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God's Grace and the Homosexual Next Door: Reaching the Heart of the Gay Men and Women in Your World
Author Alan Chambers--a former homosexual himself--and four of his colleagues at Exodus International offer practical and biblical insights on how both individuals and churches can become a haven for homosexuals seeking freedom from same-sex attraction. In this comprehensive guide to helping homosexuals, readers will learn and much more about this often perplexing subject.
- GenresNonfiction
288 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 17, 2014
Alan wrote this in 2006. 2006 does not sound like that long ago, but in terms of LGBT issues it is. In 2006, there was (I think) only 1 state with legalized same sex marriage. In 2006, President Obama was still anti-gay marriage. 2006 is before Alan Chambers closed down Exodus International and went on an apology tour.
I think Alan Chambers himself has distanced himself from this book. His own website, alanchambers.org, does not mention this book, or have links to purchase it. (What author doesn't have links to purchase his books?) He does not list writing this book in his bio. And I think since 2006 Alan learned a lot, as have most of us, about same gender attraction. Although Alan is still in a straight marriage, and he says that same gender sex is outside God's "creative intent," he now says that same gender marriages are, "bearing the image of God in the area of faithfulness, commitment and love, trust and fidelity and all of those things. Nowhere in that do I even have to make a judgment on the morality of homosexuality or anything like that."
So for those living in 2014, I recommend you spend some time at Alan's website and see how his views are now, to see what he thinks the best way to reach the gay men and women in your 2014 world are.
I give Alan Chamber's website a solid 4 stars - you should visit it.
I gave this book 2 stars, because I think in 2006 it would have been better.
I wonder how many stars Alan Chambers would give this book today?
I think Alan Chambers himself has distanced himself from this book. His own website, alanchambers.org, does not mention this book, or have links to purchase it. (What author doesn't have links to purchase his books?) He does not list writing this book in his bio. And I think since 2006 Alan learned a lot, as have most of us, about same gender attraction. Although Alan is still in a straight marriage, and he says that same gender sex is outside God's "creative intent," he now says that same gender marriages are, "bearing the image of God in the area of faithfulness, commitment and love, trust and fidelity and all of those things. Nowhere in that do I even have to make a judgment on the morality of homosexuality or anything like that."
So for those living in 2014, I recommend you spend some time at Alan's website and see how his views are now, to see what he thinks the best way to reach the gay men and women in your 2014 world are.
I give Alan Chamber's website a solid 4 stars - you should visit it.
I gave this book 2 stars, because I think in 2006 it would have been better.
I wonder how many stars Alan Chambers would give this book today?
April 2, 2010
What struck me when reading this book was how applicable its concepts are to many areas of life besides homosexuality. The authors adeptly apply the gospel of grace, challenging us that the heart of the matter is not the individual sins we (all) struggle with, but our need of Christ. While it pulls no punches about what the Bible says about homosexuality as sin, the authors stress that the point is not to help someone be "straight," but to be conformed to the image of Christ.
A loving, strong, and doctrinally sound book--highly recommended.
A loving, strong, and doctrinally sound book--highly recommended.
March 17, 2015
First the good things about the book: 1. The authors admit that gays have good reason to distrust Christians because they've often been treated badly by the church. 2. It doesn't (for the most part) demonize homosexuals and portray them as more inherently evil than other people.
So, what are the bad things about the book?
Everything else. The book was written by the religious charlatans at the now defunct Exodus International, led by Alan Chambers (the coauthors being Randy Thomas, Mike Goeke, Scott Davis and Melissa Fryrear). Exodus was in the business of curing homosexuals (Scott Davis claims in the book "hundreds of thousands" have left homosexuality thanks to Exodus, p. 165). This quackery doesn't work and the only real "ex-gays" they managed to produce were those who commited suicide in despair after being exposed to Exodus's hateful, unscientific teachings based only on bronze age mythology. The authors show no interest in the well being of "the homosexual next door", only in recruiting him or her into the Church (and Exodus and Focus on the Family).
As of this writing, it's been almost two years ago since Exodus closed down and Alan Chambers admitted conversion therapy doesn't work. Chambers and co-author Randy Thomas have issued apologies to the gay community, Thomas has come out as gay again on his blog and Chambers admits to still having same-sex attractions. Yvette Schneider who shares her testimony at the end of the book has since denounced the ex-gay movement. So, the big question is: Why is this book is still in print?
Exodus has closed down but there are other "ex-gay" groups continuing their work, and their wide support from the Christian church make them far more destructive than fringe groups like the Westboro Baptist Church. The good news for Christians struggling to reconcile their homosexuality with their faith is that you CAN be set free from Christianity!
So, what are the bad things about the book?
Everything else. The book was written by the religious charlatans at the now defunct Exodus International, led by Alan Chambers (the coauthors being Randy Thomas, Mike Goeke, Scott Davis and Melissa Fryrear). Exodus was in the business of curing homosexuals (Scott Davis claims in the book "hundreds of thousands" have left homosexuality thanks to Exodus, p. 165). This quackery doesn't work and the only real "ex-gays" they managed to produce were those who commited suicide in despair after being exposed to Exodus's hateful, unscientific teachings based only on bronze age mythology. The authors show no interest in the well being of "the homosexual next door", only in recruiting him or her into the Church (and Exodus and Focus on the Family).
As of this writing, it's been almost two years ago since Exodus closed down and Alan Chambers admitted conversion therapy doesn't work. Chambers and co-author Randy Thomas have issued apologies to the gay community, Thomas has come out as gay again on his blog and Chambers admits to still having same-sex attractions. Yvette Schneider who shares her testimony at the end of the book has since denounced the ex-gay movement. So, the big question is: Why is this book is still in print?
Exodus has closed down but there are other "ex-gay" groups continuing their work, and their wide support from the Christian church make them far more destructive than fringe groups like the Westboro Baptist Church. The good news for Christians struggling to reconcile their homosexuality with their faith is that you CAN be set free from Christianity!
April 8, 2013
Really brought up a few areas where my thinking was wrong!!! Loved the current research and the call to Christians to be Christ like!! Especially in regards to our own sins being as equal, and the call to be loving and humble. Fabulous personal accounts though out and especially 5 featured stories at the end. Truly amazing what a spiritual battle it is and how God loves everyone of us!!
November 1, 2008
Reading for Contemporary Christian Belief. Did not read all of it, but read the majority of it. It was surprisingly well written. An interesting read.
Want to Read
November 26, 2009This book was recommended to me by Rick Barth.
April 18, 2012
Excellent book. Very compassionate and honest. Definitely sets a good example for everyone.
December 21, 2012
An excellent book, very helpful when thinking about how to show God's grace to homosexuals. Highly recommended for anyone who has friends or family who wrestle with homosexuality.
July 6, 2011
Great for understanding homosexuality. This book is big on love, big on conservative perspectives.
July 25, 2015
Same trite message, "Hate sin, love the sinner."
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews