Creating a culture where life without sex is a grace to
enjoy
Same-Sex Attraction and the Church: The Surprising
Plausibility of the Celibate Life
Author: Ed Shaw
Publisher: IVP Books (www.ivpress.com)
Pages: 172
For quite some time I wanted to read a book conveying a
biblical perspective on homosexuality. It’s not that this type of book is
scarce; it’s just that until now I never made it a priority given the many
titles competing for my attention.
One thing that I immediately noticed about Same-Sex Attraction and the Church is
the setting. The author, Ed Shaw, pastors a church in Bristol, England. I will
never forget the adventure that I had in Birmingham, England, where I lived for
the last half of 1984 and the first half of 1985. Back then, homosexuality was
not the issue in the church that it is today. Both here and abroad it is a
complex and divisive issue, which is why I wanted to read about this subject. I
want to gain understanding and wisdom, and I found it here.
It was during my time in England that I became aware of
Cliff Richard, who performed at Mission England, Billy Graham’s evangelistic
outreach to the country in 1984. Richard, who has never married, is one of the
most well-know pop stars on the planet, except in the US, and a committed
Christian. Not too long ago, I read his autobiography, My Life, My Way, and came away with admiration for the way that he
conducts himself.
I was, however, somewhat troubled by his support for
same-sex relationships. He chooses to accept and not judge, making commitment
the principal thing.
In contrast, Ed Shaw provides a different perspective. He
is same-sex attracted, but maintains that living a celibate life is not only
right but attractive. His entire book is about making it plausible since life without
sex might seem unreasonable.
Championing celibacy does not mean the author sees it as
easy. He is transparent about his own struggles and failures. The pinnacle of
the climb that he takes with readers is the concluding chapter on suffering,
where he refutes the myth that it should be avoided. He extols it as the means
God uses to produce Christlikeness.
One could easily assume that this is just a book for
same-sex attracted Christians. As a single person, I found it relevant to being
faithful while being attracted to the opposite sex.
Shaw upholds the biblical ethic that marriage is between
a man and a woman, and is the only acceptable relationship for sex.
In one of the chapters Shaw highlights the biblical view
that men and women are equal, but they are not interchangeable. In other words,
the male/female union in marriage is a depiction of Christ and the church.
Anything other than that, distorts the picture. It’s a fascinating argument
against same-sex marriage.
Throughout the book the author appeals to the church for
help in holding-up celibacy as a genuine alternative to sex outside of marriage.
Each chapter highlights a different falsehood that is prevalent today. The
solution is repentance that creates a culture where life without sex is not a
burden to bear, but a grace to enjoy.
In the back Shaw lists the top ten books that everyone
should read. Plus, in the two appendices, he provides an overview of what the
Bible advocates and how it fits in with the overall story. He then shows where
and how those holding to new interpretations get it wrong. These are terrific
summaries of the main points on both sides of the issue.
He helps readers to see that convictions sometimes spring
from emotions and other considerations that might seem more humane and realistic
than what the Bible teaches. However, if we can examine them impartially, in
the full light of Scripture, and in relationship to a God, who is more loving
and good than we can imagine, we might find that our ways are weighed in the
balance and found wanting. So often what we believe falls short (because we do),
whereas God is faithful and true forever. The mightiest waves of culture can relentlessly
crash against this rock but to no avail. His foundation is firm. When we build
on it in love and compassion we make it realistic in the eyes of others.
