Nine authors from Australia and New Zealand have jointly produced a significant book on the Biblical texts concerning homosexuality.
The Bible teachers and pastors were brought together to produce "Sexegesis" a response to a 2011 book "Five Uneasy Pieces" by several liberal Australian Anglicans who claim the Bible supports homosexual practice. That book was edited by an openly gay Melbourne priest and endorsed by former High Court judge Michael Kirby.
"Sexegesis" was launched simultaneously across Australia. The authors include Peter Adam, recently retired Principal of Ridley Melbourne, Paul Barnett, former Anglican Bishop of North Sydney, Michael Bird, a lecturer Lecturer at Crossway College in Brisbane, Denise Cooper-Clarke, a researcher with the Evangelical Alliance Centre for Christianity and Society, Gordon Preece, Director of Ethos and Sarah Harris, Lecturer in New Testament at Carey College in Auckland.
"What's interesting is that this is not a book by the usual suspects. We in Sydney have had almost nothing to do with it. It's a book written by evangelical scholars and ministers in places where I think the debate is much more urgent and severe" Bishop Forsyth told the launch audience in Sydney "where within their own dioceses the questions and challenges of 'Five uneasy pieces' are very seriously being promoted. So this is very much an attempt for those people in Melbourne and Brisbane, in particular, to examine and work on individual texts and the wider philosophical and social issues - both presenting positive points of view as well as significant critique of the arguments of the first book."
Also at the NSW launch was the State Director of the Australian Christian Lobby David Hutt who pointed to the current political climate surrounding same-sex marriage. "Research shows that issues surrounding sexuality are increasingly appearing as ‘blockers’ for people coming to faith in Christ. I do not believe for a minute this is the result of a political debate about the definition of marriage. This issue runs much deeper than that. To question human sexuality is to call into question God’s purposes and his trustworthiness. These are questions the church must be prepared and willing to answer."
The book is already on sale through Youthworks Publishing or sexegesis.com
"Many of us know of Christians struggling with homosexuality; their stories are normally very complex, often tragic and painful. They need to know that God loves them, we love them, and there is a better way to live outside that which society says" said the publishing director of Youthworks, Marshall Ballantine-Jones. "I am glad Sexegesis has a pastoral chapter for church leaders reminding them of our core responsibility to love and support them, as we call them into repentance and obedience to Jesus Christ.
