Contributors to this volume, all members of the Princeton Theological Seminary faculty, address the various exegetical, interpretive, and practical issues pertaining to the issue of homosexuality in the church. These include the ordination of homosexuals and the blessing of homosexual unions, as well as broader issues dealing with liturgical and theological language about God and the role of the church in a pluralistic society. The contributors speak of these various issues as theological educators, ministers, and committed Christians. They ask, What do the scriptures say about homosexuality and related issues? How should the scriptures inform our theological reflection? and How do we live faithfully in regard to this matter? And like the Christian community at large, the contributors are not of one mind on any of these issues; many times they are in considerable disagreement. Homosexuality and Christian Community will help to guide churches and individuals engaged in theological reflection about the place of homosexuals in the church.

This book is born out of the experience of one ministering in a congregational setting to the joys and sorrows of people struggling with a variety of life issues— including homosexual experiences. The author addresses the critical questions regarding homosexuality from within the setting of the local church and seeks answers that are consistent with Scriptures and historic Christianity.

Outstanding authorities on scripture, tradition, reason, biology, ethics, and gendered experience discuss one of the most divisive debates in the church today: the place of homosexuals in the community of faith. The balanced treatment of the issues and the contrasting insights of the essays make this a valuable resource for reflection individually or in groups.

Few issues today cause more public - and private - debate than the interaction of homosexuality and religion. From the question of gay marriage to the place of gays and lesbians within faith communities, religious leaders and lay members must deal with these issues for now and for years to come. What is the historical position of the major denominations? How are people of faith balancing their beliefs? This encyclopedia provides an overview of the various attitudes and responses that religions have had to the presence of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered persons within their communities. This is the most comprehensive volume to date on the intersections between religion and homosexuality.

“Eros opens up how the Good News of Jesus Christ contains, amongst its many, many implications, the possibility of openness and truth-telling about love between people of the same sex. These are part of the one, same communication of grace and mercy coming towards us from God. The friends and colleagues who Eros has brought together here show us something of what it looks like to have found yourself forced, by love, to stand your ground, and how the wolf deflates when it is faced with such faith.” James Alison (Theologian, priest and author) “In this book, another revolution is underway in gay Christians. Describing faith in the light of their ‘sinful’ sexuality is part of the transformative revolution of the gospel itself. As you read this book, I hope you will see what I mean by hearing what these writers say. Regardless of your own sexual preference, if your faith is not deepened by seeing how their faith became more authentic as a result of their existential and social ordeals, please read them again.” Laurence Freeman OSB. (Director, World Community for Christian Meditation) “In this book you will find stories which reflect the great variety of gay Catholics’ experiences: stories of hurt but also of healing, stories of hiding but also of courage to speak the truth, stories of conflict between personal experience and official teaching, and attempts to bridge that gap. I pray that this book will have a wide readership, and that all who read it will grow in courage to speak their own truth and to help the Church develop its ministry in this important area.” Mgr Keith Barltrop (Diocese of Westminster chaplain to LGBT people) “This is a profoundly important book which gives voice to Chinese LGBTQI+ Catholics living inside and outside of China. These testimonies are hugely insightful into the heartfelt desires and hopes and anguishes of Chinese men and women. The struggle of ‘coming out of the cabinet’, to live an open and authentic life as a gay person is an ongoing battle. Their stories, which we can all identify with to some degree, makes for compulsive reading. I cannot recommended this work by Eros highly enough.” Ruby Almeida (Co-chair, Global Network of Rainbow Catholics) “The stories in this book may challenge people to look at themselves and their faith in new ways. While that may be difficult, it is a good thing, and should be looked on as a gift from God. It is through these sharing of stories that our Church and our faith develop. May these stories help to bring light to our Church and to our world!” Francis DeBernardo (Executive director, New Ways Ministry)

In an age where neither society nor the church knows what to do with gay Christians, Greg Coles shares his story—a story about a boy in love with Jesus who, at the fateful onset of puberty, realized his sexual attractions were persistently and exclusively for other guys. This honest, hopeful account shows life through one man's eyes and assures all people: "You are not a mistake."

Issues of homosexuality are the subject of public and political controversy in many African societies today. Frequently, these controversies receive widespread attention both locally and globally, such as with the Anti-Homosexuality Bill in Uganda. In the international media, these cases tend to be presented as revealing a deeply-rooted homophobia in Africa fuelled by religious and cultural traditions. But so far little energy is expended in understanding these controversies in all their complexity and the critical role religion plays in them. Complementing the companion volume, Public Religion and the Politics of Homosexuality in Africa, this book investigates Christian politics and discourses on homosexuality in sub-Saharan Africa. The contributors present case studies from various African countries, from Nigeria to South Africa and from Cameroon to Uganda, focusing on Pentecostal, Catholic and mainline Protestant churches. They critically examine popular Christian theologies that perpetuate homophobia and discrimination, but they also discuss contestations of such discourses and emerging alternative Christian perspectives that contribute to the recognition of sexual diversity, social justice and human rights in contemporary Africa.

The subject of gay and lesbian sexuality is perhaps the most vexed issue in the contemporary Christian Church. Many churches have been forced to confront the matter, both theologically and pastorally and in consequence, controversies have proved divisive within the Church, most notably between conservative and liberal orientated denominations, as well as evangelical churches. This book explores these themes from a sociological perspective, addressing not only gay and lesbian sexualities, but also bi- and transgendered sexualities. With rich empirical material being presented by a team of experts, this book constitutes the first comprehensive sociological study of 'non-hetero' sexualities in relation to contemporary Christianity. As such, it will appeal to sociologists, scholars of religion and theology as well as readers across a range of social sciences