Bulletproof Faith: A Spiritual Survival Guide for Gay and Lesbian Christians [Paperback]

Candace Chellew-Hodge (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 22, 2008

This thoughtful, practical guide shows readers a way through the minefield of condemnation and persecution faced by gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Christians and helps foster a faith that is bulletproof—impervious to attacks, yet loving and savvy in its approach. Bulletproof Faith is filled with useful insights and proven spiritual practices that deflect attacks and enhance and strengthen faith by turning attacks into opportunities for spiritual growth.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Chellew-Hodge, a former journalist, is a UCC pastor who runs the online magazine Whosoever.org. Her experiences as a gay Christian searching for how to live with integrity while contending with sometimes hateful opposition inform this book. The spiritual survival tips that conclude each chapter serve not only as summaries but also as direct points of advice for GLBT persons coping with inevitable conflict. She also includes brief meditation exercises. Chellew-Hodge offers a realistic voice of experience filled with compassion and love—not just for her intended audience but also for their attackers. Although some may find her impulse to forgive premature, Chellew-Hodge does not naïvely excuse much less accept the abusive language and behavior of antigay Christians. This is not a book explaining relevant Bible passages and their interpretations, though Chellew-Hodge advocates biblical literacy beyond literalism. Instead, it is a confident, sensible approach to handling the opposition and self-doubt that can undermine a GLBT person's sense of worth and belonging as a Christian. (Oct.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

Chellew-Hodge, a former journalist, is a UCC pastor who runs the online magazine Whosoever.org. Her experiences as a gay Christian searching for how to live with integrity while contending with sometimes hateful opposition inform this book. The “spiritual survival tips” that conclude each chapter serve not only as summaries but also as direct points of advice for GLBT persons coping with inevitable conflict. She also includes brief meditation exercises. Chellew-Hodge offers a realistic voice of experience filled with compassion and love—not just for her intended audience but also for their attackers. Although some may find her impulse to forgive premature, Chellew-Hodge does not naïvely excuse much less accept the abusive language and behavior of antigay Christians. This is not a book explaining relevant Bible passages and their interpretations, though Chellew-Hodge advocates biblical literacy beyond literalism. Instead, it is a confident, sensible approach to handling the opposition and self-doubt that can undermine a GLBT person's sense of worth and belonging as a Christian. (Oct.) (Publishers Weekly, August 11, 2008)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1 edition (September 22, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470279281
• ISBN-13: 978-0470279281
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #30,029 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #22 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Religious Studies > Gender & Sexuality
  • #33 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Ministry & Church Leadership > Pastoral Counseling
  • #34 in Books > Gay & Lesbian > Nonfiction

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Life-changing, December 13, 2008

By 

Winnipeg Book Lover (Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bulletproof Faith: A Spiritual Survival Guide for Gay and Lesbian Christians (Paperback)

Prior to reading this book I was a discouraged gay Christian. As much as I wanted to believe God loved me, I always felt ashamed and guilty about being gay. When I saw this book I had to read to read it and I was not disappointed. I can honestly say this book has changed my life and I am forever grateful for it. I feel empowered, positive and renewed in my faith. Should be required reading for all gay (and straight) Christians!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A practical and insightful guide for all people of faith, October 16, 2008

By 

Roger D. Mcclellan - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bulletproof Faith: A Spiritual Survival Guide for Gay and Lesbian Christians (Paperback)

When I purchased this book, I did so thinking that I would give it a perfunctory read and then pass it along to one of my GLBT friends. I soon found much of my own story in Chellew-Hodge's words. Bulletproof Faith is an invaluable resource, not just for gay and lesbian Christians, but any person of faith who has struggled to make peace with The Divine and the world around them. Be Bulletproof.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tough, tender, spiritual, practical, December 21, 2008

By 

Robert N. Minor, Ph.D. (Kansas City, MO) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bulletproof Faith: A Spiritual Survival Guide for Gay and Lesbian Christians (Paperback)

Tough and tender, experienced and insightful, Bulletproof Faith is a manual LGBTQ people of faith will read to nourish their own faith while meeting the challenges of those so caught up in their own hurt and pain but using religion and religious arguments to stay stuck rather than face the real issues in their own lives. Rev. Chellew-Hodge walks believers through the steps that can prepare them to stop trying to win arguments with those who object to LGBTQ people and begin to experience every encounter as a chance to personally grow. (Winning isn't a virtue. We must sometimes "lose" to show that we really believe.) Though subtitled a "survival guide," I'd say it's really a guide to thriving in the midst of people who would rather see LGBTQ people anything but proud and healthy.