Homosexuality and the Bible: Two Views

Rating:
Summary: Good Debate on an Important Issue
Review: Here we have another multiple-views style book where the authors present their cases and then critique one another. This certainly proves to be a helpful forum for the discussion of the particularly important issue of Christian faith and homosexuality. In this helpful book, both perspectives on the issue are presented in conversation with one another in a way that will helpfully lead to some good dialog rather than mere acquiescence to homosexual practice or bigoted homophobia.

Dan Via defends the view that Christians should accept and sanctify the sexual unions of practicing gays and lesbians while Robert Gagnon maintains that the Bible consistently condemns homosexual practice as sin. Both authors communicate well. On the whole, I think Gagnon really ends up taking Via apart biblically. Via tries very hard to defend a view that doesn't square with the Bible and historic Christian orthodoxy. Essentially, his view boils down to only acknowledging the parts of Scripture that are "existentially engaging and compelling" as authoritative. Via admits that the Bible condemns homosexuality as a sin, and yet simply thinks that current scientific knowledge and the experience of homosexuals should trump the biblical witness. If this is the strongest case that can be built for Christians accepting homosexual practice as a viable lifestyles, then it seems that any Chrisian who holds the Bible to be more authoritative than their own preferences must reject such a position.

This book, with it's helpful forum and clear prose will be beneficial to all Christians, regardless of their position on this issue. Hopefully, this book will lead to more dialog rather than a hardening of the lines. Only time will tell. Highly recommended.