It's all very well to say that the Bible is clear when it talks about homosexuality. But is it realistic? Isn't it unrealistic and unfair to those who struggle with this issue? Doesn't it condemn them to loneliness, a lack of fulfilment and the loss of basic human satisfactions like...
It's all very well to say that the Bible is clear when it talks about homosexuality. But is it realistic? Isn't it unrealistic and unfair to those who struggle with this issue? Doesn't it condemn them to loneliness, a lack of fulfilment and the loss of basic human satisfactions like sex and marriage? Is what the church teaches a plausible way of life?
Ed Shaw experiences same-sex attraction, and yet he is committed to what the Bible says and what the church has always taught about marriage and sex. In this honest book, he shares his pain in dealing with these issues - but, at the same time, shows us that obedience to Jesus is ultimately the only way to experience life to the full.
He shows that the Bible's teaching seems unreasonable not because of its difficulties, but because of missteps that the church has often taken in its understanding of the Christian life. We have been shaped by the world around us, and urgently need to re-examine the values that drive our discipleship. Only by doing this in the light of the Bible, can we make sense of its call on the lives of those who are attracted to their own sex.
We have so often made Jesus' way sound like a bad deal. Only by reclaiming the reality of gospel discipleship, can we truly see and appreciate that life in Christ is the best way for any human life to be lived - whomever we are attracted to.
Can you be gay and Christian? Does the Bible really require celibacy outside of heterosexual marriage? Isn't it unrealistic and unfair, imposing loneliness and the loss of basic human satisfactions like sex and marriage? Is what the church teaches about homosexuality a plausible way of life? In this honest book, Ed Shaw shares his pain in dealing with same-sex attraction - and yet he is committed to what the Bible says and what the church has always taught about marriage and sex. He shows us that obedience to Jesus is ultimately the only way to experience life to the full. He also challenges missteps that the church has often made in its understanding of the Christian life and of sexuality. We have been shaped by the world around us, and urgently need to re-examine the values that drive our discipleship in the light of the Bible. Only by reclaiming the reality of gospel discipleship, can we truly appreciate that life in Christ is the best way for all of us to flourish - whoever we are attracted to.
It's all very well to say that the Bible is clear when it talks about homosexuality. But is it realistic? Isn't it unrealistic and unfair to those who struggle with this issue? Doesn't it condemn them to loneliness, a lack of fulfilment and the loss of basic human satisfactions like...
It's all very well to say that the Bible is clear when it talks about homosexuality. But is it realistic? Isn't it unrealistic and unfair to those who struggle with this issue? Doesn't it condemn them to loneliness, a lack of fulfilment and the loss of basic human satisfactions like sex and marriage? Is what the church teaches a plausible way of life?
Ed Shaw experiences same-sex attraction, and yet he is committed to what the Bible says and what the church has always taught about marriage and sex. In this honest book, he shares his pain in dealing with these issues - but, at the same time, shows us that obedience to Jesus is ultimately the only way to experience life to the full.
He shows that the Bible's teaching seems unreasonable not because of its difficulties, but because of missteps that the church has often taken in its understanding of the Christian life. We have been shaped by the world around us, and urgently need to re-examine the values that drive our discipleship. Only by doing this in the light of the Bible, can we make sense of its call on the lives of those who are attracted to their own sex.
We have so often made Jesus' way sound like a bad deal. Only by reclaiming the reality of gospel discipleship, can we truly see and appreciate that life in Christ is the best way for any human life to be lived - whomever we are attracted to.
Can you be gay and Christian? Does the Bible really require celibacy outside of heterosexual marriage? Isn't it unrealistic and unfair, imposing loneliness and the loss of basic human satisfactions like sex and marriage? Is what the church teaches about homosexuality a plausible way of life? In this honest book, Ed Shaw shares his pain in dealing with same-sex attraction - and yet he is committed to what the Bible says and what the church has always taught about marriage and sex. He shows us that obedience to Jesus is ultimately the only way to experience life to the full. He also challenges missteps that the church has often made in its understanding of the Christian life and of sexuality. We have been shaped by the world around us, and urgently need to re-examine the values that drive our discipleship in the light of the Bible. Only by reclaiming the reality of gospel discipleship, can we truly appreciate that life in Christ is the best way for all of us to flourish - whoever we are attracted to.
The Plausibility Problem: The Church and Same-Sex Attraction$22.99
This book is one of the best books I have read on the church becoming a family, and loving each other, especially those who are same-sex attracted. It is written so well, with honesty and vulnerability, but it is wonderfully biblical and challenging for everyone who wants to show love to all who belong to the family of God. It was full of practical ideas and shot down a lot of ingrained myths in the church, while still holding to the idea that God made marriage for male and female. How do we then make celibacy a plausible option for same-sex attracted person in a culture that says they can have it all.
A
Anonymous
I recommend this product
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
7 years ago
Biblically sound and very practical
This is a rather late review, since I've already read this book early last year. As someone myself who also struggles with unwanted same-sex attraction, this book has been very helpful in my continuous sanctification journey and realigning my path in becoming the man that God made me to be. ('Helpful' is an understatement; this is one of the many books that are impacting my life recently in a positive way. ) Ed Shaw's approach is not just biblically sound but very practical as well. While reading, I can really sense that care and compassion of a trusted pastor and wise counsellor, as Ed himself struggles with such issues. I would highly recommend this book to my dear brothers and sisters who are on the same boat as me, as well as to fellow Christians who are seeking on how to better understand and effectively minister to people like us. Thanks Pastor Ed! To our God be all the glory!
A
Anonymous
I recommend this product
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
7 years ago
Excellent and timely book on this issue
Excellent book. Ed Shaw has his pulse on the lies and myths faced by those who are same-sex attracted. In each chapter he explores one of these, and highlights not just how secular society is entrenched in them, but tragically, how the church has perpetuated these lies and myths too, thus making life as a same-sex attracted Christian far harder than it needs to be. I would actually recommend this book to singles who are not same-sex attracted too, as many of the lies and myths he touches on applies to that demographic just as much. \\r\\nA small criticism is that there are a couple of times where Ed jumps from one idea to the next within a chapter, and you're a bit unsure of what the link between the two is (if there is any). \\r\\nBut this is nitpicking. Make no mistake, this is an excellent book for everyone, and by reading it, those who are same-sex attracted will be better placed to live out their calling, and churches will be better placed to love those who are same-sex attracted, and to be a better witness to those who are not in Christ. \\r\\n\\r\\n
A
Anonymous
I recommend this product
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
7 years ago
Informative, challenging and empathetic
This book is a very personal, informative and challenging account of lived same-sex attraction from a Biblical perspective, and what this means for the Church. \\r\\nIt demonstrates that this issue has broader implications, for example, for the church as family, intimacy in friendship and the role of suffering in the Christian life. \\r\\nThe book also reveals common misconceptions among evangelicals about same-sex attraction. \\r\\nI found it immensely helpful and encouraging, and I think it would be excellent for small group study.
A
Anonymous
I recommend this product
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
8 years ago
Making a plausible case for the Christian life
Christianity has always been a radical, counter cultural way to live. It's a shame that we seem to have forgotten that! This book addresses the difficult issue of sexuality and shows how what the Bible says is not just true but makes sense. Shaw shows the mis-steps we have made in our thinking that lead to a watered down Christianity and encourages us to demonstrate the plausibility and deep satisfaction that a gospel shaped life can bring.
