Faithful Conversation: Christian Perspectives on Homosexuality.

Faithful Conversation: Christian Perspectives on Homosexuality. Edited by James M. Childs Jr. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2003. viii and 132 pages. Paper. $9.00.

The presidents of the eight ELCA seminaries write in the foreword to this helpful volume that it "contributes to the quest for understanding and exhibits our commitment to public witness" (p. vii). They expected the contributors to argue and disagree; the presidents' expectations were met. However, more noticeable than the contributors' differences and more inspiring than their scholarship is their faithfulness to the conversation. Childs notes in the introduction that the authors may express a bias--and some most certainly do!--"but to the extent that is true, their viewpoints are offered in the context of the kind of give-and-take dialogue that holds the greatest promise for mutual edification" (p. 3).

Mark Allan Powell examines the biblical accounts that bear upon this issue and considers how these passages and the biblical witness might be considered. If you read only one essay in this book, read this one. It offers an excellent example of the kind of deliberation and consideration of all angles, viewpoints, and perspectives that the seminary presidents hoped for and provides an inspiring model for us to follow as each of us wrestles with the challenges of homosexuality. James Arne Nestingen carefully examines the central themes of the original Lutheran documents (justification and Christian discipleship) and considers their application to sexual ethics and their implications. He concludes that the affirmation of homosexual relationships is tantamount to idolatry and justification by works (p. 56). Martha Ellen Stortz argues that our conversation ought not to revolve on our sexual identity but on our "primary identity" as baptized people. She concludes that "if baptism functions as the central orientation of a Christian, a Christian sexual ethic should be equally binding on all Christians, both homosexuals and heterosexuals" (p. 77). Richard J. Perry Jr. and Jose David Rodriguez argue that we need to move beyond a "monocultural" perspective that assumes static understandings of "family" and "orders of creation" to a multicultural perspective (pp. 85-86). Daniel L. Olson notes that the scientific literature on homosexuality is inconclusive. More interesting to him are the effects of anger on community. If the church is to be the church it needs to deal effectively with anger among its members. It needs to practice hospitality--we need to practice hospitality--to those with whom we disagree (p. 100). The church's mission can be fulfilled if we can disagree with each other without hating each other.

This book is a valuable resource for pastors to use in their conversations with each other. The model of dialogue and deliberation that it provides is invaluable and inspiring.

David C. Ratke

Lenoir-Rhyne College

Hickory, North Carolina