Homosexuality: Christian Truth and Love

This excellent volume is a substantially revised edition of a book first published in 1998 under the title Homosexuality: The Straight Agenda. This new edition begins with an excellent introduction that paints the landscape facing us on this issue in Britain today, and attempts to understand, with compassion, the problems that confront the church over homosexuality.There is then a chapter on how the church has viewed the issue over the centuries and one that examines current medical and sociological thinking on the causes of homosexuality.  There are two chapters on the biblical teaching on sexuality, marriage and homosexual practice, followed by one that assesses changes in the law and the definition of toleration on this issue, and another that gives wisdom on how to handle the question pastorally.The book finishes with a moving personal testimony on the reality of struggles with homosexual temptation by Martin Hallett of the True Freedom trust.I found the book admirable in every way. It is scriptural and practical, clear and yet compassionate, and full of wisdom and hope. It is a valuable resource that will repay careful reading and re-reading. The closing testimony is interesting, illuminating and wisely written.There were sections on ‘self-worth’ which made me feel just a little uncomfortable – partly because I didn’t altogether understand them. But there is much thought-provoking and really helpful material here too.I commend this little volume unreservedly as an eminently biblical approach to the subject – as much in its spirit as in its impeccable handling of the biblical material.