A fascinating review of the history, impact and, ultimaty, an argument forms path away from evangelicism. The book is written by Christian ethicist, DA fascinating review of the history, impact and, ultimaty, an argument forms path away from evangelicism. The book is written by Christian ethicist, David Gushee and is presented in a clear, ordered and precise manner. There is so much information that I will need to dive back in a second time....more
I do not think I am the intended audience for the book. I would say the audience is either a Pentecostal/ charismatic that is looking to reinforce theI do not think I am the intended audience for the book. I would say the audience is either a Pentecostal/ charismatic that is looking to reinforce their belief or someone interested in a charismatic perspective from a charismatic that's not "that kind of charismatic".
There was little that I took away from this book that I had not heard before. While the author did reference scripture, he falls prey to asking the reading to believe him because of his personal experience.
Having spent the majority of my life in the charismatic church, I note the author avoids setting a broad theological basis. I appreciate that in his faith tradition, personal experience is given primacy. Although he did try to suggest otherwise, he almost always resorted to experience.
I don't think the book is bad, it is simply not what I am looking for in my own faith journey....more
Here is a question that I would ask a Christian person who is attempting to fulfil the commandments of Jesus and love Trans people. Do you feel you fiHere is a question that I would ask a Christian person who is attempting to fulfil the commandments of Jesus and love Trans people. Do you feel you first need to determine if the issues regarding Transgenderism are "natural", "sinful" or "truthful" before you can fully love a Trans person? If so, then you are the intended audience.
I have had many open conversations with my Pastor concerning social issues and Christian response to issues. I generally consider myself "progressive" on social issues. In the early pages of this book, Preston Sprinkle position his views as somewhat progressive. It would seem the progressive view he is championing is to love Trans persons. A cursory reading of the Bible would reveal that this is greatest commandment given to all Christians. It is heartbreaking that Christians need to be directed by the author to love marginalized persons.
I wish I could say that this book was simply a call to Christians to love and serve the marginalized. Although he said that this is his main goal, there was almost no discussion about how to love the Trans community. Instead, it was theological thesis on transgender issues and argued a Biblical interpretation that biological sex overrides a person sense of gender. I am not interested in debating his conclusions which, I must note, he presents as "truth" and not opinion or interpretation. He wades into scientific research pulling out what he feels supports his positioning and rejecting that which he concludes lacks merit. He positions himself as having some level of expertise and appeals to his own authority when addressing scientific issues.
I admit that I felt gaslight by the author when I finished reading the book. He positioned himself as a proponent of love first, pivoted to making a case against the acceptance of Transgender identity and then told me that if I was accepting of Transgender identity then I was actually just perpetuating gender stereotypes which was itself sinful. He then wrapped it up by telling Christians to love.
It is hard for me to imagine many Trans persons feeling seen and loved by the contents of this book. It is a question I won't get an answer to as this book is not written to Trans persons. Although this book didn't explicitly use these words, it was steeped in the ideas of "speaking the truth in love" and "love the sinner but hate the sin". As to the "speaking the truth in love", I highly recommend "Love Matters Matters More: How Fighting to be Right Keeps of From Loving Like Jesus" by Jared Byas. He addresses this concept/scripture more eloquently than I ever will. Preston Sprinkle's approach in the book (explicitly) it that "What" we believe is usually more important than "how" we believe. I cannot disagree more. I believe that how we believe is almost always more important that what we believe.
This book is nothing more than an attempt to confirm Christians are "right" and on the side of "truth" and then, once we are satisfied that our positions is clear, we can love a from a position of truth. This only further marginalizes the "others". I have many more thoughts which I might include at a later date.
An incredible book. Byas looks at the North America's addiction to the idea of truth and its constant striving for certainty. A challenging call to seAn incredible book. Byas looks at the North America's addiction to the idea of truth and its constant striving for certainty. A challenging call to see love as the primary goal and argues there is no truth without love. For anyone who has heard the sour justification that they were just "speaking the truth in love", Byas provides a fresh and invigorating view n this much abused concept. I listened to the audiobook version and immediately restarted it once it was done. There is much to gather in this book....more
Not a difficult read but may have been a bit lost on me. I didn't fully grasp the story and wasn't that interested in exploring the meaning when it waNot a difficult read but may have been a bit lost on me. I didn't fully grasp the story and wasn't that interested in exploring the meaning when it was complete. Very well written but just not for me....more
I listed to this audiobook on recommendation. It is short but I have difficulty in saying it is straight to the point. It does have some interesting oI listed to this audiobook on recommendation. It is short but I have difficulty in saying it is straight to the point. It does have some interesting observations about Christian thought and how our language and view of faith makes communication difficult. Overall, I had a hard time understanding the goal of the book. I did not care for the narration. I am unsure if it was the author. When listening to these types of book on audio, the narration is especially important. The inflection and stress placed on certain words can quickly change the meaning. There were times that I was unsure if what I was hearing was what was meant....more
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