Review: "Homosexuality and the Christian" by Mark A Yarhouse

In Homosexuality and the Christian: A Guide for Parents, Pastors and Friends, Mark Yarhouse gives honest and accurate answers to parents, pastors and friends who have questions about homosexuality. He carefully develops a useful and clear three-tier distinction between "same-sex attraction", "homosexual orientation" and a "gay identity."

In a clear and compassionate style, he explains the research regarding what causes same-sex attraction and whether or not it can be overcome.

This is a masterly book which covers a comprehensive range of issues including what God thinks of homosexuality, sexual identity and changing orientation. It is balanced – Yarhouse writes from a very clear scriptural standpoint as well as examining and respecting other views. He admits to not being entirely clear about certain issues, for example, the causes of homosexuality. It is scholarly; he has thoroughly and broadly conducted first hand research.

It is also immensely down to earth and practical. Before carefully considering all the sources of authority available to us, he says “we must walk humbly around the question of what God thinks about anything” and gives caring and encouraging advice in the chapters on family members announcing a gay identity. Each chapter concludes with useful summary Take-Home Points.

It is very well in tune with TFT’s principles. In particular Yarhouse develops a useful and clear three-tier distinction between same-sex attraction, homosexual attraction and a gay identity. A minor weakness is maybe his attempting to cover all aspects of the issue in just 200 pages.

This readable book fits the description in its subtitle, but is all of immense value to strugglers themselves.

"Homosexuality and the Christian: A Guide for Parents, Pastors and Friends" by Mark Yarhouse
240 pages
£10.99 (£8.40 Kindle)
Published by Bethany House in Sept 2010