While the title of this book would have sounded absurd only a generation or two ago, its terminology is now familiar to nearly everyone who can read.    Not only that, but our culture has moved rapidly from advocating tolerance of homosexuality to expecting enthusiasm and even requiring celebration.  At best, Christians are perceived as out-of-date; at worst, as hate-filled dogmatists.  Some Christians polish this image.  Some try to soften or deny what the Bible teaches in order to appear accepting and relevant.

Allberry’s question and similar ones are often asked belligerently by those unfamiliar with God and His Word, but they can also be posed with perplexity or anxiety by Christians.  In the introduction, Allberry summarizes the message of the gospel (repentance and faith) and shows how it applies to “someone who lives with homosexuality (8).”   He clarifies the difference between orientation and identity or lifestyle, answering the title question with an emphatic “No.”    Rather, “God is against who all of us are…living apart from Him and for ourselves (10).” 

The book is set up mostly in question-and-answer format.  Allberry begins with what the Bible teaches about marriage in general, since related issues are easier to understand once that groundwork is laid. Next he looks at the scriptures addressing homosexuality, which are few but definite: it is sinful, unnatural, and a sign of God’s judgment.  Yet it is “not inescapable…in Christ we are no longer who we were (35).”

Christians are not guaranteed indemnity to any temptation, and that includes same-sex attraction (SSA); however, as with any difficulty, a Christ-like response is possible. Chapter 3, entitled “Homosexuality and the Christian,” compares this temptation to the Apostle Paul’s thorn in the flesh.   Allberry encourages prayer, theologically correct thinking about the problem, and seeking support from other Christians.  Should unmarried Christians with SSA remain single?  Celibate himself, Allberry describes singleness as a biblically legitimate position of particular opportunity, although not without its challenges and difficulty. 

A chapter on “Homosexuality and the Church” considers the church’s interaction, not only with Christians who struggle, but with “newcomers to the gospel of Jesus.”  Allberry briefly addresses the “agree to disagree” stance taken by those Christians who condone homosexuality, stating that it is a “gospel matter” and not a question of “acceptable disagreement” in the church. (69-70)

The final chapter provides help on communicating the Christian message to the world.  While the Scripture has “sharp edges” (and its teaching on morality is felt to be the sharpest just now), the gospel is just what unbelievers need.  Crucial to communicating it well are three components: “the quality of our life together…the clarity of our message…[and] relational credibility (75).”

Certainly this subject is one of the most common and challenging that we face, and Biblical perspectives on marriage, sexuality, and same-sex attraction are essential. If we lack clear understanding of these principles ourselves, we are more likely to be hesitant and to retreat from the discussion, particularly with unbelievers.  This book, although short and easily read, is an extremely helpful resource--not only for individual comprehension, but for developing effective language to communicate sound, simple explanations.

In addition, Allberry’s personal transition from ignorance to faith and knowledge of gospel truth gives his writing a credibility and compassion not found in many other works.  He became aware of his own feelings of same-sex attraction about the same time that he met his first Christian friends and found the gospel message “quite different” from what he had envisioned.  Allberry is currently an associate pastor at an Anglican church in London.