Book Review - Gay Girl, Good God: The Story of Who I Was and Who God Has Always Been

I am working through Tim Challies' 2020 Christian Reading Challenge.  For my "book of your choice" I chose Gay Girl, Good God: The Story of Who I Was and Who God Has Always Been by Jackie Hill Perry.

As I observe those around me, I see different responses to those who struggle with homosexuality.  There are Christians and non-Christians alike who see this lifestyle as being acceptable.  They say we should not question who someone loves, and people are homosexual from birth...it is not something they choose to be.  On the other end of the spectrum, we see those who are labeled "homophobic".  They avoid homosexuals and condemn every aspect of their personhood, based on this lifestyle.  My question is, what does the Bible teach about how we are to address those who struggle with homosexuality?  What of a Christian who has same-sex attraction?

In Gay Girl, Good God, Perry gives an open account of her life.  After being rejected by her birth father and raised by her single mother, Perry did not see men as "safe".  As a teenager, she discovered her attraction to females and entered into homosexual relationships.

But God.  Perry came to know Christ as her Savior, and her life changed.  I love how she emphasizes that God did not simply save her from homosexuality.  He did not swoop in and change her, so that she was suddenly no longer attracted to females.  Rather, God forgave all of her sin, transformed her mind, helped her to see her homosexuality as the sin that it is, and gave her both the desire and the strength to turn from this sin.  Same sex attraction is still something she struggles with and likely always will.  As Perry writes, "Same sex desires are actual.  Though born of sin, they aren't an imaginary feeling one conjures up for the sake of being different.  But the actuality of the affection doesn't make them morally justifiable.  It is the mind, when conformed to the image of sin, that moves us to call evil good simply because it feels good to us."

At the end of her book, Perry offers some resources for those who may be struggling with being a Christian while having same sex attraction.  These chapters are well thought-out and filled with helpful Scripture.  Written by one who has struggled through these things herself, this looks to be a very encouraging resource.  These chapters can also be helpful to those who do not understand how a Christian can struggle with same sex attraction and who wish to find clarity on the matter.

Homosexuality is fairly common in our culture, and Christians need to know what the Bible teaches on the subject and how to interact with those who struggle with this sin.  This book helps teach in a way that is practical and easily digestible.  I am thankful for Perry's candor on the matter and would recommend this book to those interested in learning more.

Rachel's Rating:
★★★★☆

Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy

History has never really been "my thing".  It was not interesting in school, so I did not bother to commit details like dates, names of wars, or famous leaders to my long-term memory.  I learned enough to take the tests and pass the classes.  Even now, history is a struggle for me.  But somehow, reading a biography makes it fascinating.  Having a specific person's name and being privy to his thoughts makes history come alive.  Suddenly, I am interested and take note.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a theologian, pastor, spy, and ultimately a martyr.  He lived in Nazi Germany and took part in a plan to assassinate Adolf Hitler.  Eventually, he was discovered and put to death for this role, a mere three weeks before Hitler took his own life.

In reading (and partially listening through) this hefty 600+ page biography by Eric Metaxas, I learned much about Germany that I did not know.  I learned much of Hitler's rise to power.  I learned of the ways he deceived so many well-intentioned people who could not see what he was doing!  But somehow, Bonhoeffer knew, and he sought to do something about it.

In the midst of all this, I learned of Bonhoeffer's work as a theologian and a pastor.  He was a truly amazing man.  He was a deep thinker, firm in his faith and unapologetic for his beliefs.  Though he lived in a time were true persecution was a reality for many like himself, he stood firm to the end.  That steadfastness is respectable.

As I read, I was struck by so many of Bonhoeffer's quotes.  He wrote many letters, and his encouragement to his friends has been preserved in that way.  One thing he wrote that has stuck in my mind, was in a letter to other leaders of the Confessing Church, informing them that a friend and fellow pastor had been killed.  He wrote, "I am sure that he was prepared to go.  Where God tears great gaps we should not try to fill them with human words.  They should remain open.  Our only comfort is the God of the resurrection, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who also was and is his God."  What great perspective and response in such a time of suffering!

Though this is a long read, and even a long listen via audiobook, I highly recommend this book.  The theology and history taught throughout is well worth the time investment.  I look forward to reading Dietrich Bonhoeffer's literature and learning more from this man.

Rachel's Rating
★★★★☆