AUTHOR: Christopher Yuan
PUBLISHER: Colorado Springs, CO: Waterbrook & Multnomah, 2018, (256 pages).
"Holy Sexuality" was first described in Yuan's earlier book, "Out of a Far Country" which he co-authored with his mother. This book expands on this to give readers greater insights about his journey to discovering what God is saying about human sexuality. First off, he notes that sexuality does not define us. Neither should we let any sexual inclination or orientation define who we really are. In other words, we are not what we feel. Our core identity is not based on our sexuality but on our identity in God. Yuan then goes through some basic theological tenets of faith about humans being created in the image of God; the effects of sin; anthropology; covenant; etc. He notes that there are many Christians who have blindly accepted same-sex attraction as a root cause of their identity. He asserts that "Homosexuality isn’t a psychological disorder or a developmental problem" but deeply related to sin. Even as he states that, he addresses two common approaches that Christians with same-sex attractions take that are also erroneous: "be ex-gay or celibate." The key problem is that such approaches still consider sexuality as the core identity to deal with or to solve. The only way out is not to run away from our sexuality but to run toward the gospel. With the gospel, we are reminded that neither marriage nor singlehood; neither heterosexuality nor homosexuality; neither gender nor behaviour; will lead us to heaven. It is the gospel that is our salvation. He highlights the importance of a loving spiritual family who would accept us as we are, as sinners saved by grace. Most importantly, lest we misread Yuan's intent and thesis, the author asserts that "actual sin" is not the capacity for same-sex attractions or temptations, but a "persistent pattern of sinful desires or behaviours."
My Thoughts
Written in a manner that is part-memoir and part-theological, Christopher Yuan relates his painful beginnings and how he manages to climb out of his dark tunnel toward the hope of the gospel. While his own story and experience might not be refutable, his theological understanding might be controversial to some, especially those who hold a "progressive" pro-biblical view of homosexuality. For instance, just talking about homosexuality being linked to sin would have generated mountains of protest. If that is so, that only goes to prove Yuan's observation that our "feelings and thoughts were distorted by sin." Erroneous thinking could lead to lots of pain and suffering on all sides. On the one hand, conservative parents of homosexual children might start blaming themselves (nature) or their environment (nurture) for the sexual inclinations. On the other hand, progressives or pro-justifiers of same-sex attraction might treat homosexuality as a badge of honour to be proud of. Indeed, that is an important distinction, lest anyone of us turn our sexuality, whether heterosexuality, homosexuality, or any other types of sexuality, into an idol in itself. It is our "acting upon" any form of sexuality that leads to actual sin. Original sin is not some neutral concept but an evil desire that makes us act on it, triggering a flow of sins via warped thinking, derailed living, and immorality.
There are books that talk about both sides of the same-sex divide. Some try to make a balanced approach before proposing their prescription. Others are more explicit in supporting or opposing the particular form of sexuality. In this book, Yuan begins with a personal story about his own life and his own journey through the different perspectives encountered. He has heard about gender therapy, genetic studies, psychiatric association, and other tools popularized by the media. Regarding "conversion therapy," it works both ways. If one bans this form of therapy from "solving" homosexuality, one needs to ensure the ban applies the other way too. Whatever position we take with regard to same-sex matters, it is beneficial to take note of Yuan's warning about this dangerous idol: "The idol of our historical epoch is this: your sexual desires define you, determine you, and should always delight you."
Right thinking leads to right adjustments. The gospel is the direction for all, regardless of our forms of sexuality. Let not cultural sensitivity or societal pressure squeeze us into their mold. Instead, learn from Yuan's thesis, that our identity is not shaped by us but by God, in particular, through God's grand story of creation, fall, redemption, and consummation.
Dr. Christopher Yuan has taught the Bible at Moody Bible Institute for
over ten years and his speaking ministry on faith and sexuality has
reached five continents. He is currently a Professor-at-large with Moody. He speaks at conferences, on college campuses,
and in churches. He has co-authored with his mother their memoir, Out of a Far Country: A Gay Son’s Journey to God, A Broken Mother’s Search for Hope (100,000 copies sold and now in seven languages). He is also the author of Giving a Voice to the Voiceless.
Christopher graduated from Moody Bible Institute in 2005, Wheaton
College Graduate School in 2007 with a Master of Arts in Biblical
Exegesis and received his doctorate of ministry in 2014 from Bethel
Seminary.
Rating: 4.5 stars of 5.
conrade
This book has been provided courtesy of Waterbrook Press and Multnomah via NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.
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