Question of Truth: Christianity and Homosexuality [Paperback]

Gareth Moore (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2003 | ISBN-10: 0826459498 | ISBN-13: 978-0826459497

Many Christians accept that 'homosexual acts are wrong' on the authority of the Church. For many others such teaching contradicts what they know to be the obvious truth. In this book Gareth Moore closely and dispassionately examines the bases of Christian 'anti-gay' arguments. Moore critically explores the language that we use to describe and define human sexuality and what this means for what we think we know about sex, identity and morality.At the centre of this work is a thorough and revolutionary analysis of the Bible on homosexuality posing such questions as: Is there a unified biblical teaching on sex or homosexuality? Are we misreading the Bible by applying modern thinking and terms? Must Christians accept Paul's supposed rejection of homosexuality when they do not follow all of his teaching (for example his low estimation of marriage - 1, Cor, 7)?For Moore the criticism that gay practice is remote from Christian values is just as true of straight life. Gay Christians are often responsible and thoughtful moral agents and to propose otherwise is both unreasonable and deeply disrespectful. It is a precondition of being heard that we listen and in the end the gospel can only be preached effectively by those who listen.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Moore admits his book brings together what others have already said, but his original contribution is to apply a conceptual and linguistic analysis to this discussion. He is also an excellent pedagogue who uses examples and analogies to clarify his arguments…this is an important book published at a time when many Christians are again publicly discussing homosexuality. " -Charles Curran, The Tablet

"…this work is exhaustive, examining the both the biblical and natural law foundations of Catholic doctrine…Recommended. Lower level undergraduates and above." -CHOICE, Jan. 2004

“…he has paved the way for others to write positively of Christianity and homosexuality, freed from the need to answer Vatican pronouncements. A Question of Truth has left those decrees in ruins. This book is a must-read for anyone serious about homosexuality and religion.” –Lambda Book Report, November/December 2004

About the Author

Gareth Moore is a member of the Dominican Order and has taught at Blackfriars, Oxford (England). He is the author of Believing in God and Question of Truth: Christianity and Homosexuality (Continuum).

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Continuum (August 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0826459498
• ISBN-13: 978-0826459497
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,324,253 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Exhausting argument, but enlightening, April 4, 2005

By 

John Rice (Milwaukee, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Question of Truth: Christianity and Homosexuality (Paperback)

The contention of this book by Fr. Moore is that documents recently written by the Holy See concerning homosexuality, their theological underpinnings and scripture references are incorrect. Moore is a Thomist and argues effectively, although some may perceive these arguments as obtuse or lengthy. This is the Thomistic manner and is both careful and systematic. Additionally, Moore is careful not to challenge the Catholic Church's teaching that homosexual acts are immoral. His book challenges the arguments in Persona Humana, Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons and a Note on discrimination are not accurate. The position of the Vatican in these publications cannot be maintained by the arguments they contain.

Moore carefully examines scripture references by interpreting what these statements mean through the language and cultural context in which they have been written. While making allowances that the Bible may in other places may condemn homosexual actions, the passages referred to in the above-mentioned documents cannot. He also examines traditional teaching from Augustine to Aquinas and beyond.

This is not a popularly written book, but a careful one and deserves to be part of the Roman Catholic Church's examination of sexual morality.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Thorough, Methodical, and Responsible Approach to the Issu, April 27, 2004

By 

W. R. Stewart "History teacher" (Arlington, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Question of Truth: Christianity and Homosexuality (Paperback)

Gareth Moore's "A Question of Truth: Christianity and Homosexuality", is perhaps the most thorough, methodical, and responsible approach to this issue confronting Christians today. Moore examines the arguments put forth by the Roman Catholic Church, but these will sound familiar to most Christians who take the "love the sinner, hate the sin" approach to commenting on the lives of other-sexually-oriented people.

It must be said that the reading can be difficult at times, as Moore, a theologian, carefully constructs his argument as any good philosopher will. That being said, he does attempt to make it as accessible as possible to the general reader, avoiding overly technical language and making good use of more common everyday analogies. It should also be noted that the text reflects the British idiom and so includes items that may be unfamiliar to some American readers.

Yet it is well worth the effort to get through the book. Moore insists on removing all considerations of motive and character from those whose analysis differs from his own, focusing instead on the arguments themselves. He bends over backwards to be fair and impartial, while at the same time holding up the official positions of the Roman Catholic Church to close scrutiny. Invariably, he finds them wanting.

Those whose minds are made up and who are not open to logical argument probably should not bother with this book. Those who are open, however, may find in it a new possibility for better understanding the subject from a thoroughly Christian point of view.