God Believes in Love: Straight Talk About Gay Marriage

God Believes in Love: Straight Talk About Gay Marriage by Gene Robinson, IX Bishop of New Hampshire. Library section 7 E: Church in the World, Hot Button Topics. You may remember this author from a decade ago when he was elected as an Episcopal bishop. There was an uproar because he was gay. He even received death threats.
This book was written in 2012 prior to gay marriage becoming legal. But it still has much to say about the issue because many people are still reluctant to support gay marriage. The Bishop first explains his own journey, with marriage to his wife and the birth of his children; and finally his realization that he was attracted to men rather than women. He discusses the agony of his divorce, and later, his newfound show more happiness upon marriage to his husband. His feelings draw forth our compassion because they are so honest and human. We think, “my goodness, what would I have done in that situation?”
Succeeding chapter topics are questions he’s been asked such as, “Why Gay Marriage Now?,” “Why Should You Care About Gay Marriage If You’re Straight?,” “Doesn’t the Bible Condemn Homosexuality,?” and more. These chapters are chock full of his personal experiences, working with the LGBT and straight communities, and touching on important aspects of the gay experience such as the AIDS crisis and discrimination in housing and civil rights.
When we read a bible passage, the Bishop said, we have to look at three things: 1) the scripture itself, 2) the tradition of how the church has interpreted the passage over the centuries, and 3) our reason – the use of our God-given intellect and learning, including modern knowledge, science and psychology. For example, the bible says that divorcees must be stoned. Today we do not obey that stricture. And rather than obey biblical Kosher rules of not mixing meat and milk at the same meal, we Christians bop into Steak ‘n Shake without a second thought. We simply ignore those verses, considering them no longer applicable.
Yet, many people still condemn one last thing: varying sexual orientations. The Bishop asks why we do this when the biblical writers had no understanding of sexual orientation as we know it today. That third point above – reason – enables us to draw upon modern scientific knowledge in many fields like medicine, physics, and psychology. The Holy Spirit has led scientists to make these discoveries with their God-given talents. So psychological understanding is why we no longer stone divorcees – we recognize the pressures of daily living; the anguish of divorce brings forth our compassion. We recognize how easily it could happen to us if our lives were just slightly different.
We no longer worry about mixing meat and milk because we know there is no medical danger provided we use modern day refrigeration and cooking methods unknown to bible peoples. Bishop Robinson likewise finds that our modern day knowledge of sexual orientation renders inapplicable bible verses that once appeared to condemn it. We can update our assumptions and reconcile, accept, and support ALL people as perfectly made children of God, and thus deserving of respect, dignity, and the equal right to marry who they love.
This book allows us to walk in the shoes of a gay theologian who has lived with this issue all his life. We can trust his witness because it is honest and true for him, just as our life stories are the real deal for us. If this issue still makes you uncomfortable (I confess it did for me until I had to confront the issue in my own family), read this compelling book of self-realization. God’s love, manifested in the Holy Spirit is much stronger than we can possibly imagine, and can light our way to the truth. If still in doubt, err on the side of love because God believes in love. show less

This book was published in 2012, and while the law around marriage equality is mostly settled in the US, the underlying issue of LGBT equality is still very much a cultural hot point, especially among conservative Christians. As such, this is still essential information for LGBT Christians, LGBT allies, and those who want to understand the issues of LGBT inclusion and affirmation. The author is a gay parishioner, and so he has a definite perspective, but as someone who has both lived it and preached it, his perspective is quite valuable, relatable, and much appreciated.

I read this book to try to understand why gay people really want to be married. He gave some interesting answers to the questions he addressed but he did not change my mind. In fact, he really offended me at certain points. I am a Christian as is he but there were several passages where he said certain things about the Bible and Christianity itself that made me wonder about what he believes. There were also a couple of places where he mentions the president that felt awkward and unnecessary as if he threw them in to try to curry favor.

Approachable and winsome survey of gay rights and gay marriage. Not written to the theologian but to the curious inquirer, Christian or not; supporter or not.

Disclosure: I received this book through the Goodreads First Reads program.

I find Robinison to be a fascinating person and an extremely compelling writer. He was able to put into words many of my thoughts on gay marriage. I am Catholic, and my main issue with the church is their prejudice against gay people, so it was refreshing to hear an endorsement from a Bishop.

I found this book very interesting and was so happy to receive it!

Robinson's book is a summary that those LGBT folk need of all the arguments for and against our right to love a partner as well as our right to marriage. This would be a great handbook for everyone to have and share.

Everyone should read this book.