Customer Reviews

The Word Is Out: Daily Reflections on the Bible for Lesbians and Gay Men

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is the first book by Chris Glaser that I have read. I friend of mine gave it to our priest (Roman Catholic!)shortly before he had died. My priest gave it to me. It has become a daily ritual in my life, bringing me closer to my self, my God, and my true queer self. This is Definately a must read for gay/lesbian/bi/transgendered Christians everywhere!

Just like the Christian daily devotionals we have all grown accustomed to, this delightful book fits in the palm of your hand, and is arranged by the day of the year, with a scripture for each day. A short story follows with application to gays and lesbians, as well as a short prayer. Very inspirational.

It keeps me company. Glaser's daily meditations are a gift for all gay men and women. Please do yourself a favor and read his other wonderful book Reformation of the Heart,

I was very disappointed in this daily devotional. First, the book communicates the idea that the most important thing about anyone is her/his sexuality. That is nonsense! The most important thing about anyone is her/his relationship with God. That is foundational for every other relationship or activity in which we are involved. The author never even approaches this perspective. As a result the Bible verses are not the starting point for the topic of the day, but rather appear to be some convenient verse that is attached to support the author's perspective.

Next, a daily devotional should provide both conviction and encouragement for a person to be all that God desires her/him to be. The only times the author provides statements about conviction by God's spirit seem to be when others don't affirm the homosexual lifestyle. This is either intentional condemnation of others combined with self-affirmation or a blindness that comes from only reading the Bible to support one's own point of view. On the other hand, if you read a devotion like "My Utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers, one often gets the feeling that God is speaking to the author and convicting him of sin, just like he is doing so to you. That is allowing God to truly speak through His word.

I really think this book is a waste of time. If you want to find ways to make the Bible support homosexuality, then go ahead and paint homosexuals as the poor or underprivileged, but one should also be honest enough to face the clear teachings from the Bible that state homosexuality is sin. This book does not do that and cannot, therefore, be considered a Biblical perspective on even the one aspect of life it discusses.