People to Be Loved – Book Review
“I believe that every single Christian needs to think deeply about this issue. And since it is not an issue, but people, every Christian needs to listen to the stories of LGBT people.”
– Preston Sprinkle
Why do we listen? Why do we read?
Sometimes we do it to affirm a position we already believe. We like being right; we enjoy hearing others agree with us.
But sometimes we need to listen to others to see if what we’re believing is wrong.
I picked up People to Be Loved: Why Homosexuality Is Not Just an Issue because I appreciated the title. I didn’t know which way the book would lean.
So I read on. I hope you will, too.
Not an Issue
Christians often have a bad relationship with the LGBT community (unfortunately, often earned), for treating others as an issue instead of as a person.
Sprinkle says,
“Here’s the thing: most people who are attracted to the same sex don’t end up leaving the church because they were told that same-sex behavior is wrong. They leave because they were dehumanized, ridiculed, and treated like an ‘other.’”
If you’re straight, talk to your own friends, family members, coworkers, and fellow church-goers who are gay. Ask how they’ve been treated by Christians. Many gay people turn away from believers instead of toward them because they feel more hate than love.
“Teens who experience same-sex attraction are two to seven times more likely to attempt suicide than teens who don’t. And unfortunately, the teens who seek help from religious leaders are more likely to kill themselves than those who seek help from nonreligious counselors.”
We also hurt God’s reputation to outsiders because of our attitudes and even our own infighting when we can’t peacefully disagree. Sprinkle doesn’t say believers have to give up their convictions, but they need to work on their kindness.
“It’s not too much truth but too little love that’s driving gay and straight people away from the bride of Christ.”
But we can change this.
Learn Something New
First, Sprinkle wants to educate. He writes at length on six passages in the Bible about same-sex relationships, about origins of Hebrew and Greek words, and about sexual practices of early cultures.
On his section translating 1 Corinthians 6:9 and 1 Timothy 1:10, he values study to this degree (you may agree or disagree with him):
“If you’re not willing to perch up in your chair, roll up your sleeves, and turn your phone off for a couple hours to study these two words [malakoi and arsenokoites], then I’d say you should not form a strong opinion about homosexuality. When asked what you think, at least be honest and say, ‘I’m not too sure, since I don’t want to take the time to understand what the New Testament actually means.’”
While Sprinkle ultimately sides with the non-affirming position that homosexuality is wrong, he still lays out arguments for the affirming position, and often warns readers not to jump to conclusions on either side when they interpret scripture.
He’s careful not to say, “I’m right and you’re wrong,” but makes statements like this throughout the book:
“Like you, I am on a journey. Maybe in five, ten, or fifteen years, I will have a better answer, or maybe I will have changed my mind on the answers I give in this book.”
But Sprinkle did more than spend time researching books and words to write this book. He used the other half of his time in the lives of gay people.
“And my life will never be the same. I have made many unexpected friends whose stories have seeped down into my bones.”
What to Do
Sprinkle then offers multiple suggestions for how we can improve our relationships, regardless of how we interpret the Bible, including these three actions.
- Practice humility.
Cultivate an inviting environment for others to talk.
“The Christian church needs to get past the ‘us’ (straight people) versus ‘them’ (gay people) mindset.”
Don’t assume you already know somebody’s story or their beliefs or motives. Also, don’t assume that your interpretation of scripture is totally correct and their interpretation is wrong. Keep an open mind.
“I still think there is room for dialogue and fellowship with those who hold different views on this topic.”
- Listen to the stories.
Listen to people face-to-face. Listen to books on all sides of the issue (not just ones you agree with). Listen to stories online.
Listening doesn’t mean you have to agree (with anybody on anything), but it does show that you care.
“The fact is, most LGBT people I know didn’t leave the church because their behavior wasn’t affirmed—‘I want to sleep with people of the same sex, and if you don’t affirm this I’m gone.’ It was because their humanity wasn’t affirmed.”
- Stop homophobia.
Speak out against gay jokes, belittling slang, incorrect information. You don’t have to be argumentative about it, but with compassion and respect help make the world a kinder place.
“Homophobia refers to the dislike of or prejudice against LGBT people. When an LGBT person grows up in the church, they usually encounter homophobia—feeling that they are disgusting in the eyes of the Christian God because they have been treated this way by his people. We need to put homophobia to death.”
Here to Love
If we can love people—all people—as Jesus did, we will be a truer representation of Christ in the world. We will have improved relationships with our friends who are gay. We will have a more compassionate reputation among non-believers.
And we will be more honoring to our Father, the one who made us to love each other, not to fight amongst ourselves.
In the end, I don’t agree with all of Sprinkle’s biblical interpretations. But I know I don’t have to fight him over it. He’s someone I could meet for lunch and have an invigorating discussion but still walk away as friends. His tone is gentle and grace-filled.
We all can agree on this: It is critically important to maintain an attitude of respect toward all people. We need to demonstrate loving behavior, whether we believe the same things or not.
We need to stop being part of the problem and start being part of the solution.
As Sprinkle so beautifully states:
“We can put down our guns and care for the wounded.”
* * *
Who listens best to you when you need to talk? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
Related Reading
My thanks to NetGalley
for the review copy of this book
- Hear the Silence? The Deaf Movers
- Celebrate This First
This sounds like an important read Lisa. I think we need to have our thoughts and beliefs challenged to help us flesh them out ourselves. Thanks for this review.
I’m ashamed to admit i started reading this several months ago but then got caught up in other books and put it aside. I need to finish up what I have been reading and get back to reading this.
Thanks for sharing about this book, Lisa. I’ll definitely be interested in checking it out. I shared about another book on this topic this week and I agree, whatever our views it is not just an issue- it is about people and we need to love and listen to their stories.
Love, love, love this! I may need to pick up this book. One of my best friends is gay and I have had many friends over the years who were on the other side of this. They commented over and over again about how I treated them like people (the same as any other person) even though we disagreed about their lifestyle. We have to be willing to love everyone the same.
I struggle with my need to be compassionate and loving and the issues I have. Sounds like a good book to help me with this. Thanks for sharint.
Dear Lisa
Very nice review.
A humane attitude toward people we disagree with, even disapprove of, is so important — and seems so lacking in today’s political culture (certainly in the UK). The church is far from the only or the worst offender. In fact one of the tihngs that drew me to Christianity was that it seemed to be a way of pushing against the dehumanising attitude.
I’m seeing a split starting to emerge between the LGBs and the QTs. Are you seeing anything like that? Would you or Sprinkle make a distinction (in terms of sin, etc.)? (I would.)
David
My grand daughter has two gay college friends and they have appreciated her take on their life style. Why, because she developed a relationship with them way before she spoke her mind. Of course they ask her but she just said, we are all sinners and just because I am not gay does not mean I don’t sin. A few months later one of the young men ask her just what do you believe about gay people. She said, I believe the Bible and it teaches it is sin. He paused and said, that is consistent with your character. It’s so important to live a loving life around all people, one never knows what will click with someone. Being consistent is a trait Jesus had…great post Lisa. As always you take courage by the hand and give us something to think about.
No doubt the church has been less than lovable to all who disagreed with their law. The problem of course is legalism; the old “their sin is worse than mine”.
I’ll definitely being doing some study on those words and their interpretation.
This sounds really good.
I’ve been helped tremendously in this area by the writing of Rosaria Butterfield. She is so practical and yet so theologically excellent in her advice to the church.
Tackling the tough, important subjects, as always, friend. Thank you for this post. And this, “We all can agree on this: It is critically important to maintain an attitude of respect toward all people. We need to demonstrate loving behavior, whether we believe the same things or not.” Amen.
Such a volatile subject. And I’m happy to see you starting a conversation about it. Jesus simply said love others. He didn’t make qualifications about loving people who are act or think like we do. We are simply here to love. This sounds like a book I ought to read! Thanks for sharing!
This sounds like an interesting book. I have had gay friends/co-workers in the past and it seems like love is the only way to see all come to salvation. I remember one co-worker in particular who kept taking my invitation to accept Jesus as Savior back to the question of whether or not God would allow her lifestyle. I think back on that time and am glad that she heard the plan of salvation.
Respect and humility … if that’s not a powerful and effective combination for relating to people, I don’t know what is! Thanks for sharing this review, Lisa. It sounds like a well-thought-out, grace-filled book, and so were your words about it.
wow well written review of this book and topic. Having open discussion with anyone who we may not agree with is always the best choice. and getting rid of that us vs them attitude. great points. We’ve lost the art and skill of open debate and kind conversations in our society any more. I vote for more openness, acceptance and love.
Great review! This book will aid in people showing more compassion towards and better loving and being acceptable to others.