Customer Reviews

The Children Are Free: Reexamining the Biblical Evidence on Same-sex Relationships

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This book argues convincingly that the Bible does not condemn committed same-sex partnerships. This means that if you don't like the argument, you have to go back to the Bible and explain why your reading is better than Miner and Connoley's reading. It also means that if you like their conclusion, you still have to go back and figure out whether the argument was persuasive.

They make the argument in three ways.

First, they argue that the biblical passages used to "clobber" gays have been misread. This misreading is most convincing for Lot and Sodom, where the anti-gay interpretation is clearly twisted. The authors' argument is more debatable for Leviticus, Romans, and 1 Corinthians. If you read the Bible in historical context, you'll probably be convinced; if you like to memorize passages in isolation, you won't be persuaded.

Second, they argue that gays and lesbians can be found in the Bible and receive sympathetic treatment. I loved this part of the book, though parts are pretty speculative. David and Jonathan was the most convincing, Ruth and Naomi the weakest. However, Christians should be most interested in the New Testament and not the Old. This makes the account of Cornelius, a Roman centurion, and his slave (whom Peter healed) particularly interesting.

Third, the authors move beyond close readings of the biblical text to argue that Jesus's central message affirms gay and lesbian partnerships. I was pleasantly surprised to see this chapter in a book by two admittedly conservative Christians. It's good to remember that Jesus rejected the narrow legalisms of the Judaism of his time. This is why I've never understood why anti-gay readings of the Bible rely so much on the rules in Leviticus, which they don't pretend to follow in their own lives.

In short, this book makes a good but not flawless argument that the Bible does not condemn committed same-sex couples. Read it with an open mind and heart, go back to the Bible, and see what God tells you.

This book was a Godsend for me. I grew up in a faith that was very condemning of the feelings I quite naturally experienced. As a result, I was very unhappy for years, even marrying and divorcing as a result. After my divorce, while searching for guidance, I happened upon this book and found the answers I had sought for so many years. The authors make a logical, reasoned argument for their affirming position that addresses common points of contention for people of faith. My only complaint is the somewhat hoky writing style that seems to be a way of making the book as casual and conversational as possible. However, this is a vast improvement over the other books that I have read, which are so steeped in intellectual dissection and examination that they confused me and left me with no "ammo" for later discussions. This book lays out understandable evaluations of Scripture that are easy to understand and even easy to recall during later discussions. Thank God for this book! It said all the things I knew but couldn't articulate.

Many books have argued that the Bible does not condemn same-sex relationships. In the vast majority of cases, however, the arguments sound like loopholes and excuses, not a sincere reading of Holy Scripture. (Sadly, this includes even the ever-popular "What the Bible Really Says About Homosexuality.")

This book is remarkably different! The authors don't make excuses or water down the text; instead, they take the Bible seriously and treat it respectfully, allowing the Bible itself to provide the best evidence for their case. Meanwhile, this book is so short, simple, and easy to read that anyone can benefit from it.

"The Children Are Free" is chock full of anecdotes and examples, making it a delight to read, even for people who don't normally read about the Bible. Those of us more familiar with the subject will appreciate the clarity of the authors' argument.

Other, similar books made me think, "Yeah, I guess I can see that," but this one left me wondering, "How could you come to any other conclusion?"

This compact and readble book shows convincingly that the mainstream anti-gay sentiment in the church is based on a misreading of the Bible and of Jesus. But that's just the first chapter. The book goes on to show same-sex relationships affirmed by the Bible. It shows how Jesus' own approach -- affirming people over rules -- calls for Christians to embrace gay people as good, and part of God's creation. If you are a Christian with a lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender relative or friend, you owe it to yourself to read this wonderful book. You will then want to buy a stack of them and give them to your friends and church, as I have just done. Slim, well-argued, to the point, and complete, it is the best book for this purpose I have found.

This is a detail review of both the condeming and affirming references to Same-sex Relationships in the bible.

Most importantly it is writen by and for homosexuals. A positive, not overly graphic depiction of Gods directions through the bible for all of his beloved creatures.

This text could be very helpful to family members of a homosexual as well as a good christian homosexual strugling with his faith.

For any Christian who wonders if the Episcopal Church did the holy thing by elevating an openly gay Priest to Bishop, for every Christian who questions if God loves and accepts homosexuals, for all Christians who wonder what Jesus would say about same-sex relationships, this book is the is the answer. Excellent! It is a well researched, clearly written and concisely presented investigation of what the Bible has to say about these confusing and often perplexing questions. Recommended as required reading for every Christian parishoner and Pastor. Especially inspiring for those who have ever experienced rejection by the Church.

I have read over 20 books on the subject of homosexuality and every one of them left me feeling they weren't being completely honest or they were relying on speculative historical data. Many books on this subject are looking for loopholes or excuses. This book is so straight forward and honest. The authors remind us over and over again that we need to be careful what questions we bring to the bible: in this case "Is a relationship of two people of the same sex possible and can it be blessed by God?" The Children are Free is very simple and very clear.

This is a must read for evangelical Christians struggling with their lifestyle. It reaffirms our faith scriptually that God loves us all.

This short book is a great resource if you're looking for an easy to read apologetic for pro-gay theology. Many of the most convincing, progressive answers to the old clobber passages are found here, as well as intriguing arguments that the scriptures may in fact support loving, same-sex relationships.

What a great book!
Just the thing I have been trying to find!
Both solid scholarship, faith-insight and wrestling,
but also timely and provocative.
Thank you, Amazon, for making this book so readily available
to the interested public.
I sincerely hope more people will get this book
and study it, inch by inch, line by line.
I did not realize how un-faithful I have become concerning
this topic.......needed to have my biases challenged by one
who really cares deeply about this subject.