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The Children Are Free: Reexamining the Biblical Evidence on Same-sex Relationships Paperback – April 2, 2002

by Rev. Jeff Miner (Author), John Tyler Connoley (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars 237 ratings
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In The Children Are Free, Rev. Jeff Miner and John Tyler Connoley offer a comprehensive yet easy-to-read examination of the biblical evidence regarding loving same-sex relationships and God's attitude toward them.

In Chapter One, the authors lead the reader through a discussion of each of the six passages traditionally used against gay, lesbian, and bisexual people. They demonstrate how an anti-gay interpretation is a misapplication of these scriptures.

In Chapter Two, Miner and Connoley turn our attention to the biblical stories and passages that affirm loving same-sex relationships. Did you know Jesus once met a gay person? Jesus' loving response is just one of the well-researched stories presented in this chapter.

Chapter Three asks readers to take seriously the call of Jesus to think more deeply about biblical rules.

And Chapter Four calls Christians to action, making a connection between the conflicts in the early Church and those occurring within the Church today.

This book belongs in the library of any Christian questioning the role of Scripture in the lives of gay, lesbian, and bisexual people, or the role of GLB people in the Church.

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  1. Print length
    106 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    LifeJourney Press
  4. Publication date
    April 2, 2002
  5. Dimensions
    8.3 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0971929602
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0971929609
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jeff Miner is the pastor of LifeJourney Church in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was raised in fundamentalist independent Baptist churches, and received his undergraduate degree from Bob Jones University.

In college, Jeff felt called to the ministry, but deferred that calling while trying to come to terms with being gay. In the meantime, he attended Harvard Law School, graduating with honors in 1983. Several years later, after intensive study of the Bible and homosexuality, Jeff came to peace with being gay. Soon he discovered the Metropolitan Community Churches, a Christian denomination that has arisen out of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community. There, Jeff realized he could fulfill his call to ministry. He completed his clergy training and was ordained in 1997.

Before his ordination, Jeff worked as an attorney for 13 years, last serving as a Deputy Chief Council for a federal banking agency.

Jeff lives with his spouse, David Zier. They were joined in Holy Union on September 8, 1990.

John Tyler Connoley is the son of Wesleyan missionaries. He spent most of his childhood years in Zambia, Africa, and has lived in Korea, the Philippines, and all of the West Coast states.

He came out to himself in 1991, while attending Indiana Wesleyan University, and has since sought to live a life that integrates his deep faith in God with his sexuality. While working on this book, Tyler completed his M.A. in Biblical Studies at Earlham School of Religion in Richmond, Indiana.

He is married to Rob Connoley.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ LifeJourney Press
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 2, 2002
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ Softcover Ed
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 106 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0971929602
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0971929609
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 6.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
  • Best Sellers Rank: #1,018,341 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 237 ratings

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4.6 out of 5 stars
237 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book deeply researched and informative throughout, providing easy-to-read explanations of biblical verses. They appreciate how it brings Christ's love and acceptance to all, and one customer mentions it includes affirming passages for gay Christians. Customers describe the book as refreshing and hope-filled.

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InsightReadabilityLove for gaysHope
53 customers mention "Insight"46 positive7 negative

Customers find the book enlightening and deeply researched, with surprising insights throughout.

"Very insightful and informative for Christian men and women who are searching to reconcile their God given sexuality and the Scriptures...." Read more

"Probably the best book on this subject I have read. I highly recommend it for people struggling to reconcile their sexuality and their faith...." Read more

"I found this book very insightful, easy-to-read, and to be the best book on the topic that I've read...." Read more

"The Children are Free: useful, practical, and well written. New perspectives on scriptures misread in the past backed up by solid scholarship." Read more

22 customers mention "Readability"22 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read, appreciating its simple and straightforward approach.

"...It is for those who need a clear, concise and Biblically sound response to the major scriptural passages concerning homosexual expression...." Read more

"...With that said, I loved the book. It is a short, easy read...." Read more

"...This book is a quick read. lots of information--serious yet humorous!!!..." Read more

"It gave a clear, concise account of the scriptures that I knew and opened my eyes to others that I had never considered...." Read more

19 customers mention "Love for gays"19 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate how the book brings Christ's love and acceptance to all, with one customer noting it provides affirming passages for gay Christians.

"...Now I feel that God loves us all, He isn't the enemy that is here to codemn us for being who we natrually are. He is for love because He is love." Read more

"...It as a great interpretation of scripture about homosexuality,as well as a few parts about women...." Read more

"...It is infused with God's character - love, humility, sound reasoning and clarity...." Read more

"...Christ was radical and did practice grace and forgiveness, but he didn't let the adulterous woman completely off the hook...." Read more

8 customers mention "Hope"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book refreshing and hope-filled, with one mentioning it made them feel better about themselves.

"...found this book to be well-researched, well-argued, compelling, and refreshing...." Read more

"...This was a very interesting read and it filled me with hope just to read it!..." Read more

"Thank you for this...you have given me a new found hope and PEACE. This book has the info in it that my heart has been searching for for 30 years...." Read more

"...Their wonderful personalities come across in their writing so it keeps you reading!..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Brian daniel
    5.0 out of 5 stars We intended- but lied too
    Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I went through this book the firsr time 18yrs ago. I was attending Pastor Jeff's church. It brought me some hope but I was to damaged to be set free yet. I was in my late 30's, nearly divorced, father of two, hated by everyone. Why? Depends on who you ask but i had just been forced out. Hard for anyone, anyone married and it wasn't made easy by me being a Ordained Pentecostal Minister.
    After twenty years being out. Im back church, reading bible but have still doubted God'S love. I have doubted that i was normal and not a sinner.
    People read the Bible but few know how to study it. Reading this book i found it to be sound. Using proper study methods. I found myself talking outloud while reading this amazed at some things i blindly never saw before.
    I was lied to. People many well intentioned people are lieing about this. I know though first hand now The children can be free.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Chris LaRosa
    5.0 out of 5 stars The best "Cliff notes" book of its genre!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    If you only had one book to read on the topic of homosexuality and the Bible this is it. For those that are gay and are seeking to reconcile your Christian faith with your God-given sexual orientation then I can't recommend this book enough. Will it convince your fundie friends it's okay to be gay? Of course not, but if you're truly struggling with "why am I gay when the Bible 'says' I shouldn't be gay but God has never changed me even when I asked Him to?" then this book will open your eyes to see yourself in a new non-condemning light. Granted, Jeff Miner is a pastor of an MCC church, but he has clearly done his homework on the topic. I've researched this topic for years and, yes, I've heard some pretty lame arguments supporting this topic, but this author has packaged some pretty compelling evidence for the validity of "gay and Christian" in the face of rabid fundamentalists. Does the author support "anything goes"? No. He supports committed relationships which is appropriate considering all Christians view sexual promiscuity as sinful. As a believer for 28+ years, I found this book to be well-researched, well-argued, compelling, and refreshing. To a degree, The Children are Free is preaching to the choir, but the ones that will be touched the deepest are the ones hurting and desperately seeking to know that God truly loves them and accepts them - straight or gay. There is hope! ><>
    10 people found this helpful
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  • Jennifer Avery
    5.0 out of 5 stars Well worth the read! This book is such a blessing.
    Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I got this book, because I like what it's about and I'm a fan of one of the authors, Jeff Miner. It as a great interpretation of scripture about homosexuality,as well as a few parts about women. There was a section that argues, despite that the Apostle Paul said women should have long hair and wear a veil while praying, this doesn't mean Christian women have too. In his day, only prostitutes had short hair and walked around uncovered, so what he was advising was done out of compassion, not to oppress anyone who didn't want too.

    This book and the website [...], where you can hear sermons about homosexuality and the Bible from Jeff Miner, are great resources to learn about why someone can be gay or bisexual and a Christian. The book is short, but sweet, and very compelling. It really gave me a great chance to learn more about scripture.

    I rarely get books about other people's interpretations of the Bible. They can be written by some real crazy people, but I had seen stuff from one of the authors, Jeff Miner, and decided his book was worth a read and it was!
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Mirandola
    4.0 out of 5 stars Informative summary
    Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    If you are looking for a booklet that gives you an adequate and informed summary of all the relevant Bible passages around homosexuality, this is definitely a good choice. Miner & Connoley 2002 know how to turn the new insights from growing scientific research in this matter by others, into a readable 90 pages of their own. From their personal upbringing they are aware of fundamentalist arguments that have for so long been imposed upon adolescents and parents alike as the truth or even God’s truth. The authors touch upon the harsh reality, that even today the rate of suicide and suicide attempts among gay youngsters is a lot higher than with their straight peers. This different interpretation of the old texts will not only surprise you, but help us as parents or teachers, and it might be literally lifesaving for our kids. (Martin Nieboer)
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Romell Parks-Weekly
    5.0 out of 5 stars Extremely Insightful, and On Focus
    Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2008
    Verified Purchase
    So many books of this kind seem to leave the biblical testimony and instead focus on extrabiblical data. For conservatives, this is not a very good approach, as the Bible is our only source of absolute truth. This book does a good job of staying on point, and examining the Scriptures through a logical, and sound exegetical approach to interpretation and application. I'm very glad to have purchased this book, and will recommend it to many others.

    As one reviewer stated, there is a fear in the latter portions of the book that the authors espouse an overall nullification of any part of the Scriptures that may require any changes or challenges to the individual. But, a careful reading of the authors' perspectives lead to the conclusion of this reader that they do not advocate a relativistic approach to interpretation, but rather, one that is as closely related to Jesus' own approach as can be.

    All in all, a very good book. Read it for what it says, and not for what it doesn't, and you'll be fine.
    5 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Luiz Carlos
    5.0 out of 5 stars Perfeito!
    Reviewed in Brazil on April 4, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    O melhor livro que já li sobre a bíblia e homossexualidade . Sem palavras. Profundo, surpreendente e revelador! Muito bom! Perfect!
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  • Calum Og
    5.0 out of 5 stars A thoughtful, compelling argument book with humour
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 10, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    I loved this book. I read it in one sitting. The authors are not short on scholarship but neither are they wanting in humour. It's a powerful argument delivered against those who insist that Christianity prohibits same-sex realtionship. Not at all polemical; the authors simply step through the evidence and those passages in the Bible frequently cited to atempt to bolster the notion that the Bible contains prohibitions on same-sex relationship. The passages are examined in context, at some depth and some very different conclusions emerge. Highly recommended
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  • Molejester
    5.0 out of 5 stars Every Christian should read this book.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 6, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    This book is a true revelation. Extremely well written and structured the authors present their case thoroughly and with great attention to detail. Such a great testament to their relationship with the Lord that they have kept their faith through some quite disgraceful treatment by fellow 'Christians'. Personally, after reading this book I would love to attend a service at their church. Please guys, you need to follow this up with a look at Christian attitudes to transgender people.
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  • Paul Woods
    5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely essential for doubters
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 20, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    If you’re non-straight and believe but feel doubt or rejection, you MUST read this book. Then rejoice with tremendous glee!
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  • Bron
    4.0 out of 5 stars Affirming
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 2, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    This has been a really helpful read in finding evidence of God's love for the LGBTQ+ community.
    Miner writes in a style that's easy to access but one that also reads a little "us and them" at times. This was very Side A heavy (which is fine for me as this is where I sit) but could be a challenging read for Side B readers.
    Overall an engaging and well thought out read.
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