This abstract is from the cover of the book.
The Bible really is gay-friendly and affirming, says Rev. Samuel Kader as he relates what lessons can be learned from Scripture, history, and experience. Here, in direct language, we find an alternative reading of what the Bible says regarding homosexuality and gay relationships.
For instance, Jonathan, the Old Testament Israelite, was probably not only gay but in love the the same man (David) as his sister. Both had a marriage ceremony of life commitment to King David, in the Biblical account. But David declared he loved Jonathan the most. Ruth proclaimed undying love and commitment to her dear Naomi, and the words were so powerful that people have repeated the same vows at the alter of heterosexual weddings ever since. Other same-sex commitments were known in the early Church as well.
Using evangelical tools, such as Strong's Concordance, the author explores the verses traditionally believed to be anti-gay passages. He finds that these verses, in their original languages, hold no condemnation for the modern gay Christian.
These issues and more are explored by Rev. Samuel Kader, a pastor in the flow of the gay Christian movement since 1975. Scriptural and anecdotal evidence is given to show that “gay and Christian” is not an oxymoron. Rev. Kader's pastoral and personal insights make this a pioneering book for all gay people of Christian belief.
As I was reading Rev. Kader's thoughtful exegesis of these scriptural passages, I thought about all God's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered children who have been victims of Biblical misuse. Here's hoping they have the time and energy to read the author's views of these troubling texts. Once they see that the Bible is not their enemy, their own wounded souls will be healed and their lives set free from needless fear and guilt.
—Rev. Mel White, author of Stranger at the Gate
commenting closed for this article