This week’s review…

Compassion without Compromise, by Adam Barr and Ron Citlau

One of THE issues of our day is how we as a culture will navigate the fierce beliefs around gender and sexuality—particularly as they intersect with faith. It’s important to me to listen well so I have been reading many books from both sides of the proverbial fence.

It’s frustrating that most of the authors assume anyone who disagrees with their interpretation is ignorant, hateful, reprobate, etc. I find this unhelpful and unproductive. I much prefer when authors are able to acknowledge that there’s another perspective and those who adhere to that other perspective might actually be kind, thoughtful human beings. 

Citlau and Barr’s books does this successfully. Compassion calls Christians to back away from the hate-filled rhetoric that’s far too common in many evangelical churches. They present biblical support for their position while admonishing believers to genuinely love and meaningfully engage with members of the LGBT community.

Rather than descend into sharp criticism or angry tirades, Barr and Citlau speak of their lives and their convictions without demeaning anyone. In case you wonder where they stand, there’s no ambiguity: “The traditional view of Scripture is that it is the essential guide for truth and reality. Culture does not get to reinterpret it.”

Among the many books on this topic that are now out, this is one that should be read.

Up Next? Unexpected, by Trina Pockett

Undivided, by Patricia and Alana Raybon

The Accidental Feminist, by Courtney Reissig

Rescuing the Gospel from Cowboys, by the late Richard Twiss

A Compassionate Call to Counter Culture, by David Platt

Understanding Gender Dysphoria, by Mark Yarhouse

The Locust Effect, by Gary Haugen

Fear and Faith, by Trillia Newbell

Rumors of Glory, by Bruce Cockburn, one of my all-time favorite songwriters/singers.

From last week: Malestrom, Carolyn Custis James

This might be cheating but since I already finished and reviewed Malestrom, click this link to read my thoughts at Junia Project. This is a powerhouse of a book written by one of the most brilliant theologians of our time. I could quote from this for days (and have on Twitter) but I’ll leave you with one I have not yet tweeted. Referring to patriarchy, Custis James writes:

“This fallen social system lowers men’s sights and aspirations to a horizontal  competitive quest for male power to win and achieve preeminence over other men. It distracts them from the loftier calling and the greater dignity of imaging God and walking faithfully before him. Patriarchy withholds from men the freedom and flourishing that God envisions for his sons.”

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Happy Summer Reading!

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