In summary, this ultra-conservative, self-proclaimed "homophobe" felt God draw him into conversation and ministry with Chicago's gay and lesbian community. He's been at it for about six years now, and with great success. His book is a guide for those of us who want to learn from his experience how best to engage the gay community.
One of Marin's primary goals in Love Is an Orientation is explaining the way the gay community perceives the evangelical community. Among the GLBT community's most frequently felt questions, Marin says, are: How can I possibly relate to Christians in a church environment? Will Christians always look at me as just gay? Do they think that homosexuality is a special sin? When will I be rejected? And so on.
Marin also delves into the intricacies of identity—how gays and lesbians understand themselves and how the church often talks past them. He also explores what it means to be gay and Christian.
Finally, Marin offers concrete principles for making the interaction between the gay and evangelical communities more constructive and life giving.
Some warnings: Marin avoids easy answers. There are a couple of questions, in fact, that he refuses to answer for readers at conferences ("How many people have you changed?" and "Do you think that being gay is a sin?"), because he feels to do so would close down the conversation altogether. His posture is aggressive; he believes evangelicals should make the first move. For these reasons, his book can be unsettling. But I think it's unsettling in a good way.
I've heard it said that some of Marin's comments come across in print as a little abrasive. It's hard to read his writing that way when you've met him in person. He's just so outgoing. In any case, we've included a short audio file here from an interview I conducted with him at the National Pastors Convention. I hope meeting him here will help you read him aright.
Or right-click here to download the clip.
UPDATE: Books & Culture's review.
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Comments
It's the sword drawn by the Peters you have in the church. Whilst the sword is drawn, there can be little peace.
The Gay community is growing stronger, as people are coming out much earlier and many don't even hide in closets. They would not take the assertions by evanglicals lying down.
There is a small time frame left to preach Jesus only, His saving grace. If we continue to detour into ex-gay type theology, the "barbarians" might soon invade Rome.
Posted by: Gentle Lamb | March 31, 2009 8:22 AM
Can anyone recommend a good Christian book for the homosexual to read? I believe the Bible is what he/she should read but was wondering if there is anything out there that someone could recommend.
Posted by: Anonymous | March 31, 2009 5:00 PM
I have a;ot of guy guys in my church. I for one would really like some info. regarding the gay community
Posted by: isaack | April 1, 2009 8:55 PM
To Anonymous: Logon to www.exodusbooks.org
Posted by: mamaditto | April 2, 2009 12:29 AM
To isaack : Check these resources -
Homosexuality & the Politics of Truth by Dr. Jeffrey Satinover,
Desires in Conflict by Joe Dallas
www.exodus.to
www.narth.com
Posted by: mamaditto | April 2, 2009 12:36 AM
I'm really looking forward to the book. We need to see this issue not as a war that needs to be won, or else we will completely lose in the long run. We need to make compromises - abandon the debate over the 'definition of marriage' and focus on seeking to get along together with the gay community - but at the same time not abandoning our principles and the requirements of the gospel. Leave Washington.
Posted by: Tyler | April 3, 2009 9:56 AM
I am a gay christian man living in Chicago. Andrew Marin is a friend. He has a heart for people. He represents, for me, an ideal of how Christians should be in the world. Engaged, Relevant, Compassionate, Open-hearted, and Visionary. He has put his neck out on the line, to build relationship with the LGBT community here. As a gay christian man, I find that example compelling. I choose not to live in victimhood, as the dogma of the church around human sexuality is in my opinion, fantastical at it's best and hateful at it's worst. I am choosing to engage my faith with an open-minded approach, seeking the greater purpose of my life, and accepting myself as whole and complete, rather than a creation gone wrong. I wish for a day, when the church will see me (and my LGBT brothers and sisters) in that light, as well. God willing...
Posted by: Cory | April 3, 2009 11:58 AM
isaack,
there are tons and tons of books out there - particularly describing the convergence of homosexuality and Christianity. a simple amazon search will reveal a lot to you. read through the titles and descriptions to find a few you think would be meaningful.
i would caution you against solely reading exodus books, b/c it's merely ONE of the ways to approach sexuality and faith. check out www.gaychristian.net and find some other resources regarding alternative approaches to dealing with sex and faith.
Posted by: Darren | April 4, 2009 11:52 AM
I am always amazed at how people seem to think over and over that being gay is like being in a cult from which you must be converted. It is no more a cult than being hetrosexual. It would be just as unatural for a hetrosexual attempting to be homosexual as it would be for a homosexual to attempt to be heterosexual. You don't pray the gay away but understand that God is God and his creation is far beyond our social and political attitudes filled with judgment against not just homosexuals but the God who made them that way. We should all check out selves to see what spirit we are of and why we want to change God's creation so badly to make them like us and not what God created them to be.
Posted by: Anonymous | July 23, 2009 9:59 AM
I am a wife and mom of 7 who is practically a lifelong Believer in Jesus Christ. I strongly believe that every word of the Bible is true and without error and while I believe this with all of my being; I further believe that I can be faithful to my convictions without losing my ability to demonstrate love, compassion and acceptance for all of God's Children. To me, this is the heart of who Jesus was and would have those of us in the Evangelical community to be also....I admit that it's taken me a very long time to learn to just "love" and leave the rest to God, but I now firmly believe and understand that this is the way God would have me to interact with not only those in the LGBT community but with all people.
Posted by: Courtney J White | August 22, 2009 8:14 PM
Seems he's not all he's cracked up to be:
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/The+preacher+lied:+Michelangelo+Signorile+examines+the+case+of+Andrew...-a0153186894
Posted by: MartinB | September 15, 2009 10:43 AM
MartinB - You should really do your homework first, before you start making those posts!
Looks like you missed the next month's issue of the Advocate Magazine where they printed an apology to that story. One of the people quoted in the article, Steve Forst (President of the gay Christian organization Dignity) went public that the author of the artcile you site "made-up" his quotes and words. I wonder who is not all they are all cracked up to be?
Posted by: John Hammond | January 7, 2010 10:56 AM