Straight & Narrow?: Compassion & Clarity in the Homosexuality Debate

Rating:
Summary: Yes, narrow.
Review: This book does nothing to dispell the debate about what the Bible literally "says" about "homosexuality" even in its literal context.For what some characterize as "homosexuality" (i.e.; a modern gay lifestyle) did not exist. Needless to say, the book offers no insight at all about our own times. But even this is besides the point. People (no matter what their sexuality) who are self-fulfilled and leading their own lives need no "compassion". This book is a misguided and biased piece of work entirely.

Rating:
Summary: Worth Reading
Review: This is a very well-written book, but admittedly from a Christian point of view. So if you're not a Christian, you may not be able to relate to some of what the author is saying. Nevertheless, I felt it was worth reading, particularly for two chapters: "The Price of Love" and "The Great Nature-Nurture Debate." "The Price of Love" marshals a tremendous amount of statistics that present a striking contrast to our popular culture's generally affirming view of homosexuality. Specifically, it indicates that many homosexual men have many, many more partners than anybody else (including gay women). It also indicates that, at least as of the 1970's, most gay relationships did not last longer than a few years. In other words, there really is a different set of behavior patterns in the homosexual community. Also, the author highlights the health risks inherent in this lifestyle, particularly for men. In "The Great Nature-Nuture Debate," the author shows how homosexuals are probably not just "born that way," but there are a whole variety of factors that contribute to homosexuality -- biology, family situation, culture, experience, etc. -- and that these factors vary from person to person. His theory of social constructionism is particularly interesting and should be paid heed to -- that the way people understand themselves (in this case sexually) often comes from the culture that they're living in. These two chapters should be read by everybody.

Rating:
Summary: A good resource for both sides
Review: This is definitely a good resource for the both sides of people. Dr. Schmidt tried to express his compassion toward homosexuals throughout his book; he has also done tremdous research on writing this book. A good job in general. However, there are few draw-backs. First of all, the statistical data used were old (see cited references in the book). As we all know, one should always question if statistical data represent a true/updated situation. That is, IF sampling had NO bias on choosing gay populations 10 or even 20 years ago when those data were collected and when only some specific populations of homosexuals were able to be targeted. Can these past descriptions be used for the life styles of homosexuals today? Secondly, Dr. Schmidt's view point most likely represents majority of church ministers these days (although there is also a slow movement on accepting gays in churches). That is to suppress your same-sex desire if you are a homosexual. Although many arguments were presented in the book, Dr. Schmidt was not able to come up with a thorougth explanation on the main passages regarding "homosexual" in the Bible (if there is). In stead, he turned to some minor passages and even " few words" to make his point. Personally, I think that it does not make his case. The Christian readers of this book should also read Dr. Robin Scroggs' book: The new testament and homosexuality, which makes a great sense on how "homosexual" was "coined" back in ancient times during tranlation of the Bible among different languages. In addition, "What the Bible really says about homosexuality" by Dr. Helminiak is also highly recommended. Finally, as for the nature-nature debate in Dr. Schmidt's book, any Christian should have known that a human being is created to have a body and a soul. To reproduce through male-female sex is not the main teaching of the Bible; it is neither the purpose of human existence. Instead, to love, to be kind with one another and to glorify God are all achieved by human soul and were constantly taught by Juses during his earthly ministry. As long as love is the foundation of a relationship and sex comes under mutual consent and commitment, we should not take heterosexual as the only form of love-relationship. In this sense, Dr. Schmidt's "fitting theory" of human reproduction system considering only a human body but no human soul was disappointing.

Rating:
Summary: Best book on the subject of homosexuality and the Bible.
Review: Thomas Schmidt, a professor of New Testament Greek at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California, has done the world a favor by throwing his hat into the contemporary homosexuality and the Bible debate that began with Scroggs and Boswell. Schmidt explodes the many myths and distortions promoted by these writers and other gay apologists, historians and theologians. He begins with an overview of the current debate, then deals with the biblical language. Does the Sodom story refer to homosexuality or hospitality? He shows, according to context and language, that it is clearly the former. He covers all of the texts and answers all of the questions, showing that the Bible provides for no other option but the belief that homosexual behavior is not only sinful, but unnatural. He does not finish there, however, but also deals with the recent nature-nuture controversy. Schmidt points out the many faults of Simon Le Vay's biased research, and comes to the conclusion that while biology may be an influence on homosexual orientation, it is not the cause. While some who favor homosexuality may not care for the material and the point of view found in this work, it should be pointed out that Schmidt is always professional and always compassionate. He realizes that people struggle with this controversial moral and sociological issue. Yet, as he shows, the Bible takes only one view. Those who seek to defend homosexuality need to honestly revise their arguments and acknowledge that their is no biblical support for neither homosexual behavior nor orientation. If people wis to argue a case for it, it must be done recognizing this fact, because insofar as this aspect of the debate is concerned, Schmidt has ended it. Perhaps he could have entitled his book Case Closed if that title were not already taken.