Glenn T. Stanton - Loving My (LGBT) Neighbor: Being Friends in Grace and Truth

One of the hardest transitions for the church to make is when something goes from being a warning to a reality. We still talk about homosexuality as if its something that is coming our way. In this new book, Glenn Stanton provides a clear voice to answer the what do we do now? question and to do so in both grace and truth.

JOHN STONESTREET
Fellow, the Chuck Colson Center for Christian Worldview Host of The Point, Breakpoints daily commentary

Christians and other traditional believers are struggling to figure out how to combine truth and love. Glenn may not have all the right answers, but he definitely is asking the right questions. We will have to learn how to speak about sex, love, and marriage not only with a generic gay person in the room, but as if to a beloved gay child.

MAGGIE GALLAGHER
Author, Senior Fellow at the American Principles Project and co-founder of the National Organization for Marriage

Im glad to be a friend of Glenn Stanton, despite our many differences, and Im even gladder he has written a book seeking to make the path to friendship a little easier for all of us. The road is long, but it begins with the spirit of kindness that Glenns book embodies.

JONATHAN RAUCH
Senior Fellow, Brookings Institute
Author, Gay Marriage: Why Its Good for Gays, Good for Straights, and Good for America

I dont know anyone better equipped to write on this issue than Glenn Stanton. He lives it. Glenn is respected around the world, and people from all backgrounds, especially evangelical Christians, look to him for expertise and example on these matters. He is a careful scholar, a brilliant writer, with the keen ability to translate complex matters into pastoral applicability.

RUSSELL D. MOORE
President, Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission
Southern Baptist Convention

There is no cultural issue more difficult to discuss in America today than homosexuality. I cannot think of a single person in America better equipped than Glenn Stanton to engage the questions surrounding building relationships with those we disagree with in a winsome and compassionate manner and helping the church do so.

HUNTER BAKER
Professor of Political Science, Union University
Author, The End of Secularism

We have used Glenns writings to great effect in New Zealand because he has the ability to speak truth but express it in a way that it is difficult to take offenseeven when disagreeing with it. This is what he provides his reader in this book: the wisdom, encouragement, and advice in building meaningful friendships with our gay and lesbian neighbors.

BOB MCCOSKRIE
National Director, Family First New Zealand

In the years I debated Glenn about marriage and homosexuality, we developed an interesting friendship. In that friendship there were moments of genuine engagement, for which I was grateful. My hope is this book will open opportunities for others to move beyond the usual talking points and promote real dialogue.

JOHN CORVINO
Chair, Department of Philosophy, Wayne State University
Author, Whats Wrong with Homosexuality?

How can Christians retain a biblical view of marriage and still engage with friends who are gay? If we are honest with ourselves, it can seem daunting. No condemnation, no kumbayathis book is a must-read for all Christians trying to navigate a real relationship with LGBT neighbors. Glenn Stanton sheds loving light on how to hold the balance.

ANDREA MROZEK
Executive Director, Institute of Marriage and Family Canada

The issue of homosexuality cannot be dealt with meaningfully without an in-depth understanding of the issues confronting homosexuals. This book shows to us that Glenn has invested time, energy, and resources to do so and as a result, has provided help and advice in this book to the Christian community so that we can discern and learn to separate the person from the politics of the issue.

WEE MIN LEE
President, Focus on the Family Malaysia

There are few advocates for traditional sexual morality among Christians who speak with more civility, understanding, and genuine respect for others than Glenn Stanton. I disagree with him strongly on the basic question of the morality of homosexual conduct. But a lot of people I know would have hated themselves a lot less if theyd grown up in families and communities that actually followed Stantons example.

DALE CARPENTER
Earl R. Larson Professor of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties University of Minnesota School of Law

Author, Flagrant Conduct: The Story of Lawrence v. Texas

Christians today face a difficult dilemma. How do we remain faithful to the Lord and His Word on the hot-button moral issue of homosexuality while still following His command to love our neighbor as ourselves? Glenn Stanton skillfully balances biblical truth with concern for and friendship with our homosexual neighbors, as he charts a path forward for the church among the LGBT community today. I am so grateful for Glenns clear, charitable, and God-honoring voice of wisdom at such a time as this!

JANET MEFFERD
Host of the nationally syndicated Janet Mefferd Radio Show

2014 by
Glenn T. Stanton

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

To protect privacy, some names and details of individuals stories have been changed.

Edited by Elizabeth Cody Newenhuyse
Interior design: Ragont Design
Cover design: Erik M. Peterson

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Stanton, Glenn T., 1962
Loving my (LGBT) neighbor : being friends in grace and truth / Glenn T. Stanton.
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 978-0-8024-1214-0 (paperback)
1. HomosexualityReligious aspectsChristianity. 2. Sex roleReligious aspectsChristianity. 3. LoveReligious aspectsChristianity. I. Title.
BR115.H6S73 2014
261.835766dc23
2014016938

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To my handful of friends who labor on the other side of this issue but are still willing to be my friend anyway. You know who you are, but you dont know how much I appreciate who you are, the manner in which you do your work, and the honorable ways you engage those you disagree with. My life is richer for knowing you and being able to call you my friend. Honest.

Laud Him, all peoples!
For His lovingkindness is great toward us,
And the truth of the Lord is everlasting.
Psalm 117 NASB