2 Cents

It's one of the biggest debates and most talked about issues of our time. It's not going away and Christians need to know what they believe and why they believe it.

In light of that... here are some books that I have found especially helpful in this area. These books have aided me in solidifying what I believe, helping me to understand all sides of the issue, and giving me a more firm grasp on the truth of the Bible when it comes to this subject.

Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert and Openness Unhindered - both by Rosaria Butterfield

Secret Thoughts exploded onto the Christian book scene a few years ago. It's Rosaria Butterfield's personal autobiography of how she went from being a tenured professor of women's studies and queer theory at Syracuse and spending 10 years in lesbian relationships, to then becoming a Christian after a local pastor responded to a newspaper article she wrote and started inviting her over for dinner and conversation with him and his wife.

In Openness Unhindered, Butterfield provides further thoughts on some questions she received after people had read her first book. She talks in-depth about God's design for human sexuality and how her faith plays out practically in her day-to-day life, which is much different from her life before her conversion.

Both books are easy reads and are filled with biblical truth. It also helps that this woman is an extraordinary writer.

Is God Anti-Gay? - Sam Allberry

This is a really short little book packed with biblical truth from a pastor who struggles with same-sex attraction. Allberry is single and celibate and makes as good a case as I've ever heard for why people are not "born gay" even when same-sex attraction desires may have been present in them from as far back as they can remember. He also has much to say on how churches and Christians can help people who struggle with same-sex attraction.

Transforming Homosexuality - Denny Burk and Heath Lambert

This book just came out last week and it's excellent. Both Burk and Lambert are on staff at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville. Burk provides much theological insight and scholarship while Lambert, who heads up the Association of Biblical Counselors, and teaches biblical counseling at the seminary, provides much of the counseling insight.

This book argues that change is possible for people who have homosexual desires, contrary to what secular culture tells us. They are emphatically not endorsing reparative therapy, which they reject strongly, but are simply showing from Scripture that the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ is enough to help anyone to change, including people who identify as gay or lesbian.

What Does the Bible Really Teach About Homosexuality? - Kevin DeYoung

This book takes a careful look at the biblical texts that mention homosexuality and examines what they teach and what they do not teach. DeYoung also responds to common objections against the traditional Christian teaching on homosexuality. This book is an easy read even while DeYoung is rigorous in his scholarship and biblical interpretation.

The Bible and Homosexual Practice - Robert Gagnon

For anyone who wants the most thorough and exhaustive biblical treatment on the subject, this is your book. This book is not easy reading. It's more scholarly. But more than any other it hits every biblical passage and examines all the possible interpretations. Gagnon is solid in his interpretation and he leaves no stone unturned. If you're up for 400-plus pages of theology, Greek, and commentary you will benefit from this. If not, just read DeYoung's book above.