Library Loot ~ January 16-22

Torn: Rescuing the Gospel from the Gays-vs.-Christians Debate ~ by Justin Lee, 2012, memoir

Provided by the publisher:  "A loving and biblically-based response to the controversy that pits the church against the LGBT community and that divides Christians from each other."  Synopsis:  As a teenager and young man, Justin Lee felt deeply torn.  Nicknamed "God Boy" by his peers, he knew that he was called to a life in the evangelical Christian ministry.  But Lee harbored a secret:  He also knew that he was gay.  In this groundbreaking book, Lee recalls the events — his coming out to his parents, his experiences with the "ex-gay" movement, and his in-depth study of the Bible — that led him, eventually, to self-acceptance.  But more than just a memoir, TORN provides insightful, practical guidance for all committed Christians who wonder how to relate to gay friends or family members — or who struggle with their own sexuality.  Convinced that "in a culture that sees gays and Christians as enemies, gay Christians are in a unique position to bring peace," Lee demonstrates that people of faith on both sides of the debate can respect, learn from, and love one another.

Only one new book from the library this week, since I still haven't finished reading three books from last week.  I got this one because Rachel Held Evans is hosting a three-week discussion of this book.  I've already found a memorable line from a mother who had just learned her son was gay (p. 2):

"Whatever mistakes her son might make in life, Cindy was sure God would have mercy on him.  The church, she feared, might not."

That is so sad.  In a 2007 study of 16-to-29-year-olds, 91 percent of the nonchristians chose the term "antihomosexual" to describe present-day Christianity. 

(NOTE:  I'm typing this post with both hands, which is okay — I have permission from my physical therapist — since I don't have to move my healing shoulder.  My fingers are a bit "creaky" from lack of practice for these "six weeks post-injury" as of tomorrow, as the orthopedic surgeon puts it.  But my weak right-hand fingers are doing their share of the work.  Hurray!)

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire @ The Captive Reader and Marg @ The Adventures of an Intrepid Reader that encourages us to share titles of books we’ve checked out of the library.  Add your link any time during the week, and see what others got this week.