James V. Brownson

Why should anyone believe in God in a world with so much pain? How can I be part of the church when it's so full of hypocrisy? Isn't "spiritual but not religious" enough? What makes Jesus more important than Muhammad, Buddha, or other religious leaders? Why should I trust Christianity when it's hurt so many people? What if it hurt me? Most Christians have found themselves in conversations with nonbelieving friends and family where these kinds of questions have come up. In fact, most Christians have probably found themselves asking these questions too. But everyone who has ever wondered about such complicated things knows that this is dangerous territory--after all, what if there's no easy answer? This book welcomes and encourages these questions that Christians "aren't supposed to ask." In each chapter, James Brownson introduces a particular question and then reframes it with a relevant passage from the Bible, bringing to bear his expertise as a biblical scholar. Rather than providing dogmatic (and ultimately unsatisfying) "Sunday school answers," he explores the questions in provocative ways that often challenge the status quo of American Christianity. Fittingly, each chapter closes with discussion questions and suggestions for further reading, so that the conversations begun here can continue among the book's readers in fruitful ways.

Grapples conscientiously with biblical texts at the heart of the church's debate over same-sex relationships This thought-provoking book by James Brownson develops a broad, cross-cultural sexual ethic from Scripture, locates current debates over homosexuality in that wider context, and explores why the Bible speaks the way it does about same-sex relationships. Fairly presenting both sides in this polarized debate -- -traditional- and -revisionist- -- Brownson conscientiously analyzes all of the pertinent biblical texts and helpfully identifies -stuck points- in the ongoing debate. In the process, he explores key concepts that inform our understanding of the biblical texts, including patriarchy, complementarity, purity and impurity, honor and shame. Central to his argument is the need to uncover the moral logic behind the text. Written in order to serve and inform the ongoing debate in many denominations over the questions of homosexuality, Brownson's in-depth study will prove a useful resource for Christians who want to form a considered opinion on this important issue.

This is an excellent resource for ministers and students seeking to understand this sacrament that lies at the heart of the church's life.