a very arrogant book argued poorly with the almost exclusive use of strawman arguments.

Long review: This is quite possibly the most arrogant book I have ever read. Regularly, Mr. DeYoung declares that he knows exactly what Paul, Jesus, and God were thinking of in Scripture. He does not qualify this with a "This is likely what they meant." He outright declares himself correct.

One of my greatest complaints with this book is it is not about proving a point. Mr. DeYoung starts with the presupposition that homosexuality is evil and goes from there. He shows little regard for reading the Scriptures as they are and putting them in proper context. He instead only uses points that benefit his own chosen position.

I appreciate that he challenged my beliefs. I am a Christian bisexual, and I want to read views that disagree with my own. But this man gives no attempt to treating this as an argument between opposing views that should be considered. This is an assault piece, not an intellectual exploration of the topic as he claims.

Additionally, Mr. DeYoung regularly uses the word "revisionist" as an attack against those who disagree with him. The issue is that the view of history he uses is revisionistic. The Bible did not include the word "homosexuality" until the translation of the RSV Bible in 1946. Yet he argues that the church's consensus was firmly anti-homosexual for the last two thousand years.

In the end, Mr. DeYoung comes across as the definition of a Pharisee in this book. He proclaims his own righteousness while decrying all who aren't as strict as him. As well, he uses half-truths and strawman arguments to create a sense of his own moral superiority. He rarely cites where the arguments he's dissecting are coming from. Because of this, he sets up the opposing arguments, which allows him to appear smart as he destroys arguments he made up for himself. Many of the arguments in this book I have never heard an LGBT-affirming Christian make. I am sure they have been made in some form throughout history, but it seems to me that Mr. DeYoung has cherry-picked outlier arguments to make himself appear more intelligent.

[Brian Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here is a very solid overview of a very controversial issue. I suspect that this book was written to reassure Christians that the "traditional" view on the issue of homosexuality is indeed biblical. DeYoung does a good job of going through the relevant texts, showing that they are clear. He then spends some several chapters addressing objections. The church needs books like this. What I don't give it five stars is that I don't think it would be terribly convincing to someone who thinks homosexual practice isn't immoral and that same-sex marriages can be blessed by God. I think the book would be more persuasive if DeYoung spent more time discussing the overall metanarrative of the bible, from God's good creation to the Fall and original sin to the final (hetero) marriage of God and humans at the end of the Bible. He does mention these things, but I think I would have highlighted them more. The reason why this issue matters is because God created human beings a certain way, and he created the institution of marriage to be a picture of the gospel, in particular God's own union with his people, which isn't a "homo" union of God and God or man and man, but of God and man. (Yes, Jesus is the God-man, but the significant aspect of his work is that he brings God and humans together.) And the Bible's teaching on our sinful nature and the need for regeneration and repentance addresses the very difficult issue of why people experience same-sex attraction and what they can do about it. (No doubt, that's very difficult, but people like Sam Allberry, a pastor and author of his own short book on homosexuality, have same-sex attraction and manage to be celibate out of faithfulness to the Lord.)

If I were to recommend only one book on this issue, I would go with Preston Sprinkle's People to Be Loved. But this is a solid book and it couldn't hurt to read both books.

(Finished reading on May 27, 2015.)

[Nathan Schneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book. DeYoung's exegesis is careful and thorough. Clearly, from his exposition of key biblical texts, DeYoung shows that homosexual behavior is outlawed by God's Word. Not only so, but he also helps the reader walk through difficult questions by giving pastoral counsel to issues raised by skeptics. Christians will need to know how to address questions of homosexuality and this book is the book to equip you.

[Pavlos Kavakas · Rating 1 out of 5]

Η θεολογια του δεν ηταν το προβλημα του βιβλιου, αλλα το υφος και επιθετικοτητα που εβγαζε σε πολλα σημεια του βιβλιου. Σε ενα τετοιο θεμα που ειναι ευαισθητο, επρεπε να ειναι πιο ανεκτικος σ��ον τροπο που ελεγε τις αποψεις του. Επισης σε πολλα μερη αντιφασκε και αναφερε καποια επιχειρηματα χωρις να τα εξηγει αρκετα. Ειχε καποια καλα κομματια, ειδικα το Appendix 2 στο τελος, αλλα εκει που με κερδιζε, μετα απο λιγο με εχανε.

[Peter Krol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Has become only more important since it was published. Quite a cogent handling of all the biblical texts. And I especially appreciated the appendices addressing pastoral issues, including how to approach the topic of marriage.

[Jessica Bunce · Rating 5 out of 5]

DeYoung begins with an extended introduction, principally to recognize that Scripture is not primarily focused on the topic of homosexuality. He then gives a brief sketch of the biblical narrative. I was grateful for his recognition of the grander reality of God’s redemptive work, in that all things will be perfected at the eschaton.

DeYoung then acknowledges that even though it is not the primary focus, Scripture does speak of homosexuality. Here, he directs the conversation toward the central question of his book: “Is homosexual activity a sin that must be repented of, forsaken, and forgiven, or, given the right context and commitment, can we consider same-sex sexual intimacy a blessing worth celebrating and solemnizing?” Therefore, this book, is focused on whether or not Scripture endorses homosexuality. In response, DeYoung acknowledges that he endorses a traditional view of marriage, saying, “I believe same-sex sexual intimacy is a sin… I believe the Bible places homosexual behavior— no matter the level of commitment or mutual affection— in the category of sexual immorality.”

The book is then broken up into two parts. Part 1 focuses on five popular passages of related to homosexuality: (1) Genesis 1-2; (2) Genesis 19; (3) Leviticus 18, 20; (4) Romans 1; and (5) 1 Corinthians (6), 1 Timothy 1.

Especially helpful for this discussion, I believe, is the Genesis 1-2 discussion, where DeYoung says “the redemptive-historical significance of marriage as a divine symbol in the Bible only works if the marital couple is a complementary pair.” Acknowledging this grander reality, this coming together of all things, is a powerful truth. As God is unifying all things, such as heaven and earth, a marriage between male and female recognizes this gospel reality. Though different, together they reflect God’s glory and intention for the world.

DeYoung’s handling of the Leviticus passages was also particularly helpful. He acknowledges exactly what sin is being addressed in the Leviticus passages, and whether or not the passages are significant for Christians today. He helpfully, and carefully, walks through these passages, acknowledging their context and helping the reader to understand the difficulty of recognizing the continuity of the Mosaic Law with regard to the Old and New Testaments.

Part 2 focuses on responding to seven popular objections of the traditional view of marriage: (1) near absence of homosexuality in the Bible; (2) different kinds of homosexuality; (3) other sins less addressed in the Bible; (4) church is where broken people are to be; (5) you’re too old-school, being on the wrong side of history; (6) it doesn’t seem fair; and (7) God is a God of love. These responses are especially helpful. DeYoung responds to each objection fairly and presents his response in a clear, understandable fashion.

Helpfully, DeYoung recognizes that though many of these possible objections are heart wrenching and emotionally grounded, Scripture does not endorse homosexuality. What DeYoung graciously does is to show how we all desperately need to learn to differentiate between what God's Word says and what we feel. As described by Jackie Hill Perry in her "Love Letter to a Lesbian," DeYoung cites the following:

"You see what God has to say about homosexuality, but your heart doesn’t utter the same sentiments. God’s word says it’s sinful; your heart says it feels right. God’s word says it’s abominable; your heart says it’s delightful. God’s word says it’s unnatural; your heart says it’s totally normal. Do you see that there is a clear divide between what God’s word says and how your heart feels?"

I am thankful for the call to holiness towards the end of the book to all Christians: to see sin as sin and repent. Whether it is telling lies, gossiping, acting on same-sex attraction, stealing, watching sexually immoral tv shows, or anything else that is against what God's Word says is right and wrong, as a Christian, we are called to holiness and to live lives that are in accordance with the Word of God and bring honor to His name.

Praise be to the Lord who encourages us all in his Word: "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13.

[Brittany Shields · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would highly recommend this book for people from all sides of this issue. It is not driven by a political agenda, and I appreciated how Kevin DeYoung approached this emotionally charged topic.

Before diving into the complexities of Greek and Hebrew language and all things Bible interpretation, he is quick to clarify something that needs to be reiterated more often: “I hope we can agree that the Bible is manifestly not a book about homosexuality. That is to say, if we think the big takeaway from this Big Book is the rightness or wrongness of homosexual activity, then we’ve managed to take a sublime narrative and pound it into a single talking point… the first and more significant question is ‘What does the Bible teach about everything?’"

He then defines his terms and explains that the question he is trying to answer in this particular book is: "Is homosexual activity a sin that must be repented of, forsaken, and forgiven, or, given the right context and commitment, can we consider same-sex sexual intimacy a blessing worth celebrating and solemnizing?" (the latter as suggested in other books such as Torn)

I think this is of utmost importance when talking about this issue as people have a framework they understand certain words through which can cause a lot of problems and misunderstandings. DeYoung is clear in his semantics and accessible in his application.

Part 1 of his book focused on Scripture- both Old Testament and New Testament. He begins in Genesis with the creation account- becoming one flesh: is this prescriptive? is it more about not being alone than not being incomplete?

He moves on to the story of Lot with his daughters in the Sodom and Gomorrah account- is this actually about homosexuality or is this really just about non-consensual sex?

The passages in Leviticus get a lot of attention in today’s debate. If we have to obey Leviticus, why are we wearing clothes made with two kinds of fabric, eating bacon, , etc.? And so a big question is: Does Leviticus still apply to us today or is it part of the Mosaic law-covenant we are no longer bound by?

He fleshes out six reasons for why we can take those verses seriously and concludes with, “Anyone who has studied the Bible as a serious discipline understands that navigating the relationship between the Old and the New Testament can be tricky business. We don’t simply adopt the Mosaic covenant as our church membership covenant. Nor do we simply dismiss God’s gracious self-disclosure in the Torah because of a gag line about eating shellfish. Leviticus was part of the Bible Jesus read, the Bible Jesus believed, and the Bible Jesus did not want to abolish. We ought to take seriously how the Holiness Code reveals to us the holy character of God and the holy people we are supposed to be.”

In the New Testament he focuses on Romans, 1 Corinthians and 1 Timothy. He addresses the question of whether the Romans verses is more about exchanging “natural” for “unnatural” relationships in terms of sexual orientation or exploitation and more study of the original language(malakoi and arsenokoitai).

In Part 2 he touches on all the most common objections to the traditional Biblical view:

- the traditional view of marriage is only based on a few verses?

- how would God create people with desires they are not allowed to express? isn’t he a fair God?

- can’t we reject a traditional view of marriage because of cultural distance—back then the culture didn’t have any concept of sexual orientation and healthy covenantal same-sex unions?

- church negligence- why do Christians make a big deal of homosexuality and give a pass to other sins like divorce and gluttony?

- but God is a loving, gracious, and forgiving God, won’t he will love us and save us no matter what relationships we engage in if they are healthy?

- do you really want to hold onto the traditional view of marriage and be on the wrong side of history?

Though his book focuses on homosexuality and the church, he includes appendices that discuss what is at stake in terms of the ‘political’ aspect of same-sex unions in terms of human flourishing and equal rights. He also includes some thoughtful suggestions on how we communicate on this topic in a loving, yet confident way.

Well-researched throughout, taking into account the original language—what the words mean and how else they are used in Scripture— this book is an excellent, concise, intelligent, and grace-filled discussion on a highly relevant and controversial topic.

“We cannot settle for a culturally imported understanding of love. The steadfast love of God must not be confused with a blanket affirmation or an inspirational pep talk. No halfway responsible parent would ever think that loving her child means affirming his every desire and finding ways to fulfill whatever wishes he deems important… We can respect differing opinions and treat our opponents with civility, but we cannot give our unqualified, unconditional affirmation to every belief and behavior. We must love what God loves. But we must also hate what God hates.”

“A rant is not an idea, and feeling hurt is not an argument. To be sure, how we make each other feel is not unimportant. But in our age of perpetual outrage, we must make clear that offendedness is not proof of the coherence or plausibility of any argument. Now is not the time for fuzzy thinking. Now is not the time to shy away from careful definitions. Now is not the time to let moods substitute for logic. These are difficult issues. These are personal issues. These are complicated issues. We cannot chart our ethical course by what feels better. We cannot build our theology based on what makes us look nicer. We cannot abdicate intellectual responsibility because smart people disagree.”

“Let God be true though every one were a liar…” Romans 3:4

“The God we worship is indeed a God of love. Which does not, according to any verse in the Bible, make sexual sin acceptable. But it does, by the witness of a thousand verses all over the Bible, make every one of our sexual sins changeable, redeemable, and wondrously forgivable.”

I would also recommend reading from a perspective of someone who has been there— Jackie Hill Perry’s book ‘Gay Girl, Good God.’

See more of my reviews at www.shelfreflection.com!

[E · Rating 5 out of 5]

After some less than stellar reads recently, I was thrilled to devour a book that hits it out of the park. DeYoung is right-on when it comes to the issue. He first exegetes major biblical passages (Genesis 1–2; Genesis 19; Leviticus 18 & 20; Romans 1; 1 Corinthians 6 & 1 Timothy 1) and then handles major objections ("not that kind of homosexuality"; "what about gluttony and divorce"; "you're on the wrong side of history"; and so forth).

Absolutely everyone ought to read this book, because in this day and age, here is a topic about which you must have an informed opinion. DeYoung will give you a strong biblical foundation to knock out the talking points of those who want to deny God's Word on this subject. I also found the appendices very helpful ("what about same-sex marriage?"; "is same-sex attraction itself sinful?").

DeYoung is a world-class communicator who deserves his reputation as a skilled writer and preacher. He is decidedly old-school, despite his youthful looks. He cares about Christ and his church and his Word. He models a careful handling of Scripture coupled with a committed love for the lost. This book is an example for us all.