BOOK REVIEW

 

A Strong Delusion:

Confronting the “Gay Christian” Movement

 

By Joe Dallas Eugene, OR:  Harvest House Publishers, 1996.  245 pages.

Paper back  $12.00

 

 

    Joe, the author, is the past president of Exodus International, which is an organization that helps people, through God, to become repentant homosexuals. 

 

   At the beginning of the book, Joe talks about when he was an associate pastor.  One day he walked into an adult book store and it changed his life as he knew it.  It ended his ministry and plunged him into a series of sexual affairs with both men and women.  Joe, as a child had been molested by strangers and had tried to bury his past in his ministry work, good works. 

 

   Joe gives you an in-depth background of the gay Christian movement, how the MCC (Metropolitan Community Church) started and what they believe.  He gives you the facts about the study done in 1991 by Dr. Simon LeVay.  This is the study that people interpret to say that a person is born homosexual.  As Joe points out, the study was inconclusive and has never been fully replicated since.  He then gives you sample dialogues with arguments from the gay Christian community and how we can respond to them in a compassionate truthful manner using the truth from scriptures.

 

   In the past, I have done quite a bit of reading on this subject, this book “A Strong Delusion” is by far the best.  It confirms the beliefs I have, to be true.

 

   This book brought back a lot of memories for me and I would like to share part of my journey with my brother. 

 

   My little brother, Al, was gay and lived in California.  I remember going to the MCC church with him and experiencing their worship service.  How warm and welcomed they made me feel.  After I got back to Minnesota, I even received a note from the church, thanking me for visiting their church.  Not all our churches here do that, or do they?

 

   Al had a lot of literature on the theory that he was born this way, unchangeable and normal.  He wanted me to believe this in the worst way.  We loved each other very much and didn’t want to lose the relationship we had, so after a lot of discussion and reading, we came to the conclusion we could agree to disagree.  

 

   Some times it is easier to just give in and give up your values, but does it seem like the right thing to do?  

 

   I was Al’s caregiver for the last four months of his life.  We shared our fears, our beliefs and our love.  What a journey it was, learning from one another.  God put us on this earth, not to judge, but to love and support one another.  Earlier I mentioned that this is a must read, especially for those who say they are Christians.  This is because even within our own extended family, Al was not treated with compassion and the love that Jesus intended for all his children.  It is only God who is to judge, he is the one who knows what is truly in our hearts.

 

   At the end of the book Joe shares words about himself:  “I was fortunate.  Loving friends took me in when I repented.  Strong brothers welcomed me into their fellowship.  I was forgiven, accepted, and restored.  I could only wish the same for every woman or man who, by God’s grace is also brought beyond delusion.”

 

   After reading these words, it reminded me of a time when a young man shared his testimony after he had repented and how his life had changed.  He was so excited, he seemed relieved and at peace.

 

   I feel that it is this peace that Joe is talking about in his book.  If we know what God has told us in the Bible, we need to believe it and share it.

 

 

Reviewed by:  Shirley Nelson, member of American Lutheran Church, Gaylord, MN