The Wideness of the Sea

How to be Evangelical and Gay Affirming

Can you be both evangelical and gay-affirming? In The Wideness of the Sea, Randal Rauser boldly
challenges the assumption that affirming same-sex relationships is incompatible with evangelical faith.
Drawing on Scripture, tradition, reason, and experience, Rauser shows how evangelical identity has
always evolved—and why inclusion is not a contradiction, but a faithful possibility. With clarity and
compassion, this book invites readers into a thoughtful, honest conversation about faith, sexuality, and
the rule of love.

Randal Rauser is the author of many books including Jesus Loves Canaanites: Biblical Genocide in the
Light of Moral Intuition and The Doubters’ Creed: How to Be a Christian When You Don’t Believe
It’s True, both published by 2 Cup Press. You can visit him online at randalrauser.com.

A wise approach to a heated debate

Instead of arguing for the absolute correctness of one or another position, Rauser attempts to name the arbitrary boundaries of the current debate in non-affirming quarters. The argument, in my opinion, succeeds in leveling the playing field and will hopefully move the needle toward a debate that is more selfconscious and humble.