Books to Read

Appendix C

Core Affirming Works

1) Matthew Vines, God and the Gay Christian — A clear, accessible biblical case for affirming same‑sex marriage, focused on careful exegesis and conservative evangelical audiences.

2) Justin Lee, Torn — Memoir + practical bridge‑building from a devout evangelical who discovers he is gay; a great “starter” book for families and churches learning to talk across difference.

3) Jeff Chu, Does Jesus Really Love Me? — A journalist’s pilgrimage across American churches; theologically diverse snapshots that humanize the conversation.

4) David P. Gushee, Changing Our Mind — A leading evangelical ethicist explains his shift to an affirming position, with pastoral implications for churches.

5) James V. Brownson, Bible, Gender, Sexuality — Deep dive on key texts and the nature‑of‑marriage question; rigorous but readable, ideal for study groups that want more technical work.

6) Christopher B. Hays & Richard B. Hays, The Widening of God’s Mercy — Father–son scholars trace Scripture’s inclusion arc and argue for full LGBTQ inclusion; important especially because Richard B. Hays has shifted from a traditional stance.

7) Ken Wilson, A Letter to My Congregation — A pastor’s roadmap for leading a real church through conscience diversity toward hospitality and unity.

8) Colby Martin, UnClobber — Pastoral, story‑driven replies to the “clobber texts,” written for lay readers.

9) Karen R. Keen, Scripture, Ethics, and the Possibility of Same‑Sex Relationships — Offers a faithful middle approach centered on moral logic and Scripture’s aims.

10) Eugene F. Rogers Jr., Sexuality and the Christian Body — A constructive theological case for the sanctification of same‑sex unions (more academic).

Trans‑Focused and Gender Resources

11) Austen Hartke, Transforming — A practical, pastoral guide to Scripture and trans Christians’ lives.

12) Megan DeFranza, Sex Difference in Christian Theology — Intersex as a theological key; careful and humane.

13) Preston Sprinkle, Embodied — A conservative, non‑affirming perspective on transgender questions, useful for understanding concerns and points of debate.

Historically Significant / Debate Partners (Non‑Affirming)

14) Robert A. J. Gagnon, The Bible and Homosexual Practice — The most detailed traditionalist monograph; important to understand the classic non‑affirming case.

15) Richard B. Hays, The Moral Vision of the New Testament — Earlier non‑affirming stance; helpful for seeing the trajectory of Hays’s later work.

Why these books

This set gives a full spectrum: constructive affirming arguments, pastoral narratives, trans‑specific resources, and the best traditional critiques to sharpen your thinking. Use them alongside this book’s hermeneutic “fruit tests” and your community’s discernmen