Description
Does the Bible really condemn same-sex relationships? Many Christians wrestle with this question. Here, in his compassionate, cogent book, David Runcorn outlines how someone can support same-sex relationships on the basis of the Bible, not in spite of it. The Church, in every time and place, finds itself working out the shock and surprise of God's unfolding ways - often scandalized by where holiness, goodness and the life of God are to be found. Runcorn's insightful and moving reflections show how speaking in gospel friendship will help to dispel the anxiety and division that have tended to mark the Church's response to homosexuality. Covering sexual abstinence and celibacy, sexuality and the sacred, he leads us to one powerful conclusion: love means love. 'Brim-full of gentle and clear wisdom. Highly recommended!' PAUL BAYES, Bishop of Liverpool 'Joyful, truthful, scandalously inclusive . . . This book will literally save lives. It opens the door of grace and beckons you in.' NICK BUNDOCK, Rector of St James and Emmanuel, Didsbury 'Liberates us to read our beloved Bible with faithfulness, both to the text and to the fruit of Christ we often see in LGBT+ lives. For a good number of us, it will be met with a cry of "at last!"'. JODY STOWELL, Vicar of St Michael's Harrow and Chair of London Clergy
Explores how someone for whom the Bible is central can hold an including view of same-sex relationships and marriage on the basis of the biblical text.
About the Author
Having worked as a parish priest and in theological training and development, David Runcorn is now a full time 'free range priest'. He writes, offers spiritual direction, and acts as a consultant and trainer in areas of spiritual formation, vocational development and Christian ministry. A well-known conference speaker and retreat leader, David is the author of several books
Reviews
As with all his writings, David Runcorn brings to this subject a warmth of human empathy that enables readers of differing opinions and experiences to enter into a profound engagement with Scripture. This is a book full of insights and its publication is timely. -- Robert Atwell, Bishop of Exeter
The Bible speaks of God's faithful love for everyone. David unfolds this truth to a conflicted Church, and to a world in desperate need of that good news. Love Means Love is brim-full of gentle and clear wisdom. Highly recommended! -- Paul Bayes, Bishop of Liverpool
Joyful, truthful, scandalously inclusive . . . at times I could hardly read it for sheer joy. This book will literally save lives. It opens the door of grace and beckons you in. -- Nick Bundock, Rector of St James and Emmanuel, Didsbury
Great for conservatives but will also give plenty of food for thought to those who think that to be pro-LGBTI is perforce to have to abandon scripture. One of the best short books on the subject I've read. -- Canon Simon Butler, Parish priest and member of the Archbishops' Council
David Runcorn writes to encourage acceptance of faithful same-sex relationships. He does so with a deep respect for both the teaching of the Bible and the lived experience of LGBTQ+ people who have often felt excluded by the church. Both gracious and scholarly, with the pastoral touch that shows sound understanding of the science of humanity and sexuality, this book puts the gospel of God's love at the heart of our message to the nation. Heartily recommended! -- David Gillett, Bishop of Bolton (1999 to 2008)
David Runcorn offers that rare gift - perspective. Through each of his short chapters, he demonstrates an understanding of the changing ways the Christian community has talked about LGBTQ+ people over recent decades. Ideas often presented as 'biblical' are questioned, placed in their developing cultural context, and David finds instead a greater grace on every page - a vision of a church and a world where Love means Love. -- Marcus Green, author of The Possibility of Difference: A Biblical Affirmation of Inclusivity
A gentle and insightful book, written with humility, which will greatly help those seeking an informed understanding of key biblical texts with an open mind. David's thoughts on how we read in an age of anxiety are particularly perceptive. I heartily recommend this work to anyone wishing to engage carefully with the topic. -- Nikki Groarke, Archdeacon of Dudley, Member of Church of England's General Synod
Warm, reflective, surprising, challenging, scriptural, human and focused on Jesus, this is a different kind of book . . . Writing with a compassion and spiritual depth that encompasses a breadth of human experience, David Runcorn engages with key texts and traditional views, and comes to very positive and scripturally based conclusions about God's gift of sexuality. -- David Ison, Dean of St Paul's, London
Liberates us to read our beloved Bible with faithfulness, both to the text and to the fruit of Christ we often see in LGBT+ lives. For a good number of us, it will be met with a cry of "at last!". -- Jody Stowell, Vicar of St Michael's Harrow and Chair of London Clergy
Too often phrases such as the "biblical view" or "Bible-believing Christians" are used to exclude the possibility that faithful same-sex relationships are consonant with scripture. David Runcorn challenges the reader to contemplate a different conclusion. -- Rachel Treweek, Bishop of Gloucester
A joy to read . . . addresses all the issues that are part and parcel of the church's current debate on same-sex relationships and offers a biblical perspective that is hopeful and affirming. -- Cherry Vann, Bishop of Monmouth
Book Information
ISBN 9780281084418
Author David Runcorn
Format Paperback
Page Count 160
Imprint SPCK Publishing
Publisher SPCK Publishing
Explores how someone for whom the Bible is central can hold an including view of same-sex relationships and marriage on the basis of the biblical text.
About the Author
Having worked as a parish priest and in theological training and development, David Runcorn is now a full time 'free range priest'. He writes, offers spiritual direction, and acts as a consultant and trainer in areas of spiritual formation, vocational development and Christian ministry. A well-known conference speaker and retreat leader, David is the author of several books
Reviews
As with all his writings, David Runcorn brings to this subject a warmth of human empathy that enables readers of differing opinions and experiences to enter into a profound engagement with Scripture. This is a book full of insights and its publication is timely. -- Robert Atwell, Bishop of Exeter
The Bible speaks of God's faithful love for everyone. David unfolds this truth to a conflicted Church, and to a world in desperate need of that good news. Love Means Love is brim-full of gentle and clear wisdom. Highly recommended! -- Paul Bayes, Bishop of Liverpool
Joyful, truthful, scandalously inclusive . . . at times I could hardly read it for sheer joy. This book will literally save lives. It opens the door of grace and beckons you in. -- Nick Bundock, Rector of St James and Emmanuel, Didsbury
Great for conservatives but will also give plenty of food for thought to those who think that to be pro-LGBTI is perforce to have to abandon scripture. One of the best short books on the subject I've read. -- Canon Simon Butler, Parish priest and member of the Archbishops' Council
David Runcorn writes to encourage acceptance of faithful same-sex relationships. He does so with a deep respect for both the teaching of the Bible and the lived experience of LGBTQ+ people who have often felt excluded by the church. Both gracious and scholarly, with the pastoral touch that shows sound understanding of the science of humanity and sexuality, this book puts the gospel of God's love at the heart of our message to the nation. Heartily recommended! -- David Gillett, Bishop of Bolton (1999 to 2008)
David Runcorn offers that rare gift - perspective. Through each of his short chapters, he demonstrates an understanding of the changing ways the Christian community has talked about LGBTQ+ people over recent decades. Ideas often presented as 'biblical' are questioned, placed in their developing cultural context, and David finds instead a greater grace on every page - a vision of a church and a world where Love means Love. -- Marcus Green, author of The Possibility of Difference: A Biblical Affirmation of Inclusivity
A gentle and insightful book, written with humility, which will greatly help those seeking an informed understanding of key biblical texts with an open mind. David's thoughts on how we read in an age of anxiety are particularly perceptive. I heartily recommend this work to anyone wishing to engage carefully with the topic. -- Nikki Groarke, Archdeacon of Dudley, Member of Church of England's General Synod
Warm, reflective, surprising, challenging, scriptural, human and focused on Jesus, this is a different kind of book . . . Writing with a compassion and spiritual depth that encompasses a breadth of human experience, David Runcorn engages with key texts and traditional views, and comes to very positive and scripturally based conclusions about God's gift of sexuality. -- David Ison, Dean of St Paul's, London
Liberates us to read our beloved Bible with faithfulness, both to the text and to the fruit of Christ we often see in LGBT+ lives. For a good number of us, it will be met with a cry of "at last!". -- Jody Stowell, Vicar of St Michael's Harrow and Chair of London Clergy
Too often phrases such as the "biblical view" or "Bible-believing Christians" are used to exclude the possibility that faithful same-sex relationships are consonant with scripture. David Runcorn challenges the reader to contemplate a different conclusion. -- Rachel Treweek, Bishop of Gloucester
A joy to read . . . addresses all the issues that are part and parcel of the church's current debate on same-sex relationships and offers a biblical perspective that is hopeful and affirming. -- Cherry Vann, Bishop of Monmouth
Book Information
ISBN 9780281084418
Author David Runcorn
Format Paperback
Page Count 160
Imprint SPCK Publishing
Publisher SPCK Publishing
