• Torn

  • Rescuing the Gospel from the Gays-vs.-Christians Debate
  • By: Justin Lee
  • Narrated by: Justin Lee
  • Length: 9 hrs and 2 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (718 ratings)

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Torn  By  cover art

Torn

By: Justin Lee
Narrated by: Justin Lee
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Publisher's summary

As a teenager and young man, Justin Lee felt deeply torn. Nicknamed "God Boy" by his peers, he knew that he was called to a life in the evangelical Christian ministry. But Lee harbored a secret: He also knew that he was gay. In this groundbreaking book, Lee recalls the events - his coming out to his parents, his experiences with the "ex-gay" movement, and his in-depth study of the Bible - that led him, eventually, to self-acceptance.

But more than just a memoir, Torn provides insightful, practical guidance for all committed Christians who wonder how to relate to gay friends or family members - or who struggle with their own sexuality. Convinced that "in a culture that sees gays and Christians as enemies, gay Christians are in a unique position to bring peace," Lee demonstrates that people of faith on both sides of the debate can respect, learn from, and love one another.

©2012 Justin Lee (P)2013 Hachette Audio
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: LGBTQ+

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  • LP
  • 09-13-16

An Articulate Book that Misses the Biblical Point

As a conservative Christian, I agree with the author that Jesus is love and our Lord spent most of His time with sinners.... gross sinners. Sinners like wicked, sinful women, which describes me. That is why I love Jesus Christ SO much. He has forgiven me for my abominable sins and has brought me into His Kingdom because of His finished work on the Cross, not because I "did" anything. He gave me the gift of faith in Christ alone. That is what is required to go to Heaven. Faith in Jesus Christ alone.

Let me be clear, my hope is that all people come to know Christ. It doesn't matter what their besetting sin is, adulterers, liars, thieves, homosexuals, and the list goes on, Jesus is able to save sinners fully and completely, no matter what they have done.

That's what I was hoping to hear in this book. That Jesus saves. No matter what your sin is, faith alone in Christ is all that is needed to be justified, sanctified and glorified.

However, within the first 20 minutes of this audio book, Mr. Lee had done just what he says he doesn't like. In his own words, Mr. Lee created two groups. He repeatedly uses the terms: "The Christian Community" and "The Gay Community" which sounds like he is pitting one against the other. That should not be. Christians are Christians. The Body of Christ is made up of every tribe, tongue and nation. People of all backgrounds, nationalities and all of us struggle with thousands of sins.

Sexual sin is not about "us" verses "them"-- The Bible is clear. It's not my opinion, it is Biblical truth that sex outside of marriage between one man and one woman is sin. Mr. Lee's argument should not be with "The Christian Community." His argument should be with the Apostle Paul and our Lord Himself. Jesus clearly defined marriage in the Gospels as one man and one woman. So, Mr. Lee, your problem is what is written in Scripture, not with people who actually believes what Jesus said about marriage.

I was really hoping to see Mr. Lee address the Scriptures head on, but he started with, and continued talking about fringe groups, like the Westboro Baptist church, who are clearly hateful, as if the Bride of Christ behaves like that. We don't! We disagree with fringe groups like the Westboro Baptist Church and that kind of behavior. The "true" Church considers what they do a sin. The true Bride of Christ does not hold up hateful signs at gay people's funerals. We know that is a sin!

Mr. Lee -- over and over again, is doing what most liberals do...pitting one "side" against the other, instead of talking about how to deal with sin using God's Word, the Bible. I threw up my hands in despair after an hour into the book, realizing that he was not going to address homosexuality by going through the Bible.

My hope is that one day, he will realize that everyone sins and those who are truly Born Again will spend eternity together around the Throne of God above, in perfect peace and harmony, worshipping the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. I pray he finds peace and rests in Christ alone.

There will always be hateful people on this earth. Read Romans chapter three. Paul writes "there is none who does good. No, not one". That is why we need a Savior and we have the perfect God-Man already ruling and reigning in Heaven.

It is my prayer that whoever may read this review, will not take it as a hateful or judgmental review, but as one that really has a heart to see sinners saved by the blood of Jesus Christ alone. There is no Gospel in this book. That is very sad I pray for Justin Lee with all of my heart.

Let's make it all about Jesus and not ourselves. He did the work. He should be worshipped and glorified. God bless you all.

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26 people found this helpful

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Restored my faith in the Bible

I had lost my faith in the Bible because I couldn't reconcile my (lack of) understanding of the Bible on homosexuality and the fact that I'm gay. This book has restored my faith in the Bible and God. I highly recommend this book to anyone, Christian or not.

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Just my own thought

If you could sum up Torn in three words, what would they be?

I just find it incredibly sad that good people like Justin Lee have to research so much in order to try and justify themselves...they do not need justification, they are being who they were created to be, they are fearfully and wonderfully made...same as anyone else. It is sad that Christians need to be reminded of some basic facts like: love one another, unconditional love, judge not...even if they disagree...oh, and that I love them but hate the sin thing disagreeing Christians always say...well, that is seen as a hateful statement right there except by themselves and others equally blind to their own sin.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Thanks from a Christian mom desperate for Info

I was looking for information that would help me be able to understand and support my teenage gay daughter.

I am so dreading the prejudice and heartache she will encounter as she lives her adult life as an openly gay woman.

While I still don't have all the answers, this book has given me so much hope, peace, and has made me feel more confident about standing up for my daughter in front of people who will unavoidably judge her.

Thank you, Justin for this book.

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Open, honest and gracious

I love how the author is so gracious with his treatment of both gay and non-affirming Christians. This is a topic I’ve struggled with for sometime and being a straight Christian I have never really known where to tire with my honest questions. Every time I broached the subject with my Christian friends, I’ve been treated like I’m on the verge of devil worship for not openly opposing gays and admitting I had doubts about popular theologies.
To the author: thank you for your openness, honesty, and graciousness.

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i loved this book.

i loved it.. this book really helps not only straight but gays that are struggling with their attractions and as the author it can go both ways but i choose to be as christ like and loving as possible and not blame either party.

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Even as I disagree...

Although I disagree with viewpoint Justin provides on same-sex committed relationships, it is refreshing to hear an earnest struggle to maintain himself and not give up on God. Justin convicts us to treat the LGBT community with more love and grace and encourages us that more will see the kingdom of God because of it. This book was difficult for me to listen to at certain points because of the theological evidence I have concerning this issue but it is no doubt that Justin is concerned not only with the LGBT community but with Christians as well. By reading this book, I have been convicted by the Holy Spirit in many ways to be more understanding, loving, and accepting of the gay community, even though my "Side B" ness never went away. ;)

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propaganda

He shares his lifelong difficulty throughout most of the book, gaining empathy and understanding from the listener until the end when he lays out case for liberal christian view of acceptance of gay lifestyle. It's a good insight into the mind and heart of someone with genuine desire to live consistently and seeks truth but falls short almost as if the agenda all along was to steer readers towards his final viewpoint. The conclusion parsed together by a weak biblical rationale and is logically very shallow.

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Compelling, comprehensive, beautiful!

This is not only a great comprehensive treatment of the issue of the need to re-think what it means to be gay and Christian, but also makes some poignant spot-on observations about the church in general. This is a game changer, life altering read!

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Amazing!

I think that EVERY Christian should read this book. Regardless of the theological conclusion they come to, there is something for them to learn here.

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