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Open Wide the Gates: An Argument for Welcome, Affirmation, and Inclusion of Gay and Lesbian People in the Local Church
The culture wars show no sign of abating. Same-sex sexuality continues to be one of the most brutal and bloody fronts in those wars and Christians, the fiercest combatants. Friendships, families, churches, and denominations continue to draw their lines-in-the-sand, split, and go their separate ways. Meanwhile, the lives of many, young and old, are deeply scarred and some even lost in the crossfire.
It doesn’t have to be that way! Challenging the arguments that perpetuate that conflict, Open Wide the Gates presents a carefully developed biblical, theological, and ethical argument for the welcome, affirmation, and inclusion of gays and lesbians in the life and ministry of the local church. Its irenic tone and clearly articulated presentation provides pastors, denominational leaders, and concerned laypeople with a reliable guide for navigating these often-turbulent waters.
In this comprehensive study, Brian D. Cunnington points to a path forward, a path for following Jesus in the twenty-first century characterized by grace, love, and hope; a path that demonstrates the radical presence of God’s kingdom here on earth for all people, regardless of their sexual orientation.
It doesn’t have to be that way! Challenging the arguments that perpetuate that conflict, Open Wide the Gates presents a carefully developed biblical, theological, and ethical argument for the welcome, affirmation, and inclusion of gays and lesbians in the life and ministry of the local church. Its irenic tone and clearly articulated presentation provides pastors, denominational leaders, and concerned laypeople with a reliable guide for navigating these often-turbulent waters.
In this comprehensive study, Brian D. Cunnington points to a path forward, a path for following Jesus in the twenty-first century characterized by grace, love, and hope; a path that demonstrates the radical presence of God’s kingdom here on earth for all people, regardless of their sexual orientation.
498 pages, Paperback
Published October 13, 2023
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February 20, 2024
It's helpful to have an updated and fulsome biblical argument for affirming same-sex marriage all in one place. The section that works through the 'clobber texts' is particularly clear and helpful. Once one hits the Romans 1 chapter the argumentation gets a bit tedious, but maybe that's the price of aiming at comprehensiveness and trying to win over an audience that has been fed decades of objections. Even if it could have used a better edit, I admire the attempt and will be recommending this book to tradition-leaning evangelicals who have been led to presume that the Bible is exclusively on their side.
The shortcoming of the book, strangely enough, is that its theology section does not actually do justice to the positive arguments that are available. By relying on William Webb's trajectory hermeneutic (and sparing his dismissive treatment the critique it deserves), Cunnington misses the opportunity to put Robert Song and Eugene Rogers into conversation with Karen Keen for a more constructive elaboration on viable options. Early on the book hinted at a spectrum of possibilities -- from accomodated blessing to a particularly Christian view of same-sex marriage -- but didn't quite deliver the vision that is available. Alas, as the title indicates, the target audience is still the 'gatekeepers', which is admirable and helpful as far as that goes. I'm a member and official worker in a denomination that does not perform same-sex marriages, but this book reaffirms my conviction that I can and should support same-sex civil unions, and that I can and should remain in working fellowship with gay Christians and affirming churches.
All in all this is a welcome book, especially for those trying to steer clear of the acrimony going around in hijacked american evangelicalism. I hope it will help build mutual respect and discourse among Christians who differ on this issue, thereby slowing the rise of anathemas and exiles. From this book the progressive could learn to converse with the conservative from scripture rather than from sanctimony, and the conservative could learn the same.
The shortcoming of the book, strangely enough, is that its theology section does not actually do justice to the positive arguments that are available. By relying on William Webb's trajectory hermeneutic (and sparing his dismissive treatment the critique it deserves), Cunnington misses the opportunity to put Robert Song and Eugene Rogers into conversation with Karen Keen for a more constructive elaboration on viable options. Early on the book hinted at a spectrum of possibilities -- from accomodated blessing to a particularly Christian view of same-sex marriage -- but didn't quite deliver the vision that is available. Alas, as the title indicates, the target audience is still the 'gatekeepers', which is admirable and helpful as far as that goes. I'm a member and official worker in a denomination that does not perform same-sex marriages, but this book reaffirms my conviction that I can and should support same-sex civil unions, and that I can and should remain in working fellowship with gay Christians and affirming churches.
All in all this is a welcome book, especially for those trying to steer clear of the acrimony going around in hijacked american evangelicalism. I hope it will help build mutual respect and discourse among Christians who differ on this issue, thereby slowing the rise of anathemas and exiles. From this book the progressive could learn to converse with the conservative from scripture rather than from sanctimony, and the conservative could learn the same.
Displaying 1 of 1 review