In a review of two books (one by Matthew Vines and the other by Ken Wilson) that argue for the acceptability of monogamous homosexuality for the Christian life, Tim Keller makes an insightful point about those who change their view about homosexuality after having met homosexual people themselves.

It is worthy of a slow, thoughtful read.

Tim Keller:

Vines and Wilson relate stories of people who were sure that the Bible condemned homosexuality. However, they were brought to a change of mind through getting to know gay people personally. It is certainly important for Christians who are not gay to hear the hearts and stories of people who are attracted to the same sex.

And when I see people discarding their older beliefs that homosexuality is sinful after engaging with loving, wise, gay people, I’m inclined to agree that those earlier views were likely defective. In fact, they must have been essentially a form of bigotry. They could not have been based on theological or ethical principles, or on an understanding of historical biblical teaching. They must have been grounded instead on a stereotype of gay people as worse sinners than others (which is itself a shallow theology of sin.) So I say good riddance to bigotry. However, the reality of bigotry cannot itself prove that the Bible never forbids homosexuality. We have to look to the text to determine that.

So, Christian, what do you believe about homosexuality and why do you believe it? Are your thoughts on sexuality based on bigotry and prejudice or the text of Scripture?

I encourage you to read the whole review here.