Christian Resources on Homosexuality

[special]This is a guest contribution from Kyle Keating. Kyle is a MDiv graduate of Covenant Theological Seminary and now works full-time at FirstLight St. Louis. The following is a list of Christian resources on homosexuality that Keating curated, though he does not endorse or agree with everything in each resource. You can find the resources below.[/special]

Christian Resources on Homosexuality

Books

1. Washed and Waiting: Reflections on Christian Faithfulness and Homosexuality by Wesley Hill

Part memoir, part biography, part theology, Hill writes as a Christian who struggles with his own sexual identity. His book is one of the most nuanced, balanced treatments on the topic. This book is especially helpful for those who are attracted to the same sex or want a picture of what it’s like.

2. Homosexuality and the Christian: A Guide for Parents, Pastors, and Friends by Mark A. Yarhouse

Yarhouse’s book is a balanced and more comprehensive treatment of the issues surrounding Christianity and homosexuality. He deals especially well with issues surrounding sexual identity.

3. Understanding Sexual Identity: A Resource for Youth Ministry by Mark A. Yarhouse

In this book, Yarhouse offers a more developed look at sexual identity formation, with special attention for its impact in youth ministry. By far the most practical handbook out there on interacting with youth with wisdom and care.

4. Sexuality and Holy Longing: Embracing Intimacy in a Broken World by Lisa Graham McMinn

Establishes relationship and connection as the heart of sexuality, rooting that relationship in the Bible’s depiction of God’s intention for humanity’s relationship with him and with one another.

5. Spiritual Friendship by Aelred of Rievaulx.

Aelred of Rievaulx was a 12th century abbot whose work on the nature of friendship stands the test of time. His reflections on the what constitutes true friendship offer a helpful critique of our culture’s tendency to delegitimize meaningful intimacy between friends.

6. Torn: Rescuing the Gospel from the Gays-vs.-Christians Debate by Justin Lee

An autobiographical sketch from the founder of the Gay Christian Network. Despite his own non-traditional reading of the Scriptures (he believes they make room for monogamous same-sex relationships), his story is a great example of the experience many gay Christians have in the church.

7. Does Jesus Really Love Me?: A Gay Christian’s Pilgrimage in Search of God in America by Jeff Chu

Chu travels around the U.S. gathering stories from various folks who have been impacted by the tension between homosexuality and Christianity. While he himself has a more liberal take on the biblical text (like Justin Lee above), his work of interviewing sources from a variety of perspectives offers a helpful snapshot of where the American church is at with regard to homosexuality.

8. Love Is an Orientation: Elevating the Conversation with the Gay Community by Andrew Marin

(For those who want to minister to LGBT community) Marin’s book is concerned with building bridges between conservative Christians and the LGBT community. He provides some really helpful perspectives for Christians in understanding how to relate and witness to the LGBT community.

9. Creation and Covenant: The Significance of Sexual Difference in and for the Moral Theology of Marriage by Christopher Roberts

This, admittedly academic, treatment of the significance of sexual difference for marriage traces the importance of sexual difference throughout the history of Christian theology. A foundational work for understanding the nature of gender distinctions and the roots of traditional Christian sexual ethics.

10. The Healing Path: How the Hurts in Your Past Can Lead You to a More Abundant Life by Dan Allender

This book doesn’t deal with homosexuality specifically, but rather provide a path for readers to understand their own story, makes sense of their past, and have hope for the future.

11. The Cry of the Soul: How Our Emotions Reveal Our Deepest Questions About God by Dan Allender and Tremper Longman III

Allender and Longman team up to provide an in depth look at how our emotions reveal the truth about our heart. They use the Psalms as a guide through various emotions like anger, jealousy, and grief. One of the books that has most impacted my life.

12. The Bible and Homosexual Practice: Texts and Hermeneutics by Robert A. Gagnon

Gagnon’s work is the most comprehensive treatment of the exegesis of individual texts on the subject of homosexuality. His scholarship is solid, though his lack of pastoral care leaves something to be desired.

13. The Moral Vision of the New Testament: Community, Cross, New Creation, A Contemporary Introduction to New Testament Ethics by Richard Hays

One of the foremost New Testament scholars tackles a variety of issues in this book, but his chapter on homosexuality demonstrates both excellent scholarship and a pastoral heart.

14. The End of Sexual Identity: Why Sex Is Too Important to Define Who We Are by Jenell Williams Paris

Paris’ book is a helpful and unique contribution to the discussion. She argues that who we are sexually attracted to, whether gay or straight, should not define our identity.

Websites:

Spiritual Friendship: A blog with reflections on reconciling Christianity and homosexuality with a specific emphasis on the importance of friendship, the gospel, and the church.

The Gay Christian Network: This website includes essays arguing for both a conservative and liberal reading of the Scriptures on homosexuality. The conservative (Side B) essay is particularly well- articulated.

FirstLight St. Louis: This is the organization I work for in St. Louis. Our website includes links to helpful articles and other related ministries.

You may also like: 

1. From Lesbianism to Follower of Christ: An Interview with Emily Thomes
2. The Best Gospel-Centered Resources on Homosexuality
3. Why Did God Make Me Ugly?