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The Same Sex Controversy: Defending and Clarifying the Bible's Message About Homosexuality
In the guise of tolerance, Hollywood and modern culture have granted "alternative lifestyle" status to a behavior condemned by Scripture. In the Same Sex Controversy, the authors clarify and defend the Bible's stand on homosexuality as they expand on key passages. Subjects include the basis of biblical morality, biblical teaching on marriage and sexuality, the new "homosexual apologist," and both Old and New Testament witnesses against homosexuality. They also provide information on how to lovingly and biblically reach out to those caught up in its grip.
254 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2002
36 people are currently reading
368 people want to read
About the author
James R. White
30 books487 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
James White is the director of Alpha and Omega Ministries, a Christian apologetics organization based in Phoenix, Arizona. He is a professor, having taught Greek, Systematic Theology, and various topics in the field of apologetics. He has authored or contributed to more than twenty four books, including The King James Only Controversy, The Forgotten Trinity, The Potter’s Freedom, and The God Who Justifies. He is an accomplished debater, having engaged in more than one-hundred forty moderated, public debates around the world with leading proponents of Roman Catholicism, Islam, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Mormonism, as well as critics such as Bart Ehrman, John Dominic Crossan, Marcus Borg, and John Shelby Spong. In recent years James has debated in such locations as Sydney, Australia, as well as mosques in Toronto, London, and South Africa. He is an elder of the Phoenix Reformed Baptist Church, has been married to Kelli for more than thirty two years, and has two children, and one grandchild, Clementine.
James White is the director of Alpha and Omega Ministries, a Christian apologetics organization based in Phoenix, Arizona. He is a professor, having taught Greek, Systematic Theology, and various topics in the field of apologetics. He has authored or contributed to more than twenty four books, including The King James Only Controversy, The Forgotten Trinity, The Potter’s Freedom, and The God Who Justifies. He is an accomplished debater, having engaged in more than one-hundred forty moderated, public debates around the world with leading proponents of Roman Catholicism, Islam, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Mormonism, as well as critics such as Bart Ehrman, John Dominic Crossan, Marcus Borg, and John Shelby Spong. In recent years James has debated in such locations as Sydney, Australia, as well as mosques in Toronto, London, and South Africa. He is an elder of the Phoenix Reformed Baptist Church, has been married to Kelli for more than thirty two years, and has two children, and one grandchild, Clementine.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
July 31, 2021
It's quite hard to take the authors seriously and have any respect for their beliefs, when they have to start by claiming not to be homophobic, hateful, or judgemental and then proceed to make ridiculously generalised and biased statements like "very few homosexual relationships are in fact monogamous" and "it is truly a lazy sexual preference to engage in intimacy with someone just like yourself". I was hoping to find a book that could explain to me how the bible opposes homosexuality, but what I have instead unfortunately read is a pile of subjective and basic arguments, written from the biased viewpoint of heterosexual men. It is easy to say homosexuality is unnatural when you are yourself heterosexual, of course that would seem unnatural to you. But it is clear these men have never properly spoken to or listened to any loving gay couples. Sadly, this book teaches very little to current Christian followers, and instead puts off many people from joining the church who already do not feel they belong. Homosexuality is not a 'lifestyle' or a 'choice', and comparing them to a gang of men desperate to break down Lot's door to rape his visitors is nonsensical. Frequently the authors refer to homosexuality as a 'Kink', 'whim' or 'preference'. As if a gay person could choose to stop being attracted to the same sex. Or perhaps the authors would prefer all homosexuals to magic themselves to being assexual instead. Of course the authors have an argument for this too, a person may be predisposed to murder but they should still fight against those urges, as though killing other innocent humans can be compared to the acts of two loving and consentual adults. I wonder if the authors themselves have ever tried to abstain for a lifetime from something that is natural and true to them, to fully understand the pain and suffering they expect homosexuals to go through. Likening this to paedophiles having to abstain from hurting children is a ridiculous comparison, and the authors again let themselves down by belittling these difficulties. The authors express their sadness that old age morals around homosexuality, where the death penalty was seen as just, no longer remain the same. Homosexuality is not sexual experimentation or based on lust, as the authors frequently suggest. People don't choose to be gay anymore than people choose to be heterosexual, and I would respect these authors a lot more if they showed a basic understanding for how sexuality works, instead of presuming their own privileged position on the matter. The authors compare lesbianism to necrophilia and peadophilia, as two types of sexual activity barely mentioned in the bible but which are morally unacceptable. But this calls into question again the authors own biases in assuming lesbianism is not morally acceptable. It is true many things aren't mentioned in the bible that we would now not deam moral, but so too are many things not mentioned in the bible which are moral. It illustrates the subjective side the authors take before even studying this issue. The differences between many of the behaviours the authors choose to compare homosexuality too (incest of adopted children as an example), is that these behaviours are immoral because they hurt others and are not consentual. Another poorly constructed argument seems to suggests that AIDs is a punishment for immoral homosexual activity, which has now affected all society, including those innocent heterosexuals. Yet I didn't read anything in this book about why many heterosexual women contract the virus responsibile for ovarian cancer from their heterosexual male partners? This type of biased and judgemental cherry picking of evidence is littered throughout and by the end I found the book laughable. Which is a shame as I'd really hoped for some actual insights and to gain a different perspective. Later the authors suggest there are higher rates of suicide amongst lgbt people because of the lifestyle itself, rather than the doing of the church and society, yet completely ignore the evidence showing that when lgbt people are surrounded in an accepting and loving community, many are relieved of their mental health difficulties. The great irony of this book is the authors claim that anyone pro lgbt in the church has basically twisted God's truth, and yet their own interpretation of God's truth is highly subjective and self serving. It is quite a stretch to say homosexuality goes against the ten commandments because in being homosexual one isn't 'loving God' for example. The authors have choosen to read the bible factually, with no room for human interpretation on the matter of homosexuality. This is a fair stance, but one which means they must take the entire bible in this same fashion, and I'm willing to bet there's an awful lot these authors choose to ignore as irrelevant to their lives, not meant for them, or not meant to be taken literally. Christianity was never a written religion, it was only very recently that the scriptures were written down and the bible was formed to be shared widely. It was taught through word of mouth and faith based. It has always been the case in Christianty that God guides our reading and understanding of these words, we were meant to re read the bible and gain new meanings. So to re read and re understand the bible is exactly what we should be doing. Something the authors of course condemn, ironically going against God's will. I would have appreciated a more objective study here, and one that was less combative and more compassionate. One question i have left for these authors, why on earth do you think an all knowing God would have chosen for you to be attracted to opposite sex partners, but to have made that an impossibility for others? I will reiterate again, people do not choose to be attracted to who they are attracted to. As soon as these homophobic preachers realise that sexuality is not preference or choice, and stop hiding behind their very selective interpretations of the bible, then very little will change for the Church sadly.
May 9, 2021
Great book that covers the foundational and necessary issues on the subject of homosexuality in the Bible. It does address argumentation from the other side and uses original sources to do so. The arguments haven’t changed, they’ve merely been tweaked and this book does a good job covering the subject where those tweaks won’t phase you. I would also recommend the debates from Alpha and Omega ministries on the subject.
September 9, 2015
This is an excellent resource for the Christian who truly holds to the Bible or even those who are studying the topic, regardless of which side of the issue you stand on. I have been listening to Dr. James White's debates for awhile and have always been impressed with his ability to debate logically and Biblically. I digress to the book.
The book is handled in an excellent fashion; far superior to Matthew Vines' work. White makes a case, works through it and then spends the rest of the time of the book giving ample amounts of time to let opposing arguments state their case and then he works through them, asking logical questions and providing logical and Biblical rebuttals/solutions.
This is something God and the Gay Christian failed immensely at. If you're going to study the issue with a desire to learn and think critically, from a Biblical worldview, this is a valuable resource for you.
The book is handled in an excellent fashion; far superior to Matthew Vines' work. White makes a case, works through it and then spends the rest of the time of the book giving ample amounts of time to let opposing arguments state their case and then he works through them, asking logical questions and providing logical and Biblical rebuttals/solutions.
This is something God and the Gay Christian failed immensely at. If you're going to study the issue with a desire to learn and think critically, from a Biblical worldview, this is a valuable resource for you.
October 29, 2014
Written in 2002 White and Niell knew the main revisionist arguments then which remain the same ones you hear now. The authors take time to dig deep into each text of Scripture relevant to this sin and address the common misunderstandings of the text. A great book if you want to understand what the Bible teaches on homosexuality and one I highly recommend.
March 29, 2017
It's hard to believe that this book is now 15 years old. It has held up remarkably well. Much has changed with our culture's continual slide away from any semblance of morality. Homosexuality now more than ever has become a sort of sacred cow of our culture. If you try to show it as wrong or sinful then your are castigated as hateful, intolerant, and backwards. The "tolerance" of our culture is so fraught with irony.
White and Niell cut through the arguments and see, thankfully, that the issue is not so much homosexuality, but the authority of Scripture. Every single argument for the Bible's acceptance and/or promotion of homosexuality is a direct attack upon the authority of Scripture. While they deal excellently with addressing the arguments of the so-called revisionists, the greatest value of the book is to show that nothing less than the very authority of Scripture is at stake. This is the battleground. This is where the war (against sin, our fallen culture, etc.) must be fought.
Both sides would say that the very heart of the gospel is at risk. This is true. But one side upholds the authority of the Scripture which reveals to us the Gospel where the other side seeks to subjugate Scripture to our feelings, emotions, or whatnot. The question that must always be asked is this: "what is our final authority?" The question of homosexuality hangs upon this greater question.
As far as the specific arguments, even though the book is 15 years old there is nothing new under the sun. The same arguments remain. Only the authors have changed from then to today. The argument from Seow (182ff) is the same as the argument from Achtemeier's The Bible's Yes to Same Sex Marriage. And you will see the same arguments laid out by Vines and others, effectively answered 15 years ago. While most books seeking to show that homosexuality is a sin in Scripture interact and argue with the pro-homosexual literature, it is a shame that it is not reciprocated.
The pastoral appeal (last chapter) was respectful speaking the truth in love. They didn't back away from calling homosexuality sin and calling homosexuals to repent. This gets to the very heart of the Gospel. If revisionist continue to call evil good and good evil then there will be no sin and if we minimize, trivialize, or flat out redefine sin then there will ultimately be no need for a Savior. This is why the debate is so important.
The ultimate issue in the debate over homosexuality and same sex attraction is not over this one specific sin, but the authority of Scripture and the truth of sin and the absolute need of a Savior. If such sins as homosexuality are denied as sins then the very hope of the Gospel is rendered unnecessary. But this is exactly where the Gospel offers hope. Homosexuality is sin. We are all sinful. And Jesus came to seek and to save lost sinners.
White and Niell cut through the arguments and see, thankfully, that the issue is not so much homosexuality, but the authority of Scripture. Every single argument for the Bible's acceptance and/or promotion of homosexuality is a direct attack upon the authority of Scripture. While they deal excellently with addressing the arguments of the so-called revisionists, the greatest value of the book is to show that nothing less than the very authority of Scripture is at stake. This is the battleground. This is where the war (against sin, our fallen culture, etc.) must be fought.
Both sides would say that the very heart of the gospel is at risk. This is true. But one side upholds the authority of the Scripture which reveals to us the Gospel where the other side seeks to subjugate Scripture to our feelings, emotions, or whatnot. The question that must always be asked is this: "what is our final authority?" The question of homosexuality hangs upon this greater question.
As far as the specific arguments, even though the book is 15 years old there is nothing new under the sun. The same arguments remain. Only the authors have changed from then to today. The argument from Seow (182ff) is the same as the argument from Achtemeier's The Bible's Yes to Same Sex Marriage. And you will see the same arguments laid out by Vines and others, effectively answered 15 years ago. While most books seeking to show that homosexuality is a sin in Scripture interact and argue with the pro-homosexual literature, it is a shame that it is not reciprocated.
The pastoral appeal (last chapter) was respectful speaking the truth in love. They didn't back away from calling homosexuality sin and calling homosexuals to repent. This gets to the very heart of the Gospel. If revisionist continue to call evil good and good evil then there will be no sin and if we minimize, trivialize, or flat out redefine sin then there will ultimately be no need for a Savior. This is why the debate is so important.
The ultimate issue in the debate over homosexuality and same sex attraction is not over this one specific sin, but the authority of Scripture and the truth of sin and the absolute need of a Savior. If such sins as homosexuality are denied as sins then the very hope of the Gospel is rendered unnecessary. But this is exactly where the Gospel offers hope. Homosexuality is sin. We are all sinful. And Jesus came to seek and to save lost sinners.
June 19, 2021
This book, for being written before I was born is still very relevant today. Y’all give it a read and use it to fight against the culture of death.
March 25, 2012
This book is quite the read! White and Neill really delve into the debate concerning same sex relationships and provide overwhelming arguments against any biblical acceptance of homosexuality, the book touches lightly on same-sex marriage as it is hardly possible to separate the current acceptance of homosexuality within the church without addressing the arguments made to allow same sex marriage. White and Neill make it nearly impossible to claim to be a christian and not treat homosexuality as a sin, the case is clear: if you claim to be christian you must affirm what the bible teaches and the bible teaches that homosexuality is a sin, therefore you must affirm that homosexuality is a sin. If you doubt it read the book...it will be hard to do so afterwards.
July 24, 2015
This book is the absolute best defense of traditional, Biblical sexuality that I have read to-date. White addresses the major passages that have been used for years to prohibit homosexual practice, and works through the revisionist interpretations of them that have arisen in the past couple of decades. He also compassionately yet truthfully responds to the practical arguments that have been made to justify a homosexual lifestyle, such as "I was born this way." He is academic in his approach, yet easy to read. In the day and age in which we live, I recommend this book highly to Christian pastors, teachers, and other believers wanting to better understand what God's word says on a very controversial subject.
December 28, 2015
A must read for every Christian, especially since this topic is or will be the shibboleth in the church these days.
This book gives you the clear, consistent exegesis of all the relevant texts - including the ones speaking that our Lord uttered about what true love and real marriage is - in a way every lay person can comprehend it.
Christians all over the world: tolle, lege, tolle, lege. This book and your Bible, of course.
This book gives you the clear, consistent exegesis of all the relevant texts - including the ones speaking that our Lord uttered about what true love and real marriage is - in a way every lay person can comprehend it.
Christians all over the world: tolle, lege, tolle, lege. This book and your Bible, of course.
June 16, 2015
Great book that I could not put down and finished in 2 days.
This book provides a positive exegesis of crucial texts regarding homosexuality and a refutation of failed attempts to obscure these clear texts. The texts discussed were:
1) Genesis 19
2) Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13
3) Romans 1
4) 1 Corinthians 6:9 and 1 Timothy 1:10
Masterful job and an easy to read book.
This book provides a positive exegesis of crucial texts regarding homosexuality and a refutation of failed attempts to obscure these clear texts. The texts discussed were:
1) Genesis 19
2) Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13
3) Romans 1
4) 1 Corinthians 6:9 and 1 Timothy 1:10
Masterful job and an easy to read book.
July 29, 2012
Without a doubt this book is the best I have read addressing what scripture says about homosexuality and how scripture is being twisted by those trying to make homosexuality acceptable in the light of God's word. Every possible argument is addressed.
July 3, 2013
Take an in depth look at Biblical language & context regarding our culture's most intense debate. This is the controversy that all who claim to believe in Scriptural authority should study. Claim to trust Scripture? Then this is a must read.
January 23, 2009
Very good.
June 30, 2010
Very, very good.
July 9, 2010
Even-handed explanations of biblical texts dealing with homosexuality. Also addresses the common ways that people twist the meanings of said texts.
September 6, 2016
Excellent, clear, and even-handed dealing of Scriptural texts in regard to homosexuality.
May 22, 2015
Very thorough and very clear.
November 3, 2013
An excellent, Biblical handling of homosexual issues.
December 12, 2022
Relatively thorough (if repetitive) treatment of the issue. The pastoral appeal in Ch. 9 was helpful in the truth/grace or holiness/love aspects of the conversation as well as the centrality and beauty of obedience.
Ongoing questions unresolved by this book- how should Christians relate to the OT law (on the table: wisdom principles, 3 divisions, general equity theonomy)? Are the 3 categories of moral, ceremonial, and civil accurate, and do proponents of the division correctly interpret the NT's view and treatment of the law? Also, what White, Niell, and others call the ceremonial law, NPP proponents often simply call "the law". I would be interested to see the two parties' propositions addressed together somehow.
Ongoing questions unresolved by this book- how should Christians relate to the OT law (on the table: wisdom principles, 3 divisions, general equity theonomy)? Are the 3 categories of moral, ceremonial, and civil accurate, and do proponents of the division correctly interpret the NT's view and treatment of the law? Also, what White, Niell, and others call the ceremonial law, NPP proponents often simply call "the law". I would be interested to see the two parties' propositions addressed together somehow.
August 24, 2018
Very thorough book that focuses on the biblical texts that deal with homosexuality. The authors do a scholarly job defending the traditional biblical view and spend about half the book presenting arguments against modern revisionist views that teach that the Bible either has nothing to say about homosexuality, or that it in some cases approves of it. The final chapter is pastoral in nature, offering hope from scripture to those wrestling against same-sex attraction. Though detailed in scope, its presentation is clear and concise, easily readable by the non-theologian. A very good scriptural guide to a controversial topic.
April 8, 2019
While I agree with much of this book, I must say it was hard to given its writing style. I agree with all but one point of a point yet again the clarity of the argument was terribly foggy. I kept asking myself what was he saying.
I am well read in this area, most consider me an expert, and I am a former lesbian of 20 years, and it was thru coming to Christ and a loving southern Baptist that I can agree with the premises of these author's points but they need to rewrite this book so it's clearer
I am well read in this area, most consider me an expert, and I am a former lesbian of 20 years, and it was thru coming to Christ and a loving southern Baptist that I can agree with the premises of these author's points but they need to rewrite this book so it's clearer
November 5, 2019
The subtitle of this book is, defending and clarifying the Bible’s message about homosexuality. In a very clear manner the authors present the arguments used by the Gay lobby especially as they relate to the Bible and shows how they have misunderstood the Bible. The authors are fair in their presentation of the facts and it is clear that they have taken a great deal of time researching the position of the Gay advocates. The authors also reveal that they are very good exegetes in this book. If I ever want to preach on this subject I’m sure this will be a primary source.
August 10, 2017
Excellent book addressing various issues on the topic of Homosexuality from a truly Biblical perspective and providing a clear response to some "Christian" liberal interpretations what would like to change the traditional meanings of Christian teaching on the topics of sex, marriage and relationships. Dr. White provides a meaningful engagement with the other sides and a very helpful apologetic in responding with truth and love.
August 31, 2021
Tackles almost ever point made by progressive “Christianity”
The best argument to me in this book is when they debate “I was born this way” this used to stun me because I do have empathy fir that. Now I know I can still have empathy but we also know that we can use that empathy and tell the truth
The best argument to me in this book is when they debate “I was born this way” this used to stun me because I do have empathy fir that. Now I know I can still have empathy but we also know that we can use that empathy and tell the truth
November 12, 2022
Easy to read
The book is easy to read and understand for those who want biblical truth on this topic. In this day and age every Christian should clearly understand the biblical truth on the sin of homosexuality in any form or way they wish to defend and excuse the clear biblical truth of the sin of homosexuality.
The book is easy to read and understand for those who want biblical truth on this topic. In this day and age every Christian should clearly understand the biblical truth on the sin of homosexuality in any form or way they wish to defend and excuse the clear biblical truth of the sin of homosexuality.
April 6, 2019
The best book on the topic?
This was a quick read for I couldn't put it down. Dr. White gives clear and faithful exegesis of the main texts. He refutes the objections in a way that leaves no room for further debate.
This was a quick read for I couldn't put it down. Dr. White gives clear and faithful exegesis of the main texts. He refutes the objections in a way that leaves no room for further debate.
July 13, 2019
If you really want to know the Biblical truth about this issue, here it is. This book is relevant for today even though it’s almost twenty years old. Dr. White takes a compassionate and bold stand for the truth in this book.
February 20, 2023
I really appreciated the format of "objection and biblical response to the objection" of this book.
It's a slightly older book (2002), but still so relevant and necessary for Christians today as more churches are moving to the affirming position.
It's a slightly older book (2002), but still so relevant and necessary for Christians today as more churches are moving to the affirming position.
August 24, 2023
An extremely heavy and controversial topic, but the authors have woven terrific rebuttals to counter the lies that are being seeped into todays media. Written well and to the point, with language accessible for the common man. Everyone should read this one. 👍🏼
January 31, 2018
This is for people who want to know how the Bible addresses the issue.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews