The Gospel Coalition Promotes Gay Christian YA Novel

In the wake of Side B theology running rampant in the church, The Gospel Coalition is promoting a young adult novel that focuses on a “gay Christian teen” with messaging that bypasses the Christian sexual ethic. TGC Australia promoted the book Colors by Patty Guthrie in a review titled Fictional Representation of a Gay Christian Teen: Colours by Patty Guthrie.

“He forced himself to look up at the board and realised there were only a few minutes left of the lesson. His page was blank, an apt representation of his mind. He just hadn’t been able to focus since Jamie had started at school.”

Luke is in his last year of high school, volunteering at the local nursing home and helps out at his dad’s church on Sundays. He also hasn’t told anyone he’s gay.

As his feelings for Jamie grow, Luke will have to figure out how the different pieces of his life fit together. What does this mean for his friendships when his best friend seems to be falling for the same guy? His family, who he could never tell in a million years? And his faith, which has always seemed so sure?

Colours is an in-depth look at the subject of LGBT and the church in an age where we can no longer simply stick our heads in the sand and keep the divide between Christianity, the church, and gay Christians.

The book is clearly presented as Side B theology in the review of The Gospel Coalition which makes it worse that they are promoting it. Side B Theology asserts that homosexual attraction(desires) and identity are not sinful.

Guthrie does not make it clear in her author’s note whether she employed ‘sensitivity readers’, but she does dedicate the novel, among others, to “my two gay friends with the initial K, who haven’t felt welcome in a church since they decided to embrace their sexuality freely and openly”. She also recommends several books by theological and ethically conservative same-sex attracted Christians. The influence of these friendships and books, along with other research, are evident in the pages of the novel itself.

On the issue of identity, the novel is presented as clearly affirming homosexual identity as a legitimate category, compatible with the Christian faith. Moreover, the novel is presented somewhat as an apology from the church. TGC Australia writes.

Guthrie does not just move the reader with her descriptions of turmoil and disillusionment, she also writes of apology, reconciliation and comfort with equal force. The believable interactions she recounts do a wonderful job of showing the otherworldly glory of repentance, forgiveness and acceptance.

The novel’s study of identity moves beyond the simplistic—refusing to reduce someone to their Christian faith or their sexual orientation: “[Your feelings] are a big part of what makes you who you are, but they are not all of who you are.” Even at its denouement, much remains open.

The descriptor ‘gay Christian’, which many Christians consider unhelpful, is used both within the novel and the author’s note. The author’s note also creates curious ambiguities. It is clear from the books Guthrie recommends and the story she tells, that the author holds a conservative Christian sexual ethic. However, she writes:

“I do not want to invalidate the story of Christians who do pursue relationships, but to try and do the theological footwork of what that means for Christians, and in particular young gay Christians, was not the purpose of this novel.”

It’s possible that she chose to be somewhat circumspect to make this novel accessible to as many readers as possible. More questionable, in my mind, is the choice to list QLife alongside Kids Helpline and Lifeline at the end of the author’s note. I suspect that QLife might not be supportive of the faith of a Christian seeking help who wants to abstain for homosexual sex and romance because of that faith.

According to The Gospel Coalition this book recommends gay affirming organizations in the author’s note. Additionally the affirmation of “gay Christian” is presented as merely “unhelpful” to many Christians as opposed to unbiblical.

On the issue of concupiscence, sinful desire, Colours affirms the Side B position as well.

For those seeking a clear presentation of biblical ethics, there are some interesting tensions in this novel. Readers alert to the discussion around the relevance of the concept of ‘concupiscence’ to sexual ethics will notice its absence here.

So according to The Gospel Coalition, this book that they are recommending does not even make clear a biblical position on the issue. Moreover, a footnote in the article provides a quote from page 92 of the novel:

“As I said, there is nothing wrong with those feelings. … There is nothing sinful about temptation alone – Jesus himself was tempted. It is what you do with those feelings that matters.” 92.

This is not biblical because homosexual attractions are not natural and temptation is external not internal, as Jesus did not have Original Sin.

The theological ethics commended in the novel are of a subtle and exploratory kind. For those interested in that exploration, and appreciative of the genre of YA fiction, Colours would be worth a look.

Furthermore, YA fans (whether teens or the significantly older shadow YA readership!) who are simply looking for their next quick read (the novel is only about 160 pages long), might consider this a worthy contender.

This is not the material that Christians should be promoting or publishing as the publisher is purportedly a faith-based one.

Stopped reading at head in the sand! No one confronts reality like Christianity, in themselves or the world.

Or at least it should, as judgment is to begin with the house of God.

For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? (1 Peter 4:17)

And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer’s inkhorn by his side; And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house. (Ezekiel 9:3-6)

But from the Gospel Coalition:

“As I said, there is nothing wrong with those feelings. … There is nothing sinful about temptation alone – Jesus himself was tempted. It is what you do with those feelings that matters.” 92.

My own perception is that there is temptation such as Lucifer and Eve faced while as yet not having a sinful nature (and being "perfect" did not mean perfect androids, but included the ability to make moral choices, right or wrong) which was that of recognition of opportunity to obtain what is rationally desirable, but in an unlawful manner, yet without the proclivity to sin with its lusts for what is unconditionally unlawful (which homosexual relations always are, as with idolatry), or to obtain pleasure, possessions and power/prestige in an unlawful way.

Lucifer surmised there was an opportunity for power - a good thing God possessed - and wrongfully presumed to use his God-given powers to obtain it, while Eve saw that the forbidden fruit would provide her desirable sensations and attributes which she had not lusted for, yet which were desirable as attributes of deity. And the devil (as the author of the victim-entitlement mentality) duped her into thinking she was unjustly being denied by God, and had a right to what He possessed.

And the incarnated Christ was offered the acquisition of both needful food as well as power and position that was His to obtain, yet which He did not lust for. Thus temptation was not playing off of lust for such, but the temptation was to unlawfully obtain what was His right (for the prideful devil seeks to conquer what is loyal to God), but the incarnated yet Divine Son of God could not be successfully tempted to compromise, as God cannot be and the devil as Christ stated, had "nothing in me." (John 14:30

In contrast are physical and mental lusts, the cravings for pleasure, possessions and power/prestige, even if unlawful or to obtain such in an unlawful way (by unlawful I am referring to being contrary to God's universal moral laws).

As well the the sinful tendency to deceive in order to obtain what one desires, even if such is lawful but in an unlawful way. Even infants can engage in deception, by falsely crying when they actually have no real need but thereby training mothers come and comfort them. Sacrificial self-denial for the sake of others is not an inbred attribute of the fallen nature of man (though due to an innate moral sense which is basically correspondent to the law of God, man can "do by nature the things contained in the law" - Romans 2:14, rendering them morally accountable.)

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. (1 John 2:16-17)

Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (2 Peter 1:4)

That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; (Ephesians 4:22)

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. (Ephesians 2:1-3)

Hypothetically one who never experienced a certain form of sensual experience, but did perceive that such would be a positive one, could be tempted to seek to experience it even if not craving it. One today could experiment with different form of sensual experiences (including food) without lusting for such (but which would be wrong if unlawful). But then there is the craving for such, even if unlawful or in a unlawful manner, and which is usually is enhanced after giving into the temptation.

Homosexual desires, that of sexual desire for one's own sex over that of the opposite, of male sexual attraction to the masculine over that which is female, or likewise btwn females, are sinful and yielding to such is always unlawful as being a perversion of what God ordained, as is the desire to worship a false God, to make something created to be our ultimate source of security, and object of spiritual affection and loyalty.

Thus the two are related, with the practice of homosexual relations flowing from idolatry. (Romans 1:16ff)

Thus while the the Gospel Coalition says there is nothing wrong with homosexual feelings, Scripture requires all such to be put to death:

Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: (Colossians 3:5-6) (Cf. Leviticus 18:24-30: note that it was due to practicing basic, universally applicable moral sins that God exterminated or drove out nations, and not because they were prone to lying, inhospitably, etc. though impenitence in the light of greater grace renders us more accountable, and liable to greater damnation. Luke 10:12-16)

As well as other sins:

But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: (Colossians 3:8-10)

Feelings of unjust malice are sinful as are actual homosexual feelings, thus both are to be crucified.

Well said, Daniel1212!

God knew if it needs any corrections and or could be improved (I was not speaking ex cathedra), but also note on a related "feelings" issue, and not to whine about the persecution we are to expect, but to expose the specious and biased reasoning behind the official status granted to the LGBTQ+ movement it, then,

since equal rights/protected status 2.0 have been granted to a class of persons based upon their feelings, orientation regarding attraction, under the premise of being born that way, including when leading to a later transitioning contrary to biology, and which status effectively requires all to affirm all they are and do, with their horizontal expressions and demands - or else face being maligned as suffering from an irrational phobia, and often loss of employment etc. - then

since Biblically "born of the Spirit" Christians (Christuals) testify to a certain general spiritual attraction/orientation due to being "born again" that way, contrary to their former human nature, and which expresses itself vertically in expressions of affection as well as toward other Christuals and in promoting morality and opposing immorality, then such should receive like equal rights/protected status 2.0, not simply to practice their faith but to effectively demand affirmation of them from all.

Which also is to extend to requiring government to use millions of tax payer money in prevention and treatment of diseases spread as a result of consensual activities such as praying together and taking part in the Lord's supper. Even if such is responsible for over 80% of new HIV cases among men, and greatly a increased incidence of other infectious diseases, and of premature death, including by suicide.

As well as government funded secret programs to foster spiritual dysphoria and provide Jesus-affirming care without parental notice, beginning in elementary school.

Run this proposal up the flag pole and see who salutes it, versus the flag of Sodom.

God made man and women distinctively different yet uniquely compatible and complementary, and only joined them together in marriage - as the Lord Jesus Himself specified (Mt. 19:4–6) - and Scripture only condemns homosexual relations wherever they are manifestly dealt with. Yet there is still room at the cross for all who will come to God in repentance and faith, and trust in the Divine Son of God sent by the Father, the risen Lord Jesus, to save them on His account, by His sinless shed blood, and thus be baptized and live for Him. Acts 10:36-47

He also hasn’t told anyone he’s gay.

Heck...

...HIS CHURCH probably hasn't told him it's wrong to be gay!

We are living in a Genesis 19:9 world...

"Get out of our way,” they replied.
“This fellow came here as a foreigner, and now he wants to play the judge!
We’ll treat you worse than them.”
They kept bringing pressure on Lot and moved forward to break down the door.

The Health Risks of gay sex.

And now, a BIBLICAL Message about homosexuality

Genesis 13:13

Now the men of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the LORD.

Genesis 18:20-21
20. Then the LORD said, "The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous
21. that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will know."

Genesis 19:4-7
4. Before they had gone to bed, all the men from every part of the city of Sodom--both young and old--surrounded the house.
5. They called to Lot, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them."
6. Lot went outside to meet them and shut the door behind him
7. and said, "No, my friends. Don't do this wicked thing.

Leviticus niv

18:22 Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable.

20:13 If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable.

They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.

Psalms 12:8 The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men.

Isaiah 3:9 The look on their faces testifies against them;

they parade their sin like Sodom; they do not hide it.

Woe to them! They have brought disaster upon themselves.

================================================

2 Peter 2:13b Their idea of pleasure is to carouse in broad daylight.

They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their pleasures while they feast with you.

================================================

Ezekiel 16:49-50 "`Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom:

She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.

They were haughty and did detestable things before me.

Therefore I did away with them as you have seen.

Romans 1 New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)

18 The wrath of God is indeed being revealed from heaven against every impiety and wickedness of those who suppress the truth by their wickedness. 19 For what can be known about God is evident to them, because God made it evident to them. 20 Ever since the creation of the world, his invisible attributes of eternal power and divinity have been able to be understood and perceived in what he has made. As a result, they have no excuse; 21 for although they knew God they did not accord him glory as God or give him thanks. Instead, they became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless minds were darkened. 22 While claiming to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for the likeness of an image of mortal man or of birds or of four-legged animals or of snakes.

24 Therefore, God handed them over to impurity through the lusts of their hearts for the mutual degradation of their bodies. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and revered and worshiped the creature rather than the creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 26 Therefore, God handed them over to degrading passions. Their females exchanged natural relations for unnatural, 27 and the males likewise gave up natural relations with females and burned with lust for one another. Males did shameful things with males and thus received in their own persons the due penalty for their perversity. 28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God handed them over to their undiscerning mind to do what is improper. 29 They are filled with every form of wickedness, evil, greed, and malice; full of envy, murder, rivalry, treachery, and spite.

2 Peter 2

1. But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them--bringing swift destruction on themselves.
2. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.
3. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.
4. For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment;
5. if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others;
6. if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly;
7. and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men
8. (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)--
9. if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment.
10. This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature and despise authority. Bold and arrogant, these men are not afraid to slander celestial beings;
11. yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not bring slanderous accusations against such beings in the presence of the Lord.
12. But these men blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like brute beasts, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like beasts they too will perish.
13. They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done. Their idea of pleasure is to carouse in broad daylight. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their pleasures while they feast with you.

What kind of a people are we;

that we allow men dressed in womens clothes

to pervert the minds of little children?

But there IS hope!!!

1 Corinthians 6:9-11

9. Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived:
Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders
10. nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
11. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

If you could NOT change, you would be in most pitiful shape...

PARENTS: What's being taught (or not) in Sunday School/Youth meetings about SEX?

One thing that should be taught is that like as only the omniscient, omnipotent perfect never-failing creator is fit to be man’s God - his ultimate source of security, and object of spiritual affection and loyalty - on the horizontal plane it was the women that God specifically made to be man’s “helpmeet” - after other candidates were disqualified - (Genesis 2:20) and ordained that,

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” (Genesis 2:24) and to procreate. (Genesis 1:28)

For God made man and women distinctively different yet uniquely compatible (esp. anatomically) and complementary, and only joined them together in marriage - as the Lord Jesus Himself specified (Mt. 19:4–6) - and Scripture only condemns homosexual relations wherever they are manifestly dealt with.

In contrast, joining males with males is anatomically perverse, more so than (by way of crude analogy) placing a gas pump in the exhaust pipe to provide fuel, and about as safe. For homosexual relations have been tragically primarily responsible for approx. 80% of new HIV cases among men and most of the over 700,000 American deaths due to HIV, and a increased incidence of other infectious diseases, and of premature death, including by suicide, though such is not even the decisive reason why homosexual relations are wrong.

In addition, as part of the complementarity (including in a symbiotic way) btwn male and female as designed by their creator, even their brains are somewhat different, and which relates to their basic roles, with man slated to the leader, being held most responsible, but in mutual submission to God, working together, as is to be case btwn any relational arrangement in which one is to be the leader.

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