Charting the path forward for our churches and ministries in providing care—not a cure— for our non-straight sisters and brothers who are living lives of costly obedience to Jesus.
At the start of the gay rights movement in 1969, evangelicalism's leading voices cast a vision for gay people who turn to Jesus. It was C.S. Lewis, Billy Graham, Francis Schaeffer and John Stott who were among the most respected leaders within theologically orthodox Protestantism. We see with them a positive pastoral approach toward gay people, an approach that viewed homosexuality as a fallen condition experienced by some Christians who needed care more than cure.
With the birth and rise of the ex-gay movement, the focus shifted from care to cure. As a result, there are an estimated 700,000 people alive today who underwent conversion therapy in the United States alone. Many of these patients were treated by faith-based, testimony-driven parachurch ministries centered on the ex-gay script. Despite the best of intentions, the movement ended with very troubling results. Yet the ex-gay movement died not because it had the wrong sex ethic. It died because it was founded on a practice that diminished the beauty of the gospel.
Yet even after the closure of the ex-gay umbrella organization Exodus International in 2013, the ex-gay script continues to walk about as the undead among us, pressuring people like me to say, "I used to be gay, but I'm not gay anymore. Now I'm just same-sex attracted."
For orthodox Christians, the way forward is to take a close look at our history. It is time again to focus with our Neo-Evangelical fathers on caring over attempting to cure.
With warmth and humor, as well as original research, Still Time to Care provides:
- Guidance for the gay person who hears the gospel and finds themselves smitten by the life-giving call of Jesus.
- Guidance for the church to repent of its homophobia and instead offer gospel-motivated love and compassion.
'In my city, you can always find a sign proclaiming 'Gay Rights Are Human Rights.' You need to look no further to fully understand the vitriol against the church. In Still Time to Care, you will be discouraged by the history but encouraged for the future. Greg Johnson provides answers and solutions. We have a chance to make things right, upholding God's view of sexuality in a way God wants us to do it.'
