Lord Given Lovers: The Holy Union of David & Jonathan

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Summary: Antonio Marquez
Review: In having been badgered by religious bigotry, hypocrisy and prejudice throughout my life and having read only bits and pieces of the Bible, I have to admit I was somewhat skeptical when I received a copy of Lord Given Lovers by Chris Hubble. Needless to say I had my reservations and was reluctant to read it. Nevertheless, in knowing that a closed mind ceases to learn and grow, I promised myself to read the book uninterrupted in one sitting. I vowed to give it an honest chance before making a decision or judgment. I had been taught of David and Goliath but not of David and Jonathan. I was anxious to embark on the journey this author was about to take me on.
As I read through the back cover synopsis I felt even more compelled to read and possibly find validation, although not so desperately needed anymore, for my existence. I have since learned the vast difference between being religious and being spiritual. I am the latter. It brought me joy to find that homosexuality was also known in the days of Jesus although I'd never doubted it. No one had ever brought it to light for me before. I have to admit I was captivated with reading the first page of the book. It became a pleasure to turn to the second and following pages. Not only because the book is well written but also because the author's labor of love was evident in each sentence I read.
As I read the book it didn't take me long to realize I was probably reading the greatest love story ever told. It still leaves me to wonder why it hasn't been and isn't brought to surface of the religious ridicule we encounter nearly on a daily basis by the overly self-righteous that use the same Bible for which to condemn with. The book left me to ponder with many questions within myself. It was like getting a fresh breath of spiritual air if that makes any sense. It was that way for me at least.
Upon reading the book I set out on a personal quest of my own to compare views from various sources. I am taken by the heterosexuals that have the same views of David and Jonathan as the book, although some regard their relationship as mere friendship as I suspected they would. To admit to the love been David and Jonathan one would also in a sense have to embrace homosexuality. Some did. Reading Lord Given Lovers has given me a new hope and has lifted many of the reservations I have had in reading the Bible in its entirety.
I did have one regret when I put the book down, and that was it had ended. It left me wanting to know more of this great love between David and Jonathan. I do hope the author has more of them he will share with us in the future. I for one will be in line for it. Thank you Chris for the wonderful gift you have given me. A gift I will carry throughout my life. Peace.


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Summary: Bias in the Bible? It's in the translation.
Review: How many times has the argument been made that homosexuality violates the law of God because it allegedly says so in the Bible? This supposed biblical prohibition is most often cited as reason enough for society to not validate and recognize same-sex relationships. In his thesis, Lord Given Lovers, Christopher Hubble attempts to prove, through detailed explanations of translations from the ancient Hebrew text, that same-sex love does not violate God's Law. Hubble believes that GLBT people will never be able to take their rightful place in society until all the religious, biblical objections to same-sex union can be answered in satisfactory, theological terms. Hubble argues it is clearly written in the Bible (1 and 2 Samuel) that the Lord did validate, and sanctify, the intimate relationship of David and Jonathan.

At the start of the biblical story, David is a young shepherd with a kind and loving heart. Because of his strong character, God visited him and chose him to be the second king of Israel. After the Lord's visit, David (now divine) was filled with confidence and became aware that "the Lord was with him." David served as a musician and arms-bearer in the court of Saul, Israel's first king. Saul's son, Jonathan, and David fell in love.

David's military exploits began in a battle with the Philistines, at which time he killed the infamous Goliath. After this military success, David was socially elevated and became known as a noble warrior, loved and respected by all. The public adulation made Saul jealous, but he realized David had a legitimate claim to the throne. Saul wanted Jonathan to be his successor to the throne and considered David a distraction. Saul plotted to kill David on various occasions. Jonathan, always protecting David, intervened once too often and Saul attempted to kill his own son. Jonathan had given up his father's aspirations for him because of his love for David. In a public, symbolic act, Jonathan gave his robes and weapons to David. With this act, Jonathan devoted his life to defending and assisting David. Unfortunately, Saul and Jonathan both died fighting the Philistines. David became the second King of Israel.

The power of his story lies in the fact that David was such a prominent figure in the Bible. Famous for slaying Goliath, David was also an ancestor of the Messiah and one of God's chosen people. David authored many psalms, including Psalm 23, "The Lord is My Shepherd," and, as King of Israel, was at the forefront of Israel's early history.

Biblical passages quoted in Lord Given Lovers indicate that David and Jonathan had an open, honest, faithful, and public relationship. One such passage is David's eulogy to Jonathan, which begins with the familiar, "Oh how the mighty have fallen..." and continues, "You have been very pleasant to me. Your love to me was more wonderful than the love of a woman." Their same-sex union was not only acceptable in the then-contemporary Israelite culture, theirs was a same-sex coupling spoken of in the Bible as a binding of souls, therefore a sacred union. God was witness to this union, just as modern day clergy, or lay officials, are also "witnesses" when two people exchange vows in a marriage ceremony. Validating David's divinity, and therefore his relationship with Jonathan, is the statement, repeated many times throughout Samuel, "the Lord was with him."

Lord Given Lovers is written in sections, each section building on the last, delving deeper into the meanings of the biblical passages that depict the lives of the "divine queers" - the author's words, not mine. Optional activities for study and discussion are found at the end of each section. The activities suggest ways to improve the plight of GLBT people today by emulating the open and honest way David and Jonathan lived their lives. While rich with historical detail, there is no mistaking that this book is a religious treatise, written by a religious gay man, and it can get a bit preachy at times.

Throughout Lord Given Lovers, references are made to specific word meanings, intonations, and word structures in the ancient Hebrew language. Versions of the Christian Bible, such as King James and Douay, have been routinely shown to possess inaccurate or politically motivated translations. Hubble makes a strong and well-researched case for the reasons behind his interpretations of words and phrases. He observes that traditional, Bible-oriented religious groups continue to rely on poor translations and misinterpretations of ancient text to make their case that God condemned same-sex love. Hubble explains in detail why he believes the biblical love story of David and Jonathan proves otherwise.

In the end, one is left to wonder if it was a deliberate part of God's plan to have such a prominent biblical figure be a man who loved another man, thus providing indefatigable proof that same-sex love is not so evil after all.

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Summary: Not at all what I was expecting
Review: I was curious about the title for this book, but the contents make the reasoning clear: "Lord-given" is what the name "Jonathan" actually means, while "David" derives from "love". Now the title makes more sense...

Buyers be warned: despite the presence of a few Hebrew word studies, this is no academic thesis, no erudite tome. It clocks in at a breezy 85, count 'em 85 pages, and that with fairly large print and generous 1.5 line spacing. You could call the intellectuality of the text either "dumbed-down" or "easily-accessible," depending on your perspective. All in all it makes for a very quick read, and with the spiritually-oriented nature of the book, not a highly educational one.

I was expecting new, scandelous revelations about the David and Jonathan story, a study of the Hebrew text which had brought to light a radical new interpretation. However, the author here merely assumes David and Jonathan were lovers ("gay" the author conceeds is a completely anachronistic term - also partly misleading as both characters later married and had children) and proceeds from there. God is referred to consistently (for better or for worse, again, according to your perspective) in the female - and only the female. What dissappointed me most was how the book was organized: 10 short chapters (each concluding with all-too-similar study questions) that are more designed as a series Bible study in a gay-friendly church than for personal edification. Each chapter addresses a different component of the David and Jonathan story that can be applied to modern GLBTQ lives: suffering and persecution, our inherent divinity, forgiving our oppressors, etc. While this book is not devoid of merit, it certainly wasn't what I was looking for. If you're interested in a gay-friendly Bible study series for your church, then this book might be for you: all others I would personally steer towards Jonathan Loved David by Tom Horner or What The Bible Really Says About Homosexuality by Daniel Helminiak.


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Summary: insightful, informative book on an important subject
Review: In "Lord Given Lovers: The Holy Union of David & Jonathan," Hubble attempts to lay out the facts surrounding this most famous of the same-sex couples of biblical times, and succeeds. Many people do not even realize the connections between Saul, David, and Jonathan which this text makes very clear. The inter-dynamics of a complicated family relationship reveals itself through these pages and brings it out on the world stage of antiquity. It is the age in which this story is set that makes one draw comparisons with today's struggles and violence revolving around the same issue: Gay and Lesbian Couples. These of course are only one set of famous lovers from that era as we find many examples of noble and holy people who were part of what is now causing so much turmoil: the act of love.

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Summary: "We need more books like yours..."
Review: To Prospective Readers:

I am grateful to be able to share with you the following words of encouragement received several months ago from Rev. Elder Troy Perry.

*****
Dear Chris:

I wanted to drop you a note to tell you I finally finished reading your book. I really enjoyed it and your good scholarship shows through on your subject matter. I always believe that we need more books like yours for people to read, especially now that marriage has pushed to the forefront of our civil rights movement.

Keep up the good work. I look forward to seeing you again the next time I'm in the Denver area.

In Christ,
Troy
*****

Rev. Elder Perry is a noted human rights activist and founder of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (UFMCC). MCC is a worldwide denomination that ministers to the needs of LGBT persons. Rev. Perry holds several honorary doctorates for his civil rights activism and currently sits as a Trustee of Chicago Theological Seminary. His words are reprinted here with his permission.