Born This Way?: Homosexuality, Science, and the Scriptures

Born This Way?: Homosexuality, Science, and the ScripturesWhat are Christians to make of relentless assertions that homosexuality is an innate characteristic? Some pastors and church members are suggesting that scientific research demands a change to the historic stance of Christian sexual ethics. The author of Born This Way? wants Christians not to be intimidated and confused by these assertions. Branch succeeds by carefully walking the reader through the research (but not painstakingly so) to show that

What are Christians to make of relentless assertions that homosexuality is an innate characteristic? Some pastors and church members are suggesting that scientific research demands a change to the historic stance of Christian sexual ethics. The author of Born This Way? wants Christians not to be intimidated and confused by these assertions. Branch succeeds by carefully walking the reader through the research (but not painstakingly so) to show that homosexuality is not an innate quality, and how some findings are twisted to arrive at pre-conceived notions. He concludes that, “while there are some genetic or biological factors that correlate with a higher incidence of same-sex attraction and homosexual behavior, as of yet there is no proof of genetic or biological causation for homosexuality.” This distinction is vital, and it comes as good news to those who want to be faithful to both science and the Bible.

Publisher: Lexham Press
Type: Paperback
ISBN: 9781683591863

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J. Alan Branch is professor of Christian ethics at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri. He also has served as a pastor and a chaplain in the U.S. Army Reserves. He is the author of Affirming God’s Image: Addressing the Transgender Question with Science and Scripture and Born This Way? Homosexuality, Science, and the Scriptures.

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‘Born This Way? is an important contribution to the discussion of homosexuality in society at large, and especially the in Christian community. While the book is explicitly Christian, the vast majority of the text is the presentation and review of secular, scientifically-obtained data! The biblical perspective is gentle and respectful of the high emotion surrounding this issue, but consistent with an orthodox evangelical theology and a high view of Scripture. The chapter on the church’s response to those caught in this sin should inform us and challenge us.’ Andrew J. Holder, Professor of Computational/Organic Chemistry, University of Missouri, Kansas City