Mike Williams, Pastor of Reigate Baptist Church in Surrey, has written a very helpful book, which succeeds in both the aims outlined in the subtitle, being both biblically balanced and pastoral.
Setting the Scene
As the back-cover blurb states, “Uncompromising but compassionate, Mike tackles the tricky issues of same-sex relationships, gender and the Church’s interaction with individuals of the LGBTQ+ community today. Writing for the Church, to challenge the Church, he does not shy away from the tough questions.”
Part 1, entitled ‘Setting the Scene’, provides background information in regard to why the author wrote the book, along with his personal experiences of having to face up to the issue of homosexuality when, first as a trainee pastor and subsequently as a minister, he had to take a firm, biblical stand. This section comprises a very personal and honest account of how the Lord led him and taught him.
The biblical record
Part 2 is entitled ‘Uncovering the Biblical Record’ and, in my opinion, is probably the weakest section of the book, though only because, perhaps of necessity, it is rather brief. These chapters offer justification as to the reliability of the Bible, providing some of the evidence. It contains an effective debunking of the incorrect view that God’s judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah was because of a lack of hospitality. It then looks at some other prominent biblical teaching on sexuality and its authoritative arguments against homosexual practice.
Williams’ analysis of the current trajectory of the LGBT movement, which he considers to be unthinking and out of control.
I appreciated, in particular, the explanation of the Levitical Holiness Code (Chapter 4) and Williams’ analysis of the current trajectory of the LGBT movement, which he considers to be unthinking and out of control. He raises the questions of whether the Lord has overlooked various considerations in the past, whether we are now in a period when these things are being allowed freer rein and the extent to which the Lord is behind this.
Chapter 6 includes a helpful and balanced discussion of Pauline teaching, and also a perceptive view of its context within the end times in which we are currently living, concluding with pertinent questions for believers in Jesus to face.
Love and Truth
Part 3, ‘Practicing Love and Truth in Tandem’, is the strongest and, in the opinion of this reviewer, the most challenging and persuasive section of the book. Writing in an age when many churches have simply absorbed the culture around them and have become compromised as a result, the author rightly reminds us of the call to holy, sacrificial, kingdom living.
The challenge for us is to hold fast to a biblical understanding of sexuality and holiness, without compromise, while at the same time being equipped to reach out with the love and authority of God to those that are struggling.
We live at a time when the growth of the LGBT movement seems to be unchallenged and when many in society are unprepared to, or afraid, of speaking out. The challenge for us is to hold fast to a biblical understanding of sexuality and holiness, without compromise, while at the same time being equipped to reach out with the love and authority of God to those that are struggling. God does have a way forward for such and we need to be willing for the cost of being equipped to helping them.
I would have appreciated more of a questioning of, and discussion of, the ‘born gay’ argument, which Williams seems to buy into at one point (p.86). Also, a study would have been useful, however brief, of how issues such as trauma and abuse can affect gender confusion; and also the worth of professional counselling (talking therapies) in working through such things.
Honesty and conviction
The great strength of this section of the book lies in the explanation and realisation of God being a God of judgment today, rather than expounding the more common and sentimental view that ‘Love is God’.
The author writes with honesty and conviction throughout but with understanding of the pastoral challenges that sexual sin of all kinds gives.
Williams raises prophetic questions too, such as:
‘If God is not pleased with churches for embracing what His Word warns us against, will He just overlook it? Will God ignore the fact that His people on earth have deviated from what He has set out in His Word, the Bible, rejecting His will in exchange for the will of the world?’
The author writes with honesty and conviction throughout but with understanding of the pastoral challenges that sexual sin of all kinds gives.
Mike Williams has done us a great service by giving us a book which serves as a useful introduction to the challenges presented to Christians and churches by those who identify as LGBTQ+. The style is approachable, making the book very readable, yet the content is also theological. I highly recommend it.
Sexuality & Holiness is published by WestBow Press, and is available from Amazon for £9.95 (inc p&p).
Simon Wyatt is a retired pastor, leads a prayer ministry called Raising the Standard and currently works with Core Issues Trust - a ministry supporting those leaving LGBT identities and life choices and campaigning for the freedom to access pastoral care and counselling. He can be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.