Several people have asked me to comment on Matthew Vine’s new book God and the Gay Christian, a recent and well-publicized argument for legitimizing homosexuality and same-sex marriage. The book claims to be written from a Christian perspective, and in fact is published by a division of WaterBrook Multnomah Press, a well known evangelical publishing house, which has made it all the more controversial. Since I’ve posted a number of times on the subject, I wasn’t interested in doing yet another rebuttal to yet another pro-gay argument from yet another self-identified gay Christian.
But today I received a copy of Vine’s book, perused it, scanned the number of responses to it online, and felt a strong need to address it here. Because Vines is proposing not only a new understanding of human sexuality, but an overhaul of the modern Church’s approach to the issue as well. And he’s doing so while identifying himself as a conservative, Bible believing Christian, committed to reforming Christianity’s approach to scripture and intimacy. To no one’s surprise, his work is receiving glowing, aggressive media promotion; so much so, in fact, that if you’ve not heard of the book by now, you almost certainly will, and soon.
Considering the climate of both today’s Church and culture, I expect pastors nationwide will feel a challenge to respond to Vine’s claims and recommendations, and many believers will be confused about truth or confirmed in error after reading God and the Gay Christian. For these reasons I’m stepping outside this blog’s normal format and offering, as of this Monday, a five-part critique and rebuttal to Vine’s work. Monday through Friday, rather than posting on the topics those days are reserved for, we’ll be looking at this new book’s basic premises and arguments, and responding to each. My hope is that, as a result, we’ll be better equipped to respond when confronted with the question today’s Church is wrestling with more than ever: Can homosexuality and Christianity really become compatible?
Please pray for me, that the postings I offer will edify and enlighten, and that this blog will, by God’s grace, be a place where truth and love meet without contradiction.
Comments
Terri Herman | May 3, 2014
Looking forward to your series. Thank you for continued efforts to keep God's word.
Jim | May 3, 2014
I look forward to your input on this subject which the church needs to address from a truly biblical perspective, rather than from the culturally sensitive version. I'll be praying that the Holy Spirit will give you wisdom to speak truth.
Carmen | May 3, 2014
Thank you for updating.
Blessings to you & family
Emma Joy | May 3, 2014
Excellent! I so look forward to reading this from Monday to Friday.
Please check out my blog which has articles, etc. on a variety of topics including: "About Pornography", "About Masturbation", "Homosexuality", "Self Esteem", "Self-Injury", "The Importance of Family", "God's word", "Purity", and "Marriage."
http://www.babypinkroses.blogspot.com
Thank you!
jerry miller | May 3, 2014
This joining of these words is an impossibility. As with the opposite ends of a magnet the positive will always repel the negative so is the Christian to the sodomite. Can their be an agreement with a house divided?
Charlie Hernandez | May 3, 2014
Joe here at 611 we will be praying for you. You know that you have been an outstanding support for our men's group. We believe for God's wisdom to be upon your life!
Greg Hatton | May 3, 2014
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
Joe, thankyou for doing what is right, and givig God His due honour. Bless you.
Tim Carp | May 4, 2014
I will be in prayer Joe. I have a very good friend who came out of 40 years of living the homosexual lifestyle. He is struggling mightily with this very subject though some 4 years after accepting Christ. He read a book called Torn that has shaken his beliefs.
Charlene E Hios | May 4, 2014
Hey Joe;
Did you see Al Mohler's 96 page response?
davideikenberry | May 5, 2014
Thanks SO much for taking on this difficult but needed task. May God's Spirit direct your every thought and word for our good, your joy, and God's glory. I'll be praying for just that.
Soduhson | May 6, 2014
Hello sir,
I made a response to Matthew Vine's video presentation on the subject. In retrospect, I think I could have been more respectful than I was.
http://soduhson.wordpress.com/2014/04/09/another-lgbt-christian-post/
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