<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing and disheartening
Review: In his introduction, Strommen writes that he "will present findings from the most careful research studies on homosexuality." The first study (1994) cited interviewed only 3,432 persons about "their sexual practices," and Strommen uses it to state that the homosexual population is 3% or less. In the first chapter, he states "The discussion that follows is limited to literature about male homosexuality...." He does note that, after listening to case histories of lesbians, there are strong similarities between them and male homosexuals. I expected better "evidence" from a well-educated and experienced (more than 40 of developing and interpreting research studies) and careful (3 years writing and more than 65 people who critiqued the book) person. In the end, the message I received was "love the sinner, hate the sin," because those persons who are "fully satisfied with their orientation" just cannot change it for "unknown reasons." Count me in Strommen's "militant gays" classification, even though I consider myself a person who is a Christian, a lesbian, and left-handed....
Rating: 
Summary: TRUTH
Review: It's about time! Strommen has finally put some "rubber to the road" with this book. Christ's bride, the Church, has been listening far too long to the Gay propaganda machine crank out its "we were born this way...deal with it" scenario. Human societies, since day one, generally don't like to hear the truth, epecially when it just might affect the way we behave.Strommen is rightfully concerned about the Church's future. Reaching out to the Gay Community with the love and hope of the Gospel is paramount. The Church needs to be offering both the love and the hope of Christ to broken humanity in its ENTIRETY. This is beyond the cliche of "love the sinner, hate the sin." This is about "hope." Hope, for every person caught up in any situation in which they lose control of themselves. This is about hope, for those who really WANT freedom in and through Christ. Strommen offers no "majic pill" to make truth more pallatable for the Church. He does, however, offer a very real and honest perspective on the issue of homosexuality from much scientific research that disputes many of the things we have been told were true. The Church, and any concerned individual, needs to look carefully at this perspective and seriously consider not only the possibility, but the high probability, that there is strong merit in knowing more of the truth.
Rating:
Summary: TRUTH
Review: It's about time! Strommen has finally put some "rubber to the road" with this book. Christ's bride, the Church, has been listening far too long to the Gay propaganda machine crank out its "we were born this way...deal with it" scenario. Human societies, since day one, generally don't like to hear the truth, epecially when it just might affect the way we behave. Strommen is rightfully concerned about the Church's future. Reaching out to the Gay Community with the love and hope of the Gospel is paramount. The Church needs to be offering both the love and the hope of Christ to broken humanity in its ENTIRETY. This is beyond the cliche of "love the sinner, hate the sin." This is about "hope." Hope, for every person caught up in any situation in which they lose control of themselves. This is about hope, for those who really WANT freedom in and through Christ. Strommen offers no "majic pill" to make truth more pallatable for the Church. He does, however, offer a very real and honest perspective on the issue of homosexuality from much scientific research that disputes many of the things we have been told were true. The Church, and any concerned individual, needs to look carefully at this perspective and seriously consider not only the possibility, but the high probability, that there is strong merit in knowing more of the truth.
Rating:
Summary: Search failure
Review: Merton Strommen presents no new ground at all. What he claims he finds is nothing new, but a variation of the old ground of "hate the sin, love the sinner" routine. This is really an old work and contributes little but a rehash of an outdated understanding of sexuality. I frankly wonder what motivated him to write this book at all.
Rating:
Summary: Search failure
Review: Merton Strommen presents no new ground at all. What he claims he finds is nothing new, but a variation of the old ground of "hate the sin, love the sinner" routine. This is really an old work and contributes little but a rehash of an outdated understanding of sexuality. I frankly wonder what motivated him to write this book at all.
Rating:
Summary: Best Introduction to Traditional Side
Review: While not without its faults, this is probably the best introduction to the traditional side of the argument about homosexual behavior within the Christian church. It's relatively easy to read. Especially notable is Strommen's charitable and irenic tone -- he avoids invective and most polemics. Those interested in serious Biblical study will go to Robert Gagnon, "The Bible and Homosexual Practice," also with a traditional orientation. I notice that other reviewer's ratings tend to be determined by where they stand on the homosexuality issue and not by the quality of the book. Perhaps my own rating is also affected!
<< 1 >>
| 
