Glenn T. Stanton

Marriage is in trouble. Labeled old-fashioned, outdated, and irrelevant, marriage is being abandoned for divorce, living together, single parenting, and sexual freedom. Lasting marriages, which used to be esteemed as the building block of society, are disappearing at an alarming rate. Drawing from one hundred years of social science research, Why Marriage Matters examines the state of marriage in America today and gives readers solid reasons to believe in marriage in a postmodern culture. If you want to know more about the benefits of marriage for society or understand why so many marriages are falling apart, Why Marriage Matters provides a strong, reasoned case for defending marriage in a society characterized by lack of commitment.… (altro)

Jesus Christ summarized the Torah and prophets by commanding us to love God with all our hearts, minds, and soul and to love our neighbor as ourselves. So, at first sight for a Christian there cannot be discussion on whether or not to love our neighbor. That neighbor may have very different opinions, convictions, lifestyle or attitude. In Loving My (LGBT) Neighbor: Being Friends in Grace and Truth, Glenn T. Stanton (Focus on the Family) takes a deep dive in questions regarding the relationships between straight Christians and their LGBT fellow believers or unbelievers.
Strong positions on homosexuality and conclusions based on first impressions and undereducation on the topic do harm people at both sides of the spectrum. Though Stanton seems to start his quest with deliberate toe stepping positioning himself as strong defender of straight marriage, marital sex as only option and no discussion about the biblical verses on homosexuality, it's worthwhile reading on. Stanton addresses lots of questions. He explains the current scientific knowledge on nature / nurture, and whether we're talking of an attraction, orientation and/or identity. You can't generalize, speak of 'the' LGBT community or 'that LGBT person'. Some boast, others struggle. Some are confident, others figuring out. And we are all looking for love and acceptance, like we are all sinners in need of grace.
And that's where lines become blurry and many answers will not be black or white, yes or no, but depending of a broader context. The author uses many examples from his own friendships. He offers advice to parents, church and ministry leaders and general public. Some book parts still need refinement, such as Stanton's positions of completeness as a human being, and arguments based on single Bible verses, while rejecting others that are based on single verses as well.
The truth must be told, yet grace is abundant. Relationships should be authentic and without a hidden agenda. By maintaining relationships we resemble the holy relationship between Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Friendships and faith, built on mutual respect and understanding, can outlast different positions and are worth investing in. I highly recommend this book because of the many unexpected thoughtful answers.… (altro)