The Third Sex Revisited Homosexual And Transgender Issues From A Biblical Perspective

Pastor Philpott returns to the subject of his 1974 book, The Third Sex? to update all the concepts that are now current in our culture's understanding of homosexual and transgender issues but still with the biblical viewpoint. Taking another look at whether a person is born homosexual or born in the wrong body, Philpott exhibits both courage and compassion.

One of the most pressing issues facing the evangelical church today involves dramatic shifts in our culture's perceptions regarding human sexuality. While homosexuality and same-sex marriage have been at the forefront, there is a new cultural awareness of sexual diversity and gender dysphoria. The transgender phenomenon has become a high-profile battleground issue in the culture wars. This book offers a full-scale dialogue on transgender identities from across the Christian theological spectrum. It brings together contributors with expertise and platforms in the study of transgender identities to articulate and defend differing perspectives on this contested topic. After an introductory chapter surveys key historical moments and current issues, four views are presented by Owen Strachan, Mark A. Yarhouse and Julia Sadusky, Megan K. DeFranza, and Justin Sabia-Tanis. The authors respond to one another's views in a respectful manner, modeling thoughtful dialogue around a controversial theological issue. The book helps readers understand the spectrum of views among Christians and enables Christian communities to establish a context where conversations can safely be held.

Homosexuality is not a recent phenomenon or a newly emerged issue. It exists since the ancient time despite the suppression by tradition and culture. It started to surface in recent years as technology and media have developed in racing speed. The society has become more open and acceptive to the topic; people started to reflect on the traditional thinking on human relationship; voices and discussions regarding homosexuality are getting common. The word “homosexuality” which merely means same sex relationship in the past has evolved to LGBTQ which covers Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgenders and Queers nowadays. Although there are more discussions, do we truly understand LGBTQ? How should we discern the right and wrong? From Christian perspective, how should see it and live with its community? Does the Bible provide us the answer? In the past, when religions are confronted by issues of homosexuality and LGBTQ, they would quickly jump into a conclusion such as “sin”, “against the nature”, “promiscuity”, “unclean” etc. On one hand, religious communities subconsciously hold different attitudes and mindsets toward LGBTQ community; on the other hand, media coverage and celebrity influence exalt the revolution and advocacy of LGBTQ, so that people or religious bodies who hold different point of views may be labeled as “conservative”, “old-fashioned”, “traditional”, “conventional” etc. Over time, a gap has formed between LGBTQ and religious communities. Nevertheless, before we decide between the right and wrong, or give people a label of unrighteousness, could we jump out of the endless quarrel, opposition, or criticism? Could we adjust our perspective to understand, to observe and to contemplate the matter, so that we can better serve this community and walk with them with the love of Christ while we hold on to the law and principle of God? “Homosexuality FAQs – A Christian Perspective” is a wonderful guide for Churches. It helps readers to understand the issue more comprehensively, find out the viewpoints of the Bible, and learn how to reach out and serve LGBTQ community. This book clears doubts and confusions on LGBTQ through 10 questions in the first section. It tries to rebut general arguments from objective and scientific perspective. In the second section, it discusses LGBTQ from biblical perspective through 16 questions. Lastly, the editors laid out 6 questions to discuss the relation between Christians and the society on LGBTQ issue. Each answer begins with “quick response” to give readers the key concept, then followed by elaboration and more supplementary information. This structure is clear and easy to follow. What I appreciate the most is that it does not merely lay out a pile of data and evidence, but also shares ministry tips at the end of some answers, so that readers can break through the frame of merely knowledge, thinking and critique; and more important they can learn how to bridge the gap between the LGBTQ and us, counsel and serve LGBTQ community. Whether you want to know more the issue or feel the burden to serve the LGBTQ community, this book is worth to read. Bishop Dr Titus Chung Anglican Diocese of Singapore President, National Council of Churches of Singapore

"This inviting text provides a useful framework for Christians to use in approaching what can be difficult conversations around gender identity."--Publishers Weekly This book offers a measured Christian response to the diverse gender identities that are being embraced by an increasing number of adolescents. Mark Yarhouse and Julia Sadusky offer an honest, scientifically informed, compassionate, and nuanced treatment for all readers who care about or work with gender-diverse youth: pastors, church leaders, parents, family members, youth workers, and counselors. Yarhouse and Sadusky help readers distinguish between current mental health concerns, such as gender dysphoria, and the emerging gender identities that some young people turn to for a sense of identity and community. Based on the authors' significant clinical and ministry experience, this book casts a vision for practically engaging and ministering to teens navigating diverse gender-identity concerns. It also equips readers to critically engage gender theory based on a Christian view of sex and gender.

Thirty contemporary essays that explore philosophically, conceptually, and theologically the nature, social meanings, and morality of contemporary sexual phenomena. From publisher description.

A down-to-earth look at the spiritual power of sex Sex and the Sacred examines the spiritual dimension of human sexuality in a way that is free of religious affiliation but still open to traditional religion and belief in God. Dr. Daniel Helminiak, author of the best-selling What the Bible Really Says about Homosexuality, looks at the relationship between sexuality and spirituality, first, from a humanistic perspective and, then, a more familiar Christian point of view. In particular, he encourages LGBTI people to reclaim their spiritual heritage without apology. This unique book emphasizes spiritual commitment as an essential facet of LGBTI/queer consciousness and addresses such burning themes as coming out, the importance of self-acceptance, gay marriage, gay bashing, and the ethics of gay sex. Sex and the Sacred combines a psychological approach to spirituality with common sense and compassion, inspiring a break from moralistic religion and an understanding of what true spirituality means. The book applies this understanding to Christian topics such as the Bible, Fundamentalism, and the future of Christianity, and shows how coming out was an issue for Jesus, how homosexual experience relates to the Christian Trinity, and how Western Civilization became so sex-negative. Sex and the Sacred presents in the end a radical vision of Christianity open to all people. Religious leaders of all denominations, educators, counselors, members of the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender community, non-religious spiritual seekers, and anyone interested in the relationship between spirituality and sexuality will find this book enlightening and uplifting. Sex and the Sacred examines: the spiritual drive that is built into human sexuality the standard religious arguments against gay marriage a sustained argument that Biblical Fundamentalism is not Christian spiritual lessons from the AIDS epidemic the right and wrong of sex—queer and otherwise homosexuality in Catholic teaching and practice sexual ethics without religion a vision for a renewed Christianity within a global community

The Queer Bible Commentary brings together the work of several scholars and pastors known for their interest in the areas of gender, sexuality and Biblical studies. Rather than a verse-by-verse analysis, typical of more traditional commentaries, contributors to this volume focus specifically upon those portions of the book that have particular relevance for readers interested in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues such as the construction of gender and sexuality, the reification of heterosexuality, the question of lesbian and gay ancestry within the Bible, the transgendered voices of the prophets, the use of the Bible in contemporary political, socio-economic and religious spheres and the impact upon lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities. Accordingly, the commentary raises new questions and re-directs more traditional questions in fresh and innovative ways, offering new angles of approach. This comprehensive, cutting-edge commentary is prefaced by an introductory essay by Professor Mary Tolbert. Contributors draw on feminist, queer, deconstructionist, utopian theories, the social sciences and historical-critical discourses. The focus is both how reading from lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender perspectives affect the reading and interpretation of biblical texts and how biblical texts have and do affect lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender communities. The commentary includes an extensive bibliography that directs the reader to a full range of literature relating to queer interpretation of scripture.

In WHAT DOES THE BIBLE REALLY TEACH ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY?, award-winning author Kevin DeYoung challenges each of us – the skeptic and the seeker, the certain and the confused – to take a humble look at God’s Word regarding the issue of homosexuality. After examining key biblical passages in both the Old and New Testaments and the Bible’s overarching teaching regarding sexuality, this timely book responds to popular objections raised by Christians and non-Christians alike, making this an indispensable resource for thinking through one of the most pressing issues of our day.