This book
is a testimony to the grace of God, the power of His word, and the hope of the
Gospel. Dr. Butterfield was a tenured professor at Syracuse University teaching
Literature and Women’s Studies. Her research focus was a form of post-structuralist criticism known as Queer Theory. She was in a committed lesbian relationship,
was an outspoken supporter of the LGBT agenda, and served as an advisor and mentor
to homosexual students. As part of her research on the “Christian Right” she
began reading the Bible and conversing with a local pastor who lovingly challenged
her presuppositions and stereotypes. By the grace of God, she became a believer
in Christ and began the difficult process of having her life transformed. She
describes her conversion as a train wreck and the book records the long and
ongoing process of her being transformed by the renewing of her mind.
The first
part of this book, particularly the first chapter, is one of the most
compelling things I have read recently. She highlights how the failure of the Christian
community to think carefully about the ideas we proclaim and to demonstrate
love marginalize those whom we proclaim a desire to reach. Many of Dr.
Butterfield’s observations are an indictment against our lack of commitment to open
our doors to those who are broken and in need of the Gospel. The implication is perhaps we are
content to settle for sloganeering and public positioning because we are
content to engage in a discussion about theoretical people rather than in
discussions with real people.
Homosexuality
is obviously a major issue facing the church in our time and Christians are
grappling with the appropriate way to engage the culture. Dr. Butterfield,
however, reminds us that homosexuality is only a symptom of a more significant
issue that Christ calls us to address; namely sin. The good news, as she
reminds us, is that God has equipped the Church through His word and the
message of the gospel to do precisely that. She emphasizes that most of the
helpful progress be at the individual level as local Churches reach out in
truth and love, engaging those in the homosexual community as real people
rather than projects, and patiently sharing the gospel.
Her story
is also a powerful reminder that we often do not realize what the people
sitting next to us in Church are struggling with or who is not there because
they felt too uncomfortable to come. It is a reminder that the first word of
the great commission is “go”. It is often not enough just to put an invitation
card in a mailbox. We need to be willing to take the message of the Gospel outside
of the walls of our meetinghouses.
The latter
part of the book is a recounting of how significantly her life has changed since
her conversion. It covers a number of different topics and includes mild
apologetics for adoption, homeschooling, exclusive psalmody, and hospitality.
At times, the latter part of the book is a bit like a proud mother rifling
through her purse to show you photos of her children. The tone, however, is
always sincere and highlights the fact that Dr. Butterfield and her family are
real people who are prayerfully continuing on their journey of faith and confidence
in Christ.
This book
really challenged me to ask if my Church and I are really committed to engaging
with those that are different and may make us uncomfortable. Are we confident
enough in the Gospel to share it with the outcasts and those on the margins of
society? I recommend this book, particularly the first chapter, to anyone who
may be asking these questions, and especially to those who are not.
* I received a free copy of this book from
christianaudio.com as part of their Reviewers Program. Reviews are not required
to be positive and the opinions I have expressed are my own.
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