Customer Reviews

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

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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!

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.

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.

The best thing about this book is that it goes beyond the arguments and the clobber scriptures and arms the reader with ways to become and remain "bulletproof" in his/her faith. It gives exercises for practice, like meditation, that have been very helpful as I put them into use. Additionally, there is a bookgroup guide on the author's website so the book can be discussed with others. Highly recommend!

a must read for anyone struggling with being gay and a Christian. Candace has really exceeded my expectations of this book. Very practical and yet a lot of faith working through love. Thank you Candace.

As a (straight) Christian mom of a gay Christian son, this book spoke directly to the issues I face in dealing with rigid, rejecting folks in my own faith community. The concept of the importance of developing a "bulletproof faith" so that I can continue to extend grace to those who are not extending grace to me or to my son, is as helpful for straight Christian supporters as it is for the intended audience.

I was initially attracted to this book after seeing a review in the HuffPo ("why homosexuals should never argue scripture"). To her credit, Chellew-Hodge does an excellent job of providing means of "bullet-proofing" GLBT Christians. Many of the conservative individuals she has encountered clearly don't deserve a response: someone shouting "dykes go to hell!" obviously doesn't need a response so much as a restraining order. When it comes to discussing the issue "can I be a good Christian and a good homosexual," her record is much more mixed. She has has a plan for developing a thick skin, but not a deep faith. When encountering someone who reasonably and calmly disagrees on God's view of homosexuality and really tries to understand her, her advice boils down to repeatedly asserting "I don't agree" and moving along when the other person becomes shrill or tires out. She clearly thinks that finding common ground with her opponents is best, but it is also obvious that "common ground" is small indeed: "we all agree that Jesus doesn't like haters" (and that's it). True, even thoughtful conservative Christians I know can agree with this, but little else. I suppose this is a recipe for civil peace, but not for policy or communion (in or out of churches).
From a theological perspective, Chellew-Hodge has drunk deeply both of post-modernism and higher criticism. Something is true because she knows in her heart it's true (something Mormons, ironically, would agree with). Questions are asked because questioning is good, not because we actually want answers (my 3-year old agrees). Biblical arguments (such as Romans 1) are dealt with by deconstruction: St. Paul was just a guy, not a very bright one, and we can disregard him at our leisure. Christians no longer approve of slavery and oppression of women, and this is the same (no argument necessary, since the victim is always right). Conservatives want us to repudiate our sexuality, while not repudiating their own heterosexuality (though the more thoughtful ones insist that Jesus DOES want heteros to do this, e.g. Mark 16:24 and/or Mt 5:27-30); if you'd like to disagree with Jesus, fine, it's a free country, but no one appreciates being misrepresented. SUMMARY STATEMENT: if you're gay and Christian good luck with that, and be thankful you're not Muslim. Chellew-Hodge can help you deflect superficial criticism, but if you're hoping any cognitive dissonance you have when talking with thoughtful, educated, conservative Christians will go away, you'll be disappointed. She does have a thoughtful bibliography and recommended websites, however. I am going there next.

This book can easily help save the lost GLBT person. While homosexual people need to understand and defend themselves against the 7-8 verses that supposedly condemn them, this book goes beyond that. Once someone has shown that those particular scriptures say nothing about sexual orientation or gay marriage then what? What was the point? Where do gay people fit in the Body of Christ? This book focuses on that issue which is the most important - what it means to be a Christian who is not heterosexual. Candace writes about how can we use the WHOLE Bible to defend us against "attacks" and learn to be at peace with God in Christ.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

I am privileged to know the Rev. Candace Chellew. She is a wonderful person/parson.

I am gay and religious-institutioned out, but my straight brother and I both agree this is a phenomenal, inspiring book.

You must read it!