Title: Is the Homosexual My Neighbor? - Another Christian View Author: Letha Scanzoni and Virginia Ramey Mollenkott Published by: Harper and Row, 1978 ISBN: 0-06-067075-4 [hardcover, 159 pages]
"... But he wanted to vindicate himself, so he said to Jesus, 'And who is my neighbor?'" - Luke 10:25-29Jesus' whole life stands in answer to that question: the cross excludes no one. Yet much of human history seems to be a "Yes, but not ..." reply to that simple command.
What is more, to read today's newspaper it often seems that many Christians - brandishing Bible texts like weapons - far from loving the neighbor who is homosexual, are in the forefront of harassment, intimidation, and even hatred of their fellow human beings.
Now two outstanding evangelical Christian authors marshal biblical, sociological, and psychological facts to provide solid information and a Christian response in Is the Homosexual My Neighbor?
And in the course of this study which is as compelling as it is exhaustive, they conclude that the sole clear biblical directive relating to the issue specifies that Christians are not to judge but to understand; not to condemn relationships out of hand but to assess their quality of commitment.
Accordingly, Scanzoni and Mollenkott suggest an ethical standard for homosexual Christians. They invite the entire Christian community to work together to develop a viable ethic that expresses Christian principles - not the prejudices of the world.
The argument is well and clearly put before us in Is the Homosexual My Neighbor? Yet it cannot rest there. There remains what the authors term "the big question": Are we willing to face the cost in order to share the love of Jesus Christ? In short, are Christians willing to be Christian? Much depends on the answer.
Return to Jay's West Hollywood Home Return to Spirituality and Religion Send to Jay
