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The ever-unfolding riches of the Bible deepen our understanding of same-sex relationships.
David Runcorn’s concern with human flourishing shines through this compassionate and compelling book. He explores how someone for whom the Bible is central can hold an including view of same-sex relationships and marriage on the basis of the biblical text. After all, the Church of Christ, in every time and place, finds itself working out the shock and surprise of God’s unfolding ways – often scandalized about where holiness, goodness and the life of God are to be found. In the account of Peter’s dream at Joppa, for example, we see Christian insiders inspired to disobey what they believed their own scriptures taught in an example of a story within the Bible that faithfully goes beyond the Bible.
As generosity of spirit, abundance and celebration mark the life of the kingdom of God, so speaking in gospel friendship will help dispel the anxiety and division that have tended to mark the Church’s response to homosexuality. This insight is echoed in moving reflections on sexual abstinence and celibacy; sexuality and the sacred, leading to the volume’s powerful conclusion: Love Means Love.
David Runcorn is a speaker, writer, consultant, teacher and trainer, working in areas of personal vocational guidance, spiritual direction, prayer, Christian faith and theology – as well as aspects of leadership development, team and community building. His books circle around the connecting themes between all these topics and are a continuing exploration of what faith and human flourishing means in a world like ours. David is ordained in the Church of England and has been a vicar in London, a leader and community member of a large conference and holiday centre in North Devon, a theological college teacher and most recently a Director of Ministry Development in the large diocese covering much of the West Midlands. Three years ago, he stepped out of the direct employment of the Church of England and is now trying to learn to live from the edge – mixing silence, reflection and contemplative prayer.
