Journal: Journal for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood
Volume: JBMW 20:2 (Fall 2015)
Article: A Review of Denny Burk & Heath Lambert. "Transforming Homosexuality: What the Bible Says about Sexual Orientation and Change." Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2015. 83 pp. $9.99.
Author: Cody H. McNutt

---

JBMW 20:2 (Fall 2015) p. 65

A Review of Denny Burk & Heath Lambert. Transforming Homosexuality: What the Bible Says about Sexual Orientation and Change. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2015. 83 pp. $9.99.

Cody H. McNutt

Senior Pastor
First Baptist Church
Covington, Georgia

Denny Burk and Heath Lambert are no strangers to the ongoing cultural dialogue regarding sexuality. As professors, pastors, and published authors they have proven their knowledge and compassion when dealing with this thorny subject. In 2013, each published a book on issues related to sexuality. Lambert penned Finally Free: Fighting for Purity with the Power of Grace and Burk released What is the Meaning of Sex? Colleagues at Boyce College and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, the two have now partnered to write a helpful and concise volume about sexual orientation titled Transforming Homosexuality: What the Bible Says about Sexual Orientation and Change.

Summary

The book is divided into two parts: the first dealing with the ethics of sexual desire; the second with how those experiencing same-sex attraction can experience transformation by the power of the gospel.

More specifically, chapter one attempts to define orientation and argue that it is not morally neutral. In chapter two, the authors address sin, temptation, and desire with great biblical and theological insight.

Chapters three through five treat issues regarding personal transformation and change. They carefully debunk myths and stereotypes that are often used to assail evangelicals, and thus they help serious Christians to consider what Scripture says to those experiencing same-sex attraction.

JBMW 20:2 (Fall 2015) p. 66

Evaluation

With great precision, Lambert and Burk begin by defining their terms. Without capitulating to secular thought, they employ the American Psychological Association’s definition of orientation. While some may rush to critique the authors for their starting point, they succinctly offer disclaimers and argue this as necessary to understand “what people commonly mean by the term sexual orientation” (20).

For those who may just be wading into the often murky waters of this debate, Burk and Lambert provide clear summaries of what the liberal, revisionist, neo-traditional, and traditional approaches to same-sex desire and behavior entail. One of the fine marks of their work is how they engage those with different positions, especially the revisionist Matthew Vines and the neo-traditionalist Wesley Hill.

The authors remind the church that the issue of sexual orientation is a theological issue, not simply...

visitor : : uid: ()