Coming Out of Homosexuality: New Freedom for Men and Women [Paperback]

Bob Davies (Author), Lori Rentzel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 21, 1993

Do you want God's will for your life -- but struggle with gay or lesbian desires? The authors of this book understand your dilemma. This is not a theoretical book: it is a practical guide for people struggling with same-sex desires. You'll find answers to your questions about what it means to be a man or woman, how your past relates to your present tensions, how biblical principles apply to your daily life, how you can form healthy relationships, and how your healing may eventually prepare you for heterosexual romance and marriage. Along the way you will read stories of other Christians who have dealt with the same issues you are facing and their personal failures and successes. Most of all, you'll find strategies that work because they have been developed and used by real people like you. This book will open up a new level of freedom and depth of insight beyond what you had dreamed possible.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Bob Davies retired in 2001 as the North American director of Exodus International, a worldwide coalition of Christian ministries to men and women overcoming homosexuality. He currently serves on the music department administrative team at University Presbyterian Church in Seattle, Washington.

Rentzel has been a counselor with Love in Action. She is now a freelance writer and editor based in San Rafael, California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: IVP Books; First Edition edition (December 21, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830816534
• ISBN-13: 978-0830816538
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #130,955 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Some of the comments on this book are not reviews., February 17, 2012

By 

Peter Chen "SimpleQuestions" (CA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Coming Out of Homosexuality: New Freedom for Men and Women (Kindle Edition)

I don't understand the "reviews" written here. That cause me to add to the foolish list of people who are commenting, but I hope I am doing it with a little more thought.

Some of the objections as I have read them are the following, 1.) Homosexuals can't change. Why not? Have there been attempts that failed, sure, but the stated assumption is that people with homosexual attractions can not change. If any former homosexual can be trusted, they stand as examples of people can change from their homosexual attractions. The only objects is just to pretend that they are all lying.

Another claim is that 2.) God has made you that way. God says that homosexuality is a sin (I Corinthians 6:9). These two ideas just don't go together. If one is living in any other sin, does that mean that it is fine for them to be sinful because God has made them that way? You don't have to believe in God, and still know that the claim is irrational.

Another claim is that 3.) a book such as this one will harm people who are "struggling with" their sexuality. What is that? The assumption being made is that a person's gender is not the one a person is born with. Why would a person even be confused about the gender they are born with? Maybe a book that says, if you are born a girl, then you are a girl, and if you are born a boy, then you are a boy, should not be chastised for anything more than being simplistic. One's gender is a fact known to one at a very early years after birth, and to talk as if one arbitrarily chooses ones own gender is confusion that is caused by the homosexual movement, rather than those who are pointing it out. Stop confusing the kids about their sexuality. They don't need to grow up taking hormones for the rest of their life, trying to change from the gender they are born with. It would seam wiser to help any child or adult to feel right in the body they are born with.

Is it a matter of 4.) accepting people the way they are? Sure, if one is tall or short, man or women, we accept people the way they really "are." But that is not what is really being stated. What is being claimed is that one should accept/without objection/disagreement with how another person would arbitrary chooses to change ones gender. There is two point made. One, we are to unquestioningly accept what ever another person chooses. But that is not at all realistic for we all pass judgements as to the right or wrongness of an action. People are not perfect, they may make bad choices or do wrong things, are we not to judge those?

And the last thing I want to comment on is the claim that 5.) the APA has claimed that "reparative therapy" does not work. The APA had historically claimed that homosexuality and others are a mental illness, and under pressure from the homosexual movement, it flipped their opinion 180 degrees. It is a pro-homosexual group, and can't be said to be giving an honest evaluation of the facts. Because of the homosexual agenda, there are not many group that will give an honest reporting on the subject of homosexuality and other related subjects. Take for example another group, search the CDC for numbers of men who raped or molested boys. As I was doing research on the subject, I was not able to find that info from the CDC or any other gov programs.

25 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very helpful for those who want to be changed., January 4, 2009

By 

Alice (MN, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Coming Out of Homosexuality: New Freedom for Men and Women (Paperback)

One of my pastors, who loves me and also has a son in the homosexual lifestyle whom she loves dearly, lent this book to me more than 2 years ago. I still have it because I go back and re-read parts of it when I want encouragement and reinforcement. I lived a lesbian lifestyle for about seven years, but I am here to tell you that through this book (and several others), I have learned that God loves me deeply and offers real hope for permanent healing and change. I am now in a healthy heterosexual relationship. I am currently abstinent and will remain so until I marry, but look forward to a fulfilling sex-life with my future husband. I am thankful that Bob and Lori wrote this book for all of us who have the courage to let God into our hurt and believe that He can heal us and YES, CHANGE us!

53 of 81 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars this Book Was Great, December 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Coming Out of Homosexuality: New Freedom for Men and Women (Paperback)

I'm a 22y/o college student. I read this book and thought it was great. If you're a Christian and are truly seeking change, this book is for you. i was surprised by the negative reviews. As I read this book, I was floored at how the author knew exactly where I was coming from. Bob davies personally struggled with the issue of homosexuality. This book really helped me identify with my personal struggles and offered some great advice.