2 BOOKS THAT WILL GRAB YOUR ATTENTION
SOME BOOKS are out of the ordinary. These two are. The authors are women who lived the gay life but now are Christian, straight, and married with children. Each of their journeys to faith is unique. Both are riveting. A third book about a difficult subject exposes the issue of sexual abuse, its horror, its effects, and its failed treatment in the evangelical community. We Too by Mary E. Demuth is up for next week. One cannot read these books without being changed in some way.
BOOK REVIEW 1
The Secret Thoughts of An Unlikely Convert: An English Professor’s Journey into the Christian Faith by Rosaria Butterfield, PhD. 2012, Crown & Covenant publishers
What a story! One of the most interesting books I’ve read, particularly because of the subject matter. This is a hot topic that doesn’t get much press or validation. Butterfield’s journey to faith is compelling.
A sincere pastor, without judgment or condemnation, speaks life to this woman on the opposite side of the spectrum who has little use for Christianity. He becomes salt and light by authentically engaging in dialogue with this educated, active, professor, Women’s Studies Program Chair, and feminist social activist.
Butterfield’s story, a unique one at that, unfolds her remarkable spiritual awakening. Her life goes from that of a feminist community leader and proactive lesbian to Christian convert to Christian marriage to new role as pastor’s wife, college youth leader, and motherhood.
Her internal strength and clarity of thought become assets as she enters the fray, a fascinating road upon which she travels to discover truth for herself. I applaud her courage in speaking her faith story to those willing to listen. Her exit from the gay community where she felt safe and wanted is difficult. Her professional area of study is at cross-purposes with her fledgling faith. Butterfield’s path to faith is costly, unsettling, mind boggling, and traumatic. I think she would be quick to say that it’s been worth it. Her life has purpose and meaning that is redemptive and life-giving. Truly, God works in mysterious ways.
BOOK REVIEW 2
Gay Girl, Good God: The Story of Who I Was, and Who God Has Always Been by Jackie Hill Perry, 2018, B & H Books
This book covers it all: Christian social issues, gender and sexuality, dysfunctional family and so forth. Jackie Hill Perry is a thinker, poet, rapper, hip hop artist,and speaker. Well known in her own right, she gets a boost from Nancy Leigh DeMoss Wolgemuth (Lies Women Believe), who writes its foreword.
You get inside the author’s head right off the bat with this one. Perry’s book offers frank talk, understanding, vulnerability, and grace. Authenticity comes in many forms. You will find it here in her book. Perry takes you there–to her unwelcome conception and dysfunctional past, her embracing of a lesbian lover and how that happened, her delight and empowerment within her gay relationships and friendships . . . . Then comes her startling realization that God is real, terribly real. Just like that, she transitions to follow the call. Thus comes her rocky transformation into the Spirit-led life with its new way of living. It’s not easy, but it’s real.
Perry’s frankness is helpful to the unaware, straight person, who far too easily condemns without insight into the gravity of real life people, circumstances, and situations. Perry’s provocative message includes the difficulty of leaving what and whom you love to follow God’s way and truth. A few key people help her gain life-giving truth.
