Interdisciplinary Book Reviews

God Have Mercy:  A Look at Hays & Hay's  Perspective on LGBT Inclusion AMAZON CITE This post :  Sutton, G. W. (2025). God have mercy: a look at hays & hay’s perspective on LGBT inclusion Interdisciplinary Book Reviews. REVIEWER : Geoffrey W. Sutton Book Summary The Widening of God’s Mercy by Christopher B. Hays and Richard B. Hays is a deeply reflective and scholarly work that traces the biblical narrative of divine mercy as an ever-expanding force—one that consistently reaches beyond traditional boundaries to embrace those once excluded. Written by a father-son duo, the book is both a theological exploration and a personal journey, particularly for Richard Hays, who revisits and revises his earlier positions on sexuality and LGBT inclusion in light of a broader biblical vision. Central Thesis At its core, the book argues that the Bible presents a dynamic and evolving picture of God’s mercy—one that is not static or confined by rigid legalism, but responsive, comp...

Trouble with gender:  Sex facts, gender fictions   By Alex Byrne   Reviewed by   Geoffrey W. Sutton CITE REVIEW:  Sutton, G. W. (2025). Sex and gender identity: Byrne’s philosophical perspective Interdisciplinary Book Reviews. ***** Woman: the female human being (Collins Dictionary) an adult who lives and identifies as female though they may have been considered to have a different sex at birth... (Cambridge Dictionary) ***** The challenges surrounding sex and gender extend beyond conceptual debates to encompass the psychological toll experienced by individuals grappling with gender identity, particularly in the face of restrictive laws and policies that constrain personal freedoms and rights. Having completed reading Byrne’s Trouble with Gender last week, I found its arguments especially resonant in light of recent events. On Saturday, I attended a local Pridefest event that celebrated gender diversity and inclusion. Today, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a Tenn...

Jesus, the Bible and Homosexuality,  Revised and Expanded Edition   Explode the Myths, Heal the Church   By Jack Rogers Review Title Christians Excluding Gays:  A Look at Rogers’ Perspective on  Jesus, the Bible, and Homosexuality  Reviewed by      Geoffrey W. Sutton CITE REVIEW:  Sutton, G. W. (2025). Christians excluding gays: A look at rogers’ perspective on Jesus, the bible, and homosexuality.  Interdisciplinary Book Reviews . Book Summary Jack Rogers presents a historical overview of how American Presbyterians transitioned from excluding to including gay and lesbian Christians, contextualized by broader shifts in attitudes toward slavery and women's rights. He provides an extensive background on Presbyterian perspectives regarding slavery and gender equality, demonstrating how biblical texts were historically interpreted to justify oppression—a pattern he examines in Chapter 2, Misusing the Bible to Justify Oppression. In ...

From Condemnation to Compassion:  Rethinking Biblical Views on Same-Sex Relationships:  A Review of UnClobber CITE :  Sutton, G. W. (2025). From Condemnation to Compassion: Rethinking Biblical Views on Same-Sex Relationships: A Review of UnClobber. Interdisciplinary Book and Film Reviews. DOWNLOAD PDF REVIEWER: Geoffrey W. Sutton Book Summary UnClobber: Rethinking Our Misuse of the Bible on Homosexuality by Colby Martin is a highly acclaimed pastoral memoir of an evangelical clergyman who came out of his theological closet when his denomination’s doctrinal stance regarding homosexuality no longer made sense.  Christians have used six Bible verses to clobber same sex attracted believers into submission—or perhaps chased them out the door. Martin examines each of those texts and offers support for a view that frees queer Christians from condemnation so they may experience godly love and flourish in a Christian community. As we hop with him over hundreds of years of b...

7 Biblical Arrows Aimed at Queer Hearts:  A Review of Those 7 References by J. F. Dwyer CITE :  Sutton, G. W. (2025). 7 biblical arrows aimed at queer hearts: A review of Those 7 References. Interdisciplinary Book Reviews. DOWNLOAD PDF REVIEWER: Geoffrey W. Sutton Book Summary Dwyer, J. F. (2021). Those 7 references: A study of "homosexuality" in the bible and its impact on the queer community of faith . Morehouse In a concise and accessible book, Episcopalian Priest John Dwyer elucidates the seven biblical references that some Christians use to criticize same-sex relationships. Following an introduction, Dwyer categorizes these seven texts into five chapters: (1) Genesis 19 and Judges 19, (2) Leviticus 18 and 20, (3) Romans 1, (4) 1 Corinthians 6, and (5) 1 Timothy 1. His approach is thorough and systematically organized. Each chapter begins with the relevant biblical passage, followed by a helpful analysis of the pertinent words and phrases within the context of the chapter...

Changing Our Mind   by David P. Gushee    Reviewed by Geoffrey W. Sutton Changing Our Mind by David P. Gushee is a transformative book that explores the author's evolving views on LGBTQ inclusion within Christianity. Gushee, a prominent Christian ethicist, shares his journey from holding traditional evangelical views to advocating for full acceptance of LGBTQ Christians in the church. He examines biblical texts and theological positions, encouraging readers to reconsider their beliefs in light of new understandings and the lived experiences of LGBTQ individuals. The book is a call for empathy, inclusivity, and a more loving faith community. ***** I read the Kindle version of the third edition of Changing Our Mind as part of my research into Christian worldviews focused on Christian moral perspectives toward people who identify as LGBTQ. I had previously addressed the topic from the perspective of moral psychology in A House Divided (2016) and in a few research studies co...