Love is an Orientation - book review

“Love is an Orientation” is an attractive and intriguing title for a book that directly addresses issues of sexual orientation and the church’s response in the current culture and climate. Andrew Marin (http://www.themarinfoundation.org) expresses the hope that the book will “elevate the conversation” between the church and the GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender) community, and I certainly think it does just what it says “on the tin”.

Andrew never expected to get involved with GLBT people so his involvement clearly demonstrates an unusual call on his life, and he responded to God in obedience to that call. He needs to be respected and listened to for that reason alone, if for no other. I believe God has something important to say that we should not ignore through someone so called. Therefore what he says is essential reading for anyone involved in the current debates and in ministry to those with same sex attractions.

Andrew has been successfully building bridges into the GLBT community in Chicago for around the last 8 years and has much to say on how GLBT people view evangelical Christianity. Whilst it is perhaps slightly more reflective of American rather than British culture, there is nevertheless much that will be applicable to the British communities. Andrew’s approach is certainly controversial, and no doubt many conservatives will brand him as liberal in outlook. Liberal or not, and the reader will have to decide, he still deserves a very attentive hearing. However strongly the church may adhere to an ethic that clearly identifies gay sexual expression as sinful, we must never forget that Jesus was the friend of sinners. Andrew encourages us all to take a positive stance of friendship towards gay and lesbian people we encounter, to not fear where those friendships may lead, and to trust God concerning any work of conviction or judgment; our role is unconditional love. This is not an easy path for anyone to walk, let alone commit so much of his life to, as Andrew has done.

The principles he uses are not necessarily new. Anyone involved in mission to other communities at this time will be aware of what is involved in cross-cultural mission, whether to Muslims, Jews, or other cultures. Those methodologies are not without their critics from parts of the church either. Seeing them, however, so clearly articulated in a GLBT context makes for challenging reading.

The book warns us of pitfalls - dos and don’ts when engaging with the GLBT community - and no matter what our calling and mission, there is very useful information there on what is more likely to gain us a hearing rather than a slap in the face. It is worth heeding.

Andrew’s exegeses of the biblical passages on homosexuality do not fit neatly into the usual pro-gay theology nor the conservative evangelical interpretations, but take a novel more “elevated” stance. They certainly challenge our thinking. The many testimonies in the book demonstrate an approach through which people have come to Christ that in some cases stand in sharp contrast to the more traditional testimonies that we are used to hearing. In all of them, however, God is clearly at work and as Andrew emphasizes, we must never forget that work might never be complete until our last breath.

How much of this book you will agree with, I cannot say. I am not even sure how much I agree with. But I do know that it’s a must read and that we must allow it to influence our own thinking and actions in the work that we do.

“Love is an Orientation” by Andrew Marin is published by IVP ISBN 978-0-8308-3626-0