We Were Baptized Too: Claiming God's Grace for Lesbians and Gays [Paperback]

Marilyn Bennett Alexander (Author), James Preston (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1996

Within the liturgy, congregations pledge to accept, love, forgive, and nurture the newly baptized member. The church, however, often lives out this covenant selectively, forcing its gay and lesbian members into silence, alienation, and doubt. We Were Baptized Too challenges the church to take seriously its understanding of baptism and communion as a means of grace, justice, and liberation.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Marilyn Bennett Alexander is an author and consultant on community building and spiritual renewal. She has served as Executive Director of Perkins Relations at the Southern Methodist University Perkins School of Theology.

James Preston has served as Outreadch Coordinator for the Reconciling Congregation Program in Chicago, Illinois.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press (January 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0664256287
• ISBN-13: 978-0664256289
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #642,523 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

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

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Can the Church Tell the Truth about Those Who are Different?, July 27, 2000

By 

The Rev. Dr. Daniel J. G. G. Block - See all my reviews

This review is from: We Were Baptized Too: Claiming God's Grace for Lesbians and Gays (Paperback)

The subtitle of Alexander and Preston's book is "Claiming God's Grace for Lesbians and Gays." Nevertheless, this is not a book for homosexuals. This is a book that raises important theological and liturgical questions for all of God's people. Reduced to their simplest forms the question are: "DOES the Church tell the truth about those who are different?" and if not, "CAN the Church tell the truth about those who are different?"

Cutting through the psycho-babble and well-intentioned but destructive, liberal, social thinking, Alexander and Preston quickly get to the heart of the matter: (1) some denominations baptize infants and young children, boldly declaring that what matters is not our decision for Jesus, but his decision for us; (2) a growing body of scientific evidence argues for a significant genetic component to homosexuality, but (3) despite the commitment that denominations make in infant baptisms and a growing body of scientific evidence for sexual predispositions, most congregations effectively excommunicate homosexuals. The point is simple: every time the Church chases away an homosexual, we sin.

In the face of our religious hypocracy and failure to keep the promises of infant baptism, Alexander and Preston calmly remind us, "We Were Baptized, Too." This thought-provoking argument demands to be read and discussed within the "straight" Church. Can we tell the truth about those who share our faith, but whose ways of loving are different from our own?

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars BrianKate's Review, June 20, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: We Were Baptized Too: Claiming God's Grace for Lesbians and Gays (Paperback)

This is a very good book for gay/lesbian people who want to see some positive messages on the subject of religion, which is definitely needed. With all the hatred that masquerades as "God's word" when it comes to homosexuality (even though Jesus himself *never* mentions sexuality or gender identity *at all*, it's about time people started putting loving book which shows gay/lesbian people they don't have to abandon religion. My only complaint is that the authors don't ever mention or include bisexual or transgendered people at all. They just quickly say something to the effect of "we'd like to, but that's beyond the scope of our book." I'd say someone should write another book addressing this, since bi and trans people get the same harassment from so-called "religious" people, but except for that, this is a very good book. I'd recommend it to any gay/lesbian people I know who don't want to give up on religion, since it shows you *can* be gay *and* a Christian.