Changing Our Mind

Definitive Edition of the Landmark Call for Inclusion of LGBT Christians with Response to Critics

By: David P. Gushee

Narrated by: David P. Gushee

Changing Our Mind has helped thousands of families and congregations carefully and compassionately rethink traditional religious teachings about full LGBTQ inclusion. Christian denominations and churches everywhere struggle with the issue of LGBTQ inclusion. With growing scientific evidence, our wider society has taken big steps, but too many religious families and communities have not kept up. As much as ever, many people still experience deep condemnation by evangelical and other churches, getting kicked out or altogether leaving.

Dr. David Gushee offers a powerful, inspiring message of hope and healing by helping Christians to return to Bible study, prayer, and reflection in a way that creates a vision for a more inclusive church. From his own careful Bible study, research, and prayer, Gushee takes us along a conversational theological journey. In one book, he concisely marks out every single component of historic Christian sexual morality. He covers all of the relevant biblical passages and all of the theological positions, including the key argument of creation. With a careful study of context and biblical language, he walks us through a principled discussion that is respectful of traditionalists while calling for inclusion and the end of contempt.

This definitive third edition also includes Gushee’s response to critics and a study guide for small group discussion.

©2017 David P. Gushee (P)2021 David P. Gushee

Critic reviews

"Deep, thoughtful and brilliant...[and] refreshingly clear and understandable. It is an eminently useful handbook for any individual or organization that wants to better contextualize traditional church teachings, which have been and must continue to change." (Brian McLaren)

Well Documented Christian Position

This book is well researched and a n l
much needed source for all wanting a thorough study of context and original meaning of scripture often used when describing homosexuality as sin. This is a book for the reader wants to look deeper - be well informed - in the search to know God’s will.

“We should look through the lenses of Jesus with in the rest of the Bible”

David P. Gushy lays out his work, research, analysis of biblical and cultural context in a clear concise and honest manner. I highly recommend this read to anyone who needs perspective on welcoming and affirming all people in to Christian service snd community.

Required Reading

This was the most comprehensive yet concise apologetic on this issue I’ve encountered. I especially loved that the author was simultaneously open about his strong convictions while being gracious toward his critics. He took seriously each of the arguments from traditionalists and even managed to expound on counterpoints beyond his own. I will be recommending this book as well as buying a few copies for some of my traditionalist friends.

Introspection & Kindness

Excellent discussion of David’s thoughtful journey on this topic. As a queer Christian, my prayer is that others (on all sides) will reflect and move forward with kindness, care, and love as Jesus would.

Awesome, Thorough Explanation

Very helpful explanation that gives me the confidence that changing my mind about the LGBTQ issue was the right thing to do.

Thought-provoking

Condescending
Anecdotal and a lot of emphasis on experiential and building belief system, and doctrine from that. I do believe the author was thorough. I appreciated his addressing what appears to be nearly every scripture reference on the topic he addressed.

Great Starting Point

This book in combination with Matthew Vines' God and the Gay Christian seem to me like a great starting point for Christians who want to be affirming of LGBTQ+ people but can't simply put the Bible aside. There's a lot more that needs to be done after reading these books, including repenting for our past roles in harming LGBTQ+ people, but they're a good first step.

So grateful for this book

I have listened to this book twice now and intend to listen again. It’s incredibly thorough in its examination of scripture, religious tradition (good and bad), and most importantly the character of Christ. It has required me to more thoughtfully consider how we (I), as Christians, are called to treat members of the LGBTQ+ community who simply want to be a fully accepted and fully included part of God’s family. (And the piousness of thinking it is my place to exclude anyone or include them with stipulations.) I have had to scrutinize my own faulty beliefs and assumptions, and challenge what I thought I knew. It has humbled me and shined a light on ways I have done harm to people. My mind and heart have been changed. My eyes have been opened to the stereotypes and hurtful theology I have held. It has convicted me to no longer be guilty of being a passive bystander while LGBTQ+ people are excluded from inclusion into God’s family as fully-loved and fully-accepted members. I am not sure what God is calling me to do as a result, but He’s pushing me out of my comfort zone. This book has helped free me up to more fully love the LGBTQ+ Christians in my life without placing them in a “different” category — and has convicted me to repent of such thinking. In summary, has made a profound impact on me. I hope to share it with anyone with the open heart to hear what it has to say. Thank you to David Gushee for his courage in writing this book.

Must read for any Christian

Timely, necessary, smart, thoughtful, conscientious, fair…important. This is a book that should be read by anyone with a desire to think theologically about their sexual ethics.

Excellent

Should be required reading for every Christian today, especially every leader, pastor and teachers. Read with much prayer and open mind. Highly recommend!