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Walking the Bridgeless Canyon: Repairing the Breach Between the Church and the LGBT Community
In 2001, Kathy Baldock, a straight conservative evangelical Christian, met Netto Montoya, a lesbian Native American, on the local hiking trails near her home in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Their friendship challenged Baldocks cultural and religious beliefs about gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people.
In Walking the Bridgeless Canyon: Repairing the Breach between the Church and the LGBT Community, Baldock uncovers the historical, cultural, medical, and political filters of discrimination through which the LGBT community is seen. With the foundation firmly established, she examines the most controversial filter of all: what the Bible says about same-sex behavior.
Ten years of research, as well as relationships with thousands of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people, led to answering important questions:
How did history, culture, science, and politics intertwine to create social discrimination against the gay and transgender community?
When and why did the conservative Christian community turn their focus on the gay and transgender community?
Should Christian fellowship be extended to gay and transgender people? Should civil marriages, or even Christian marriages, be granted to them?
What is happening within the LGBT Christian movement today?
Baldock carefully constructs a timeline as she untangles the details of various influences and influencers. Along the way, she shares fascinating stories and testimonies enriching the historical journey. Finally, for those who are wondering how they might enter into productive and respectful conversations about the intersection of faith and sexual orientation or gender identity, this book offers the resources and tools needed to make informed and wise, Christ-centered choices.
In Walking the Bridgeless Canyon: Repairing the Breach between the Church and the LGBT Community, Baldock uncovers the historical, cultural, medical, and political filters of discrimination through which the LGBT community is seen. With the foundation firmly established, she examines the most controversial filter of all: what the Bible says about same-sex behavior.
Ten years of research, as well as relationships with thousands of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people, led to answering important questions:
How did history, culture, science, and politics intertwine to create social discrimination against the gay and transgender community?
When and why did the conservative Christian community turn their focus on the gay and transgender community?
Should Christian fellowship be extended to gay and transgender people? Should civil marriages, or even Christian marriages, be granted to them?
What is happening within the LGBT Christian movement today?
Baldock carefully constructs a timeline as she untangles the details of various influences and influencers. Along the way, she shares fascinating stories and testimonies enriching the historical journey. Finally, for those who are wondering how they might enter into productive and respectful conversations about the intersection of faith and sexual orientation or gender identity, this book offers the resources and tools needed to make informed and wise, Christ-centered choices.
480 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 2, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
February 6, 2022
I began to read this because of love. People in my life were LGBTQ and I had love for them. I realized at a certain point that I had never personally studied the Bible on the issue but had rather just accepted the prevailing attitude and belief of my evangelical church culture. It struck me that a handful of verses I had never seriously studied could not outweigh countless verses that I had studied about selfless love and grace.
So I started reading this.
It was hard to read and for a while I had to put it down because of hurt and pain in my life.
Now that I have finished it, I don't know where I am. It feels like a strange land and it's going to be a long time before I understand how to live in it.
The book itself is impeccably researched, solidly reasoned, and written with heart and devotion. Yes, there are some places here and there where in a conversation with the author I might poke a small hole. Her Bible work on those infamous verses however is simply excellent. She also makes such a compelling point about how we evangelicals are so in love with certainty that we lose out on some of the mystery, conversation and relationship where most of our spiritual growth comes from.
I don't recommend books. I could not have read this at any other time in my life. I read it expecting a big compassion case followed by crappy exegesis. I cringed as she finally came to the chapter on those verses. But by the time she finished, I had to say that her interpretation and exegesis of those passages were as good or better than any I had heard. More than enough for me to embrace the uncertainty and choose love and acceptance as my default.
Maybe that's not a strong and diehard position. But maybe opposing queerness isn't the hill to die on anyway. If it was, it seems like God would talk about it more.
It's a good book. I'm glad I read it and while I have read it during the most difficult time of my life, I still am thankful for what God is doing in me through it.
So I started reading this.
It was hard to read and for a while I had to put it down because of hurt and pain in my life.
Now that I have finished it, I don't know where I am. It feels like a strange land and it's going to be a long time before I understand how to live in it.
The book itself is impeccably researched, solidly reasoned, and written with heart and devotion. Yes, there are some places here and there where in a conversation with the author I might poke a small hole. Her Bible work on those infamous verses however is simply excellent. She also makes such a compelling point about how we evangelicals are so in love with certainty that we lose out on some of the mystery, conversation and relationship where most of our spiritual growth comes from.
I don't recommend books. I could not have read this at any other time in my life. I read it expecting a big compassion case followed by crappy exegesis. I cringed as she finally came to the chapter on those verses. But by the time she finished, I had to say that her interpretation and exegesis of those passages were as good or better than any I had heard. More than enough for me to embrace the uncertainty and choose love and acceptance as my default.
Maybe that's not a strong and diehard position. But maybe opposing queerness isn't the hill to die on anyway. If it was, it seems like God would talk about it more.
It's a good book. I'm glad I read it and while I have read it during the most difficult time of my life, I still am thankful for what God is doing in me through it.
April 27, 2015
This is practically a handbook for allies. I truly believe every LGBT ally should read this book. Kathy covers the history (political and religious) of heterosexism, the science behind sexual orientation, and theology -- all while including a wealth of very personal stories from the LGBT community and allies. She has clearly done her research and provides six and a half pages of references and dozens of footnotes. I also had to privilege of meeting Kathy and she is a loving, accepting, wonderful person. Thank God for this book!
June 30, 2018
When my church had a Homosexuality and the Bible study series, I left with a long reading list. This is the first one I chose, mostly because one of my friends from church is a huge Kathy Baldock fan and organized a group to go see her speak when she was in town, but I had to miss it. I figured I should at least read her book so I can be ready for next time she comes around. What's interesting about Kathy is that she is a straight Evangelical Christian and her kids are straight, which makes her journey so interesting because she didn't NEED to pursue this. She could have lived in her bubble, but she chose not to, and that is interesting. Actually, what I took away most from this book was the importance of having Allies and being Allies, to amplify the voices that need to be heard.
The target audience for this book seems to be straight, Evangelical Christians. What I expected was the usual unpacking of the six Bible verses that relate to homosexuality, but that is only in chapter 9. Kathy knows that before you can do that, you need to understand the history of psychology, medicine, politics, and American culture that led to this intense persecution of a minority group by a religion that is founded in love. Before you can understand questionable translations of two specific words in the Bible, you need to understand why people (who are products of their times) chose those specific translations. Kathy also understands that it's hard to hate or be scared of people if you get to know them, so she shares story after story of people who are part of the LGBTQ community, ESPECIALLY Christians who are LGBTQ. For Kathy, it was the realization that there were Gay Christians that led her to start questioning and researching, so she spends a lot of time sharing stories of people who were shunned by their churches but still continued to practice their faith.
I loved this book and I love the work Kathy is doing. I am proud to be part of a church that is affirming, and I am inspired to reach out to Christians who have different ideas about homosexuality than I do. As Kathy puts it, we are called to journey in love with others who are unlike ourselves.
The target audience for this book seems to be straight, Evangelical Christians. What I expected was the usual unpacking of the six Bible verses that relate to homosexuality, but that is only in chapter 9. Kathy knows that before you can do that, you need to understand the history of psychology, medicine, politics, and American culture that led to this intense persecution of a minority group by a religion that is founded in love. Before you can understand questionable translations of two specific words in the Bible, you need to understand why people (who are products of their times) chose those specific translations. Kathy also understands that it's hard to hate or be scared of people if you get to know them, so she shares story after story of people who are part of the LGBTQ community, ESPECIALLY Christians who are LGBTQ. For Kathy, it was the realization that there were Gay Christians that led her to start questioning and researching, so she spends a lot of time sharing stories of people who were shunned by their churches but still continued to practice their faith.
I loved this book and I love the work Kathy is doing. I am proud to be part of a church that is affirming, and I am inspired to reach out to Christians who have different ideas about homosexuality than I do. As Kathy puts it, we are called to journey in love with others who are unlike ourselves.
November 2, 2014
In Romans 2:23-24, the apostle Paul rebukes the Christians in Rome with these words: “You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”
If you are a Christian who is grieved that this same rebuke is applicable to the church in America today as so many Christians wage a war of shame and exclusion against LGBT people but you don’t know where to begin to untangle the mess, this book is a great place to start. Ms. Baldock has compiled an extensive overview of the historical, cultural, social, political and religious forces that have converged to get us to the place in the America church where we are today. Any one of these forces is worthy of a complete book and she has heavily footnoted her research if further study is desired. While fundamentalist voices continue to shame and degrade LGBT Christians and drive them away from our churches, this book offers a refreshing glimpse of hope for individuals and families that change is coming and it’s coming from the laity sitting in our pews, not from the “evil gay agenda”. There are many testimonies from LGBT Christians determined to hold tight to Jesus in spite of the hatred directed toward them from the church and many testimonies from straight Christians who have journeyed over that frightening gulf to stand with them in their struggle.
Regardless of where you find yourself on the scale from affirming to non-affirming, the insights and perspectives gained from this book should help you to better discern truth from hysteria, compassionate response from fear.
It is undeniable that the Holy Spirit is on the move concerning the topic of the inclusion of gay Christians in our churches and it is time for the church in America to lay aside emotions and ignorance and actually talk respectfully with our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters, not simply talk disparagingly about them. This book is a wonderful platform to begin these conversations. I highly recommend it. To God be the glory.
If you are a Christian who is grieved that this same rebuke is applicable to the church in America today as so many Christians wage a war of shame and exclusion against LGBT people but you don’t know where to begin to untangle the mess, this book is a great place to start. Ms. Baldock has compiled an extensive overview of the historical, cultural, social, political and religious forces that have converged to get us to the place in the America church where we are today. Any one of these forces is worthy of a complete book and she has heavily footnoted her research if further study is desired. While fundamentalist voices continue to shame and degrade LGBT Christians and drive them away from our churches, this book offers a refreshing glimpse of hope for individuals and families that change is coming and it’s coming from the laity sitting in our pews, not from the “evil gay agenda”. There are many testimonies from LGBT Christians determined to hold tight to Jesus in spite of the hatred directed toward them from the church and many testimonies from straight Christians who have journeyed over that frightening gulf to stand with them in their struggle.
Regardless of where you find yourself on the scale from affirming to non-affirming, the insights and perspectives gained from this book should help you to better discern truth from hysteria, compassionate response from fear.
It is undeniable that the Holy Spirit is on the move concerning the topic of the inclusion of gay Christians in our churches and it is time for the church in America to lay aside emotions and ignorance and actually talk respectfully with our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters, not simply talk disparagingly about them. This book is a wonderful platform to begin these conversations. I highly recommend it. To God be the glory.
May 5, 2018
This is a comprehensive look at how religion and society has looked at LGBT people from Biblical times to the present day. It explains how attitudes have changed and the factors that have influenced changing attitudes. I found this book really helpful and illuminating. I have struggled with the judgemental attitudes of conservative Christians in my own church, but Kathy encourages allies to have an attitude of grace to all. The book is aimed at the general reader rather than an academic researcher, and because of the wealth of references it took me a while to realise that while I was reading an informed and informative book, it was not a scholarly dissertation. Because of my preconceptions I initially found the patchy referencing a bit irritating. But as I got into the book I was happy just to motor through, and look at the references later. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for answers about those 6 verses of Scripture that are used so often to bring down LGBT Christians that they are known as the 'clobber verses.'
April 10, 2018
This book was fascinating and takes an unusual historical approach. I was already about 98.3% to becoming fully affirming, which has been a long process for me. But this book eliminated the last 1.7% of doubt. Besides, it's a very thorough investigation of the history of the way we see sexuality and the way the church has interacted with historical and political trends. I find the way American Christianity incorporates American political history to be mostly underestimated and understanding that relationship better is very revealing. Even aside from LGBT advocacy, it's thought provoking to see the way that interpretive assumptions get incorporated as unquestioned fact in Evangelicalism. I do think there were a few gaps or biased sections in the book, and it also gets a little repetitive toward the end. But for the most part, very well researched and presented.
January 12, 2022
This was Eye-Opening
I’ve been looking for books or resources that deal with the affirming Christian view of the LGBTQ+ and Christianity/The Bible issue that are not all emotional or experience based. Kathy has provided just that. There is so much in here about the history of the LGBT movement and the reaction of psychoanalysts, politicians, the church, families, people themselves etc. I’m stunned by all the nuances of the unholy union between Republican politics and the Church and the very real effects and implications that unholy union is still having on the lives and mental health of young LGBTQ+ people who grow up in the Church.
There’s too much in this book to talk about. The loss of a star is because it’s very modern focused and doesn’t deal with the past enough besides to say sex was deemed to be for procreation in times past and about male hierarchy and why a man would not be the passive partner in a gay relationship. I need more about the history of same sex relationships from the historic church, not just the modern. I also thought the discussion on the six verses wasn’t great. But it was clarified that it would be best to read a second book on that and that Kathy was only summarizing that expanded work on the Bible passages that “condemn” homosexuality. I’ve since ordered that book as well.
I think this is going to be high on my recommended reading list for anyone who talks to me about learning more about Christianity and LGBTQ+ relationships and issues.
I’ve been looking for books or resources that deal with the affirming Christian view of the LGBTQ+ and Christianity/The Bible issue that are not all emotional or experience based. Kathy has provided just that. There is so much in here about the history of the LGBT movement and the reaction of psychoanalysts, politicians, the church, families, people themselves etc. I’m stunned by all the nuances of the unholy union between Republican politics and the Church and the very real effects and implications that unholy union is still having on the lives and mental health of young LGBTQ+ people who grow up in the Church.
There’s too much in this book to talk about. The loss of a star is because it’s very modern focused and doesn’t deal with the past enough besides to say sex was deemed to be for procreation in times past and about male hierarchy and why a man would not be the passive partner in a gay relationship. I need more about the history of same sex relationships from the historic church, not just the modern. I also thought the discussion on the six verses wasn’t great. But it was clarified that it would be best to read a second book on that and that Kathy was only summarizing that expanded work on the Bible passages that “condemn” homosexuality. I’ve since ordered that book as well.
I think this is going to be high on my recommended reading list for anyone who talks to me about learning more about Christianity and LGBTQ+ relationships and issues.
May 21, 2019
I’m not exactly the target audience (but I used to be) so rated the book 5 stars based on how helpful I think it would be to non-affirming Christians who want to learn more about the historical, social, and political reasons behind non-affirmation of LGBTQ+ Christians.
Had I given it a rating based solely on my own reading, it would have received 4 stars. The one star less is because a few sections just aren’t terribly relevant to someone who isn’t in the target audience. However, I would still recommend this book to anyone who is interested in why Christianity has been so anti-LGBTQ+ and would like to more deeply understand the history of that.
This is an excellently researched book, very clear, very Biblically-based (for the target audience), and extremely informative.
I highly recommend it!
Had I given it a rating based solely on my own reading, it would have received 4 stars. The one star less is because a few sections just aren’t terribly relevant to someone who isn’t in the target audience. However, I would still recommend this book to anyone who is interested in why Christianity has been so anti-LGBTQ+ and would like to more deeply understand the history of that.
This is an excellently researched book, very clear, very Biblically-based (for the target audience), and extremely informative.
I highly recommend it!
August 29, 2020
This is an incredibly well researched exploration of her personal journey to being affirming of LGBTQIA people, exploring the history, culture, politics and theology that created such a negative perspective about LGBTQIA people, and why we need to revisit it.
I listened to the audio book and loved that Cathy read the book herself.
I listened to the audio book and loved that Cathy read the book herself.
October 25, 2014
A MUST HAVE book for anyone seriously interested in learning about homosexuality and Christianity. It's on the top of my "research/reference" list of books to use in my writing.
July 15, 2024
This is the book I wish I had read five years ago - it is such a beautiful testament to Baldock’s hard work and love for the queer community, and will be one that I share with many people in my life, especially well meaning but non affirming Christians. This book breaks it all down - the clobber verses, the history of the American stigma against queer people, and is wrapped in such love, hope, and compassion. One of my favorites for this year.
June 20, 2022
Eye opening and convicting. A must read for all Christians and others who want to know how to support our LGBT friends.
January 29, 2022
If you want to understand how we arrived where we are in the church regarding our relationship with the LGBTQ community, this is THE book. Baldock spends nine chapters or so exploring the societal, cultural, historical, political, psychological, and biological background for how we understand homosexuality and transgenders before diving into the biblical “clobber” verses. This is a most excellent book, one of the most impactful books I’ve read in the last couple of years. I highly recommend it to any Christian.
August 7, 2019
This book is a must read for any evangelical Christian. My only regret from reading it is that my review will not do Kathy Baldock’s work justice.
I’ve been to one of Baldock’s workshops, so I was familiar with some of the narrative—the Lavender Scare, conversion therapy in the 20th century, etc. I had also read up on Lonnie Frisbee. But I had no idea how much queer heritage Calvary Chapel and the Jesus Movement have, and have hidden from history. The church would not be the same without the efforts of queer Christians. The only shameful thing about us is that the church won’t tell our stories.
I’ve been to one of Baldock’s workshops, so I was familiar with some of the narrative—the Lavender Scare, conversion therapy in the 20th century, etc. I had also read up on Lonnie Frisbee. But I had no idea how much queer heritage Calvary Chapel and the Jesus Movement have, and have hidden from history. The church would not be the same without the efforts of queer Christians. The only shameful thing about us is that the church won’t tell our stories.
November 29, 2020
At some point in our lives we will all meet people who are part of the LGBTQ community. This happened to Kathy Baldock, a conservative, evangelical Christian, while she was hiking near her home. A simple, "Do you mind if I turn around and walk with you?" began a strong bond of friendship with a lesbian, which in turn opened the door to questioning just how God views LGBTQ people and how He wants us to show love to everyone. This book is incredibly well researched and presented and I highly recommend it to anyone who is willing to listen and learn.
April 6, 2021
To feel seen, addressed, represented, empathize with between these pages was a sacred experience. Thankful for the history, the research, the attention to detail, and the sheer passion that went into this book. It speaks volumes to my experience and while I may find myself in a different spiritual place than when I started the book, Kathy Baldock accomplished what she set out to do - bridging the canyon.
January 18, 2020
So powerful!
This book is jam-packed with historical information, as well as crucial testimonies of how the LBGTQ community has been treated. More importantly, though, is the information and truth of how this unique group should be loved and accepted in society and especially in our churches! It has profoundly touched my soul and made me a better person for reading it.
This book is jam-packed with historical information, as well as crucial testimonies of how the LBGTQ community has been treated. More importantly, though, is the information and truth of how this unique group should be loved and accepted in society and especially in our churches! It has profoundly touched my soul and made me a better person for reading it.
February 27, 2018
I loved this book so much. It helped me as an ally, to sort through my beliefs. What is really true as opposed to what I have been taught & just accepted. Thank you Kathy for loving the LGBTQ community & helping me love them better.
September 10, 2018
An outstanding synopsis of the history of LBGTQ and the struggle of the church to move from judgment and rejection to affirmation and welcome. Also a powerful call to challenge one's own beliefs, assumptions and general ignorance. Brilliant!
September 26, 2018
Cleared things up.
November 16, 2018
100 stars.
January 4, 2019
Excellent research, balanced and interesting. Combining story telling with scholarship, my favorite kind of book.
April 22, 2023
For the past couple of years, I have been actively working to become an ally for LGBTQ folk in the church. I've been reading, talking to people, studying, repenting, learning, praying, considering, thinking, and waiting. I played a major role in moving my church from silently excluding, onto a journey toward fully affirming--we're now open to marrying LGBTQ couples and full membership is available without judgment.
Along the way, I have read quite a number of books on the topic that I can highly recommend (highlights would be UnClobber and Heavy Burdens: Seven Ways LGBTQ Christians Experience Harm in the Church).
The most comprehensive an valuable resource of them all is Kathy Baldock's Walking the Bridgeless Canyon. Kathy does a tremendous job of putting together the psychological, historical, theological, social, and political contexts that created the perfect storm of anti-gay in the US (and to a lesser extent elsewhere). Her depth of understanding is unmatched and her empathy is outstanding. She came at this out of a growing conviction and it shows in her work.
The book was published before the Trump era of anti-gay legal clawbacks, so it conveys a hopeful tone of inevitable progress toward full societal and faith community inclusion. This is necessary but seems a little idealized as we witness the current climate of 2023 ("Don't say gay" laws, etc.). Let's hope the arc of history continues to bend toward justice.
I feel like the book will be too much for some people--it has more information than most people want--but it is rendered in a compelling style and it carries you through. I didn't need all of the early psychology, I didn't think, but I was completely fascinated (and often horrified) by the historical events. Toward the end of the book, she provides many more stories of people, which humanize the discussion--something important to do.
She also provides some tangible guidelines for churches and allies to do and be as we move forward into an inclusive church. This is great. I highly recommend people read it, share it, talk about it, and form study groups to work on it together.
Along the way, I have read quite a number of books on the topic that I can highly recommend (highlights would be UnClobber and Heavy Burdens: Seven Ways LGBTQ Christians Experience Harm in the Church).
The most comprehensive an valuable resource of them all is Kathy Baldock's Walking the Bridgeless Canyon. Kathy does a tremendous job of putting together the psychological, historical, theological, social, and political contexts that created the perfect storm of anti-gay in the US (and to a lesser extent elsewhere). Her depth of understanding is unmatched and her empathy is outstanding. She came at this out of a growing conviction and it shows in her work.
The book was published before the Trump era of anti-gay legal clawbacks, so it conveys a hopeful tone of inevitable progress toward full societal and faith community inclusion. This is necessary but seems a little idealized as we witness the current climate of 2023 ("Don't say gay" laws, etc.). Let's hope the arc of history continues to bend toward justice.
I feel like the book will be too much for some people--it has more information than most people want--but it is rendered in a compelling style and it carries you through. I didn't need all of the early psychology, I didn't think, but I was completely fascinated (and often horrified) by the historical events. Toward the end of the book, she provides many more stories of people, which humanize the discussion--something important to do.
She also provides some tangible guidelines for churches and allies to do and be as we move forward into an inclusive church. This is great. I highly recommend people read it, share it, talk about it, and form study groups to work on it together.
May 11, 2022
I highly recommend reading Kathy Baldock's book. It is a bit outdated....it was published before the Supreme Court acknowledged that gay folk should have the same right to marry as everyone else. She has another book coming out later this year. She also has a youtube presence. Some of her internet presence may make the information more readily available. Kathy Baldock has taken the time to learn of which she speaks. She takes us through history to see how we got to where we are today. She shows how our traditional understanding of the six clobber passages misses the point. She tells the story of many gay Christians and families that have dealt with having a gay child or a gay parent. She tells of her transformation from a "Bible Believing Evangelical" to a person who will REALLY take the time to understand scripture instead of using the Bible to support the biases that we have learned from our peers and parents. What if everything we have always been told to be true is a misunderstanding? And what if people have died and been kept from Christianity as a result? My heart is heavy. Especially this afternoon when I open my mail to an invitation from Gospel Coalition to watch a debate and I hear a pastor speak in ways that would be SO hurtful to our gay or trans brothers and sisters. Sometimes as Evangelical Christians we are SO addicted to needing to be right that we refuse to learn what God is showing us, no matter who gets hurt in the meantime.
September 7, 2025
This is by far the most comprehensive book I’ve read regarding the LGBTQIA community and the church. Kathy thoroughly examines history, biology, social structures, Bible translations, theology, psychology, and countless personal testimonies of gay Christians, including many who were traumatized by failed conversion therapy. While I am personally far more progressive theologically than she is (as far as I can tell), this book is one that I feel very comfortable sharing with my more conservative Christian friends. It makes a clear path for people who want to remain theologically conservative to fully embrace the LGBTQIA community just as God created them. I went into this book expecting it to be somewhat similar to the documentary “1946:The Mistranslation that Shifted Culture” because that’s where I was first introduced to Kathy Baldock, but that was not the focus of the book; it was so much more.
March 23, 2017
I found this book frustrating because of a lack of good footnotes; even though there were footnotes, often a single source was cited repeatedly or the sources seemed less than credible. It was also irritating that Baldock assumed most of the way through the book that the only two stances are "homosexuals can't be Christians" and "homosexuality is ordained by God," with no middle ground. And yet the personal stories were very moving and I now understand that there are biblical grounds for accepting homosexuality.
I feel like I need to outline and summarize her arguments because they are still fragmented and in pieces in my head. However, I am also really tired of thinking about this issue, so that may not happen for a long time.
I feel like I need to outline and summarize her arguments because they are still fragmented and in pieces in my head. However, I am also really tired of thinking about this issue, so that may not happen for a long time.
August 23, 2025
I listened to it on Audible, that’s why it took me so long (I honestly forgot about it because I’m not big on audiobooks). However, it had really great info and I just wish my parents would read it… maybe they would see me in a different light. My fav statement in this book— “love dictates that I stand for the rights of all people… most Christians are just not interested in doing the hard work and it is hard work of revisiting the teaching that have led them to believe that homosexuality is sin. However I do believe God is working outside the walls of the church”. I sure hope God is working on my parents… maybe one day they will put in the hard work.
September 22, 2018
I highly recommend this book!! The history of the knowledge and understanding of LGBT people in the medical community, society, and religious groups have been thoroughly researched and cited in this book. It’s both heartbreaking and hopeful. The personal stories and quotes brought her concepts/assertions to life and reminds you that these are real people who are loved by God. If you’re interested in being a bridge builder between the church and the LGBT community this is a must read.
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December 4, 2021A friend pointed me to this book.
Though I often felt the author pushing too hard, and cannot agree that homosexuality is not a sin (in terms of "missing the mark"), I found much good here. It seems to me that the church has been quite harsh towards sinners... which isn't how I see Jesus walking the pages of the New Testament.
Well... I've much to think about.
If you are abiding in Christ, read this book. If you aren't, then it may do you no good.
Though I often felt the author pushing too hard, and cannot agree that homosexuality is not a sin (in terms of "missing the mark"), I found much good here. It seems to me that the church has been quite harsh towards sinners... which isn't how I see Jesus walking the pages of the New Testament.
Well... I've much to think about.
If you are abiding in Christ, read this book. If you aren't, then it may do you no good.
January 24, 2024
A great book that likes at the history of same sex science, religious views and legal views. She then examines how the church had/i# treating same sex relationships. She also examines the clobber passages used to exclude gay people. So much damage done in the past by extremely poor research and stereotyping of people. The book is well researched and provides a very thorough examination of how/why society and the church had/is treating gay people so badly.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews