A Lopsided Argument on a Controversial Issue

Jordyn Smith
Jul 25, 2024
4 min read

Reviewing Can You Be Gay and Christian? by Michael L. Brown by J. Tayler Smith

Christianity’s LGBTQA+ Debate

A relative asked me to read this book after having a lengthy back-and-forth debate regarding Christianity and LGBTQA+. One side of this debate argues that all LGBTQA+ actions and behaviours are inherently wrong and sinful. The other side argues that monogamous same-sex marriage is only sinful if one reads that into the Biblical text - it is otherwise permissible. Both sides agree that the Bible says all other sexual acts outside of marriage are sinful. This book was brought into the discussion because it is believed to have strong arguments for the inherent sinfulness of all LGBTQA+ relationships, including monogamous same-sex marriage.

An Educated Author

Michael L. Brown, despite this not being his primary focus, became a bit of a focal point for the Christian community that maintains all same-sex marriages are inherently sinful. Brown does not have personal experience related to this subject, in his own words,

As a happily married heterosexual man, do not claim to be able to relate in full to the challenges faced by those who identify as gay or lesbian (or, for that matter, bisexual or transgender), but I can honestly say that I have taken these issues to the Lord in tears, that I have listened carefully to the stories of LGBT people (both those who identify as Christian and those who do not), that I have reviewed the relevant scriptural arguments in depth, and that every word of this book was written with a heart for God and a heart for people.

Some might write off his views for this very reason. However, it is a logical fallacy to do so since his arguments would remain to be tested whether they are made by him or another person with LGBTQA+ experience. Brown is an educated person, with a Ph. D. in Near Eastern Languages and Literatures from New York University and has served as a professor at some universities.

Ten Chapters, Ten Arguments

Brown organizes the book into ten chapters responding to a specific “gay Christian” argument.

Chapter 1 addresses whether Christianity should fully embrace the LGBTQA+ community with love rather than hate. Brown agrees that the current Christian approach has been wrongfully hateful, but he says the solution is for the church to continue expressing God’s truth.
Chapter 2 addresses whether Christianity should judge the LGBTQA+ community since such condemnation contributes to high suicide rates among LGBTQA+ youth. Brown argues that the real issue behind the suicides is not LGBTQA+ issues, but other emotional problems that are currently being ignored and should be addressed.
Chapter 3 addresses whether Christians misuse the Bible against the LGBTQA+ community in the same way the Bible was once misused against slaves and women. Brown acknowledges that Christians have historically been wrong in using the Bible to support slavery and to oppress women, but he says this is not the case regarding LGBTQA+ issues.
Chapter 4 addresses whether Christianity is too focused on this subject since the Bible hardly mentions it. Brown argues that it remains an important topic because the Bible was written presupposing the inherent sinfulness of LGBTQA+ practices.
Chapter 5 addresses whether the prohibition of LGBTQA+ behavior in the Biblical book of Leviticus is relevant today. Brown argues that the verse in question reinforces a universal prohibition that remains relevant today.
Chapter 6 addresses whether LGBTQA+ lifestyles are permissible since Jesus never addressed this subject. Brown argues that Jesus’ affirmation of marriage from the Biblical book of Genesis was understood to exclude LGBTQA+ relationships.
Chapter 7 addresses whether Jesus’ healing of the centurion's servant was an affirmation of a homosexual relationship between the two persons. Brown argues that this is a perverse interpretation of the text.
Chapter 8 addresses whether the Apostle Paul’s condemnation of LGBTQA+ relationships was only about idolatrous ceremonial practices. Brown argues that Paul explicitly condemns all LBGTQA+ relationships.
Chapter 9 addresses whether LGBTQA+ relationships produce good values and a healthy and accepting community. Brown argues that the ‘fruit’ of the LGBTQA+ community is of a poorer quality than what heterosexual Christian marriages produce.
Chapter 10 addresses whether the presence of LGBTQA+ Christians proves the compatibility of the faith and various sexual orientations. Brown argues that it is impossible to follow Jesus while engaging in same-sex practices.

Brown does not claim that this book is an exhaustive list of the arguments against LGBTQA+ relationships; these are just the points he chooses to focus on.

Logical Fallacies

The main challenge with this book is that Brown presumes that same-sex monogamous marriage is inherently sinful and that those who argue otherwise are trying to ‘twist’ the Bible. Brown even states that his default assumption is that homosexual practice is clearly prohibited in the scriptures. Starting from this perspective, Brown cannot truly address the argument of whether this presumption is being read into the text to begin with.

Another issue is that Brown’s arguments are often based on the same fallacies he is arguing against. For instance, he says, “[T]he fact that Jesus didn’t spend a lot of time teaching against homosexual practice shouldn’t surprise us at all, nor does it prove anything.” Brown then proceeds to use what Jesus said as evidence against homosexuality even though what Jesus said is not supposed to 'prove anything.’ Brown often relies on what the Bible does not say to prove his point while arguing that it is fallacy for pro-LGBTQA+ interpreters to rely on what the Bible does not say in making their points.

The Church’s Approach to Sexual Issues

Alongside his concerns about the LGBTQA+ community, Brown addresses other tangential issues. He is not afraid to bring up and criticize Western Christianity’s lax approach to the issues of divorce, adultery, and promiscuity, among a host of other sexual sins. Additionally, at the heart of Brown’s book is the admission that Christianity’s current approach has caused more harm than good to the LGBTQA+ community. I agree with Brown on this point, that Christianity’s approach to LGBTQA+ needs to change.

My Rating and Final Thoughts

Overall, I think this book is a good representation of the views expressed by those who believe the LGBTQA+ lifestyle is inherently sinful. However, Brown’s inherent biases make this book inappropriate as a definitive answer to the subject matter. For these reasons, I give this book four out of nine stars.

References

Brown, Michael L. 2014. Can You Be Gay and Christian?: Responding With Love & Truth to Questions About Homosexuality. Lake Mary, Florida: FrontLine.