What do you think?
Rate this book
This Far by Grace: A Bishop's Journey Through Questions of Homosexuality
In this thoughtful and timely book, Bishop Alexander explores his journey through the theological, scriptural, and pastoral aspects of the questions surrounding homosexuality and the Christian faith. Writing in the weeks after the General Convention of the Episcopal Church approved the appointment of the church's first openly gay bishop, Bishop Alexander offers a personal view of his changing outlook—from exclusion to acceptance—on this important issue. He also offers thought-provoking perspectives on scripture and tradition. This Far by Grace will prove a vital resource for discussion and reflection by individuals, parishes, and dioceses.
- GenresReligion
96 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 25, 2003
9 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
Read
January 10, 2024Bishop Alexander approaches this issue through his personal experience. That's not to say he doesn't fully bring the Bible, tradition, and reason to the table (the three wheels of the "discernment tricycle").
He brings up many wise points, among which are:
the need to speak the truth
the need to not hide marginalized persons
the need to recognize other Christians as Christians first
the need to prioritize love over doctrinal differences
the need to discern by examining the fruits of a belief
May we listen well.
He brings up many wise points, among which are:
the need to speak the truth
the need to not hide marginalized persons
the need to recognize other Christians as Christians first
the need to prioritize love over doctrinal differences
the need to discern by examining the fruits of a belief
May we listen well.
March 9, 2021
Inspiring reaffirmation of Gods Love for all of us!
February 5, 2019
The scriptural arguments were interesting to me (if not always convincing) because I’ve never actually heard them before. I think the author was struggling with some of the interpretations as well, actually.
The personal journey that the author went through in changing his vote was compelling in the view of “you shall know them by their fruits”.
The argument for midrashic interpretation of scripture was also new to me, and thus informative. That concept is one I’d like to explore further.
The personal journey that the author went through in changing his vote was compelling in the view of “you shall know them by their fruits”.
The argument for midrashic interpretation of scripture was also new to me, and thus informative. That concept is one I’d like to explore further.
April 20, 2023
This was my second reading of this book. The author delves into the issue of homosexuality in a thoughtful discerning way. He shares what the Bible says and shows his knowledge of history to help the reader interpret those readings. He also shares the teachings of Jesus to love God and love your neighbor. He emphasizes that people of faith should always be reading, learning and praying to enhance their personal interpretation of scripture.
Read
December 9, 2023An interesting snapshot 20 years later of this bishop's journey! Glad he and many Episcopalians did (do) this wrestling.
September 28, 2016
The author's heart seems to be in the right place, since he focuses on the importance of having compassion and love for everyone, but his head seems to be in a rather different place.
I really wanted this book to convince me that his point of view is scripturally tenable, but alas, like quite a few other books and articles on this topic, it failed. Indeed, like many other apologists in this regard, Bishop Neil Alexander shamelessly plays the “love card” (i.e. you really don't sincerely love or feel compassion towards other people if you disagree with him on this topic) and then goes on to employ half-baked hermeneutical sophistry in a forced and ultimately futile attempt to prove that the Bible does not condemn all forms of homosexual sex. Sigh.
Needless to say, once such loose, self-serving, and conclusion-based interpretative methods are accepted and relied upon, almost anything can be proven, disproven, or otherwise justified by scriptural analysis. Welcome to the postmodern, nihilistic, and post-scriptural milieu in which we’re destined to live. In spite of certain trends, I remain optimistic that better ways of dealing with this difficult topic remain to be articulated. However, the particular approach found in this book can certainly leave one with the feeling that sacrificing intellectual integrity upon the altar of Political Correctness is required before one can be both a Christian and hold that gays should be loved and tolerated. If liberal Christians want to convince us that the message of Jesus is all about love and that any do’s and don’ts can simply be explained away, they’re going to have to do better than this. How about seeing Jesus as a morally courageous and countercultural spiritual leader who still insisted that moral foundations are to be found in scripture? In spite of its battered use, I think the age old adage that we should “hate the sin, but love the sinner” still seems to be the most intellectually and scripturally honest approach—and the most ethically sound as well. Sadly, we seem to be approaching a time when the one unforgivable sin will be to disagree with the majority on this topic.
Yes, we should love all of our fellow human beings as they are, avoid acting like neo-Pharisees, and recognize the all too obvious fact that we’re all sinners. However, attempting to explain away acts that have been viewed as sinful for millennia—from adultery and divorce to lustful glances and homosexual sex—is quite another matter, political correctness be damned. A healthy response to sinfulness should not be to explain away sinful acts in an attempt to make them acceptable to God, especially when one’s real concern seems to be conforming to contemporary societal values. The crux of the matter on this issue isn’t love or compassion, but whether we’re willing to cast aside an honest reading of scripture in order to avoid hurting anyone’s feelings. These days, the going opinion seems to be that this fleeting life of ours is all about feeling good, satisfying our urges, and doing what we please. Prophets and spiritual leaders are meant to snap us out of these deadly delusions and show us how to get right with God. Unfortunately, it seems to me that Bishop Alexander has caved in to the world, lost sight of what really matters, and opted to take an anti-scriptural low road by duping himself into believing that he’s taking the high road of “love for all.”
In our age of not only atheist and nihilistic challenges, but the glaring fact that a politically correct monoculture seems well on its way towards subjugating the world, one would hope that religion would act as a bulwark against this disturbing trend. Unfortunately, tropes and apologetic attempts like this one only let the cultural imperialists and moral relativists know that they’re winning the battle and well on their way to victory. If I had time, I think that writing a detailed analysis which points out all of the sloppy thinking and other non sequiturs that abound in this book would be worthwhile, but I think they’re clear enough to those with a modicum of intellectual honesty.
Overall, I wouldn’t recommend this title to anyone who is fairly well-read on the topic of contemporary Christian views on homosexuality, since it doesn’t really offer anything new. On the other hand, if you are looking for a book and a bishop that will bless your already decided upon conclusion, and you’re comfortable with the spin-doctoring of scripture in order to shore up your views, then you’ll most probably enjoy this book. And if you just want to know, or attempt to understand, how some believing Christians these days justify their liberal stance on homosexual acts, including their support of gay marriage, then this book will serve that purpose rather well. Although it is relatively short, coming in at less than 100 pages, it still manages to address all of the key biblical passages that relate to the topic—and for that alone it deserves something of a recommendation.
I really wanted this book to convince me that his point of view is scripturally tenable, but alas, like quite a few other books and articles on this topic, it failed. Indeed, like many other apologists in this regard, Bishop Neil Alexander shamelessly plays the “love card” (i.e. you really don't sincerely love or feel compassion towards other people if you disagree with him on this topic) and then goes on to employ half-baked hermeneutical sophistry in a forced and ultimately futile attempt to prove that the Bible does not condemn all forms of homosexual sex. Sigh.
Needless to say, once such loose, self-serving, and conclusion-based interpretative methods are accepted and relied upon, almost anything can be proven, disproven, or otherwise justified by scriptural analysis. Welcome to the postmodern, nihilistic, and post-scriptural milieu in which we’re destined to live. In spite of certain trends, I remain optimistic that better ways of dealing with this difficult topic remain to be articulated. However, the particular approach found in this book can certainly leave one with the feeling that sacrificing intellectual integrity upon the altar of Political Correctness is required before one can be both a Christian and hold that gays should be loved and tolerated. If liberal Christians want to convince us that the message of Jesus is all about love and that any do’s and don’ts can simply be explained away, they’re going to have to do better than this. How about seeing Jesus as a morally courageous and countercultural spiritual leader who still insisted that moral foundations are to be found in scripture? In spite of its battered use, I think the age old adage that we should “hate the sin, but love the sinner” still seems to be the most intellectually and scripturally honest approach—and the most ethically sound as well. Sadly, we seem to be approaching a time when the one unforgivable sin will be to disagree with the majority on this topic.
Yes, we should love all of our fellow human beings as they are, avoid acting like neo-Pharisees, and recognize the all too obvious fact that we’re all sinners. However, attempting to explain away acts that have been viewed as sinful for millennia—from adultery and divorce to lustful glances and homosexual sex—is quite another matter, political correctness be damned. A healthy response to sinfulness should not be to explain away sinful acts in an attempt to make them acceptable to God, especially when one’s real concern seems to be conforming to contemporary societal values. The crux of the matter on this issue isn’t love or compassion, but whether we’re willing to cast aside an honest reading of scripture in order to avoid hurting anyone’s feelings. These days, the going opinion seems to be that this fleeting life of ours is all about feeling good, satisfying our urges, and doing what we please. Prophets and spiritual leaders are meant to snap us out of these deadly delusions and show us how to get right with God. Unfortunately, it seems to me that Bishop Alexander has caved in to the world, lost sight of what really matters, and opted to take an anti-scriptural low road by duping himself into believing that he’s taking the high road of “love for all.”
In our age of not only atheist and nihilistic challenges, but the glaring fact that a politically correct monoculture seems well on its way towards subjugating the world, one would hope that religion would act as a bulwark against this disturbing trend. Unfortunately, tropes and apologetic attempts like this one only let the cultural imperialists and moral relativists know that they’re winning the battle and well on their way to victory. If I had time, I think that writing a detailed analysis which points out all of the sloppy thinking and other non sequiturs that abound in this book would be worthwhile, but I think they’re clear enough to those with a modicum of intellectual honesty.
Overall, I wouldn’t recommend this title to anyone who is fairly well-read on the topic of contemporary Christian views on homosexuality, since it doesn’t really offer anything new. On the other hand, if you are looking for a book and a bishop that will bless your already decided upon conclusion, and you’re comfortable with the spin-doctoring of scripture in order to shore up your views, then you’ll most probably enjoy this book. And if you just want to know, or attempt to understand, how some believing Christians these days justify their liberal stance on homosexual acts, including their support of gay marriage, then this book will serve that purpose rather well. Although it is relatively short, coming in at less than 100 pages, it still manages to address all of the key biblical passages that relate to the topic—and for that alone it deserves something of a recommendation.
September 9, 2020
As a confirmed gay member of The Episcopal Church, dealing with the status of homosexuality in the church is complicated.
The theological and theoretical discussion is one thing, but living in the intersection of sexuality and faith is not an easy thing. When people have asked me how a gay person can find acceptance in the church- in the scriptures, previously that was not an easy answer.
Bishop Neil gives a great explanation on how homsexuality can be compatible with being a devout Christian and provides a fair argument to the types of people who are gay and devout members of the church.
A must read if:
You're a member of TEC
Have an interest in the discussion concerning homosexuality in mainstream Christianity
Want the opinion of a studied student of scripture concerning the MOST currently pressing question in the Churches perview.
The theological and theoretical discussion is one thing, but living in the intersection of sexuality and faith is not an easy thing. When people have asked me how a gay person can find acceptance in the church- in the scriptures, previously that was not an easy answer.
Bishop Neil gives a great explanation on how homsexuality can be compatible with being a devout Christian and provides a fair argument to the types of people who are gay and devout members of the church.
A must read if:
You're a member of TEC
Have an interest in the discussion concerning homosexuality in mainstream Christianity
Want the opinion of a studied student of scripture concerning the MOST currently pressing question in the Churches perview.
February 7, 2014
A balanced, clearly written, and concise explanation of the issue of homosexuality in the Episcopal Church and its discussion (or not) in the Bible. He states that there are five actions that shape our Christian identity:
1. "We say our prayers"; 2. "We attend to the word of God in Scripture with our minds and our hearts"; 3. "We receive the sacraments faithfully"; 4. "We enjoy the fellowship of the faithful"; 5. "We roll up our sleeves and serve others in the name of Jesus".
These should be our primary focus, and we should not let divisive argument, exclusion, and schism prevent us from welcoming others to the altar.
1. "We say our prayers"; 2. "We attend to the word of God in Scripture with our minds and our hearts"; 3. "We receive the sacraments faithfully"; 4. "We enjoy the fellowship of the faithful"; 5. "We roll up our sleeves and serve others in the name of Jesus".
These should be our primary focus, and we should not let divisive argument, exclusion, and schism prevent us from welcoming others to the altar.
February 25, 2013
This book was a very courageous expose of Bishop Alexander's personal journey from homophobia to embracing "telling the truth" about sexual orientation. In that context, he recounts his walk through prayer and bible study, relying on Episcopalian traditions of open discussion and accepted dissension.
I found this book very helpful for me to understand and solidify my own thoughts on this controversial topic. It does not attempt to persuade, but examines the issues around the church's acceptance of same-sex relationships with eyes wide open.
I found this book very helpful for me to understand and solidify my own thoughts on this controversial topic. It does not attempt to persuade, but examines the issues around the church's acceptance of same-sex relationships with eyes wide open.
January 18, 2015
Using scriptural references, Bishop Alexander guides the reader through a study of what the Bible does (and does not) say about homosexuality. In the process, he shares his own personal journey to come to terms with this important issue. The intent here is not to convince, but to give the "thinking Christian" a few things to consider as they travel their own path. If you know and love someone who is gay, and you struggle to reconcile that with what your church teaches, I highly recommend that you take a look.
December 22, 2011
If you haven't read this book, read it. This is a deeply moving and thought-provoking book, not only about homosexuality and the church, but also Bishop Alexander's thoughts on the Christian life are worth contemplating. In some ways, it reminds me of Helminiak's What the Bible REALLY Says about Homosexuality, but on a more pastoral and personal level. I could relate to much that was said.
July 1, 2008
Interesting personal journey with questions of LGBT inclusion in the church. I found his reflections helpful in their brevity. I'll definately buy a copy for my library (this one was lent to me by a friend).
April 17, 2013
Definitely recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews