Book Review
The Complete Christian Guide
to Understanding Homosexuality
Reviewed by Dr. Jeffrey Winter , Special to The Layman, October 19, 2010
Authors Joe Dallas (Desires in Conflict, The Gay Gospel, When Homosexuality Hits Home) and Dr. Nancy Heche (The Truth Comes Out) team up to tackle the divisive issue of homosexuality. Many Christians are looking for a thoughtful response to homosexuality. This 500-page book is a “one-stop Walmart” for people who want a comprehensive understanding of homosexuality.
It is a very readable book that needs to be read by pastors, church workers, counselors and those who struggle with same-sex attraction. Readers will find answers to questions that many are asking: Is homosexuality genetic? What is homosexuality? What is the proper response when a relative or friend says they’re gay? Should homosexuals serve in the military? What about gay marriage and adoption? What are the legal ramifications of homosexuality? How should the church respond?
By Joe Dallas and Nancy Heche
Harvest House Publishers
512 pages
$19.99
Especially helpful is the way the book is formatted. Each chapter is followed by a section that outlines its main points. Then the reader is given a list of supplemental resources for further study. To some, it may feel like a textbook. I appreciated the footnotes at the end of the chapter. The book is well researched and documented. It is long, thorough and not boring.
Particularly helpful were the chapters on the history of the gay rights movement in America, rebutting pro-gay theology and terms and definitions. Most people sitting in the pew have no understanding how homosexuality has become so normalized in our society. This book gives an insightful historical overview from 1950 until today. As a pastor I see Christians not wanting to engage in the homosexual debate. They are afraid. Every Christian who believes that God does not create homosexuals needs to study Dallas’ rebuttal to pro-gay theology and rhetoric. Heche and Dallas also define terms that will likely come up in a conversation about homosexuality. It is important that we are informed and speak intelligently. The authors define terms such as sexual orientation, queer, GBLT, fag and reparative therapy.
There are two weaknesses in the book. The chapter on gay teens is too short. Heche needed to spend more time helping the reader understand the genesis of a young person’s same-sex attraction. The biggest weakness of the book is not addressing how the local church is to respond to the growing homosexual problem in western culture. Dallas and Heche explain how individuals can respond to the homosexual dilemma. They don’t address how the church is to respond.
Let me suggest that there is a new book on the market, written by a PCUSA pastor, William Campbell, titled Turning Controversy into Church Ministry: A Christ-like Response to Homosexuality. This book gives practical and insightful steps on how the church can minister to those with same-sex attraction.
Dr. Jeffrey Winter, pastor of FaithMV Church of Martha’s Vineyard, Mass., is the founder of OnebyOne and board member of Exodus International