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Unnatural Affections: The Impuritan Ethic of Homosexuality and the Modern Church
99 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
16 people want to read
About the author
George Grant
192 books210 followersDr. George Grant is an evangelical educator recognized by a Tennessee newspaper “Review Appeal” as the one who “lives and breathes” education.
Grant is known as a reformed scholar and evangelical activist who hopes to promote sound Christian doctrine, seeking honest answers to honest questions, developing true spirituality and experiencing the beauty of human relationships.
He founded Franklin Classical School, located in Franklin, Tennessee and the King’s Meadow Study Center, which seeks to help the modern church to develop a practical cultural expression of a Christian worldview in art, music, literature, politics, social research, community development and education.
Grant has also produced numerous writings of more than 60 works on the topics relating to theology, school curriculum, arts, fiction and politics.
Grant is known as a reformed scholar and evangelical activist who hopes to promote sound Christian doctrine, seeking honest answers to honest questions, developing true spirituality and experiencing the beauty of human relationships.
He founded Franklin Classical School, located in Franklin, Tennessee and the King’s Meadow Study Center, which seeks to help the modern church to develop a practical cultural expression of a Christian worldview in art, music, literature, politics, social research, community development and education.
Grant has also produced numerous writings of more than 60 works on the topics relating to theology, school curriculum, arts, fiction and politics.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 14, 2018
Not exhaustive or comprehension by any stretch, but it gets the ball rolling on the sexual ethic of the church throughout the ages and fires the warning shot for the coming compromise of that ethic in modern times. Of course, this book is outdated now (1991) because the ship already hit the iceberg. Sink or swim church?
May 17, 2024
TWO PRESBYTERIAN AUTHORS ARGUE FOR ‘CULTURAL RESTORATION’
Authors George Grant and Mark Horne wrote in the ‘Acknowledgements’ section of this 1991 book, “When a special task force appointed by the Presbyterian Church [USA], released a controversial report on Christian sexuality, entitled, ‘Keeping Body and Soul Together: Sexuality, Spirituality, and Social Justice,’ the entire Christian community was shocked. Believers---across all denominational lines---were thrown into the midst of a crisis. Thankfully, in God’s good providence, a group of concerned men and women quickly emerged demonstrating to a watching world an unwavering Christ-like faithfulness. Great thanks go to that group---the Presbyterian Law Committee—for staying he course and for sharing our enthusiasm for this project.”
They assert, “The Christian church---or the Disciples of Christ---is another denomination losing members over the issue of homosexuality. The United Church of Canada’s recent sharp decline in membership can be attributed to their decision to make the ordination of practicing homosexuals possible. The size of the National Council of Churches may soon be reduced by a fourth because Eastern Orthodox communions may leave in protest over the acceptance of homosexuality by member communions as well as the Council’s dialogue with the Metropolitan Community Church, an almost exclusively homosexual denomination. The bottom line is that, with very few exceptions, the issue of homosexuality is tearing the Church apart.” (Pg. 14-15)
They recount that “an apartment manager in Atlanta, is being sued for various civil rights and housing violations as well as discrimination against the handicapped. Her crime? She told an AIDS-infected man who exhibited the disease’s characteristic skin lesions to get out of the apartment complex’s swimming pool. Tenant Jerrod Beasley … stated that ‘everyone knows’ AIDS is not transmissible from a swimming pool. But what he failed to mention was that even if catching [HIV] is not a problem, AIDS-infected people, because of their very low resistance to germs and infection, commonly carry a host of other diseases that could easily spread in a swimming pool.” (Pg. 19-20)
They state, “This is the message of the gospel: Christ died for sinners---to set them free from sin. The Apostle Paul knew this well. After listing homosexuality among other sinful practices which exclude people from the Kingdom of God, he wrote to the Church in Corinth: ‘And such WERE some of you…’ [1 Cor 6:11] The New Testament Church, apparently, was filled with repentant ex-homosexuals who had found new life in Christ. May it be so once again.” (Pg. 42)
They conclude, “It is time for us to go to work. Cultural restoration doesn’t happen overnight… So the sooner we get started, the better off we’ll be… There will never be an ideal time to BEGIN the work that God has set before us in maintaining the integrity of the Church---on the issue of sexual morality or a thousand other fronts. Money is ALWAYS short. Volunteers are ALWAYS at a premium… So what? Our commission is not dependent upon conditions and restrictions. Our commission is dependent only upon the unconditional promises of God’s Word.” (Pg. 88-89)
This book will mostly appeal to conservative Christians who are opposed to LGBT rights being granted in the organized mainline Churches.
Authors George Grant and Mark Horne wrote in the ‘Acknowledgements’ section of this 1991 book, “When a special task force appointed by the Presbyterian Church [USA], released a controversial report on Christian sexuality, entitled, ‘Keeping Body and Soul Together: Sexuality, Spirituality, and Social Justice,’ the entire Christian community was shocked. Believers---across all denominational lines---were thrown into the midst of a crisis. Thankfully, in God’s good providence, a group of concerned men and women quickly emerged demonstrating to a watching world an unwavering Christ-like faithfulness. Great thanks go to that group---the Presbyterian Law Committee—for staying he course and for sharing our enthusiasm for this project.”
They assert, “The Christian church---or the Disciples of Christ---is another denomination losing members over the issue of homosexuality. The United Church of Canada’s recent sharp decline in membership can be attributed to their decision to make the ordination of practicing homosexuals possible. The size of the National Council of Churches may soon be reduced by a fourth because Eastern Orthodox communions may leave in protest over the acceptance of homosexuality by member communions as well as the Council’s dialogue with the Metropolitan Community Church, an almost exclusively homosexual denomination. The bottom line is that, with very few exceptions, the issue of homosexuality is tearing the Church apart.” (Pg. 14-15)
They recount that “an apartment manager in Atlanta, is being sued for various civil rights and housing violations as well as discrimination against the handicapped. Her crime? She told an AIDS-infected man who exhibited the disease’s characteristic skin lesions to get out of the apartment complex’s swimming pool. Tenant Jerrod Beasley … stated that ‘everyone knows’ AIDS is not transmissible from a swimming pool. But what he failed to mention was that even if catching [HIV] is not a problem, AIDS-infected people, because of their very low resistance to germs and infection, commonly carry a host of other diseases that could easily spread in a swimming pool.” (Pg. 19-20)
They state, “This is the message of the gospel: Christ died for sinners---to set them free from sin. The Apostle Paul knew this well. After listing homosexuality among other sinful practices which exclude people from the Kingdom of God, he wrote to the Church in Corinth: ‘And such WERE some of you…’ [1 Cor 6:11] The New Testament Church, apparently, was filled with repentant ex-homosexuals who had found new life in Christ. May it be so once again.” (Pg. 42)
They conclude, “It is time for us to go to work. Cultural restoration doesn’t happen overnight… So the sooner we get started, the better off we’ll be… There will never be an ideal time to BEGIN the work that God has set before us in maintaining the integrity of the Church---on the issue of sexual morality or a thousand other fronts. Money is ALWAYS short. Volunteers are ALWAYS at a premium… So what? Our commission is not dependent upon conditions and restrictions. Our commission is dependent only upon the unconditional promises of God’s Word.” (Pg. 88-89)
This book will mostly appeal to conservative Christians who are opposed to LGBT rights being granted in the organized mainline Churches.
January 14, 2014
"Unnatural Affections" presents what l consider a fairly typical conservative position, in that 'take back our church/standing on the truth' vein. It was published in the early 1990s as a response to the rumblings of things to come in several mainline denominations. I don't consider that a particularly long time ago (I try to put things in perspective and take a long view), though it's no secret that we've had a major shift in cultural attitudes toward LGBT persons over the last 20 years, and I know those attitudes influence me, for good or ill. Still, I was surprised by how dated the book felt to me. I mean, it started out with one of the authors talking about witnessing a gay pride parade in all its gaudy, immoral glory, and how it was a modern bacchanalia; because, you know, that's what the homosexual life is like. The biblical treatment was superficial and unconvincing. Basically, the Bible says it's sin, and so that's all you need to know. Any discussion of cultural contexts, or conflicting values, or modern criticisms, or whatever, is just so much rationalizing. No mention at all of the obvious fact that there are all kinds of biblical prohibitions which almost no Christian views as binding anymore.
January 17, 2016
Since this book was first published in 1991, homosexuality has become far more accepted in American culture. Nonetheless, the truth regarding homosexuality hasn't changed at all, making this book as relevant as it was then. George Grant and Mark Horne cover the topic succinctly (89 pages), which shouldn't be surprising, considering the fact that God's Word is so abundantly clear on the matter. What's so amazing about the book is how completely they cover the topic. They discuss the issue politically and culturally; show the teaching of Scripture on the subject, discuss homosexuality historically (comparing the views of pagan cultures with the historic teaching of the Church); consider the matter of repentance and rehabilitation for former homosexuals; highlight the centrality of the Word, Sacraments, and Community within the Church in the life of former homosexuals; and conclude with a postmillennial vision of victory over the works of darkness. The book is very readable, and packed full of sound doctrine that applies beyond the subject at hand. Sadly, the book is out of print. But there are lots of copies available through distributors such as Amazon. Highly recommended.
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February 17, 2016I have read other things by George Grant, and have appreciated them. Even this small book has extensive footnotes, which is typical of the research I have encountered previously in his books. This book was written over 20 years ago, and it seems at this point to be a voice in the moral and sexual wilderness, and we have moved exponentially further from the mind of God in the way we conduct ourselves.
Thus, his message is as relevant now as when the ink was drying on the first volumes of this book. And why not? God's Word is as relevant as it was in any century, and George and his co-author gain their direction from the compass of the everlasting Word of God.
I wish the book was longer, but in these few pages the heart of the matter is exposed.
Thus, his message is as relevant now as when the ink was drying on the first volumes of this book. And why not? God's Word is as relevant as it was in any century, and George and his co-author gain their direction from the compass of the everlasting Word of God.
I wish the book was longer, but in these few pages the heart of the matter is exposed.
July 15, 2013
Incredibly well written, theologically sound, effectively clear and complete, timeless, et cetera.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews