Walking the Bridgeless Canyon: Repairing the Breach between the Church and the LGBT community

by Kathy Baldock

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 Baldock's cultural and religious beliefs about gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. In Walking the Bridgeless Repairing the Breach between the Church and the LGBTQ Community, Baldock uncovers the historical, cultural, medical, and political filters of discrimination through which the LGBTQ community is seen. With a foundational context firmly established, she examines the most controversial filter of 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 How did history, culture, science, and politics intertwine to create social discrimination against the gay and transgender communities? When and why did the conservative Christian community turn their focus on the gay and transgender communities? Should Christian fellowship be extended to gay and transgender people? Should Christian marriages, be granted to same-sex couples? What is happening within the LGBTQ Christian movement today? Baldock carefully constructs a historical timeline narrative as she untangles the details of various influences and influencers. Along the way, she shares fascinating stories and testimonies enriching the 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, wise, and Christ-centered choices. This book has a companion Discussion Guide intended for personal, group, or Bible study use. “As a biblical scholar and a gay man, I sometimes have people ask me for reading suggestions on LGBTQ issues and Christianity. I can usually recommend a book on some aspect of the topic, and another on another aspect. But Kathy Baldock’s book is the best I know right now for covering many of the relevant history, science, scripture, politics, and even self-help suggestions at the end. I’ll be recommending this book as the number one place to start for many people in the future.” Dale B. Martin, Woolsey Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies, Yale University “Kathy Baldock is one of the most tireless, dedicated, and influential advocates for LGBT Christians in the evangelical church. Her work has helped to transform the lives of thousands of people, and her ministry is a model of the kind of effective, conciliatory bridge-building work the church desperately needs. In Walking the Bridgeless Canyon, Baldock guides the reader on a fascinating journey of how the church has responded to the LGBT community--and how we all can and should do better. Brilliantly researched, accessibly written, and lovingly expressed, this book is essential reading for anyone wanting to understand the intersection between the conservative church and the LGBT community. I highly recommend it--and its remarkable author.” Matthew Vines, president of The Reformation Project, author of the book God and the Gay Christian, Random House “If you read only one book on the history of LGBTQ rights, the culture, psychotherapy, religious reactions, and what the Bible really says about being gay Walking the Bridgeless Canyon should be it. It is well researched, compelling, and eye-opening. This book is destined to be the go-to resource for everyone interested in the truth about LGBTQ people, our rights, and the rights of all people” Yvette Cantu Schneider, former policy analyst Family Research Council, former director of women's ministry at Exodus International, and author of the book, Never Not Broken

Genres: LGBT, Theology, Nonfiction, Sexuality

478 pages, Paperback

Published October 9, 2014

Reviews

[JoLayne Morneau · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book. Many aha moments. Many tears. Many answers to questions that I’ve had for years or never knew how to ask. Kathy Baldock does a phenomenal job sharing her research and stories. I was moved beyond words. I am grateful that a book like this exists. It helps make reconciling ones faith and coming out feel possible. Thank you, Kathy Baldock. You are an incredible human for the work that you have done, are doing and will continue to do. Thank you for being an ally. God bless you.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I agree with what was said: “if you ever read one book on the LGBT and Church matter, it should be this one”.
This book was so much more than what I thought it would be. The in depth study of the historic side of this matter described in the book is full of details and real life stories, it was definitely my favorite part. This book made me more grateful for those that didn’t give up when everything was being taken away from them!
I cried, I laughed and I grew reading this book!
Everything is filled with sources and references, so no stress there.
It’s a book for anyone to read, no matter where you stand.

[Nathan Byrd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most comprehensive work I’ve encountered regarding the historical progression of LGBTQ+ considerations within our culture at large and churches in particular. It is fabulous. Extremely well researched and masterfully written, Walking the Bridgeless Canyon lays out an argument for true welcoming and inclusion of all all LGBT persons in our churches for the basic reason that God already loves and accepts them with no barriers. We should too.

[Ariel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Undoubtedly one of the most important books for Christians to read of our time. This is the magnum opus of Kathy Baldock’s tireless work of advocating for an honest and deep analysis into how history, culture, religion, societal standards, and the evolution of science have shaped how LGBTQ people have been viewed. This book covers an incredible amount of ground, written with intelligence and empathy that I think all readers can respect.

[Andrea Amole · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read. This topic is one that many of us are ‘certain’ about - the Bible is ‘clear’.
But do we really know for sure? Is the Bible really as clear as we think it is or only as clear as our own interpretation?
I will be thinking about this book for awhile and looking forward to doing a deep-dive into the author’s website for more resources.

[Christi McKinney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really can’t put into words how helpful this book is, as it takes an in depth, yet easily readable, look into each lens of how folks in the LGTBQ community have been treated by Christians. I would recommend this to anyone, though particularly straight Christians who are interested in expanding their view & knowledge of what LGBTQ people have gone through for decades in america.

[PaperMoon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent and thorough treatise. 4.5 stars.

[Kristeen McKenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

LGBTQ+ and the church

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent five-star read despite the atrocious blurriness of the cover.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half was so, so, very dry - written very much in the style of a term paper based mostly on literature review/research and was kinda hard to get through. The second half was much better and more along what I was expecting both in Biblical review and her personal journey. The numerous peoples' stories she collected are by far the best part of the book - some sad, some joyful, all poignant.

[Tam LeFurge-McLeod · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was well researched and engaging. It analyzes the six places in the Bible that reference sexual acts and the misinterpretation involved in translation. It also includes many stories of the hurt caused by those misinterpretations. It is thorough and thoughtful. In summary, the scripture is referencing sexual exploitation and is not referring to loving, monogamous relationships.