My latest book, Questions about Sexuality that Got Me Uninvited from My Denomination, is out today, although it’s weird to say, “mine.” There were a lot of people involved with the whole thing.
I wrote the book for three main reasons:
To let LGTBQ+ people from my background (e.g., protestant, conservative, quasi-fundamental, holiness) know that there are heterosexuals who are interested in interpreting the Bible through a lens of love and all it’s possibilities more than through a lens of fear and all it’s limitations.
To help all of us who come from this background wrestle with reasonable and well thought out questions. I mean, look, the Bible just isn’t as plain to understand in some areas as we’ve been led to believe.
To hopefully demonstrate that I haven’t lost my mind. I admit, this last reason is the least honorable of the three, but it’s true, I’m hoping some former colleagues will read this and think, “Oh, these are reasonable questions.” Then we could be friends again. Maybe?
My theologian, author friend, James Alison said after reading the book, “Jonathan’s writing is excellent and more importantly, bears witness to the love of God. How fortunate it is for the evangelical church (and all of us who love it) to have this book to open us up.”
Another theologian, author friend (cuz those are the only kinds of friends that I have) Thomas Jay Oord said, “Merely talking about sexuality is often considered taboo unless one parrots the official stance of those in authority. Jonathan not only talks about it, and tells his story, he speaks for countless young people, pastors and other who long for the church to change. For the sake of love - love of God, love for the church, and love for LGTBQ+ friends - please read this book!”
I don’t want to overdue it here, but yet another theologian, author friend David Gushee said, “In this smart book filled with searching questions, Jonathan joins the growing list of pastors who are questioning the understanding of Christianity they’ve received. At great cost already, he is saying no to rejectionist Christianity to say yes to the love of God in Christ Jesus.”
These comments, and others, are humbling. I’m grateful. Not everyone, of course, loves my writing that much, but I’m not including their comments. Pick up a copy today at amazon and other fine digital retailers. Also, if you want to go a bit more in depth as to how the book came about you need to listen to the @jonathan_foster podcast.
