Homosexuality is not an absolute
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One of the most important lesson I have ever learned is that being gay is not a binary thing. You can be just a little gay, and then mostly straight.

This phone case, if you are a guy like me, communicates comfortability in your own sexuality. Men are locked down by the constraints of our culture. Be brave, pop this vibrant fun cover on your massive cell phone with pride!
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Patrick Moore is disturbed that recent TV shows do not present the go-for-broke sexuality associated with the fast lanes of gay society.

The TV producers apparently figured that their gay characters would be more acceptable without all that. Duh.

Moore feels that this treatment is imposing "heterosexual standards" on gay morality. To the contrary, such treatment is not heterosexual at all, but the way that society treats all forms of pleasure. No activity is admitted into the realm of morality without submitting to limits of some kind. Society will accept homosexual behavior to the extent that it is compatible with mutual love, family, and the rearing of children.

The fact that TV writers help us see people making choices about their homosexual behaviors is certainly a great leap forward. Whatever one thinks about homosexuality, one is always free to make choices about one's behavior. And choice is what morality is all about.
Finally, we have to ask, "Why all this concern about legitimizing gay free love?" If one wants to pursue the path of casual, uncommitted sex, go for it! Why do you need society's approval?
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Shawn? What do you mean when you say on page 6 " innate structure of homosexuality"? Should I take this as your meaning people are born gay? I look forward to hearing from you. Charlene
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Psychologist and psychotherapist C.A. Tripp wrote in the Preface to this 1975 book, "Homosexuality would certainly be an easier subject to describe and to analyze if it were confined to the people who practice it. But it is more than a brand of behavior that can be viewed at the level of choice or of some personal imperative... it has extensive biological and sociological implications. And it has a whole history of consequences in religion, philosophy, and science. To trace these roots and to follow its repercussions through this maze---in short, to draw a picture not only of homosexuality but of its social matrix---has been the aim of this study from the start."

He notes that "inversion in various forms is extremely prevalent in religion... In these, the god is never conventionally heterosexual. He may be hermaphroditic, or fat enough to look pregnant, or dress in womanly robes. Usually he is a bachelor god who has no truck with women except for an occasional Immaculate Conception." (Pg. 25)

Of early psychoanalytic interpretations of homosexuality, he says, "By viewing homosexuality as a result of a damaged or blocked heterosexuality... the whole thrust of the inquiry became focused on the real or imagined negations in a person's life. It was a pointless effort at best, since all sexual attractions are based on positive motives... Once the whole question of homosexuality is properly raised in terms of its own motivations, one at least has a chance to pursue its very considerable variations." (Pg. 74)

He suggests, "no single element in homosexuality, no one original influence, is by itself likely to be definitive. The final existence of any sexual orientation depends upon the extent to which its various parts have reinforced each other in producing a structure, a system of values, a pattern of responses." (Pg. 85-86)

He states, "homosexual promiscuity is relatively prevalent. Indeed, the variety of sex the heterosexual male usually longs for in fantasy is frequently realized in practice by the homosexual." (Pg. 143) Later, he adds, "There are no known `cures' for homosexuality, nor are any likely, since the phenomena which comprise it are not illnesses in the first place." (Pg. 236)

This book was a significant one in the development of psychological/psychoanalytic interpretations of homosexuality, and is of continuing interest to anyone studying the matter.
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The intent of the author is to understand the question of sexual difference by looking at the history of marriage. This pushes the question of sexual difference without explicitly addressing same-sex marriage. Rather, the book brings the roles and importance of sexual distinction within Gods intention for creation in order that the question of same-sex marriage might be better understood. Creation and Covenant is not an answer for or against same-sex marriage, but it is a method of retrieval to see what previous Christian thinkers and theologians have said about the topic of marriage and sexual difference. The body of the text comes down to what the Bible says about marriage, and how prominent Christian apologists have answered the question of Gods role for man and woman in the covenant of marriage. The aim of Christopher Roberts is to deeply consider one question: What is the moral and theological significance of sexual differentiation, and how one might understand it. The second portion of the book is a response and criticism of the theories and arguments of revisionist theologians.

Creation and Covenant is an excellent starting point on how to think about sexual difference and how its moral significance in the life of the believer, and what it is as a manifestation of Gods creation and intent for human identity. This book is an excellent introduction to Christian tradition of how Christian theologians and apologists have addressed sexual difference. More importantly it challenges the reader to consider what they believe about what it means to be made in the imago Dei and how it relates to ones identity as male or female. At times, it seems that Roberts over-simplifies or misinterprets the arguments of revisionist theologians, and the information that might be relevant for ministering to transgender or even intersex individuals is lacking. The purpose of this text is to look at the meaning of marriage, not specifically with how it pertains to interacting with the  LGBTQ community. Such a discussion is helpful, but for the purpose of this book it is not absolutely necessary. Christopher Roberts text is a challenging intellectual and spiritual read that will whet ones appetite as it pertains to the topic of human sexuality and ones theology of body. Only with a thorough understanding of the moral and theological significance of sexual differentiation is one prepared to address the topic of sexual attraction and identity. It is an essential read for anyone looking to understand how the identity of male and female relates to the church and covenant of marriage.
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Bawer's book is well thought-out and thought-provoking.  I am an agnostic, and Bawer pinpoints precisely the main problem I've always had with Christian doctrine, namely:
a) God is all-loving.  He IS love.  He loves  all human beings unconditionally.
b) God has chosen not to provide us  with proof of His existance or nature
c) If, in the face of this lack of  proof, a human comes to incorrect conclusions about religion, God will  condemn that person forever to a fiery Hell.
I simply cannot reconcile  these three premises with each other - I cannot imagine what kind of loving  God would do these things.  Bawer emphasizes Jesus' message of selfless  love as the essence of Christianity, and that makes sense to me.  There  *are* contradictions in the Bible, making it difficult to believe that  every word is literally true. And he points out, correctly, that even  "Bible inerrantists" DO for all practical purposes accept some  passages over others. Some may use the few biblical admonitions against  homosexuality as the basis for supporting policies of discrimination  against gays, but may at the same time be wealthy and not feel compelled to  give away all their money, as Jesus advised.  Not all Christian wives  "submit themselves unto their husbands as unto the lord." There  are plenty of other such examples.  So, given that, why not read the book  critically and THINK about which parts you believe and why?
So why only  four stars?  I agree with what others have said here.  He is guilty of  stereotyping and over-generalizing "fundamentalists".  There are  many who ARE loving and who DO pay more than just lip-service to Jesus'  comandment to "love thy neighbor as thyself."  The book would  have been so much stronger if he would have acknowledged this fact and not  attempted to paint all "legalistic Christians" with the same  (very unflattering) brush.
But overall, well worth reading.  It'll make  you think, whether you agree with him or not.
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This book contains a clearly reasoned argument, in which the author states that it is possible to be both Christian and gay. Having heard him speak  so eloquently on the issue as to whether an objective study of biblical text can indeed support this claim, I have no doubt in my mind that Matthew Vines is one of the most erudite and well-informed scholars to put forward the case. What is so important is to place biblical text within its own context and not to pluck individual verses out from the text and build a theology around it without consideration of the social background of the times in comparison with our modern world. To be in a same sex monogamous lifelong committed relationship is not the same as to commit the crime of gang rape as in the story of Sodom or to be involved in temple prostitution during the act of idolatrous worship to a pagan god which Saint Paul discusses in the first chapter of his letter to the Roman church. Translations of the biblical text can sometimes only partially bring out the original meaning of particular words, especially when they are rarely used or are new inventions by the writer. It is essential to get back to what the text actually says. Sometimes we have to compare text with text, word with word in different contexts, in order to arrive at something like what the author intended. Given the antipathy of some biblical scholars towards homosexuality, as they saw it within their own social setting, they deliberately chose to translate in a way which did not reflect the original meaning of a particular word, but which bolstered their own theological stance. I commend Matthew Vines' book which seeks to redress the balance, so that we as the readers can consider the biblical text in its purest form, as far as we can, and make up our own minds as to what it actually means. We must consider the message of the gospel in its totality, even if that makes us uncomfortable and causes us to rethink our own theological stance on this vital issue of homosexuality. There are some who will dismiss this book as being heretical. In my humble opinion, they have never actually asked the question as to why they assent to a certain dogma or doctrine. They are unwilling to take time and effort to come alongside the gay Christian, and ask themselves: "Am I prepared to love this person unconditionally?" In other words, without preconditions! And "Am I prepared to look again at what I believe, as well as what my friend believes?" Friendship is the key to meaningful dialogue. I am sure that Matthew Vines would agree with this. He is placing before a friend his view on the issue of homosexuality and Christianity for his friend's careful consideration.
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Helminiak's most important contribution to Biblical scholarship is not a  new or creative viewpoint, but a readable summary of what we already know.  And for me, the major revelation in Helminiak's book is not that  homosexuality is okay, but that the Bible gives us what we need to  understand this issue. A Christian only has to read Romans to learn that  unrighteousness and uncleanness are two different things. The New Testament  makes it clear that unrighteousness is inherently wrong, while uncleanness  is not. And Paul clearly identifies homosexuality as uncleanness (Romans  1:26-27). We cannot honestly conclude from scripture, then, that  homosexuality is wrong. This is only a small part of the Biblical evidence  Helminiak presents, and all the evidence leads to the same conclusion.
With this information available, why do well-meaning Christians still  argue that the Bible says homosexuality is wrong? I suggest that there are  at least four reasons. First, the Bible has been mistranslated, and second,  we read what we've been taught into scripture. Third, many Christians don't  understand important Biblical concepts, such as uncleanness. And finally,  people cling to their opinions so zealously that they even end up  reinterpreting God's Word to avoid changing their own minds. As Helminiak  suggests, Christians should get clear as to why they believe what they do,  and stop imposing their own views on scripture. It's time to be honest  about what the Bible says.
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At first glance, it may seem that the bible either speaks too much/little (depending on which camp you're at) about homosexuality. But honestly, what does the bible have to say about this topic? Added on to this is the publics demand that christians recognise the homosexuals right to equal rights. But here is a book that seriously seeks to find out what the bible actually says about homosexuality.

Kevin DeYoung has written a book that wants to help christians really see what the bible teaches about the topic of homosexuality. Not only so, DeYoung also wants to answer some of the common objects raised to christians regarding this issue.

In the first part, DeYoung rigorously examines the bible and shows the readers what the bible actually says about homosexuality. He explores various passages that talks about this topic and through excellent exegesis shows the meaning of the text. In contrast to others who may want to make the text suit their thinking, DeYoung simply wants to hear what the bible has to say about homosexuality. Gently, DeYoung shows the readers that as christians we not do tell the bible what to say but rather we take heed to what the bible actually says.

After settling the foundations for the discussion, DeYoung then moves to answers the questions that are commonly raised. DeYoung answers them with tact but also firmly guided by the foundations set what the bible says. I am thankfully that DeYoung tackles such questions as they prepare me to be able to answer in the same manner when Im asked by others.

Whether you are a just a lay-christian or a pastor, this should be one of the books you read to gain an understanding of what the bible really says about homosexuality. You might not like what you read, but ultimately Im sure DeYoung wants us to wrestle with what the Bible says. Read, learn and continue to stand firm in what the Word of God says.

Ratings: 4.25 / 5

Disclaimer: I was given this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
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In this book the author discusses the contemporary issues that face the ethics of human sexuality. In recent times, many questions have been raised about human sexuality. These questions demand a clear moral answer. The author has successfully done this in the book beginning by looking at the scientific, historical and psychological background of each topic and using the scriptures, the moral teachings of the Church to answer them. He does this in nine chapters.

In the first and second chapters, he describes sexuality as a gift from God which we need to accept and rejoice over. The main purpose of this gift is love. It is not just physical but also profoundly psychological and spiritual. He refers to Pope John Paul II symbolic use of sex as the language of the body and argues that sexuality is essential both to our becoming fully human and to our human becoming. Thus, our authentic humanness must be found in relationships, and to be fully human, sexuality must have the elements of sensuality and tenderness. The task therefore of the human person is to integrate sensuality and tenderness into a truly human conversation.

In chapter three through four, he discusses the question of birth control and the different methods used. He extensively uses the teachings of Humanae Vitae to affirm that contraceptives are morally evil. The conjugal act is unitive and procreative in meaning, and the use of contraceptives prevents the procreative meaning of conjugal act. He however advances the Billings method of family Planning arguing that it is personalist and integralist.

Chapters five, six and seven discusses homosexuality, non-marital sex and masturbation. He argues that homosexual activity as distinguished from homosexual orientation is unnatural and thereby morally wrong. He however mentions that homosexuals should not suffer prejudice against their basic life, but the Church should minister with love to them. He condemns all forms of sex outside of marriage in that, sex finds it true meaning within marriage. He argues that without the commitment of marriage, genital relationship loses its communicative character by disengaging itself from the persons of the lovers, and reduces into mere genital contact and surface sensations. For masturbation, he says it is neither procreative nor unitive in any interpersonal sense, so it is not morally right.

In chapters eight and nine, he discusses the respect for human life and the church's respond to HIV/AIDS. He argues that life is sacred from the very moment of conception and uses this position to show that abortion is morally evil. He also argues that it is morally wrong to use condoms as a protection against HIV/AIDS.

The author made logical and consistent arguments throughout the book. He supports his thesis with authoritative facts drawn from the scriptures, Church teachings, and reputable authors. The major weakness with his book is the repetition of facts gathered from different sources. He also tends to repeat himself most times. He made pastoral suggestions only in the case of masturbation and non for other chapters.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who desires to know more about human sexuality and most especially to all students of pastoral programs.

Bekeh Utietiang writes from Washington, DC.
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"Gay" theology distorts the Biblical passages.  People need to know the simple truth.
Here's a quick summary page on the issue.
[...]
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I was looking for a DVD I saw on Logo recently about homosexuality in animals and came across this; just one of those happy accidents.

This is a DVD copy of a 2007 keynote lecture by Professor Joan Roughgarden of Stanford University called "Sexual Diversity in the Animal Kingdom."  The ground-breaking lecture takes on Darwin's natural selection theories and discusses sexual diversity in the animal kingdom, including homosexuality in domestic animals and humans. There's no fancy bells and whistles with this DVD; it's just a straightforward lecture, recorded for posterity and available here for purchase.

This lecture draws upon a range of animal studies to illustrate theories on sexual diversity in nature, which have previously been cast aside.  At times, science has turned a blind eye to difficult subjects which have later been proven true -- the Earth is indeed round, and so too, is homosexuality in nature a fact of life. And thankfully, scientific facts are no longer being dismissed due to personal bias; reputable science doesn't work that way. In fact, in 2006, the Natural History Museum at the University of Oslo, in Norway, presented a 'first of its kind' exhibit titled, Against Nature, which focused on homosexuality in animals.  The show was a huge success, and frequented by school groups and families.

This DVD is somewhat of a complement to Professor Joan Roughgarden's groundbreaking book,&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Evolution-s-Rainbow-Diversity-Gender-and-Sexuality-in-Nature-and-People/dp/0520260120/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Evolution's Rainbow: Diversity, Gender, and Sexuality in Nature and People.</a>&nbsp;It's a fascinating read, and nice companion piece to this fascinating documentary lecture, in which Roughgarden offers some brilliant insights.  Very interesting indeed.  Highly recommend this DVD!

Bottom Line - The point of this work, at least in part, is that we were born this way.  Beyond that, I'd add that homosexuality is more than just a sex act. It's something inherent in your being.

Aside - I'd love to see a companion piece to this that studies how many homophobic bigoted people are actually closeted self-loathing gays, projecting their disdain for themselves onto others.  Now that's science worth funding.  Lookout Washington!  Hmmmm... come to think of it, there IS a documentary like that:&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Outrage/dp/B0027BOL4Q/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Outrage</a>.  But an actual thesis might be interesting too.
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Parents be careful.  Extremely upset when my 8 year old child starts asking me about how two men can be married and have children. All I hear from homosexuals is that we respect they're beliefs. As a believer in Christ I ask the same.
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I was not totally satisfied with the advice on the relationship the family should have with the  homosexual person.
I don't believe the advice is in line with the Scriptures.
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Fornication is wrong, sex before marriage isn't okay, but gay sex is God's will? I can't go to a strip club but I can have sex with my best friend Tom?
God hates divorce but loves gay sex?
the letters of Paul says those who live a gay lifestyle will not enter the Kingdom of God
Johns Revelation also shows us homosexuals won't enter heaven.
The Old Testament says homosexuality is sin and Isreal was to punish those who commited homosexuality by capital punishment.
If you are in your flesh, you are an enemy of God. You can't

God isn't okay with the sin of homosexuality. You shouldn't feel the need to write a book about being okay with homosexuality.
Your book was well written, but it contradicts scripture. Get help brother, before you end up in hell.

If you are gay, the only way for you to enter heaven is to renounce your homosexuality to Jesus Christ and don't do it.
God will help you. stopping having gay sex will take time, and you will probably struggle time after time, but confess your sins to an elder and recieve prayer, stay accountable, recieve the word of God in you, pray and spend time with Jesus, work for the Kingdom and you will overcome your flesh. The Holy Spirit in you will transform your entire person. You won't be gay anymore. You will be a new creation in Christ. hallelujah!
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Defending Marriage is another recent book by Dr. Anthony Esolen, with the sole purpose of defending traditional and natural marriage. To do this, Dr. Esolen presents twelve arguments that every Catholic, every Christian should make in defense of marriage. Some of the arguments are, "We must recover the virtues of modesty and purity," or "To celebrate an abnormal behavior makes things worse, not better, for those inclined to engage in it." Dr. Esolen uses art, literature, theological, and cultural arguments to make his point. When you grow up hearing, "Because God said so," as the main argument for why some things are sins, Dr. Esolen's argument make for a refreshing read.

All of the arguments made were very convincing and compelling. However, one stuck with me more than others. The first argument that really rang true was. "We must not condone all forms of consensual activity among adults." In this chapter, Dr. Esolen starts by telling us that no culture, not even the ancient Greeks ever approved of homosexual "marriage" or activities, but that they instead engaged in pedophilia which too is morally wrong. He then explains that if our society accepts homosexual "marriage," a union which cannot create life, then we have passively said that polygamy is acceptable. As Dr. Esolen succinctly says, "You can't have half a jungle." If we want a moral civilization with traditional and natural marriage, we must uproot all sin against marriage.

The great thing about this book is that Dr. Esolen doesn't focus solely on one issue as a danger to marriage. In our given day and age, it would be easy to blame homosexual "marriage" as the thing that is killing traditional marriage. Dr. Esolen is much wiser than that, though, and he blames a combination of the sexual revolution, no fault divorce, and homosexual "marriage" for the death of traditional marriage. There are some books that every Catholic should own, and I firmly believe that this is one of them. In our growing secular age, we need to be able to articulate and defend our core beliefs, and marriage is one of those core beliefs. Read this book. Read it again. Teach your children the arguments for traditional marriage, and instill in them the right beliefs of a moral society.
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People will review this from their own presuppositions, but here is a fact that you can't deny.  There simply are people who want to leave homosexuality and the material in this book has resulted in just that.  If it makes someone happy to leave homosexuality I don't get why gay activists are determined to worry themselves about it.  Why can't they live their life and let former homosexuals live how they want to live.  Stop trying to control ministers, Christians, and other unhappy homosexuals with the whole militant homosexual activist act.  Live your life.  If you don't like ministries that offer these services don't go to them and leave others alone and stop trying to be everyone's mama.