Resources: Suggested Reading

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The following list of books is maintained by Grace For All. These publications have been reviewed by the Rev. Donald J. Hurst, Ret= ired, The United Methodist Church. These books are available through Madeline Beall of Cokesbury<= /span> unless otherwise noted.

The Bible is the important book. = ; It is not to just be talked about but read and studied. We need to understand it more fully to stand like St. Paul and especially Jesus against legalism. = It demonstrates how the first generation of Christians proved that God’s grace breaks through ignorance and prejudices. The Bible remains our guidebook.

And God Loves Each One by Ann Thomson Cook. ISBN: 0976028115. This easy to understand booklet and discussion guide help= s us to welcome all of Jesus’ friends into our hearts with gracious hospitality. Available from RMN.

Pastor I Am Gay by Ho= ward H. Bess. ISBN: 0964412306. An American Baptist Pastor, who when first confronted by those words didn't have a clue as to how to respond, but was driven to search for understanding. As he worked with one gay person after another, his whole life and ministry was transformed and he be= came one to whom gay and lesbian persons would refer their friends and family me= mbers. His chapter on how the church should be involved, especially by reaching ou= t to youth who are struggling with their sexual identify, is excellent. &nb= sp; This book is very helpful for pastors.

Stranger at the Gate= by Mel White. ISBN: 0452273811. This riveting story reveals the personal, family, theological, church, and vocational struggles of a well known writer who eventually resolved his same sex attraction.   =

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Speaking My Mind by To= ny Campolo. ISBN: 0849918170. Chapter Fi= ve: Are evangelicals handling the gay issue all wrong?

Gifted By Otherness<= span style=3D'font-family:Sylfaen;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'> by L. William Countryman and M.R. Ritley. ISBN: 0819218863. Gay and Lesbian Christians are extraordinary resources in= the Church.

The Children are Free by Jeff Miner and Tyler Connoley. ISBN: 0971929602. Re-examines the Biblical Evidence on Same-Sex Relationships.

What the Bible Really Says About Homosexuality by Da= niel A. Helminiak. ISBN: 188636009X. Helminiak is a reputable Roman Catholic Scholar and P= riest. There are currently thirteen printings of this book. In clear fashion it wi= ll help the reasonably open and attentive reader to see that the Bible says something quite different on this subject from what is often claimed. =

Homosexuality, The Bible and = Jesus: Exploding The Myths and Healing the Church by Jack Rogers. ISBN: 0664229395. A recognized Presbyterian pastor and writer= asks, “How did even the leading theologians get = it so wrong regarding slavery and women.” And yet we still persist in using= the same method of Biblical interpretation today regarding homosexuality. = He shows how to interpret the Bible and focuses on Jesus as Savior and Leader = in dealing with this concern.

What God Has Joined – The Christian Case for Gay Marriage by David G. Myers and Letha Dawson Scanzoni. ISBN: 10:0-06—0834544. Published by Harper, San Francisco (A division of Harper Col= lins Publishers) Mel White of Soulforce.org says: "Provides a safe space for battle-weary warriors on both sides of the same sex marriage wars. The calm, comprehensive, convincing voices of Myers and Sc= anzoni create a safe place where all of us can hear again for the first time the truths that will lead at last to peace and reconciliation."=

The Good Book Reading The = Bible With Mind and Heart by Peter J. Gomes. ISBN: 0380723239. A thought provoking study of the Bibl= e by a Harvard Professor. Chapter 8 addresses The Bible and Homosexuality: The Last Prejudice. It is very meaningful.<= /span>

Anything But Straight by Wa= yne R. Besen. ISBN: 1560234466. Unmasks the scandals and lies behind the ex-gay myth.

A Pl= ace At The Table by Bruce Bawe= r. ISBN: 0671894390. An intelligent and eye opening account of the gay individual in American Society

Coming Out As Sacrament<= /b> by Ch= ris Glaser. ISBN: 0664257488. The Biblical precedence for com= ing out as sacramental. Also some devotional and worship helps.

More Than Welcome Learning= to Embrace Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Persons in the Church by Maurine C = Waun. ISBN: 0827223250. The story of UM female pastor i= n Pittsburgh who be= friends a gay man dying of AIDS (and abandoned by his family). They ad= opt each other, and she discovers a gay world shut out from ministry the church could offer. Among other ministries she mentions is a mixer in a fellowship hall as an alternative to the bar scene. She states “I am grateful to my colleagues Peter= D. Weaver and David F. Keller who offered their moral support…”

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The Truth Shall Set You Free by Sa= lly Lowe Whitehead. ISBN: 0062513931. A poignant story of a fundamentalist family torn apart when the husband comes to terms with his homosexuality, but who determine to love and support each other (including = the husband’s eventual partner) even as they cannot continue as a heterosexual couple and tidy nuclear family. Pain= ful and powerful.

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The Loyal Opposition: Struggling with the Church on Homosexuality Edited by Tex Sample and Amy E. DeLong   ISBN: 0687084253.

Congregations in Conflict: The = Battle Over Homosexuality by Keith Hartman   ISBN: 0813524245. Includes several stories of how churches in different denominations in the Triangle = area of North Carolina (Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel = Hill) have addressed issues of ordination and marriage for homosexuals and lesbia= ns.

Confronting the Controversies by Ad= am Hamilton   ISBN: 0687045783

Chapter Seven: Homosexuality. An example of how someone, who cannot reconcile Scrip= ture and traditional interpretation with acceptance of homosexuality, can be torn within by his need to reach out with love and grace to all Christians (and = not be afraid to publicly acknowledge this inner struggle). Someone has commented in reference to his position, if the UM Church is to change its official position regarding homosexuality in our lifetime, it will likely be because people like Hamilton yield to God’s call of grace in their inner struggle.

Suggestions and comments may be sent to Grace For All.

6-9-06 Updated DJH

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