Born Again This Way: Coming out, coming to faith, and what comes next

by Rachel Gilson, Sam Allberry (Foreword by)

Overview

In this powerful and personal book, author Rachel Gilson describes her own unexpected journey of coming out and coming to faith... and what came next. As she does so, she addresses many of the questions that Christians living with same-sex attraction are wrestling with: Am I consigned to a life of loneliness? How do I navigate my friendships? Will my desires ever change? Is there some greater purpose to all this?

Drawing on insights from the Bible and the experiences of others, Born Again This Way shows that it is possible for same-sex attracted Christians to live fulfilling lives while being faithful to the Bible's teaching on sexuality. It will provide assurance and encouragement for Christians with same-sex attraction, and paints a compelling picture of discipleship for every believer.

Whatever your sexuality, this book is an inspiring testimony of how a life submitted to Jesus will be fulfilling and fruitful, but not always in the ways we might expect.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781784983901
Publisher:	The Good Book Company
Publication date:	03/01/2020
Pages:	160
Sales rank:	1,100,091
Product dimensions:	5.31(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.47(d)

About the Author

Rachel serves on the leadership team of Theological Development and Culture with Cru. Her writing has appeared in Christianity Today, Desiring God and The Gospel Coalition, and she regularly speaks at churches and on college campuses. Rachel holds a Master of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and is currently pursuing a PhD in public theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. She lives in the Boston area with her husband and daughter.

Sam studied theology at Wycliffe Hall in Oxford and has served on staff at St Ebbe's Church, Oxford, and St Mary's, Maidenhead. He is now pastor at Immanuel Church, Nashville. A popular conference speaker, Sam has written several books, including What God Has To Say About Our Bodies, Why Does God Care Who I Sleep With?, and 7 Myths About Singleness.

Table of Contents

Foreword Sam Allberry 7

Welcome 11

Chapter 1 Unexpected Birth 15

Chapter 2 Unexpected Vision 29

Chapter 3 Unexpected Options 43

Chapter 4 Unexpected Ministry 57

Chapter 5 Unexpected Relationships 71

Chapter 6 Unexpected Marriage 85

Chapter 7 Unexpected Celibacy 99

Chapter 8 Unexpected Blessing 113

Chapter 9 Unexpected Identity 127

Epilogue 141

Acknowledgments 145

Editorial Reviews

Of the making of many books about the conversation and interaction between Christianity and sexuality there is no end in sight – though this one is somewhat unique in that it is written by a woman. It’s also got a foreword by Sam Allberry, who is a pioneer in this space (and recently wrote the brilliant Why Does God Care Who I Sleep With?), and has been commended by some people I really respect. Naturally, I didn’t want to like it.

Thomas Creedy

This book has been missing from the shelves of the LGBT+ conversation for too long. People who are walking (or wondering if they should walk) a similar path to Rachel’s will feel seen, known, and loved as they read these tenderhearted and gospel-centered pages.

Laurie Krieg (Author; Teacher; Hole in My Heart Podcast Host)

I thank God for Rachel Gilson. She has written a book that is both a biblically faithful and a very personal explanation of and rationale for what the Bible says about human sexuality. She writes to all of us, but especially to those who deal with the pain and confusion of same-sex attraction and sexual dysphoria. She knows this pain from the inside. So while she addresses these issues with theological carefulness, she does so with tremendous compassion, helping us to see that God’s design for sexuality really is very good, merciful news.

Jon Bloom (Co-founder

Rachel Gilson’s life is a testimony to the sufficiency and power of the Scriptures. Her book is a testimony to a living faith that is based on that sufficiency and power. Rachel doesn’t just read Scripture faithfully—she lives it faithfully too. And her book challenges me, likewise, to grow in my faith beyond a life of comfort and easy answers.

Karen Swallow Prior (Author of Fierce Convictions—The Extraordinary Life of Hannah More: P

I encourage you to buy and read this book, even if you think you will disagree with some of it. Christians will benefit from thinking about how they can help those they know with same-sex attraction, and non-Christians can understand Christian beliefs better from a non-combative point-of-view.

Jason Park

Born Again This Way is a heartfelt, wise, and hope-filled book. In it, Rachel Gilson offers same-sex-attracted Christians and those who love them a Christ-centered and story-driven reflection on how to thrive in Christ. Not content to speak in generalities, Rachel delves into the practical every- day struggles of same-sex attracted Christians, speaking to questions about friendship, singleness, sex, and identity. The result is a warmly compassionate and theologically perceptive harvest of insights that will inform, challenge, and encourage the reader. Highly recommended.

Bruce Ashford (Provost and Professor of Theology and Culture

This is a brilliant book by a remarkable writer with an astonishing story and a decade of theological training. It offers no glib before-and-after narrative, but is a practical guide for sinners—same-sex attracted and otherwise—who dare to believe that Jesus is the best lover. I wish I could have given it to my younger self.

Rebecca McLaughlin (Author

This is a rich and unique contribution to the myriad stories of gay or same-sex attracted Christians who have committed to the counter-cultural centre of truth and love where Jesus is Lord. Rachel Gilson explores the vital territory of God’s good news about our desires and demonstrates that in Christ, our destination is to live in the greater satisfaction of holiness. As a same-sex attracted woman, Rachel's depiction of journeying through marriage with her husband, and of coming to knowing Jesus more deeply through her wrestle with sexuality, is a great gift and truly a must-read for all.

David Bennett (Author

Rachel Gilson masterfully and disarmingly presents a winsome narrative and a solid Christian theology of sexuality that is much needed in to- day’s world. With so much confusion and polarization surrounding such issues, she offers a refreshingly honest perspective that is balanced and nuanced; there is lament and there is satisfaction, and amazingly they can coexist! Reading this book feels like you are sitting at coffee with her and that she cares for you.

Allen Yeh (Associate Professor of Intercultural Studies & Missiology

This book is a pastoral gold mine full of biblical advice for us all—mov- ingly illustrated by the lives of Rachel and her friends. It wonderfully tells of how same-sex attracted people can both become Christians and stay Christian in a world which often believes that neither is possible.

Ed Shaw (Pastor of Emmanuel City Centre

This book is worth reading just to learn about and rejoice in God’s work through Rachel. But the book offers so much more, with rich biblical reflection on identity, marriage, singleness, romance, friendship, and more. Rachel’s honesty and clarity make this book useful for sharing in so many diverse contexts, whether you’re wanting to investigate Jesus and his gospel or you’re leading in the church.

Collin Hansen (editorial director of The Gospel Coalition and author of Young

This book is worth reading just to learn about and rejoice in God’s work through Rachel. But the book offers so much more, with rich biblical reflection on identity, marriage, singleness, romance, friendship, and more. Rachel’s honesty and clarity make this book useful for sharing in so many diverse contexts, whether you’re wanting to investigate Jesus and his gospel or you’re leading in the church.

Collin Hansen (Editorial Director

Born Again This Way is a heartfelt, wise, and hope-filled book. In it, Rachel Gilson offers same-sex-attracted Christians and those who love them a Christ-centered and story-driven reflection on how to thrive in Christ. Not content to speak in generalities, Rachel delves into the practical every- day struggles of same-sex attracted Christians, speaking to questions about friendship, singleness, sex, and identity. The result is a warmly compassionate and theologically perceptive harvest of insights that will inform, challenge, and encourage the reader. Highly recommended.

Bruce Ashford (Professor of Theology and Culture

Rachel Gilson’s life is a testimony to the sufficiency and power of the Scriptures. Her book is a testimony to a living faith that is based on that sufficiency and power. Rachel doesn’t just read Scripture faithfully—she lives it faithfully too. And her book challenges me, likewise, to grow in my faith beyond a life of comfort and easy answers.

Karen Swallow Prior (Author

I thank God for Rachel Gilson. She has written a book that is both a biblically faithful and a very personal explanation of and rationale for what the Bible says about human sexuality. She writes to all of us, but especially to those who deal with the pain and confusion of same-sex attraction and sexual dysphoria. She knows this pain from the inside. So while she addresses these issues with theological carefulness, she does so with tremendous compassion, helping us to see that God’s design for sexuality really is very good, merciful news.

Jon Bloom (Co-Founder and Board Chair

This book is a pastoral gold mine full of biblical advice for us all—mov- ingly illustrated by the lives of Rachel and her friends. It wonderfully tells of how same-sex attracted people can both become Christians and stay Christian in a world which often believes that neither is possible.

Ed Shaw (Co-founder