EVANGELICAL THEOLOGIAN MAKES BIBLICAL CASE FOR GAY RIGHTS
Louisville, KentuckyTaking on the most divisive issue in the
church today the former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.), Jack Rogers, argues unequivocally for the ordination and
marriage of people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender
(LGBT) in Jesus, the Bible, and Homosexuality: Explode the Myths,
Heal the Church.
A life-long evangelical and a respected theologian, Rogers argues
that fidelity to the Bible demands equal rights in the church and
society for people who are LGBT. Jesus, the Bible, and
Homosexuality describes Rogerss own change of mind and heart on
the issue; charts the churchs well-documented history of using
biblical passages to oppress marginalized groups; argues for a
Christ-centered reading of Scripture; and debunks oft-repeated
stereotypes about gays and lesbians.
The best methods of interpretation, from the Reformation on down
through today, call upon us to interpret the Scripture through the
lens of Jesus Christs life and ministry. Using this method we see
clearly that Jesus and the Bible, properly understood, do not
condemn people who are homosexual, Rogers writes in a stirring
conclusion that is sure to provoke debate.
Jesus, the Bible, and Homosexuality was released this March by
Westminster John Knox Press to widespread attention and acclaim.
Yesterday, Rogers was the featured guest on KQED San Franciscos
Forum, which skyrocketed sales on Amazon.com. And next week,
Rogers will begin a national book tour with more than twenty
speaking engagements confirmed.
The book has also received glowing reviews from some of Americas
foremost religious leaders:
· This is an extraordinary book, arguably the best to appear in
the long, drawn-out debates within churches over homosexuality,
says J. Philip Wogaman, former senior minister at Foundry United
Methodist Church (where Bill Clinton worshipped) in Washington,
D.C. Rogers frames the issues on deep biblical and theological
grounds, challenging superficial readings of Scripture. The book is
wonderfully relevant
It is a gift to all of us.
· This book is simply wonderfulan intelligent, well-researched,
amazingly helpful contribution by a person of faith to one of the
most difficult debates of our time, declares Joanna Adams, pastor
of Morningside Presbyterian Church in Atlanta.
· Rogerss arguments are relentless, accurate, and devastating to
those who claim that there are serious scriptural, doctrinal, or
confessional reasons to deprive LGBT people from full participation
in the life and ministry of the church, states the Reverend Elder
Nancy Wilson, the Moderator of the Metropolitan Community
Church.
· Rogers adds immensely to those who argue for the full inclusion
of gay and lesbian people in the church and in the clergy, says
the Right Reverend Gene Robinson, Bishop of New Hampshire,
Episcopal Church. His experience in and reflections on the
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) will be useful to people of ALL
mainline denominations. Especially helpful was his analysis of how
other theories (natural law, complementary body parts, etc.) are
superimposed onto scriptural texts without any scriptural basis.
For those who truly wish to know what the Bible does and does not
say, this is a real find.
*****
Westminster John Knox Press is the trade and academic publishing
imprint of the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation. With a
publishing heritage of more than 160 years, the Presbyterian
Publishing Corporation publishes more than 75 new works each year,
while maintaining a backlist of more than 1,100 active
titles.
To order Jesus, the Bible, and Homosexuality: Explode the Myths,
Heal the Church, call 1-800-227-2872 or visit our Web site at
www.wjkbooks.com.
