Coming out As Sacrament (Paperback)

~ (Author) "All of life is a sacrament," the Reverend Ross Greek used to say, gleefully rocking back in his high-backed office chair, his gray-blue eyes smiling..." (more)
Key Phrases: Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Body of Christ (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Well-known Christian gay activist Glaser (Uncommon Calling, John Knox, 1996) asserts that the Christian Scriptures themselves defend the self-affirmation of gays and lesbians in the Church and provide pertinent examples of courage and opennness toward outcasts from the lives and teachings of Moses, Jesus, the Psalmist, and others. He also provides seven sample rituals of commitment and celebration (not including, it should be noted, marriage) for the Church's rejected children. Likely to become indispensable for gay and lesbian Christians, Glaser's book will be widely discussed. For most collections.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

Gay Christian author and activist Chris Glaser proposes that coming out--as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered--has biblical precedence and sacramental dimensions.

Product Details

• Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press; 1st edition (January 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0664257488
• ISBN-13: 978-0664257484
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #889,229 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fresh Biblical insights to an event many have experienced, January 19, 1999

By	Robert Lodwick ([e-mail]) - See all my reviews

I heartily commend to you Chris Glaser's newest book, "Coming Out as Sacrament." I have just finished reading it and wished this book had been written three decades ago when I began my own laborious "coming out" process. Chris affirms that "Coming Out is our unique sacrament, a rite of vulnerability that reveals the sacred in our lives--our worth, our love, our love-making, our beloved, our community, our context of meaning, and our God."

Coming out from the confines of the closet, whatever it may be, should be a freeing and transforming experience for everyone in the lesbigay and transgendered community. In his own unique and creative style, Chris brings fresh insights to an event we have all faced and one which has affected our families and our friends as well.

I am impressed by Chris' Biblical scholarship and the way this informs all of his writings. The chapters on "Coming Out in the Bible" and "God Comes Out" are exciting and extremely insightful.

A unique feature of this book are seven "Rites of the Soul" which Chris offers to us in our journey to wholeness -- affirmations of our belovedness, commitment to justice, and the "celebration of glimpses of the inbreaking of God's victory and vision of a common spiritual wealth for us all". This will be a book you will want to share with others in and out of the closet, including parents and allies. 

Chris Glaser, Coming Out as Sacrament, Westminster John Knox Press, Louisville, KY ISBN 0-664-25748-8

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Coming Out with God, May 22, 2000

By	James Hiller (Beaverton, OR) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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Chris Glaser's finely tuned and wonderfully supportive book, "Coming Out as Sacrament" bridges the gap between homosexuality and the Church in a kind and gentle demeanor. I appreciated Glaser's straightforward (no pun intended) approach to spirtuality, and found many spots for self-reflection throughout this book.

Especially powerful for me was Glaser's recounting of Biblical stories that support "coming out". His assertion that a central theme in life is "coming out" is very true, and shown time and time again through Biblical stories, from Adam and Eve to Paul. His point that God, through the Old Testament, is virtually unknowable to us mere humans, and that he himself "comes out" through the personage of Jesus Christ is both revelationary and comforting to me.

It continouslly impressed me that as Glaser was writing this book, he himself was falling under scrunity and controversy from his congregation and religion, who were struggling with gay issues. Yet, he maintains his composure, his focus, and his desire to show that being gay and being Christian are very compatable, despite the gross misinterpretation and societal pressure plays in those roles.

Three cheers for "Coming Out as Sacrament", a must read.

5.0 out of 5 stars Sound, thorough theology, July 9, 2008

By	Peter D. Thompson - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

"Coming Out as Sacrament" is Chris Glaser's inspiring, thorough explanation of why coming out is not just allowed in the Bible, but encouraged. Glaser examines Biblical stories to see how time and time again, Biblical people come out of situations that enslave them and into the light. Glaser than proves that God himself comes out continually in the Bible, gradually but decisively revealing himself to his people, especially in the figure of Jesus. This is a work of supremely sound theology and is a fresh, but ground reworking of scripture. Glaser is ocasionally trivial and petty, especially when he talks about current gay politics in the church, and his style is a bit flowery and academic. In addition, the "Rites for the Soul" section in the back of the book is downright silly. But these are extremely tiny flaws compared to the enormous service this book provides to gay and lesbian people and to the greater religious community.