Unconditional
Rescuing the Gospel from the Gays-vs-Christians Debate
Published on 17. January 2013
Book
Paperback/Softback
240 pages
978-1-4447-4541-2 (ISBN)
Description
'Gay. The word seemed to hold the weight of eternity within its single syllable. As strange as it may seem, in all the years I had struggled with my sexuality, the idea that I could be 'gay' had simply never crossed my mind. I was a Christian! That was my whole life! And Christians weren't gay.' This could be the most important book you read this year. It's a memoir. An exploration of what is, and what could be. Most of all, it's a clarion call to the church - to rediscover the love that Jesus called us to. Unconditionally. 'So many gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people give up on Christianity because they cannot reconcile who they are with what they were brought up to believe that the Bible teaches about sexuality. Here is a wonderfully told story of a brave young homosexual man who has struggled to hold onto his faith while still affirming himself as gay. This is a must-read.' Tony Campolo
'Gay. The word seemed to hold the weight of eternity within its single syllable. As strange as it may seem, in all the years I had struggled with my sexuality, the idea that I could be 'gay' had simply never crossed my mind. I was a Christian! That was my whole life! And Christians weren't gay.' This could be the most important book you read this year. It's a memoir. An exploration of what is, and what could be. Most of all, it's a clarion call to the church - to rediscover the love that Jesus called us to. Unconditionally. 'So many gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people give up on Christianity because they cannot reconcile who they are with what they were brought up to believe that the Bible teaches about sexuality. Here is a wonderfully told story of a brave young homosexual man who has struggled to hold onto his faith while still affirming himself as gay. This is a must-read.' Tony Campolo
'Gay. The word seemed to hold the weight of eternity within its single syllable. As strange as it may seem, in all the years I had struggled with my sexuality, the idea that I could be 'gay' had simply never crossed my mind. I was a Christian! That was my whole life! And Christians weren't gay.' This could be the most important book you read this year. It's a memoir. An exploration of what is, and what could be. Most of all, it's a clarion call to the church - to rediscover the love that Jesus called us to. Unconditionally. 'So many gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people give up on Christianity because they cannot reconcile who they are with what they were brought up to believe that the Bible teaches about sexuality. Here is a wonderfully told story of a brave young homosexual man who has struggled to hold onto his faith while still affirming himself as gay. This is a must-read.' Tony Campolo
Reviews / Votes
What makes this book different is that it is not essentially about arguing a case but about bridging the gaps of understanding and sympathy that have distorted or muffled the overwhelming miracle of God's gift in Christ and in Scripture. I welcome it very warmly. Rowan Williams I believe that what is going on here is crucial for the destiny of the Church. Especially since [the Gay Christian Network] recognises [both sides in the gay/Christian debate], and that there is an ability to love and accept across those lines. Tony Campolo Justin Lee is a courageous, kind, thoughtful and emotionally sophisticated gay man who obviously loves Jesus and is fearless in his pursuit of God's reality. Here's hoping (and praying) that more of us straight followers of Jesus learn from his example and find a way to follow in Justin's footsteps. Jim Henderson Many who face a similar struggle will find much here to make them laugh and cry. For those who want to know what such struggles can be like, I can recommend no better place to begin than this book -- Symon Hill Third Way Magazine Justin Lee has written a brave book. Unconditional isn't just from the heart, but from the head too. It's a well-considered, thoroughly-researched and persuasive call for understanding and dialogue between both sides on what has come to be seen as the 'gays vs Christians debate' in the culture wars. -- Greg Jameson Entertainment Focus I loved this book - it's personal, it's Justin's life story. He shares his heartaches, joys, and faith. Gay Christian Online Pick of the new releases - UNCONDITIONAL is a sensitive exploration of sexuality from an evangelical perspective that draws on personal experience The Church of England Committed to biblical integrity in his thinking, he nonetheless poses provocative and uncomfortable questions that will cause the reader to think... his book offers the prospect of better understanding for all. -- RS Christianity Justin Lee has written a book that has so much to commend it. Unconditional...movingly relates his own personal experience of same-sex attraction whilst growing up in evangelical circles and coping with negative responses. His persistent desire to educate those who misunderstand same-sex attraction is impressive and his balanced treatment of its origins is one of the most helpful I have read. -- Ed Shaw Living OutWhat makes this book different is that it is not essentially about arguing a case but about bridging the gaps of understanding and sympathy that have distorted or muffled the overwhelming miracle of God's gift in Christ and in Scripture. I welcome it very warmly. Rowan Williams I believe that what is going on here is crucial for the destiny of the Church. Especially since [the Gay Christian Network] recognises [both sides in the gay/Christian debate], and that there is an ability to love and accept across those lines. Tony Campolo Justin Lee is a courageous, kind, thoughtful and emotionally sophisticated gay man who obviously loves Jesus and is fearless in his pursuit of God's reality. Here's hoping (and praying) that more of us straight followers of Jesus learn from his example and find a way to follow in Justin's footsteps. Jim Henderson Many who face a similar struggle will find much here to make them laugh and cry. For those who want to know what such struggles can be like, I can recommend no better place to begin than this book -- Symon Hill Third Way Magazine Justin Lee has written a brave book. Unconditional isn't just from the heart, but from the head too. It's a well-considered, thoroughly-researched and persuasive call for understanding and dialogue between both sides on what has come to be seen as the 'gays vs Christians debate' in the culture wars. -- Greg Jameson Entertainment Focus I loved this book - it's personal, it's Justin's life story. He shares his heartaches, joys, and faith. Gay Christian Online Pick of the new releases - UNCONDITIONAL is a sensitive exploration of sexuality from an evangelical perspective that draws on personal experience The Church of England Committed to biblical integrity in his thinking, he nonetheless poses provocative and uncomfortable questions that will cause the reader to think... his book offers the prospect of better understanding for all. -- RS Christianity Justin Lee has written a book that has so much to commend it. Unconditional...movingly relates his own personal experience of same-sex attraction whilst growing up in evangelical circles and coping with negative responses. His persistent desire to educate those who misunderstand same-sex attraction is impressive and his balanced treatment of its origins is one of the most helpful I have read. -- Ed Shaw Living Out
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Hodder & Stoughton General Division
Dimensions
Height: 232 mm
Width: 157 mm
Thickness: 19 mm
Weight
320 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4447-4541-2 (9781444745412)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
01/2013
Hodder Faith
€3.99
Available for download
Person
Justin Lee is the founder and executive director of The Gay Christian Network (GCN), a non-profit, interdenominational organisation working to increase dialogue between gays and Christians and support people on both sides wrestling with related issues. A passionate Christian from a conservative evangelical background, Justin thought he knew everything there was to know about the Christian approach to homosexuality - until unexpected events turned his world upside down and forced him to reconsider everything he believed. Today, his organisation works with individuals, families and churches to stop the debate from tearing people apart.
Justin Lee is the founder and executive director of The Gay Christian Network (GCN), a non-profit, interdenominational organisation working to increase dialogue between gays and Christians and support people on both sides wrestling with related issues. A passionate Christian from a conservative evangelical background, Justin thought he knew everything there was to know about the Christian approach to homosexuality - until unexpected events turned his world upside down and forced him to reconsider everything he believed. Today, his organisation works with individuals, families and churches to stop the debate from tearing people apart.
Justin Lee is the founder and executive director of The Gay Christian Network (GCN), a non-profit, interdenominational organisation working to increase dialogue between gays and Christians and support people on both sides wrestling with related issues. A passionate Christian from a conservative evangelical background, Justin thought he knew everything there was to know about the Christian approach to homosexuality - until unexpected events turned his world upside down and forced him to reconsider everything he believed. Today, his organisation works with individuals, families and churches to stop the debate from tearing people apart.