Gay Theology without Apology

. . . fresh and bold . . . a charter of hope In these fresh and bold essays, Gary David Comstock finds God’s liberating connection in scripture-from-the-underside, in nontraditional traditions, and in body experience. Candidly self-revelatory, he shows how only in taking our own lives seriously can we be lovers of the world. Gay Theology without Apology is both judgment on churchly oppression and a charter of hope for gay/lesbian/bisexual Christians on the edges of the church. It is also truly an apologia, a persuasive case for the richer, more erotic, more just and loving humanness of everyone of us. --James B. Nelson, Professor of Christian Ethics, United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities . . . an important contribution . . . a creative search for meaning Gary Comstock has taken the initiative to reconstruct Christian tradition out of his experience of mutuality and relationship as a gay man and has made an important contribution to the growing field of gay liberation theology. His critique of heterosexism in the Bible leads to a creative search for meaning in the lives of those struggling for wholeness and new life in community. --Letty M. Russell, Professor of Theology, Yale Divinity School . . . a gripping testimonial . . . all of us are enriched Starting from the ground of his own unfolding experience as a gay man, Gary Comstock critically assesses Christian Scripture, tradition, and church practice as fragile but valued resources--rather than monolithic authorities--for nurturing a more inclusive human community. This book is a gripping testimonial to the integrity of the gay way of being in the world. At the same time, it is a convincing demonstration of how all of us are enriched by fully honoring gayness as a valid way of being human and Christian. --Norman K. Gottwald, Professor of Biblical Studies, New York Theological Seminary . . . the real deviants are the homophobes Gay people generally will draw hope and support from this book, and a lot of Christians will find in the author’s thoughtfulness and humanity a real asset in battling their own Victorian resistance and rigidity. Comstock reconfirmed my conviction that the real deviants are the homophobes. --William Sloane Coffin, Former Senior Minister. Riverside Church. New York

Gary David Comstock is the university Protestant chaplain and visiting assistant professor of religion at Wesleyan University. He is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ His previous book was Violence Against Lesbians and Gay Men (Columbia University Press).