# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2001_S439
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

ADDITIONAL THEOLOGICAL DOCUMENTS AND REPORTS—OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT 439

This book is based on fifteen years of witnessing to and coun-
seling homosexuals. The author offers some of the distinguishing
characteristics of female homosexuals, material not covered by
many authors. Saia’s treatment of the difference between homo-
sexual orientation and action clearly spells out the difference be-
tween temptation and sin. He does, at times, lean toward a charis-
matic theology, especially in his chapter on fighting the “unseen
enemy.” He also tends to mistake sanctification rather than justifi-
cation as the basis for a Christian life. The scope of ministry to the
homosexual! presented by the author cautions that pastoral care is a
demanding and extended ministry, yet one that can be rewarding.

Mona Riley and Brad Sargent. Unwanted Harvest? Nashville:
Broadman & Holman, 1995.

The authors combine knowledge of the roots of homosexuality
with a loving approach to homosexuals themselves. They give
practical suggestions for how a church can reach out to homosexu-
als. Riley grew up around homosexuals; her father fought for what
he considered their rights while holding to the conviction that the
homosexual lifestyle is a sin. This book deals with a number of is-
sues often overlooked by other treatments of homosexuality in a
friendly and respectful way. A Lutheran reader will notice that,
while the Bible is extensively used, the other Means of Grace are
often ignored.

Studies

Commission on Theology and Church Relations of The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Human Sexuality: A Theolog-
ical Perspective. St. Louis: LCMS, 1981.

This pamphlet deals with all aspects of sexuality and sexual be-
havior. [t puts sexuality and sexual] expression within the context
of God’s creation of humankind. The section that deals with ho-
mosexuality (pages 32-36) is helpful in understanding this phe-
nomenon within the total context of human sexual orientation and
expression.

Elizabeth Moberly. Homosexuality: A New Christian Ethic.
Reprint edition. Dublin, Ireland: Attic Press, 1997.

Considered one of the foundational works in the modern view
of homosexuality, Moberly’s book uses case studies of homosexu-
als to identify the root cause of homosexuality as a lack, or a per-
ceived lack, in the child’s relationship with his or her same-sex par-
ent. This lack in the parent-child relationship causes the child to
withdraw from the same-sex parent and, often, to identify more
strongly with the opposite-sex parent. Yet the need to identify with
and obtain affection from the same-sex parent persists. Homosexu-
ality, in Moberly’s view, is an ambivalence toward same-sex rela-
tionships. Unable to fully identify with their same-sex parent, ho-
mosexuals hold same-sex friends at arm’s length while still in need
of affection and affirmation from same-sex friends. And so, he or
she turns to same-sex activity. Moberly believes that the “solu-
tion’ —learning how to relate to the opposite sex—is ineffective.
The homosexual needs, instead, to learn how to form healthy non-
sexual relationships with same-sex friends.

Thomas Schmidt. Straight and Narrow? Downers Grove, III.:
InterVarsity Press, 1995.

This book is an exploration of the Bible’s teaching on homo-
sexual activity. It is a response to the contention that the Bible does
not condemn homosexual activities between consenting homosex-
ually oriented partners. This book contains strong ammunition
against pro-gay theology. Schmidt is careful to distinguish between
orientation and activity and between temptation and sin. This book
does not—nor is it the author’s purpose-—give many in-depth an-
swers or suggestions for helping a Christian facing homosexual
temptation other than to lay a foundation that such a person should
be shown Jove without compromising the moral question at issue.

Articles

(Check with your local] public or academic library whether the
article of your choice is available through “Document Delivery Ser-

vice.”’)

Hadley Arkes, et al. “The Homosexual Movement, A Response
by the Ramsey Colloquium” First Things (March 1994), pages 15-
20. The Ramsey Colloquium is a group of Jewish and Christian
scholars who meet to discuss issues of religion and public life. This
paper is an examination of the phenomenon of the modern homo-
sexual movement. It looks at what the movement claims about ho-
mosexuals, the agenda(s) that the movement has, and the impact
on society of a broadening acceptance of homosexual rights. The
paper is a very reasoned discussion about what societal norms and
public policy should be.

Bruce Foster. “Confronting Homophobia in a Confessional
Church,” Lutheran Forum (Reformation 1993), pages 54-56.

Rev. Foster examines the application of traditional Christian
sexual ethics and the treatment of the sins associated with homo-
sexuality. He demonstrates how the church frequently has become
lax in the former and has remained rigid in the latter. The imbal-
ance is accompanied by a furtherance of stereotypical attitudes
about homosexuals, which in turn contribute to unjustifiable hatred
toward them. This article is well thought out, asks some important
questions, and provides some possible approaches in dealing with
“homophobia” in the chureh.

Robert Knight. “Sexual Disorientation, Faulty Research in the
Homosexual Debate.” Family Research Council 5.2 (June 1992),
pages 1-8.

Knight looks at the “research” used by the homosexual move-
ment to gain acceptance by the general public. He shows, for ex-
ample, how the 10 percent figure (that 10 percent of the population
is homosexual) is based on unreliable data but is accepted as fact.
He illustrates how information is taken out of context and how
those who question it are often intimidated. The author uses many
examples to support his arguments and has an extensive list of foot-
notes that includes references to many sociological and medical
journals.

Family and Congregation

Jerry Aterburn. How Will I Tell My Mother? Nashville: Oliver
Nelson, 1988.

This is one of the few autobiographies written by a Christian
who has experienced both homosexual temptation and AIDS. It of-
fers an excellent understanding of what is to be a homosexual and
to struggle with the conflict between homosexual behavior and
Biblical morality. This book is recommended reading for any pas-
tor who wants to counsel a homosexual member. At times, Arter-
burn can be somewhat legalistic and light on the Gospel. On the
other hand, the response of his parents’ church when they learned
of Aterburn’s homosexuality and the chapter on forgiveness are
good examples of the way Christians must learn to respond to the
homosexual if they wish to help him or her.

Kate McLaughlin. My Son, Beloved Stranger. Oshawa, Ontario:
Pacific Press, 1995.

The author discovered that her son was homosexual. This book
is the account of how she and her family dealt with his homosexu-
ality during the year in which he experimented with that lifestyle.
This book is recommended for parents of homosexuals.

Daniel Puls. A Christian Perspective on Homosexuality. St.
Louis: CPH, 1996.

This Bible study is a good tool for acquainting a congregation
with what a homosexual encounters and how the congregation can
minister to this person. It combines the author’s personal experi-
ence of homosexuality with a Lutheran treatment of Scripture and
the means of grace. The Law/Gospel message is clear; it avoids the
many pop-counseling techniques and suggestions found in many
Christian books on this topic.

Anita Worthen and Bob Davies. Someone I Love Is Gay. Down-
ers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1996.

2001 Convention Workbook