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What Does the Bible Really Teach about Homosexuality?
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In this timely book, award-winning author Kevin DeYoung challenges each of us—the skeptic and the seeker, the certain and the confused—to take a humble look at God's Word regarding the issue of homosexuality.
After examining key biblical passages in both the Old and New Testaments and the Bible's overarching teaching regarding sexuality, DeYoung responds to popular objectio ...more
After examining key biblical passages in both the Old and New Testaments and the Bible's overarching teaching regarding sexuality, DeYoung responds to popular objectio ...more
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Paperback, 160 pages
Published
April 28th 2015
by Crossway Books
(first published April 7th 2015)
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Start your review of What Does the Bible Really Teach about Homosexuality?

Listened to this book on audio. Very careful, very thoughtful, DeYoung does a masterful job walking through the Bible's teaching on the subject of homosexuality. Really well done. If I had to muster a complaint, it would be that he is sometimes too courteous to his opponents, and gives them the benefit of the doubt (with regard to motivations) where perhaps a good deal less ought to be given, but he doesn't flinch anywhere in outlining what the actual teaching of the Bible is. There are many bel
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This is one of the most controversial subjects for Christians and those that are fighting for the rights for the gay community. Christians want and should desire to love well. How do we reconcile what the bible says and the people we love? It seems like you can't have a conversation without being labeled a bigot or a hater. I so appreciate the teaching of Kevin DeYoung. I have followed his blog for several years and appreciate his heart for the word of God and standing firm in the faith. He is n
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A review is supposed to be about readability, writing style, anecdotes, logic and credibility. I give the author high marks on all of the above criteria. It’s hard, however, to review a theological exegesis without also commenting on the theology of the author. In this case, one who declares the inerrancy of the Bible and suggests that we’ve had no new revelations from God in 2,000 years. In other words, the case was closed a long time ago so we should just shut up and stop questioning traditio
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DeYoung offers a strong argument for the traditional view of marriage as between one man and one woman. If you agree with him, this book is probably for you. If you don't agree with him, you should probably still read this book.
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“What Does the Bible Really Teach about Homosexuality?” is a misnomer. This book has very little to do with what the Bible teaches about anything. Instead, it’s a platform book with a specific political agenda: campaigning against homosexual marriage.
Based on the title and back cover copy (which promises an examination of “the Bible’s overarching teaching regarding sexuality”) I expected this book to go into some of the realities and myths of sexuality and how it changed (and stayed the same) t ...more
Based on the title and back cover copy (which promises an examination of “the Bible’s overarching teaching regarding sexuality”) I expected this book to go into some of the realities and myths of sexuality and how it changed (and stayed the same) t ...more

I read an important book today. It is not a weighty theological treatise. It is not a book about spiritual formation. And it certainly is not written to inspire. This book is about homosexuality. Like it or not, in our culture, the topic of homosexuality has moved from stage left to center stage. Everyone is talking about it. Many people are affirming homosexual relationships - liberals and conservatives alike.
I recently read Steve Chalke's booklet, A Matter of Integrity. The author, who happens ...more
I recently read Steve Chalke's booklet, A Matter of Integrity. The author, who happens ...more

If there is one hot button issue both within and outside the church that has risen above all others it is undeniably the discussion swirling around homosexuality and same-sex marriage. With Christian bakers and photographers being sued and the seemingly never ending avalanche of political rancor over same-sex marriage, let alone the increasing number of churches and denominations embracing this lifestyle going so far as to appoint homosexuals to positions of leadership, it is vital to grasp what
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Read Ch. 1 here.
Some have claimed that DeYoung isn't clear on whether SSA (same sex attraction) itself (the attraction, not the action) is sinful or not. This post/video supports that claim. (See related posts here, here, here, and here.) These posts are from 2015. DeYoung was a member of the PCA Ad Interim Committee on Sexuality, along with Bryan Chapell (nominated for Stated Clerk in 2020), Tim Keller, and others. The report, published in May 2020, is available here, and it is much more clear ...more
Some have claimed that DeYoung isn't clear on whether SSA (same sex attraction) itself (the attraction, not the action) is sinful or not. This post/video supports that claim. (See related posts here, here, here, and here.) These posts are from 2015. DeYoung was a member of the PCA Ad Interim Committee on Sexuality, along with Bryan Chapell (nominated for Stated Clerk in 2020), Tim Keller, and others. The report, published in May 2020, is available here, and it is much more clear ...more

A graciously short but challenging read. The way in which Deyoung writes is so accessible and theologically sound that makes this book an easy recommend for anyone looking to study more. What's interesting is Deyoung manages to show grace in his writing while also dismantling opposing arguments of traditional marriage. I appreciate how Deyoung made the best use of the space on the page: not too deep but not too surface-level. To be honest, I think reading this book and The Same Sex Controversy b
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Kevin DeYoung’s What Does the Bible Really Teach About Homosexuality? offers yet another utterly maddening viewpoint of “God’s truth” about gay people.
I’ve read the bulk of such books written over the past few decades, beginning with the first “gays are out to destroy America” book written for the evangelical community by Tim LaHaye in 1978: “The Unhappy Gays.”
Once the new genre started, it triggered an onslaught. Next came the religious-political books from authors like Falwell and Dannemeyer i ...more
I’ve read the bulk of such books written over the past few decades, beginning with the first “gays are out to destroy America” book written for the evangelical community by Tim LaHaye in 1978: “The Unhappy Gays.”
Once the new genre started, it triggered an onslaught. Next came the religious-political books from authors like Falwell and Dannemeyer i ...more

Very good book. DeYoung's exegesis is careful and thorough. Clearly, from his exposition of key biblical texts, DeYoung shows that homosexual behavior is outlawed by God's Word. Not only so, but he also helps the reader walk through difficult questions by giving pastoral counsel to issues raised by skeptics. Christians will need to know how to address questions of homosexuality and this book is the book to equip you.
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DeYoung begins with an extended introduction, principally to recognize that Scripture is not primarily focused on the topic of homosexuality. He then gives a brief sketch of the biblical narrative. I was grateful for his recognition of the grander reality of God’s redemptive work, in that all things will be perfected at the eschaton.
DeYoung then acknowledges that even though it is not the primary focus, Scripture does speak of homosexuality. Here, he directs the conversation toward the central q ...more
DeYoung then acknowledges that even though it is not the primary focus, Scripture does speak of homosexuality. Here, he directs the conversation toward the central q ...more

After some less than stellar reads recently, I was thrilled to devour a book that hits it out of the park. DeYoung is right-on when it comes to the issue. He first exegetes major biblical passages (Genesis 1–2; Genesis 19; Leviticus 18 & 20; Romans 1; 1 Corinthians 6 & 1 Timothy 1) and then handles major objections ("not that kind of homosexuality"; "what about gluttony and divorce"; "you're on the wrong side of history"; and so forth).
Absolutely everyone ought to read this book, because in this ...more
Absolutely everyone ought to read this book, because in this ...more

The Sexual revolution has cascaded into a fervent progressivism so quickly that many people latch to opinions without considering the why or how of defending their stance. This is seen on both sides of the battle of how to fulfill sexual desire-- both Progressives as well fundamentalists. This book helps both sides of the argument understand Biblical statements about the activity of Homosexuality and how to begin the discussion of what the Bible teaches is right. It is written from a christian p
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DeYoung not only exegetes the difficult passages, but he faces some of the most difficult modern-day questions regarding homosexuality. I thought I knew a lot more about this issue than I realized I did after reading this book. From insights on the reunion of Adam and Eve, to how Paul created a new word in Greek to speak of homosexual practice, to his quotations from numerous gay-affirming scholars who say it is difficult to see the Bible as anything else but disapproving of homosexual activity.
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This book uses a conservative exegetical framework to strike fear into people regarding homosexuality. In particular, the appendices appear to be written with the intentions to instill a fear based self-righteousness into Christians in regards to gay relationships and marriage. The work also fails to acknowledge the social, political, and ideological power structures influencing the authors of the text at the time of the writing of the Bible. It also ignores other important, potent, and diverse
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It's a quick read that gives pretty good answers to the common first tier arguments against the traditional view of marriage. An excellent place to start in understanding popular arguments and a careful Christian response.
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Few topics in our culture are more controversial than homosexuality and the Bible. Is homosexuality really a sin? Are Christians bigots? Have Christians got it wrong throughout the years? Is the church on the wrong side of history? These questions and more are answered by Kevin DeYoung in this immensely helpful book. Virtually every Christian who desires to hold fast to God's Word will be challenged on this issue. Don't allow the world to squeeze you into its mold. Instead dive into what God's W
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Almost the entire time I was reading this book, I was reminded of how incredibly difficult it is to maintain balance in everything that we do. "Love the sinner hate the sin," right? Naturally, it's much more complicated than that.
Some may consider all the controversy surrounding homosexuality to be making mountains out of anthills: why can't both sides just "agree to disagree"? I would be inclined to think this way too, if I hadn't realized that accepted and unrepentant homosexuality will res ...more
Some may consider all the controversy surrounding homosexuality to be making mountains out of anthills: why can't both sides just "agree to disagree"? I would be inclined to think this way too, if I hadn't realized that accepted and unrepentant homosexuality will res ...more

DeYoung Doing What He Does Best
In his book, What Does the Bible Teach about Homosexuality?, pastor-theologian Kevin DeYoung does what he does best: apply biblical truth to current cultural issues in a fair and balanced manner. DeYoung has that rare gift of bringing in-depth research, careful thinking, and biblical truth to bear on a topic in a way that is thorough yet accessible. His writings are rich, accessible, rewarding, and for the church. The same can be said for What Does the Bible Teach ...more
In his book, What Does the Bible Teach about Homosexuality?, pastor-theologian Kevin DeYoung does what he does best: apply biblical truth to current cultural issues in a fair and balanced manner. DeYoung has that rare gift of bringing in-depth research, careful thinking, and biblical truth to bear on a topic in a way that is thorough yet accessible. His writings are rich, accessible, rewarding, and for the church. The same can be said for What Does the Bible Teach ...more

Don't let the size of this book fool you. It may be small, but the treatment of the subject matter is certainly not. DeYoung has done the church no small favor by providing such an accessible, pastoral, and convincing assessment of the Bible's teachings on homosexuality. Of particular note in DeYoung's writing is his ability to display compassion towards those who experience same-sex attraction without minimizing the force of what the Bible has to say to them.
DeYoung is very upfront about his st ...more
DeYoung is very upfront about his st ...more

If ever a topic has caused confusion and division among Christians, it is how to view and react to homosexuality. I was curious about this short, 160-page book, and happy to find that it cut through the cloudiness of the issue and went straight to the source of all truth, the Bible. However, he holds Christians to the standard of loving those who experience same-sex attraction and seeking to understand and reach out to them.
In the introduction, the author points out three classes of readers he e ...more
In the introduction, the author points out three classes of readers he e ...more

Here is a very solid overview of a very controversial issue. I suspect that this book was written to reassure Christians that the "traditional" view on the issue of homosexuality is indeed biblical. DeYoung does a good job of going through the relevant texts, showing that they are clear. He then spends some several chapters addressing objections. The church needs books like this. What I don't give it five stars is that I don't think it would be terribly convincing to someone who thinks homosexua
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Conservative Evangelicalism needs more voices displaying what Russell Moore calls "convictional kindness." Thankfully, Kevin DeYoung is emerging as one of these voices. He is clear, concise, biblical, and nuanced. In What Does the Bible Really Teach about Homosexuality? DeYoung puts all of this on display while dealing with perhaps the most relevant hot-button issue in America today.
In this "mercifully short" book, DeYoung argues that marriage and sexuality are presented in the Bible as being in ...more
In this "mercifully short" book, DeYoung argues that marriage and sexuality are presented in the Bible as being in ...more

This book is broken down into 2 sections. Part 1 is Understanding God's Word. In this section DeYoung walks through the sections of scripture that base our understanding of traditional marriage, complimentarianism and homosexuality. As he walks through Gen. 1, 2 & 19, Lev. 18 & 20, Rom. 1, 1 Cor. 6, and 1 Tim. 1 we get a proper exegesis (breakdown) of these passages, what the words meant in the original texts and some of the common arguments by those subscribing to the homosexual agenda.
Part 2 ...more
Part 2 ...more

As with his other books, this is an accessible, clearly-argued treatment of one of the most challenging issues of our time. Three things I appreciated about this book: (1) DeYoung deals with the relevant Scriptures. This is first and foremost a biblical issue and DeYoung does us a great service in presenting a coherent picture from the Scriptures; (2) This is a practically-minded book. It is aimed at the central questions of this debate and DeYoung does not shy away from addressing those questio
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