Same-Sex Partnerships?: A Christian Perspective: Amazon.ca: John Stott: Books

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From Publishers Weekly

One of the most contentious issues in many Christian churches today is whether or not to accept and bless same-sex partnerships. Stott, rector emeritus of All Souls Church in London and a renowned New Testament scholar, proposes his answers to the question in this little book. In a first section, Stott examines the biblical passages most frequently cited by the Christian churches to condemn homosexuality (Genesis 19, the story of Sodom and Gomorrah; Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13; Romans 1:18-32, Paul's declaration of corruption in Roman society; and Paul's list of sins in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 and 1 Timothy 1:8-11). On the basis of his analysis of these texts, Stott argues that the Bible's teachings against homosexuality should be measured in light of the positive biblical teachings on sex and marriage. Stott then analyzes five arguments used by proponents of same-sex relationships to "defend the legitimacy of homosexual relationships" and contends that each argument fails to understand the ways in which same-sex partnerships violate God's will for sexual relationships. Finally, Stott concludes that "at the heart of the homosexual condition is a deep loneliness, the natural human hunger for mutual love, a search for identity, and a longing for completeness." The church, he continues, can fulfill these needs through its acceptance, love and support of homosexuals--but not on their terms. Even though moments of understanding peek through Stott's arguments, what he calls acceptance and love can only be viewed by gay men and women as rejection and misunderstanding.

Book Description

Stott examines biblical teaching on homosexuality and five arguments often used for same-sex relationships.

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Inside This Book (Learn More)

First Sentence
Because of the explosive nature of the topic, let me begin by describing the proper context for our thinking about same-sex partnerships and by affirming a number of truths about my readers and myself which I am taking for granted as I write. Read the first page

Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover

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12 Reviews

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2.8 out of 5 stars (12 customer reviews)

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Romans, July 16 2003

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The Cross "trmccandless" (Kirkwood, MO USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Same-Sex Partnerships?: A Christian Perspective (Paperback)

This is obviously a sensitive topic and judging by the types of reviews, a difficult one to understand from a biblical perspective. John does a decent job of trying to gain common ground between homosexuals and heterosexuals. What may be the cause for concern is really just each readers interpretation of the Bible or lack there of. Romans is very explicit about the issue. Along with God's grace comes repentance and sanctification. A process that the Bible calls all sinners to strive for. Homosexuality, bisexuality and promiscuous heterosexuality are sins like alcoholism, infidelity, murder, addictions, and any other thing that heterosexuals do as well. In fact, we're all sinners. Welcome to the club. Grace and forgiveness is a gift from God and John does remind us of God's grace and what results from his grace. Yes, even for the homosexual as well as the heterosexual and bisexual. It may be difficult to recommend this book to anyone bereft of God's grace or word. Although I would recommend the Bible over this book as a more complete source of how God feels about homosexual behavior, I would say that overall, John has tried to reach out and bridge a gap often filled with rhetoric, from believers to non-believers and all those in between. Tolerance is not a virtue. Tolerance seems to be the "new" answer for all religions and beliefs except Christianity. No one seems to be very tolerant of Christianity. Outdated? Hardly. Revealing is more to the point and no one likes to be shown their depravity. Not even heterosexuals. I would argue that John has tried to focus us to God's word so we see that tolerance doesn't solve our problem, it merely amplifies the sin on both camps and perpetuates our depravity.

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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Solid Christian view, but has blind spots, Jan 19 2000

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Douglas A. Asbury (Evanston, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: Same-Sex Partnerships?: A Christian Perspective (Paperback)

Stott's book is an excellent introduction to the conservative view of homosexuality and the Bible. In this area, however, he fails to acknowledge the fact that homosexual sexual behavior as spoken of in the Bible is consistently abusive behavior involving aberrations from what was then considered the heterosexual norm. The Bible shows no understanding of mutually loving homosexual relationships on the part of those for whom such orientation is a given and natural part of their makeup (other than, perhaps, David and Jonathan, in whose relationship, however, no genital sexual contact is mentioned), but Stott dismisses that as a humanistic fallacy. (Yet the biblical authors thought the sun revolved around the earth, but such limited understanding is not critiqued by Stott.) In addressing the issue of the possibility of faithfulness among homosexual couples, he quotes statistics taken from gay researchers, but he fails to critique such data regarding the degree to which it reflects only the gay population who are "out", thus ignoring the (probably) much larger number of homosexual persons--let alone homosexual Christians seeking to be faithful to Christ and their life partners--whose lifestyles would not reflected in such data. To balance Stott's views, I commend the chapter "Gayness and Homosexuality" in James Nelson's Embodiment and Letha Dawson Scanzoni's and Virginia Ramey Mollenkott's Is the Homosexual My Neighbor? A Positive Christian Response to those seriously interested in getting a variety of views on the issue before coming to a conclusion. Those who want to adhere to the "Christianly correct" line (there is a "political correctness" enforced among and by Christians, too, you know!) need read no further than Stott.

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2 of 3 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars another sad case of satan quoting scripture, Dec 9 2001

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Susan (Boca Raton, Florida USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Same-Sex Partnerships?: A Christian Perspective (Paperback)

God's principal teachings of love and compassion are ignored in this decidedly un-christian book. It promotes the mistaken attitude that homosexuals are a problem to be fixed, instead of individuals created in God's image, like all human beings. God asks us to open up the doors to understanding, and said that His Path is for all people wiling to open their hearts to Him.

Dr. Stott uses the scriptures to justify his own ignorance, which happens all to frequently. His so-called "Christian" perspective misleads true Christians who want to witness God's love to others, not their own intolerance.

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Most recent customer reviews

1.0 out of 5 stars Bart LCSW
A simplistic piece of Biblical propaganda. Ignores the reality of long, committed, and rewarding homosexual relationships. Read more

Published on Jun 20 2003 by B. Phelps

1.0 out of 5 stars Poor Attempt from Super Author
John Stott is one of my favorite authors. He is a respected theologan and commentator. John Stott's book The Cross of Christ is a classic book. Read more

Published on Nov 2 2002 by Gary Simpson