The Bible and Homosexual Practice: Texts and Hermeneutics

This book is complete in looking at the Biblical texts dealing with the subject of homosexuality. This is a must for orthodox Christians to read in order to be informed in the debate. Well worth the effort to read this book!

Robert Gagnon has produced the clearest and most comprehensive rebuttal of pro-gay theology to date. Readers accustomed to less detailed treatments of this subject (including my own "A Strong Delusion") may find some of the chapters ponderous, but anyone wanting to discuss and debate homosexuality from a Biblical perspective needs this resource. I finished this book with real admiration for the author's attitude, clarity and balance, and I've already made use of several of its points when speaking on the subject. If you're wanting to become better informed and equipped to articulate a solid response to the pro-gay interpetation of scripture, Gagnon's work is state of the art.

One reason that attracts me to buy this book is that I find a pro-gay scholar Martti Nissinen's recommendation in the preface, one among 15 praises from contemparory well-known biblical scholars. After reading it, I agree with Nissinen that "his book...cannot be ignored in future debate even by proponents of discordant views." The major reward to me is his clarification of the attitude of Jesus towards homosexuality. Usually. pro-gay theology protrays Jesus as taking a tolerant and affirming stand towards homosexual acts because of His emphasis of love and embrace of social outcasts, especially His merciful attitude towards adulterous women and the prostitutes. Gagnon has convincingly pointed out that Jesus' attitude on sexual ethics is even far more rigorious than the Jews of his time, in Jesus' comments on divorce and re-interpretation of adultery. This shows that Jesus' sexual ethics is even more rigorous than OT in regard to sexual sin. That's why Jesus' forgiveness is often accompanied with "sin no more" ending! Jesus demonstrates God's love, but he is also the prophet carrying out the temple action and procaliming the seriousness of sexual sin, which demonstrate God's judgment and righteousness . Jesus does not overturn the OT law on sexual sin, in particular homosexual intercourse. On the contrary, Jesus further the Torah on sexual sin and set a higher standard against sexual sin (hardcover, p.196-228)I hope that pro-gay Christians can be honest in facing the real attitude of Jesus against sexual sin instead of protraying a sexually tolerant Jesus, which actually turns out to be an idol, in justifying homosexual behavior that's hurting God's heart.

Many churches today are discussing the question of whether homosexual sexual behavior is sinful, which requires an understanding of what the Bible says about it. Prof Gagnon has produced the most comprehensive examination of the Biblical evidence regarding homosexual behavior. His treatment is definitely on the conservative side, but he attempts to be fair to all viewpoints. This is easily the best book on the subject, but it is not an easy read. The most interesting aspect of Gagnon's approach is his comprehensive approach. He starts with Genesis and shows that the Jewish viewpoint is anchored in Genesis and the marriage of two complementary human beings -- male and female. Then he interprets the rest of the Bible in the light of Genesis. He does not limit himself to the 5 or 6 well-known passages in the Bible which are often discussed when the topic is homosexual behavior. Those who are conservative will find this book very helpful. Those who are liberal (on this topic) will find it the strongest case that can be made for the "opposing side."

Gagnon appears to have left few stones unturned in his analysis of this issue. He presents the most detailed and thorough exegetical case for the traditional Christian view on homosexuality that I have seen. Yet what is interesting to me is that Gagnon's methodology is certainly not "conservative," but reflects mainstream, "liberal" historical-critical assumptions in his exegesis of texts. This is why so thoroughly a liberal scholar as James Barr, who wrote the anti-conservative polemic FUNDAMENTALISM, can nonetheless commend the book despite the "conservative" conclusions that the author reaches. Thus this is probably the best book for a theological conservative (such as this reviewer) to recommend to any theological "moderate" who is not yet completely decided on this issue. Gagnon is likely to gain a hearing where conservatives will not.Theological conservatives too may read this work with profit, though they will have to forgive Gagnon's adoption of critical positions on matters of authorship and the like that we would find unacceptable. Fortunately such matters rarely affect the force of his argumention.