Product Description

In this revised and expanded best seller, evangelical theologian and former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Jack Rogers makes a biblical case for equal rights for people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT). Throughout history, he observes, Christianity has moved towards ever greater openness and inclusiveness. Today's church is led by many of those who were once excluded: people of color, women, and divorced and remarried people. He argues that when we interpret the Bible through the lens of Jesus' redemptive life and ministry, we see that the church is called to grant equal rights to all people. Jesus, the Bible, and Homosexuality describes Rogers' own change of mind and heart on the issue, charts the church's history of using biblical passages to oppress marginalized groups, argues for a Christ-centered reading of Scripture, debunks stereotypes about people who are LGBT, refutes the conventional wisdom about the texts that are often used against people who are LGBT, and presents ideas for how the church can heal itself and move forward again. A fascinating combination of personal narrative, theology, and church history, this book is essential reading for all concerned with the future of the church and the health of the nation.

The revised and expanded edition also includes:
* A new preface with 'stories from the road' as a result of Rogers's two year book tour in support of the first edition,
* Updates on recent developments within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.),
* A new chapter that examines God's radical welcome for all who have faith as revealed in Scripture,
* A new appendix that maps the recent progress toward LGBT equality in major U.S. denominations, and
* A study guide for group or personal reflection.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #13802 in Books
• Published on: 2009-04-28
• Released on: 2009-04-14
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 208 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780664233976
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Amazon.com Review
"The book is masterful at describing how the church can learn from its past struggles in moving forward beyond the current divide. Rogers issues a prophetic and persuasive call for a more inclusive and more faithful church." —Jeffrey S. Siker, Professor & Chair, Department of Theological Studies, Loyola Marymount University

"A valuable book has gotten even better in this new revised edition. Rogers's new prefatory relating of particular stories is compelling, the appendix draws important information together from other denominations, and the new chapter 8 will be useful to many. I strongly recommend this book." —J. Philip Wogaman, Professor Emeritus of Christian ethics, Wesley Theological Seminary, and former senior minister at Foundry United Methodist Church in Washington, D.C.

"Searching Scripture even more widely, sharing the progress towar d equality across a broad range of denominations and describing his encounters with so many devout LGBT folk, Jack shows us how we can biblically and truthfully include all our children in the gospel promise, 'Jesus loves me, this I know.'" —Rev. Janet Edwards, Parish Associate, Community of Reconciliation, Pittsburgh, PA

"Rogers is more than a professor. He is one of the great evangelists of our time. He has heard the good news of God's love for all people, and he has given his life to sharing that news with others. This is a book that saves lives." —Ted A. Smith, Assistant Professor of Ethics and Society, Vanderbilt Divinity School

Amazon.com Review
Praise for the Revised and Expanded Edition

"Rogers offers both a rigorous yet accessible theological study and a model of spiritual discernment that is essential reading for anyone struggling to reconcile their faith with the needs of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community." —Harry Knox, Director, Religion and Faith Program, The Human Rights Campaign

"The compelling biblical and theological case Jack Rogers makes for the full acceptance of gay couples is simply impossible to ignore." —William Stacy Johnson, Princeton Theological Seminary, author of A Time to Embrace: Same-gender Relationships in Religion, Law, and Politics.

"Rogers's biblical scholarship, humane love, and openness to evidence helps us discern what Jesus would do, and what we, his people, should do." —David G. Myers, Hope College, co-author, What God Has Joined Together: The Christian Case for Gay Marriage.

"I'm overflowing with gratitude for this work. Jack Rogers continues 'to equip the saints for the work of ministry,' directing his gifts as prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher to building new understandings and relationships in the church." —Rev. Deborah A. Block, Pastor, Immanuel Presbyterian Church, Milwaukee, WI

About the Author
Jack Rogers is Professor of Theology Emeritus at San Francisco Theological Seminary and Moderator of the 213th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). He is the author of Reading the Bible and the Confessions; Claiming the Center: Churches and Conflicting Worldviews; and Presbyterian Creeds.

Customer Reviews

An opportunity to heal the church
The issue of whether to allow ordination and marriage of people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender is being debated in almost every major Christian denomination. This book is essential reading for anyone who wants to be informed about this issue. It's meticulously researched (483 footnotes!) but also very clear and accessible. It's thoroughly Biblical--something that I believe will be appreciated by people on both sides of the debate. Dr. Rogers wrote the book from his own Presbyterian perspective but it will be a wonderful resource for people of all Christian denominations. Looking at each chapter in turn:

Chapter 1, "Studying Homosexuality for the First Time," describes Dr. Rogers' background as an evangelical and how he first began to study the issue of homosexuality in his local congregation.

Chapter 2, "A Pattern of Misusing the Bible to Justify Oppression," documents how leading theologians, for two hundred years, misused the Bible to try to justify the enslavement of people of African descent and the subordination of women to men.

Chapter 3, "A Breakthrough in Understanding the Word of God," shows how Biblical interpretation has changed for the better over the last two hundred years.

Chapter 4, "Interpreting the Bible in Times of Controversy," outlines the 7 guidelines on Biblical interpretation officially adopted by the Presbyterian Church and applies them to the issue of homosexuality.

Chapter 5, "What the Bible Says and Doesn't Say about Homosexuality," takes a close look at each of the passages that supposedly condemn people who are LGBT and shows that much of the conventional wisdom about these passages is simply incorrect. There's also a great discussion in here about how Acts 10-15 provides a helpful model for how the church can resolve this issue.

Chapter 6, "Real People and Real Marriage," shares the stories of actual gay and lesbian Christians and debunks the stereotypes and cliches that so often characterize this debate.

Chapter 7, "Healing the Church," includes recommendations for what the Presbyterian Church needs to do to make things right and to heal the divisions in the church.

If we choose to listen, the thoughtful scholarship in this book presents a tremendous opportunity for the church to affirm its biblical and confessional tradition while also welcoming people who are LGBT as full and equal members.

I challenge you to read this book!
Significant! Eye opening. This is an important read for any person who wants to be a disciple of Christ in this Post Modern Era. Missional Churches, intra cultural communicators, and ministers prepare your hearts and read this book. Jack Rogers affirms that the Bible is the inspired word of God, but offers insight on man's interpretation of "the word." If you are gay, read this book. If you are anti-gay, read this book. If you are homo-phobic, read this book. If you are a minister looking to reach out to the homosexual community, read this book.

An antidote to "textual abuse"
Jack Rogers takes a fresh look at what the Bible says and doesn't say about homosexual people and relationships, in this very readable and greatly needed book. With the clarity born of a lifetime of teaching and the passion born of a lifetime of bible study, he lays out the principles of Reformed biblical interpretation and then takes on each of the famous verses most often used to demean and exclude.

As a happily married, Bible-believing church member, I am deeply saddened when people misuse the Bible to drive people away from the church. And I'm very tired of hearing the erroneous claims that the Bible "clearly condemns" anything other than mom-pop-two-kids-&-a-dog families. The clearly presented scholarship in this book could open conversations with many people who take the Bible seriously and want to know how they can accept their gay relatives or neighbors. I'll be giving a copy to my church library and to several friends.