Annotated Bibliography: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Issues in Educational Ministry

“Friendship,” Hill writes, “is a good and godly love in its own right, just as worthy of attention, nurture, and respect as any other form of Christian affection” (Introduction). A two-part book that first surveys the current state of friendship as well as Christian tradition and Scripture. The second part advocates a formal commitment to same-sex friendship with some additional pointers on cultivating friendship in the Christian community.

This book offers counsel that is biblically faithful, theologically serious, and oriented to the life and practice of the church. As a celibate gay Christian, Hill gives us a glimpse of what it looks like to wrestle firsthand with God’s “No” to same-sex sexual intimacy. A powerful book on coming to terms with being a “celibate Gay Christian,” Hill is attentive to Scripture, analyzes culture, and includes gut-wrenching honesty.

“In Faithful, Beth Felker Jones sketches a theology of sexuality that demonstrates sex is not about legalistic morals with no basis in reality but rather about the God who is faithful to us. This short book explores the goodness of sexuality as created and redeemed, and it suggests ways to navigate the difficulties of living in a world in which sexuality, like everything else, suffers the effects of the fall. This short, insightful reflection explores the deeper significance of the body and sexuality.” (Cover copy)

“Many Christians, including pastors, parents and leaders, have unwittingly absorbed many cultural ideas about sexuality that are not supported by the Bible. As people created by God for relationship, our sexuality guarantees that we will long for and be drawn toward others. McMinn provides a blueprint for understanding sexuality—and our longing to be loved—at all stages of life (childhood, teen years, early adulthood, midlife, and old age), and addresses tough topics including sexuality for those who are single (divorced, widowed, or never married). She also details practical solutions for ways that parents, educators, and churches can nurture others and ourselves in the quest to understand sexuality as a longing that draws us toward God and others, and to embrace it as a God-given gift. Study questions at the end of each chapter call us to action in reclaiming our sexuality through grace.” (Cover copy)

“Sexual identity has become an idol in both the culture at large and in the Christian subculture. Anthropologist Jenell Williams Paris offers a Christian framework for sexual holiness that accounts for complex postmodern realities. The end of sexual identity moves beyond culture-war impasses to open up new space for conversations in diverse communities both inside and outside the church.” (Cover copy)

“In this book philosopher and ethicist Caroline J. Simon identifies six ‘lenses’ through which people understand sex and sexuality: covenantal, procreative, expressive, romantic, power and ‘plain sex.’ Guided by a virtue ethic, she applies those lenses to a variety of sexual scenarios, from flirtation and desire to marital sexuality, helping us to see what filters we run issues of sexuality through and how, properly ordered and weighted, they can help us achieve sexual integrity.” (Cover copy)

“William J. Webb tackles some of the most complex and controversial issues that have challenged the Christian church—and still do. He leads you through the maze of interpretation that has historically surrounded understanding of slaves, women and homosexuals, and he evaluates various approaches to these and other biblical-ethical teachings. Throughout, Webb attempts to ‘work out the hermeneutics involved in distinguishing that which is merely cultural in Scripture from that which is timeless’ (Craig A. Evans). By the conclusion, Webb has introduced and developed a ‘redemptive hermeneutic’ that can be applied to many issues that cause similar dilemmas. Darrel L. Bock writes in the foreword to Webb’s work, ‘His goal is not only to discuss how these groups are to be seen in light of Scriptures but to make a case for a specific hermeneutical approach to reading these texts. This book not only advances a discussion of the topics, but it also takes a markedly new direction toward establishing common ground where possible, potentially breaking down certain walls of hostility within the evangelical community.’” (Cover copy)

“Honest and accurate answers to parents and pastors who have questions about homosexuality. Throughout the book, the author uses a new framework for understanding the issue, carefully separating the concept of ‘same sex attraction’ from 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. He also discusses what Christians can do when someone they know opens up to them about their homosexual attractions.” (Cover copy)

“In the fog of the culture war, complex issues like gender dysphoria are reduced to slogans and sound bites. And while the war rages over language, institutions and political allegiances, transgender individuals are the ones who end up being the casualties. Mark Yarhouse, an expert in sexual identity and therapy, challenges the church to rise above the political hostilities and listen to people’s stories. In Understanding Gender Dysphoria, Yarhouse offers a Christian perspective on transgender issues that eschews simplistic answers and appreciates the psychological and theological complexity. The result is a book that engages the latest research while remaining pastorally sensitive to the experiences of each person. In the midst of a tense political climate, Yarhouse calls Christians to come alongside those on the margins and stand with them as they resolve their questions and concerns about gender identity.” (Cover copy)

“The research team of Yarhouse, Dean, Stratton, and Lastoria draw on their decades of experience both in the psychology of sexual identity and in campus counseling to bring us the results of an original longitudinal study into what sexual minorities themselves experience, hope for, and benefit from. Rich with both quantitative and qualitative data, their book gives an unprecedented opportunity to listen to sexual minorities in their own words, as well as to observe patterns and often surprising revelations about life and personal development both on campus and after graduation. Listening to Sexual Minorities will be an indispensable resource not only for counselors and psychologists but also for faculty, student-development leaders, and administrators in higher education as well as leaders in the church and wider Christian community who want to create an intentional environment to hear from and contribute to the spiritual flourishing of all.” (Cover copy)

“Yuan explores the concept of holy sexuality—chastity in singleness or faithfulness in marriage—in a practical and relevant manner, equipping readers with an accessible yet robust theology of sexuality.” (Cover copy)