‘It’s not fair!’ Answering the Arguments in Defence of Homosexuality

A review by Christine Farenhorst of What Does the Bible Really Teach about Homosexuality? by Kevin DeYoung (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2015), paperback, 154 pages.

Over the last number of summers, Thursday nights have been designated for downtown evangelism in Kitchener, Ontario. With a regular team of five or six people, we stood on a corner, offered free water bottles, cookies, (both of which were greatly appreciated), and a variety of handout literature. On the right-hand side of the table a colourful cardboard sign touted a rainbow with the caption: ‘What does the Bible teach about the rainbow?’ It halted a number of people in their tracks.

The second week we were there, four young people, two of them males and holding hands, strolled over to our table. Swinging their hands conspicuously, one of them asked, ‘So I guess you’re against homosexuals?’ The evangelist, Pastor Scott Wilkinson, smiled at them, said that he was happy they had stopped for a chat, and asked whether or not they knew what the story in the Bible taught about the rainbow. They didn’t know and he proceeded to tell them. They listened, eyes never leaving his face. He concluded by saying that God’s Word had been written for sinners, of which he himself was one, and that all sinners needed to repent of their sins, whether that was homosexuality or another sin. During his explanation, the male couple left off holding hands. As a matter of fact, one of them extended that hand to Pastor Wilkinson and said that he was very interested in what he had to say.

Another incident occurred during the first week of August. Four young people, three of whom were high on either alcohol or drugs, came over to talk. They stayed for the greater part of an hour, heckling, shouting profanities, and acting altogether in a rude manner. From time to time one of the girls would turn to the crowd that was steadily gathering on our corner, and she would mock the Bible. The strange part is that although these brash young people were, as far as anyone could see, not at all affected by the gospel message, many that either stopped or passed by on the street, were affected by it. Though not personally wishing to engage in conversation, bystanders often nodded affirmatively when the evangelist spoke, patted the co-workers on the back and smiled encouragingly.

Kevin DeYoung’s book, What Does the Bible Really Teach about Homosexuality, addresses a topic that is obviously current but a topic that often makes Christians uncomfortable and uneasy. He begins by stating unequivocably that the Bible has to be accepted, first of all, as a book of authority. It is God’s Word. The first section of his book, therefore, clearly and simply reviews what the Bible teaches about homosexuality. Passages in Genesis, Leviticus, Romans, 1 Corinthians, and 1 Timothy are covered thoroughly and in a way that is easily understood.

This first part of the book forms the basis for the second part which is answering objections – objections such as ‘The Bible hardly ever mentions homosexuality’, ‘What about the sins of gluttony and divorce?’ ‘The church is for broken people’, and ‘The God I worship is a God of love.’ All objections are countered lovingly, biblically and in a very systematic way. Chapter 11, in particular, entitled ‘It’s Not Fair’, is a wonderful example of Rev. Kevin De Young’s very loving and pastoral expertise.

This is a very timely and well-researched little tome. Indeed, it is a powerful book and provides wonderful resource material. Buy it!! Read it together with your spouse and your family! Kevin DeYoung has a pastor’s heart and has been given the ability to explain this sensitive and pervading issue. It is guaranteed you will increase in biblical knowledge.