Joe Dallas

Summary: A point by point refutation by a former gay activist of the arguments against the church's traditional view of homosexuality.

I feel that I should begin this review with something of a "trigger warning." In coming months I will be occasionally reviewing books on the discussion going on between what might be called the "traditional" and "affirming" camps within the Christian community with regard to homosexuality. The warning is that probably no one who follows this blog will agree with all or even any of the books reviewed on this subject. Truth is, I probably won't either, or will not agree with all that I read. I don't read only things with which I agree. For some, this is a matter associated with deep and complicated emotions and experiences, and if this is too sensitive, it's OK to take a "pass" on these posts.

Now, down to the review of this book. Joe Dallas, its author is a self described "former gay activist" who, because of his faith in Christ turned from homosexual activity, eventually married, is the father of two children and in his writing and ministry deals with homosexuality and others issues related to sexuality from a traditional Christian perspective. I would characterize this book, unlike some others, as less pastoral and more polemical. Dallas writes and formats the book to address the arguments against a traditional view of homosexuality and respond to them. Each chapter follows a format of statement of a traditional view, what he calls "revisionist" arguments against that view, then traditional responses, and concludes with talking points. It reminds me a bit of Thomas Aquinas in Summa Theologica!

After an introduction that talks about misconceptions and presumptions both traditional and "revisionist" communities have of each other and the need, and difficulties, of moving beyond politics and rhetoric to relationship, he has two more chapters that lay groundwork for what is to follow. One is to identify who he is speaking to: militants, millenials, those in the Mainstream, Revisionists, friends and family. In reality, I suspect it is mostly other "traditionalists" who will read the book. The other is to identify his "rules of engagement": speak clearly, appropriately, empathically (1-3), concede what's true, consider what's possible, watch the apologies, recognize and point out diversions. On apologies, he would say we should own our own sins against LGBT persons but not apologize in vague terms for the whole church.

Then he takes up a series of issues that often arise in arguments against the traditionalist position:

Are people born gay?
Sexual orientation cannot be changed.
Same sex marriage and the Bible.
Homophobia, Hate, Hypocrisy, and Harm
Can someone be gay and Christian?
What was Sodom's sin?
Homosexuality and Leviticus
Jesus and Homosexuality
Paul and Romans
Paul and arsenokoites

I cannot summarize the arguments of each chapter in ways to do them justice. He would contend that whether people are "born gay" or not is immaterial to the validity of the traditional teaching. Not all our inborn tendencies should be indulged. Perhaps more controversial yet is his argument that some forms of change therapies, voluntarily pursued by the person and not under pressure, should be permitted. Perhaps most telling is his rhetoric against homophobic and "hate" labels. He believes that to think a behavior is wrong does not necessarily imply fear or hate if no signs of fearful or hating behavior accompany these beliefs.
The last five topics turn to the biblical arguments, stating both traditional and "revisionist" arguments with good citations of their works. Dallas provides a relatively concise summary of the discussion, albeit one that favors his view strongly, as one would expect.

My sense is that Dallas' book is a recognition that, given the shift in cultural opinions, and the wide acceptance of LGBT sexuality in society, anyone who still holds a traditional view and who affirms this personally or publicly needs to be able to clearly and compassionately give reasons for those views, if given the opportunity. Negative prescriptions of "what not to do and who not to do it with" just don't cut it.

At the same time, I just don't think the argument format of a book like this cuts it with millenials, even if they would agree theologically with Dallas. The tone, albeit a compassionate one, feels very much like the conversation those of the boomer generation have had (mostly within traditionalist circles) for thirty years around these issues. It seems to me that there is a relational dimension for millenials who have grown up around "out" LGBT persons, and a differing understanding about sexuality more broadly to which this feels a bit tone deaf.

The question in the end, of course, is who is right in these matters? If the traditionalist position is right, as Dallas argues, it cannot be minimized as a "non-essential" because in the end this leads to the adoption of revisionist theology, which he sees happening not only in mainline but also in evangelical communities. To shift to a "revisionist" or "affirming" understanding may just seem to be conforming to the wider culture and an expression of compassion, but it also means a break with twenty centuries of orthodoxy, as well as the convictions of much of the church in the majority world. That is no small thing, and calls not merely for sentiment, but good arguments where people listen to scripture, each other, and the Spirit of truth. Whether you agree with Dallas or not, given his personal narrative, and experience working with these issues, his arguments are important to heed as part of this larger conversation.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.… (altro)

Many Christians struggle to answer their own or others questions regarding the topic. We don't want to be seen as "homophobic", but nor do we want to compromised our standards, or maybe we just don't understand why there is such a big fuss. After all, it doesn't seem to be a "salvation" issue that we need to divide over.

Joe Dallas begins his book by explaining the context of the culture we live in along with its presumptions. Because we assume things about homosexuals or the homosexual lifestye that aren't always true. And they assume things about those who don't agree with them as well. He then defines some terms which I found extremely helpful because I hadn't heard of them before. Basically he describes how each generation has thought about homosexuality. The Militants are convinced that homosexuality is normal and that those who disagree need to be silenced, while most people would fall under the description of Mainstream: the average person with whom we have more in common than we realize. Millenials are different in that they are the first generation to be mostly prohomosexual. And to describe things further, there is the Traditionalist and Revisionist point of view for Christians. Traditionalists tend to view Scripture as saying that homosexuality is a sin, while Revisionists tend to hold to the position that Scripture has been misunderstood on this matter and cultural reformation is needed.

Dallas then goes on to give several important reminders on how we're to engage conversation and participate in discussions. I love how each chapter ends with 10 talking points from that chapter. These provide a short outline of the chapter content and provide quick points to remember when discussion homosexual issues with others. Chapters 4-13 are the chapters which take arguments and provide answers for them from Scripture. I appreciated Dallas' concise way of answering arguments and giving specific passages, along with common logic to draw readers to the conclusion. He deals with topics such as being "born gay", same-sex marriage, homophobia, hypocrisy, and harm, gay Christians, Levitical passages and the "gay Christian", and homosexuality in the New Testament. Dallas covers all the basis.

Reading this book provided much thought, as I saw how many assumptions the average person has about homosexuality, along with some that I myself also had. I bracketed many paragraphs which highlight truths of Scripture in a practical way, and I appreciated Dallas' boldness. While he is honest, he's kind and forgiving in his writing, and I think many people could read this book even though they might disagree. Dallas' is specifically debating the Revisionist point of view in his arguments, and I think he does well in his layout of the book. For each argument he presents 3-4 responses and details his answers.

So glad I picked up this book. While I still have the last two chapters to finish off, I'm glad I picked up this copy. A much needed reminder of truth in the midst of a changing culture. Dallas balances the line between shunning those who practice the homosexual lifestyle (or merely support it), but yet not condoning behavior that is specifically expressed as sin in Scripture. It's a tough place to be today. But let's remember that they who identify as part of the LGBT lifestyle need to be treated with Love, Grace, and Biblical Truth (my new acronym ;). To converse and disciple people with same-sex attraction or even with those actively practicing that lifestyle, it will be a hard ride, but by God's grace it will be a life worth knowing if we are pointing them to Jesus by our love for them.… (altro)