Dancing in the Fire: Christianity and Homosexuality.

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What You Need to Know First:

• This post is PG-13. It is not explicit, but the topic at hand does deal with human sexuality and some of the books are likely to be fairly explicit in their consideration of this topic.
  
• I named this post “Dancing in the Fire” due to the explosive nature of this discussion. Some will call me a bigot and intolerant for broaching the topic while others will suggest that any attempt to enter into the discussion is a compromise of Scripture.
• I build reading lists – it is what I do – on varied topics. This is my attempt to build a reading list on the topic of homosexuality, its nature, and morality as defined within the Scriptures, Christian tradition, and a historical framework.
• There is significant work yet to do on the subject. This is a reading list, not a read list. My annotations are brief notes mainly to myself, *’s interest books which I thought looked particularly interesting to my interests (I am particularly interested in hermeneutic arguments and historical relationships). *’s are not endorsements of the books – in fact, I may even remove some volumes at a later time if I find their content to be unnecessarily explicit, hateful, or otherwise useless. I still have another 30-40 volumes bookmarked to add to this list.
• The titles below have been culled from approximately 1,163 titles listed on Amazon that return when the query “homosexual christian” is entered in their books division (this search was performed on 1/21/12). I also performed briefer searches on IVP Books and Christian Book Distributors (CBD).

A Challenge to the Reader:

When I undertake a controversial subject, especially one regarding a struggle I do not personally experience, I try to keep these verses in mind:

• “You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” (Matt. 7:5, NIV) – I take this to mean that I must do a self-evaluation before attempting an other evaluation. I need to be cognizant of my own weaknesses before criticizing others.
• “But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matt. 5:44, NIV) – I take this to mean that I am to love those who hate and injure me…and in most cases we aren’t dealing with people who hate us or purposely injure us…shouldn’t we treat them as nicely as our enemies?

The Reading List:

• *Marin, Andrew. Love is An Orientation: Elevating the Conversation with the Gay Community. IVP Books, 2009. – This may be the book to read if one can read only one book. It took numerous awards when it was published, was printed by the respected publisher IVP, and approaches from a personal perspective a Christian interacting with the LGBT community.
• *Brown, Michael. A Queer Thing Happened to America: And What a Long, Strange Trip It’s Been. Equaltime Books, 2011. – Dr. Brown is one of those fascinating figures who defies categorization. He is best known as an academic scholar and one of the foremost apologists for Christianity to Jews (himself being Jewish). But he also works on the outer fringes of the charismatic/pentecostal movement having heavily participated in the Brownsville Revival. This book is likely a must-read simply b/c he brings such a unique perspective to much of what he rights on and speaks both with intense charismatic experience as well as intellectual knowledge.^[1]
• Paris, Jenell Williams. The End of Sexual Identity: Why Sex is Too Important to Define Who We Are. IVP Books, 2011. – An argument has been being advanced that we should not identify ourselves by our sexual identities and/or establish lines of battle established upon them. Paris apparently agrees and offers an explanation of how this concept applies to Christians.
• *Via, Dan O. and Robert A.J. Gagnon. Homosexuality and the Bible: Two Views. Augsburg Fortress, 2003. – Two biblical scholars on opposing sides of the argument offer arguments from the Old and New Testaments for their position.
• *Campbell, W.P. Turning Controversy into Church Ministry: A Christlike Response to Homosexuality. Zondervan, 2010. – This looks like a fascinating work, though it may focus more on the practical ministry than theoretical frameworks.
• *Jones, Stanton L. and Mark A. Yarhouse. Ex-Gays? A Longitudinal Study of Religiously Mediated Change in Sexual Orientation. IVP Books, 2007. – This looks like a must-read, as it provides what appears to be a rigorous study of the effectiveness of the ex-gay movement/treatments which have been heavily criticized as ineffective and harmful.
• *Nicolosi, Joseph J. Shame and Attachment Loss: The Practical Work of Reparative Therapy. IVP Academic, 2009. – Looks at methods of treating from a combination of secular clinical technique and a Judeo-Christian worldview homosexuality.
• *Wold, Donald J. Out of Order: Homosexuality in the Bible and the Ancient Near East. Cedar Leaf Press, 2009.
• *Webb, William J. Slaves, Women, & Homosexuals: Exploring the Hermeneutics of Cultural Analysis. IVP Academic, 2001.
• *Thompson, Chad W. Loving Homosexuals as Jesus Would. Brazos Press, 2004. – Written by a Christian who has struggled with homosexual attractions.
• *Chambers, Alan. God’s Grace and the Homosexual Next Door: Reaching the Heart of Gay Men and Women in Your World. Harvest House Publishers, 2006. – Chambers is the head of the largest ex-gay organization in the United States and a self-designated former homosexual.
• *Puterbaugh, Geoff. The Crucifixion of Hyacinth: Jews, Christians, and Homosexuals from Classical Greece to Late Antiquity. Authors Choice Press, 2000. – This book appears to be self-published, but reviews indicate it is of high quality and of scholarly type with numerous citations. It provides a history of the anciety attitude toward homosexuality and appears to be written by someone who is pro-homosexual in tenor.
• *Boswell, John. Christianity, Social Tolerance, and Homosexuality: Gay People in Western Europe from the Beginning of the Christian Era to the Fourteenth Century. University of Chicago Press, 2005. – An extensive and scholarly work considering the historical position of the church towards homosexuality.
• Ford, Michael. Wounded Prophet: A Portrait of Henri J.M. Nouwen. Image, 2002. – While not specifically focused on homosexuality, the topic of homosexuality is addressed throughout this biography as Nouwen struggled to respond in a Scriptural manner to homosexuality within his parishioners and students as well as with urges within himself.
• *Dallas, Joe and Nancy Heche. The Complete Guide to Understanding Homosexuality: A Biblical and Compassionate Response to Same-Sex Attraction. Harvest House Publishers, 2010.
• Cannon, Justin R. The Bible, Christianity, & Homosexuality. CreateSpace, 2008. – Appears to be self-published. Cannon is the founder of Inclusive Orthodoxy. The book is written from a Christian LGBT perspective.
• *Rogers, Jack. Jesus, the Bible, and Homosexuality: Revised and Expanded Edition: Explode the Myths, Heal the Church. Westminster John Knox, 2009.
• Gagnon, Robert A. J. The Bible and Homosexual Practice: Texts and Hermeneutics. Abingdon Press, 2002.
• Yarhouse, Mark A. Homosexuality and the Christian: A Guide for Parents, Pastors, and Friends. Bethany House Publishers, 2010.
• Chellew-Hodge, Candace. Bulletproof Faith: A Spiritual Survival Guide for Gay and Lesbian Christians. Jossey-Bass, 2008. – Written for the homosexual community on living as a Christian in a predominantly condemnatory culture.
• *Hill, Wesley. Washed and Waiting: Reflections on Christian Faithfulness and Homosexuality. Zondervan, 2010. – Hill is a celibate gay Christian and writes about his struggles with God and Scripture.
• *White, Mel. Stranger at the Gate: To Be Gay and Christian in America. Plume, 1995.
• Hopko, Thomas. Christian Faith and Same Sex Attraction: Eastern Orthodox Reflections. Conciliar Press, 2006.
• *Erzen, Tanya. Straight to Jesus: Sexual and Christian Conversions in the Ex-Gay Movement. University of California Press, 2006. – Looks at, over time, the lives of individuals who join the ex-gay movement.
• Hamilton, Julie Harren, and Philip J. Henry. Handbook of Therapy for Unwanted Homosexual Attractions. Xulon Press, 2009. – Written from a Christian perspective, it appears to be self-published but includes recommendations from a number of well-known Christian leaders within the conversation on homosexuality.
• Miner, Jeff and John Tyler Connoley. The Children are Free: Reexamining the Biblical Evidence on Same-Sex Relationships. Found Pearl Press, 2002.
• Damian, Peter. Book of Gomorrah: An Eleventh-Century Treatise against Clerical Homosexual Practices. Wilfrid Laurier University Press, 2012. – Translated from Latin by Pierre J. Payer.
• *Sharpe, Keith. The Gay Gospels: Good News for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered People. O Books, 2011.
• *De La Torre, Miguel A., ed. Out of the Shadows, Into the Light: Christianity and Homosexuality. Chalice Press, 2009. – Includes arguments from various positions represented by Marvin Ellison, Larry Kent Graham, Janis Hahn, Luis Leon, Irene Monroe, James Oraker, Ken Stone, Mona West.
• Meyers, David G. What God Has Joined Together?: A Christian Case for Gay Marriage. HarperOne, 2005.
• Anderson, Cheryl. Ancient Laws and Contemporary Controversies: The Need for Inclusive Biblical Interpretation. Oxford University Press, 2009.
• Cheng, Patrick S. Radical Love: An Introduction to Queer Theology. Seabury Books, 2011.
• MacNutt, Francis. Can Homosexuality Be Healed? Chosen Books, 2006.
• Anderson, Kerby. A Biblical Point of View on Homosexuality. Harvest House Publishers, 2008.
• Nissinen, Martti. Homoeroticism in the Biblical World. Augsburg Fortress Publishers, 1998.
• Greenberg, Steven. Wrestling with God and Men: Homosexuality in Jewish Tradition. University of Wisconsin Press, 2005.
• Boswell, John. Same-Sex Unions in Premodern Europe. Vintage, 1995.
• Swan, Talbert W. Closing the Closet: Testimonies of Deliverance from Homosexuality. Trumpet in Zion Publishing, 2004.
• Peters, Ted. Playing God? Genetic Determinism and Human Freedom. Routledge, 2002.
• Ellens, J. Harold. Sex in the Bible: A New Consideration. Praeger, 2006.
• Bullough, Vern L., ed. Handbook of Medieval Sexuality. Routledge, 1999. – This book looks at human sexuality in medieval times from multiple perspectives, not just homosexuality.
• Grimsrud, Ted and Mark Thiessen Nation. Reasoning Together: A Conversation on Homosexuality. Herald Pr, 2008.
• Wolkomir, Michelle. Be Not Deceived: The Sacred and Sexual Struggles of Gay and Ex-Gay Christian Men. Rutgers University Press, 2006.
• Roden, Frederick S. Same Sex Desire in Victorian Religious Culture. Palgrave Macmillan, 2003.

1. ^[1] Charismatics and Pentecostals are sometimes accused of being too based in subjective and experiential Christianity. Brown is fascinating b/c he is not a “know-nothing” Christian who revolts against academic pursuit – but rather someone who has managed to merge the two together. This perhaps places him in a similar vein to Dr. John White (a famed psychiatrist who also was a member of the Vineyard Movement), Dr. Jack Deere (originally a professor at the conservative Dallas Theological Seminary who would join the Third Wave Movement), or Dr. Wayne Grudem (who is widely respected for his works, especially his systematic theology, but is also associated loosely with Third Wave). ↩