Interdisciplinary Book Reviews

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 Chap...

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 ...

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...

  The Bible Now By Richard Elliott Friedman & Shawna Dolansky   2011 Reviewed by    Geoffrey W. Sutton In their thought-provoking book, The Bible Now , Friedman and Dolansky delve into the Hebrew Bible, exploring its relevance to contemporary social and political issues. The authors meticulously examine what the Bible actually says—or doesn’t say—about a wide range of topics, including homosexuality, abortion, women’s status, capital punishment, and environmental concerns . The Bible has long been a touchstone for moral and ethical debates, but it is often misused or misunderstood. Friedman and Dolansky aim to rectify this by shedding light on the biblical texts, revealing their true intent and context. Here are some key insights from their work: Homosexuality :  Contrary to popular belief, the Bible does not clearly condemn homosexuality. While the story of Sodom is often cited, it does not specifically address same-sex relationships. Addi...

  SEX & CULTURE Morality and Religion [Most, but not all, religious works focus on the Christian Faith] Book Review List I write about psychology and religion. In the process, I read a variety of books along with academic publications. Following is a selection of books I have read. ********** Those 7 References A Study of "Homosexuality" in the Bible and its impact on the Queer Community of Faith   By John F. Dwyer Read Review ******* Authentic Human Sexuality   by Judith & Jack Balswick (links to 3rd edition) Read Review on AMAZON ********** The Bible Now   by Friedman & Dolansky (2011)   Topics include:  Same-sex relations, abortion, women's status, capital punishment Read Review BUY ON AMAZON ********** Eve, A Serpent, and A  Woman's Place Relating Christianity and Psychology   By Geoffrey W. Sutton On AMAZON Included Free Sample ********** Gender Identity & Faith Clinical Postures, Tools, and Case Studies For Client-Centere...