In
recent years, the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) movement has gained
much prominence in the West, especially in their struggle for acceptance both
socially and legally; many of these voices are also beginning to echo here in
Malaysia as well – movements like Seksuality Merdeka, an annual sexuality
rights festival with its tagline “Our Bodies, Our Rights”, are gaining
popularity since its emergence in 2008. This is by no means a matter that one
can remain apathetic about – we are hard pressed as individuals for a response.
Notable politicians like our Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, and Opposition
leader Anwar Ibrahim have both spoken strongly against the LGBT community,
whilst schools have been issued ‘guidelines’ on how to identify students who
are homosexual. Others, like Marina Mahathir, champion the LGBT community’s
struggle. Like the many other institutions swept along this wave, the Church
has never been more pressed to respond. Some, like those at Westboro Baptist
Church have pushed back with much anger and hate, whilst others, like Rob Bell
have reached out with a message of love and affirmation. And then there is Sam
Allberry.
Sam
Allberry, in his recent publication Is God
Anti-Gay, responds in a way that is both sensitive to the struggles of
those from the LGBT community as well as faithful to all that Scripture
teaches. There are several points about Allberry’s book which I find to be very
helpful. To start off, he makes an uncommon yet very helpful distinction
between the term ‘gay’ and ‘having same sex attraction (SSA)’. This is crucial
because the term ‘gay’ also indicates that one’s sexuality is fundamental to
one’s identity. After making that distinction, he goes on to point the reader
towards their true sense of identity, which is not found within themselves, but
rather in the God who lovingly created them.
Another
point Allberry makes is a necessary reminder for Christians, that what the
Bible says about homosexuality does not represent everything God wants to tell
homosexual people, and is not the whole message of Christianity. Allberry
doesn’t shy away from talking about what the Bible really has to say about
homosexuality – he very candidly speaks of how following Jesus requires a
costly sacrifice for everyone, not just those with SSA; yet he takes on a very
encouraging tone for Christians who struggle with SSA. The most helpful I find,
is a section of Allberry’s wisdom and insight on how the Church can support
Christians battling SSA. He fleshed out this section in his last talk at
St Mary’s, helping us to be more considerate in our service of fellow believers
who have SSA.
“And
so precious is this gift [Jesus] that God cannot be truly said to be ‘anti’
anyone to whom this wonderful gift is being offered”, concludes Allberry, and I
will have to concur with him. This book not only provides hearty encouragement
and honest reproof for those contending with SSA, but also to those who
continue to struggle against the will of the flesh, which is all of us. Is God Anti-Gay is definitely a gold
star worthy book. Let’s make that five gold stars.
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