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Straight & Narrow?: Compassion Clarity in the Homosexuality Debate
Voted one of Christianity Today's 1996 Books of the Year Too often, Thomas Schmidt writes, the charged battle over homosexuality generates slogans and accusations--obscuring the struggling persons at the center of the argument. In this book Schmidt brings the discussion back into empathetic contact with the circumstances and the choices of individuals. At the same time he offers thoroughly researched and up-to-date information and assessment from an evangelical Christian perspective on all the main points of the debate. He includes chapters on what the Bible really says (and means) about homosexuality, the health effects of homosexual behavior, whether or not people are born with homosexual orientations, and the cogency of recent progay reconstructions of history such as John Boswell's.
240 pages, Paperback
First published May 23, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 19, 2017
This book provides me with a heavy load of factual research and sound reasoning before I take a stance cautiously as a Christian on this important and touchy issue. It is both homosexuals and heterosexuals (and any other sexual identities) that need God, so I need to recognize my own sinful sexuality (no matter thoughts or deeds, direct or indirect) before I judge others. And it is common ground for humanity to suffer: this way or another; but there is "a way out" and there is a prize on that Day. It is also the redemptive love of Jesus that needs to go hand in hand with carrying out our moral stance.
This book shows me that the current popular media only displays one side of the issue (portraying the whole gay community as committed, long-term relationships). In reality, there is overwhelming, unbelievable physical (high prevalence of sexual diseases, harmful sexual acts) and psychological harm (extremely high rate OCD and substance abuse, depression/suicide, pervasively high number of sexual partners throughout lifetime in the gay community). These data make me concerned about the fact that society is provided with the incomplete information thus opinions are manipulated by the mainstream presentation of this issue.
I do not want to provide a summary of the author's points here since it will be incomplete; putting the conclusion of the book here will also not serve the purpose of a humble, open-minded dialogue that this book brings. For those who seek a short version of the book, you can go directly to the last chapter where there is a summary of the chapters. I'm glad that the author criticizes many Christian practices as well. Reading this books requires OPEN-MINDEDNESS from both conservatives and liberals.
It will be better if there is an update of the recent change in these old data since this book was written 20 years ago.
This book shows me that the current popular media only displays one side of the issue (portraying the whole gay community as committed, long-term relationships). In reality, there is overwhelming, unbelievable physical (high prevalence of sexual diseases, harmful sexual acts) and psychological harm (extremely high rate OCD and substance abuse, depression/suicide, pervasively high number of sexual partners throughout lifetime in the gay community). These data make me concerned about the fact that society is provided with the incomplete information thus opinions are manipulated by the mainstream presentation of this issue.
I do not want to provide a summary of the author's points here since it will be incomplete; putting the conclusion of the book here will also not serve the purpose of a humble, open-minded dialogue that this book brings. For those who seek a short version of the book, you can go directly to the last chapter where there is a summary of the chapters. I'm glad that the author criticizes many Christian practices as well. Reading this books requires OPEN-MINDEDNESS from both conservatives and liberals.
It will be better if there is an update of the recent change in these old data since this book was written 20 years ago.
January 31, 2011
A good book with some brighter and duller parts. It covers the topic of homosexuality from a conservative Christian perspective while still being humble and not overly emotional. I especially appreciated the parts of the book going into depth on all the passages of scripture and various translations of different passages from different perspectives. I also really appreciated an honest, non-hateful presentation of arguments. The author was able to go into depth into an issue (not being afraid to delve into something that's such a sensitive topic) while still being respectful and humble. There are parts of the book where the author covers medical and biological spheres of the topic and I didn't think they were done nearly as well. But the author holds a Ph.D. and is an expert in Biblical translation and is not a scientist so it shouldn't be a shock or make us throw the baby out with the bathwater in his book. He spends a significant amount of time in the first chapter of the book explaining where he is coming from, why he is writing on the topic and how he realizes coming into it that we are not talking about some idea out there in the world that's easy to dissect but real people who feel and hurt and that should never be forgotten. He closes out the book with the same ideas. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to take an honest look at different viewpoints on this issue and really understand where different sides are coming from. It isn't light reading. It's very technical and not something you're going to swipe through quickly and feel that you understand the topic and can instantly re-articulate the arguments in conversation. But anything worthwhile isn't that way. If you really want to wade through and be thoughtful about anything you'll find that to be true. It only seems easy when you don't take the time to really delve into something. Personally I thought half the value of the book was the way that the author approaches the topic before he even gets into the technical details and after it's all been laid out. He acknowledges the complication of the issue, admits that he doesn't know everything, and through it all earned by respect.
November 23, 2023
A book that sets out the traditional and biblical teaching on homosexuality. Schmidt outlines the revisionist case for reinterpretating the Bible texts to allow for accepting same sex relationships as morally justified and then refutes it to show that the texts do teach the condemnation of homosexuality.
Chapter six is, as the author acknowledges, a very difficult chapter to read. It deals with sexual practices and the health hazards that accompany them. It provides a more pragmatic argument against the practice of same sex relationships. The endnotes are extensive referring to the medical literature available at the time of writing (1990s).
Schmidt discusses the question of how a homosexual orientation/preference may arise within someone and sees it as a complex matter and not a simple as, for example, genetic predisposition.
The book is well worth reading as the opening theological chapters present a good overview of the arguments for the acceptance or rejection of homosexuality with Christian morality. The closing chapters challenge the Christian to respond in love to the homosexual in a way which also acknowledges the believer's own fallenness in relation to sexuality.
The book's endnotes numbers were extremely small and even with a magnifying glass they were at times indistinct.
A difficult but very worthwhile read.
Chapter six is, as the author acknowledges, a very difficult chapter to read. It deals with sexual practices and the health hazards that accompany them. It provides a more pragmatic argument against the practice of same sex relationships. The endnotes are extensive referring to the medical literature available at the time of writing (1990s).
Schmidt discusses the question of how a homosexual orientation/preference may arise within someone and sees it as a complex matter and not a simple as, for example, genetic predisposition.
The book is well worth reading as the opening theological chapters present a good overview of the arguments for the acceptance or rejection of homosexuality with Christian morality. The closing chapters challenge the Christian to respond in love to the homosexual in a way which also acknowledges the believer's own fallenness in relation to sexuality.
The book's endnotes numbers were extremely small and even with a magnifying glass they were at times indistinct.
A difficult but very worthwhile read.
October 11, 2009
Well written, lots to think about, compassionate. I'm still thinking about this one.
May 17, 2024
AN EVANGELICAL SUPPORTS WHAT HE CALLS ‘THE MAJORITY EVANGELICAL POSITION’
Thomas E. Schmidt teaches at Rogue Community College in Oregon; he is former professor of New Testament at Westmont College.
He wrote in the first chapter of this 1995 book, “Many evangelicals dissent from evangelical majority positions concerning abortion, violence, the morality of war, women in ministry, evolution, biblical criticism and political affiliation. It happens that I hold minority views in most of these areas myself, and I am free to do so without having to attend a special church for the doctrinally disabled. On the issue of homosexuality I happen to hold the majority view, but even then I would never call my position ‘THE Christian position,’ or even ‘THE evangelical position.’” (Pg. 16-17)
He states, “The point is marriage. When any same-sex act---with angels, with prostitutes, with boys, with mutually consenting adults---is evaluated in relation to the marital union of male and female, it falls short of the plan of God present from creation. As revisionists have pointed out, it is inappropriate for Christians to call such an act IMPURE or DISGUSTING. But as revisionists have failed to recognize, Christians who give the Bible primary and final authority must still call such an act WRONG.” (Pg. 99)
He argues, “Among the major world religions, only Buddhism takes a neutral doctrinal stance toward homosexuality. Hinduism, Islam, Confucianism and Taoism join Judaism and Christianity in prohibiting the behavior. The Japanese have a history of tolerance, due primarily to the Shinto religion… In China and Hindu India, whose people constitute half the world’s population, homosexuality is virtually unknown except as a ‘Western vice.’” (Pg. 136)
He explains, “I hesitate to call this an ‘orientation’… because for many people the world has come to imply an inevitable, and therefore justified, behavior. In other words, many think that ORIENTATION indicates what a person IS---and of course, the argument goes, we must ACT according to who we ARE. Thus, in two easy steps, it becomes not only morally justifiable but almost morally obligatory for a person with a homosexual orientation to engage in homosexual activity. The fallacy here lies in the equation of sexual orientation with BEING…” (Pg. 150)
He states, “Scholars disagree about the degree to which a homosexual orientation might change to a heterosexual orientation. Because these disagreements are often guises for underlying moral arguments, and because there is no agreed-upon standard by which to measure altered desires, it is difficult to quantify change. Nevertheless many secular therapists and Christian ministries witness to the possibility of substantial change, at least in behavior, for those who wish to change.” (Pg. 163)
This book will interest some ‘traditional’ Evangelicals who are opposed to LGBT arguments.
Thomas E. Schmidt teaches at Rogue Community College in Oregon; he is former professor of New Testament at Westmont College.
He wrote in the first chapter of this 1995 book, “Many evangelicals dissent from evangelical majority positions concerning abortion, violence, the morality of war, women in ministry, evolution, biblical criticism and political affiliation. It happens that I hold minority views in most of these areas myself, and I am free to do so without having to attend a special church for the doctrinally disabled. On the issue of homosexuality I happen to hold the majority view, but even then I would never call my position ‘THE Christian position,’ or even ‘THE evangelical position.’” (Pg. 16-17)
He states, “The point is marriage. When any same-sex act---with angels, with prostitutes, with boys, with mutually consenting adults---is evaluated in relation to the marital union of male and female, it falls short of the plan of God present from creation. As revisionists have pointed out, it is inappropriate for Christians to call such an act IMPURE or DISGUSTING. But as revisionists have failed to recognize, Christians who give the Bible primary and final authority must still call such an act WRONG.” (Pg. 99)
He argues, “Among the major world religions, only Buddhism takes a neutral doctrinal stance toward homosexuality. Hinduism, Islam, Confucianism and Taoism join Judaism and Christianity in prohibiting the behavior. The Japanese have a history of tolerance, due primarily to the Shinto religion… In China and Hindu India, whose people constitute half the world’s population, homosexuality is virtually unknown except as a ‘Western vice.’” (Pg. 136)
He explains, “I hesitate to call this an ‘orientation’… because for many people the world has come to imply an inevitable, and therefore justified, behavior. In other words, many think that ORIENTATION indicates what a person IS---and of course, the argument goes, we must ACT according to who we ARE. Thus, in two easy steps, it becomes not only morally justifiable but almost morally obligatory for a person with a homosexual orientation to engage in homosexual activity. The fallacy here lies in the equation of sexual orientation with BEING…” (Pg. 150)
He states, “Scholars disagree about the degree to which a homosexual orientation might change to a heterosexual orientation. Because these disagreements are often guises for underlying moral arguments, and because there is no agreed-upon standard by which to measure altered desires, it is difficult to quantify change. Nevertheless many secular therapists and Christian ministries witness to the possibility of substantial change, at least in behavior, for those who wish to change.” (Pg. 163)
This book will interest some ‘traditional’ Evangelicals who are opposed to LGBT arguments.
October 15, 2020
Careful exegesis and thoughtful elaboration on how the Bible addresses this issue
June 8, 2009
Over the years I've become increasingly aware of a need to know more about the issue of homosexuality as various events have presented themselves to me, in my life. The latest event was the vote on Prop. 8 in California, the proposition to preserve the institution of marriage for a man and a woman. period.
I've been looking for the biblical support for such a position, which I have heard taught at our church, but increasingly I have also felt admonished to be accommodating to the idea that homosexuality, particularly between consenting adults is not a dire issue. I have felt great distress by this admonition. In my search for some deeper answers, I found this well written and well researched book.
Thomas Schmidt (Westmont professor in 1995) is addressing the Christian community and calling them to a deeper understanding of the biblical precepts that God has laid down as well as how those precepts have been re interpreted and twisted by those who would defend a homosexual agenda.
His voice is reasoned and truly compassionate. I feel far better equipped to dialogue on the current issues relating to homosexuality these days.
I'm gratified to say that this book made it into the Mountain View library. They have a plethora of pro gay agenda publications, and this stands alone in the contemporary issues of Christianity section. Well worth the read.
I've been looking for the biblical support for such a position, which I have heard taught at our church, but increasingly I have also felt admonished to be accommodating to the idea that homosexuality, particularly between consenting adults is not a dire issue. I have felt great distress by this admonition. In my search for some deeper answers, I found this well written and well researched book.
Thomas Schmidt (Westmont professor in 1995) is addressing the Christian community and calling them to a deeper understanding of the biblical precepts that God has laid down as well as how those precepts have been re interpreted and twisted by those who would defend a homosexual agenda.
His voice is reasoned and truly compassionate. I feel far better equipped to dialogue on the current issues relating to homosexuality these days.
I'm gratified to say that this book made it into the Mountain View library. They have a plethora of pro gay agenda publications, and this stands alone in the contemporary issues of Christianity section. Well worth the read.
October 6, 2013
very balanced approach, using research by the 'pro' side on the medical stuff. And it was the medical stuff, in Chapter 6, that impressed me the most as arguing against a 'lifestyle' like this.
He willingly admits that he represents "that class of people responsible for the vast majority of sexual wrongdoing in the world today: male heterosexuals." That said, he goes to the other 'extreme' to say that it is individuals, not classes of individuals, who are properly the object of God's judgement and that likewise grace is available for each individual, not for classes of people. This balance of judgement for sin as well as offering of grace and forgiveness for that sin, continues throughout the book. He ends with a 'letter' to a fictitious, practicing homosexual friend, again pointing out that this is not a 'problem to solve', but rather a number of persons to reach out to in love and humility.
He willingly admits that he represents "that class of people responsible for the vast majority of sexual wrongdoing in the world today: male heterosexuals." That said, he goes to the other 'extreme' to say that it is individuals, not classes of individuals, who are properly the object of God's judgement and that likewise grace is available for each individual, not for classes of people. This balance of judgement for sin as well as offering of grace and forgiveness for that sin, continues throughout the book. He ends with a 'letter' to a fictitious, practicing homosexual friend, again pointing out that this is not a 'problem to solve', but rather a number of persons to reach out to in love and humility.
December 31, 2014
This edition is old, but it gives very un-emotional evidence for NOT performing homosexual acts. The author carefully and caringly divides the acts from the character/personality. To 'be' homosexual is not necessarily to 'act' on it, as with many, many other parts of our lives. Perhaps the key is to note be defined by one particular 'aspect' of your life, especially your sex life, no matter you orientation.
Haven't finished the book yet: letting it 'digest' some in my own mind, before moving thru the rest of it. A mind-changer in some very good respects.
Haven't finished the book yet: letting it 'digest' some in my own mind, before moving thru the rest of it. A mind-changer in some very good respects.
September 27, 2013
This is a terrible, terrible book -- even a dishonest one. The author makes generalizations about the gay population based on surveys of people seeking treatment for STDs. Frankly, if someone wrote a book about straight based solely on a sample like that, straight people wouldn't come off so well, either. Over and over, Schmidt used studies where the author says the results cannot be generalized to the entire gay population, but Schmidt goes ahead and does it anyway.
If you base your beliefs on this book, your beliefs are sure to be mistaken.
If you base your beliefs on this book, your beliefs are sure to be mistaken.
September 10, 2016
This is the most comprehensive Christian survey on the issue of homosexuality, and for that alone it would deserve 5 stars.
However, I do not feel I would recommend this book to a friend because it is severely outdated.
I do hope the author does an updated and expanded version of the book (taking in new secular research since the time of original publication).
Then I think it would be the best book available on the topic!
However, I do not feel I would recommend this book to a friend because it is severely outdated.
I do hope the author does an updated and expanded version of the book (taking in new secular research since the time of original publication).
Then I think it would be the best book available on the topic!
August 11, 2016
An overview of the homosexuality discussion.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews