What Christians Think 

About Homosexuality:

Six Representative Viewpoints

by L. R. Holben

D. & F. Scott Publishing:  January, 2000.  296 pages

Reviewed by Ben Kemena

Homosexuality is passionately debated in Christian circles today.  The topic has joined the ranks of abortion, racial equality, pacifism, and capital punishment as a concern that divides Christians into separate camps with all still believing in the same God.  To all groups, the Bible is the foundational defense despite the widely divergent conclusions regarding these topics they draw from it.  So it is with the topic of  homosexuality.

In What Christians Think About Homosexuality, L. R. Holben presents six different Christian viewpoints each of which has sound theological, ethical and scriptural support.  Holben has done a masterful, if not pedantic, job of presenting these viewpoints with solid scholarship and rigorous attention to detail.  His book is a joy to read, though many will find it unsettling.

Because the topic is so genuinely disquieting, Holben kindly and graciously appeals to the reader for an open-mind and forgiving spirit.  By doing so, he hopes to establish a certain trust with the reader.  His preface presents the six viewpoints along with the twelve questions that he asks of each viewpoint in a format of  point and counterpoint.  He understands that some Christians may find terms like "queer theory" offensive and he explains the reasoning behind his nomenclature, and even his punctuation.       

Holben is to be applauded for beginning with this clear definition:  "In referring to the gay, lesbian or homosexual person, I will not have in mind mere erotic itch, what 'turns one on' physically and nothing more.  Rather, I will be speaking of a person in whom not only the sexual drives but also the deepest emotional and psychological urges for self-revelation, intimacy, connectedness, closeness and commitment — all that we call romantic/erotic love — find their internal, spontaneous fulfillment not in the opposite sex but in the same."

Even if he or she reads no more of the book than the "Introduction: The Historical Context," the Christian reader will be edified.  In twenty-seven pages, Holben gives a precise summary of homosexuality and our human understanding of it throughout history, particularly from a Christian perspective.  These pages should be considered "must reading" for anyone interested in discussing or debating this topic further.  In fact, this reviewer sorely wishes that this section could have been expanded.  Why?  Because so many Christians are so concerned with questions about the causation of homosexuality and/or the possible transformation from homosexual to heterosexual orientations and viewpoints on these subjects among Christians vary widely.  For instance, Christians who believe that homosexuality is a conscious choice understand the issue quite differently from those who believe that homosexuality has a biological basis.

The American medical community declassified homosexuality as an illness approximately thirty years ago based on research and consensus peer review.  This information has been part of a secular debate for years.  When the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Colorado's Amendment 2 (a law meant to prohibit gay right's protection in Colorado), this literature was extensively reviewed and strongly influenced the legal debate.

One would hope that the religious communities would spend as much time and care in the analysis of research on homosexuality.  Much of this research is quite gruesome — from hormone injections to lobotomies (the last large study finished in 1959) to castration.  On the topic of homosexuality, many Christians have already reached a personal opinion based on very little scientific information or understanding. 

Science and Christian morality are not mutually exclusive — indeed, scientific understanding has often brought new enlightenment to ethics on issues such as race and gender. Although we may not have identified an exact causation for homosexual orientation, many Christians have spent little time reviewing the significant amount of medical research that does exist.  The main purpose of Holben's book is to introduce his readers to different Christian viewpoints regarding homosexuality rather than offering a biomedical review; however, issues of causation and immutability are at the heart and core of the debate, particularly around the morality of homosexuality.

While Holben presents six Christian viewpoints, he deftly avoids taking sides.  He shows that each of these six points has a scriptural and moral basis. He walks the reader through the logic, exegesis and common sense of each view and shows how the particular opinion can be defended or undermined.  He shows how the six views differ as part of a continuum in Christian thought.  Some of these arguments and their defenses are brilliantly constructed.  

Holben is passionate about this topic.  His writing is masterfully concise and pithy.  To give a brief description of Holben's six viewpoints is to give him short shrift; however, for sake of completeness, the  following short summations of these opinions are included below.

Holben starts with "Condemnation," the so-called traditional Christian point of view.  He defines this opinion by citing experts including Greg Bahnsen and Harold Lindsell.   According to this stance, all human beings are heterosexual and those that have strayed into homosexual behaviors are sinful and must repent.  Those holding this opinion are also quick to point out that the Bible never clearly condones or supports homosexual activity of any kind. Furthermore, they believe there is no involuntary homosexual orientation.  Those engaged in homosexual activities should not be pitied but rather condemned. Homosexual relationships are evil and cannot be loving because these relationships fall far short of the marriage ideal outlined in Scripture.

In "A Promise of Healing," homosexuality is viewed as an illness that must be healed, a moral and physical brokenness that can be cured.  Holben cites C. S. Lewis, Elizabeth Moberly, and Andy Comiskey as representatives of this Christian viewpoint.  Many ex-gay ministries use these arguments to support their programs and outreach efforts.  Homosexuality is viewed as an addiction which should be addressed and conquered.  In this way, those suffering from homosexual addiction can find re-enfranchisement into Christian fellowship.

Holben's "Call to Costly Discipleship," is the first of the six Christian viewpoints that accepts the notion of homosexual orientation; however, it calls on all homosexuals either to remain celibate (the majority) or to work towards embracing heterosexual behaviors (understanding that most can never achieve this ideal).  Homosexual activity can never be condoned by Christians and this is a fact that all homosexuals must appreciate to remain in Christian fellowship.  This viewpoint most closely espouses the Christian beliefs of Roman Catholics and the official Catholic outreach program to homosexuals known as "Courage."

In "Pastoral Accommodation," Holben moves the reader to a viewpoint that claims that all relationships, heterosexual or homosexual, are flawed.  However, all Christians should aspire to their very best.  Homosexuals are first called to attempt a heterosexual transformation.  If this is not possible, they are called to celibacy, but if this is not possible, a monogamous homosexual relationship may be tolerated.  While Christians holding this opinion would never support homosexual relationships, they also understand that a monogamous homosexual relationship is preferable to sexual chaos (particularly in the HIV era) and would encourage all to strive to come as close to the heterosexual marriage ideal as possible.  Only in this way can homosexual relationships be tolerated, though never condoned.  Holben quotes Lewis Smedes and Helmut Thielicke extensively as representatives of this viewpoint.

"Affirmation," by its very name, suggests a Christian viewpoint that supports homosexual relationships.  Homosexual relationships are held to the same moral scrutiny and standards as heterosexual relationships.  For those believing in this particular viewpoint, the Bible simply doesn't address long-term committed homosexual relationships.  However, Scripture does support  the abiding principles of love and respect as the foundational basis for good relationships.  Holben quotes Bruce Bawer and Ralph Blair as stalwarts of this viewpoint.

Finally, in "Liberation," Holben presents his last Christian viewpoint suggesting that some Christians support biblical principles but do not want the intrusions of patriarchy, heterosexism and cultural bias to cloud their understanding of social equality.  These Christians would argue that the example of Jesus always speaks to fighting against oppression and prejudice and that gays and lesbians have been created in the image of God and given a full complement of God's love.  Christians holding this viewpoint argue that heterosexual norms have often been dehumanizing and evil.  As Will Leckie is quoted for this viewpoint, "our morality as sexual creatures...is about finding genuine, non-abusive ways of relating to one another, not about what we do with our genitals." 

Again, Holben goes to great pains to avoid pushing his reader to any particular point of view.  His writing is engaging and broad enough to reach both layman and clergy. He has deciphered the core elements of Christian disagreement regarding homosexuality as presented by presenting his six viewpoints.  The book's appendices, bibliography and supporting notes are ample.  In particular, the bibliography he includes is an excellent general reading list for Christian communities addressing the topic of homosexuality.

Holben's "Afterword," certainly makes a strong appeal to all Christians lovingly to respect differences of opinions.   His underlying message is that Christians must avoid a dogmatic approach to homosexuality.  Christians have had to learn how to negotiate differences with respect to other issues like abortion and pacifism and Holben argues for the same sort of charity with respect to different view points on homosexuality.  "I would not have written this present book," he states, " unless I believed that there are men and women of integrity, intellectual honesty and genuine Christian faith advancing each of the viewpoints surveyed....If we are to love God with our "whole mind" as we approach difficult moral issues, we have an obligation to expose ourselves to and attempt to understand viewpoints which are uncongenial, even painful to us."

This is a very ennobling and passionate goal on Holben's part.  True to his word, Holben never suggests what he believes to be the most palatable of viewpoints.  He leaves that to his readers.

Yet, because causation and immutability, at least as presented here, still cloud the issue of homosexuality as "choice" or "innate," some readers may find Holben's arguments lacking moral credibility.  Also, although Holben's command of the topic is considerable and salient, because he is a gay Christian, some of his readers, including many Christians whom he wants to reach, may dismiss the entire book as flawed because of what they regard as Holben's sinful personal choice.  Holben hopes that by presenting six different Christian viewpoints on homosexuality, his readers will reconsider the issue with open minds and charitable hearts.  However, he does not persuasively make the case for why Christians should be willing to reconsider their traditional views in the first place.

As a gay Christian reviewing Holben's text, I am struck by his genuine neutrality and goodwill.  Holben's book will not be easy reading for most Christians.  It includes something to delight and concern all of his readers.  But I hope his grace and charity will move hearts.  Although some may not be willing to read a gay author's book regardless of its merits, those that give Holben's a chance will be richly rewarded.

Ben Kemena's Reading Recommendations:  Ethical Issues

1.  The Art of the Question by Marilee Goldberg.  John Wiley and Sons.  1998.

2.  Congregations Talking About Homosexuality edited by Beth Gaede.  The Alban Institute.  1989.

3.  The Good Book by Peter Gomes.  William Morrow and Company.  1996.

4.  Homosexuality and American Public Life edited by Christopher Wolfe. Spence Publishing.  1999.

5.  Homosexuality and Christian Faith edited by Walter Wink.  Fortress Press.  1999.

6.  Homosexuality and the Church: Both Sides of the Debate edited by Jeffrey Siker.  Westminster John Knox Press.  1994.

7. Homosexuality and the Politics of Truth by Jeffrey Satinover.  Baker Books.  1996.

8.  Homosexuality in History by Colin Spencer.  Harcourt Brace and Company.  1995.

9.  Is the Homosexual My Neighbor? by Letha Scanzoni and Virginia Mollenkott.  Harper Collins.  1978.

10.  The New Testament and Homosexuality by Robin Scroggs.  Fortress Press.  1983.

11.  One Nation , After All by Alan Wolf.  New York: Viking Press.  1998.

12.  Scripture and Homosexuality by Marion Soards.  Westminster John Knox Press. 1995.

13.  Someone I Love is Gay by Anita Worthen and Bob Davies.  InterVarsity Press.  1996.

14.  Stealing Jesus by Bruce Bawer.  New York: Crown Publishers.  1997.

15.  Straight and Narrow? by Thomas Schmidt.  InterVarsity Press.  1995.

16.  What the Bible Really Says About Homosexuality by Daniel Helminiak.  Alamo Square Press.  1994.

17.   Why Christianity Must Change or Die by John Shelby Spong. Harper Collins.  1998.

Ben Kemena's Reading Recommendations:  Medical Issues

1.  "A Biological Perspective on Sexual Orientation" by Richard Pillard and J. Michael Bailey.  The Psychiatric Clinics of North America.  Volume 18, Number 1; March 1995.

2.  Gay Science: The Ethics of Sexual Orientation Research by Timothy Murphy.  Columbia University Press.  1997. 

3.  "Special Article:  Homosexuality" by Richard Friedman, MD and Jennifer Downey, MD.  The New England Journal of Medicine.  Volume 331, Number 14.

4.  Queer Science: The Use & Abuse of Research Into Homosexuality by Simon Levay.  MIT Press.  1996.

5.   The Science of Desire: The Search for the Gay Gene and the Biology of Behavior by Dean Hamer and Peter Copeland.  Touchstone Books, 1994.