The Way Forward?: Christian Voices on Homosexuality and the Church

by Timothy Bradshaw (Editor)

The subject of homosexuality is the most pressing dilemma facing churches today. On the heels of controversial church appointments in both America and Great Britain, people everywhere are struggling to come to terms with the issues at stake in this divisive debate. "The Way Forward?" is a timely book that sets out the full range of Christian responses to the issue of homosexuality and offers mature, informed contributions from key figures on all sides of the debate.The authors, representing different subject areas and realms of experience, explore the question of homosexuality from new perspectives. Their essays are uniquely insightful, recognizing that the issue of homosexuality is both a ecclesial-political and a theological matter, and their approaches to the subject are uniformly sensitive, characterized by Christian courtesy rather than hostility or drama. Readers will find this important discussion both refreshing and useful for clarifying the points of common understanding as well as identifying the sources of genuine disagreement. The volume also includes the St. Andrew's Day Statement, a document produced by a noted group of theologians that cogently addresses the legitimacy of same-sex relationships and the ordination of homosexuals.

Contributors: Gerald Bray, Tom M. Brown, John Colwell, Martin Hallett, Jeffrey John, Dave Leal, Oliver O'Donovan, Elizabeth Stuart, Stephen W. Sykes, Anthony Thiselton, Michael Vasey, Simon Vibert, Rowan Williams.

Genres: Theology, Religion, Christianity

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the second edition. It’s a British, Anglican discussion with some heavy-weights like Rowan Williams and Oliver O’Donovan—who lean in opposite directions on the issue. Very intricate on process and framing and extremely careful in its prose, it begins with “The St. Andrew’s Day Statement”—a joint document written by some Oxford and Cambridge theologians from a conservative perspective seeking dialogue and debate. Worth reading because its forged in an extensive community within a consistent tradition—its not just a personal account.

[Phil Whittall · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a response to the St Andrews Day Statement on homosexuality in the Church written by (amongst others) Oliver O'Donovan, David Wright, Timothy Bradshaw.

As a series of essays it's both helpful and instructive. I appreciated better the positions of the revisionists from essays by Jeffrey John, Michael Vasey and Elizabeth Stuart. John's and Vasey's were both better argued than those put forward by Dan Via. Although in essence seem to come down to the same argument. Namely that what the Bible describes as homosexuality is not what we understand it today, therefore the injunctions in the Bible don't apply.

There are good essays from the orthodox as well as pastoral perspectives. Even my old head of department Anthony Thiselton contributed with (as you might expect) a view from hermeneutics. Incredibly, I both understood it and appreciated it which is more than I could say from my undergraduate years where I lacked comprehension. Other contributors include Gerald Bray, Martin Hallett, Simon Vibert and Rowan Williams.

Because of the variety and number of contributions (13), this is an immensely helpful volume. Carrying not just both sides of the argument but also differing views on each side and done in a thoughtful and respectful manner. It is also a strength of the book that some of its contributors are homosexual, which means this is more than 'straight pondering' of the 'gay question'. I would suggest that for anyone wanting to get to grips with the controversy of homosexuality and the church (especially the Church of England) then this should probably be required reading.

I remain unconvinced by the revisionists arguments but as a result of reading this book I feel I understand and have heard them better and that made it an important learning step.