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As a Presbyterian pastor, I have been approached from time to time by gay and lesbian young people as well as their Christian parents, wondering if there is another faithful view of scripture than the one the church has traditionally articulated on this subject. For years I gave away copies of the helpful paperback "Is the Homosexual My Neighbor?" by Letha Dawson Scanzoni and Virginia Ramey Mollenkott, written in the late 1970's and updated as a second edition in 1994. In the last several years, I have been recommending Dr. Jack Rogers' "Jesus, the Bible, and Homosexuality: Explode the Myths, Heal the Church" (2nd edition 2009). Mark Achtemeier's "The Bible's YES to Same Sex Marriage" will now be the book I recommend. Achtemeier's thoughtful and accessible reflection on his own journey that led to his change of heart draws on the best of contemporary Biblical scholarship. Chapters 4 & 5 offer a lucid Biblical theology of marriage and a stunning critique of conventional wisdom, putting both natural law and gender complementarity in their proper place in light of the Pauline understanding of Christian marriage as an icon of Christ's self giving love for the church (Ephesians 5:23). Achtemeier tackles all the tough questions that any Christian layperson might ask about same gender marriage with grace and pastoral sensitivity. It's a great read! This book would make a worthy text for an adult study class on marriage equality, as well as a useful guide for any parishioner who is looking for answers to the pressing scriptural questions around LGBT sexuality and marriage. Read more
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