Single, Gay, Christian

A Personal Journey of Faith and Sexual Identity

By: Gregory Coles, Wesley Hill - foreword

Narrated by: Paul Michael Garcia

Length: 4 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

Let's make a deal, you and me. Let's make promises to each other. I promise to tell you my story. The whole story. I'll tell you about a boy in love with Jesus, who, at the fateful onset of puberty, realized his sexual attractions were persistently and exclusively for other guys. I'll tell you how I lay on my bed in the middle of the night and whispered to myself the words I've whispered 1000 times since: "I'm gay." I'll show you the world through my eyes.

I'll tell you what it's like to belong nowhere. To know that much of my Christian family will forever consider me unnatural, dangerous, because of something that feels as involuntary as my eye color. And to know that much of the LGBTQ community that shares my experience as a sexual minority will disagree with the way I've chosen to interpret the call of Jesus, believing I've bought into a tragic, archaic ritual of self-hatred.

But I promise my story won't all be sadness and loneliness and struggle. I'll tell you good things, too, hopeful things, funny things, like the time I accidentally came out to my best friend during his bachelor party. I'll tell you what it felt like the first time someone looked me in the eyes and said, "You are not a mistake." I'll tell you that joy and sorrow are not opposites, that my life has never been more beautiful than when it was most brokenhearted.

If you'll listen, I promise I'll tell you everything, and you can decide for yourself what you want to believe about me.

©2017 Gregory Coles (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Beautiful

I’m thankful to the author for having the courage to share his story. Beautiful, thoughtful, and inspiring.

Must read

This book is a primer for understanding the struggle that Christians who profess to hold to biblical norms of sexual behavior struggle with being gay. Greg is a master of telling his own story without being judgmental or compromising of the faith. Anyone who wants to support someone in the gay community with the potential of leading them to a deeper walk with Christ needs to read this book.

A must read!

I listened to this book because I became acquainted with Greg Coles and figured that if he was such a wonderful human, maybe his book would be wonderful, too. I didn't listen to this because the topic was one I particularly felt the need to study personally, though I do have a couple people in my life who are walking a similar road to Greg. What surprised me is that, despite the enormous differences in my life and in my personal struggles, this book has been an amazing encouragement to me as I walk through my own season of darkness and wrestling with my faith.

This book is of course incredibly helpful in every way if you want to better understand at least one person's experience as a gay Christian. But it's also valuable simply as an encouragement to believers to never stop seeking truth, to keep eyes fixed on Jesus even when faith is costly, and to remain expectant that God's way is always best.

I highly recommend this, both as a resource on the topic of sexuality, but also simply as a resource on the topic of faith. Greg is raw and relatable and funny, and the book never lost my attention from start to finish.

Thank you

I like the openness and simplicity of this message. The author speaks only of his convictions, based on his relationships with God and understanding of the Bible.

He makes clear that his story and experience should not be used as a tool or justification to shame or condemn other gay Christians.

Raw, yet elegant.

Had to push pause only because I needed sleep. (Darn sleep!) Otherwise, I couldn't put it down. I am amazed how the author allowed himself to be so vulnerable and personal yet make his story both accessible and relatable at the same time. As a married, straight, Christian trying his hardest to love others (all "others") better, I found this book to be incredibly insightful and love expanding!

Helpful story of a godly man with same sex attraction

Christians are called to love Christ by obeying Scripture AND by loving all people. We love people by caring enough to enter into their worlds. What is it like to have homosexual desire and no heterosexual interest? This is a wonderful and candid story of a “Single, Gay, Christian.”

I found this helpful in relating to a similar person who is a close friend. This story does not give simple answers. But it is true to Scripture and provides hope and understanding.

Very helpful.

Best book I’ve read this year!

Such great insight into a gay Christian man’s thoughts. But more than just that. It is thought provoking and life affirming and leaves me with a greater desire to truly exercise unconditional love to all people as Christ calls us to.

A worthwhile hearing

Beautiful writing and a good read. It was rewarding immersing myself and identifying with the writer. It was worthwhile

Beautiful!

This book was a real gift to all those who read it and are looking for genuine reflections and thoughts on the complexities of faith and sexual identity. The recording was very pleasant and excellently done. I’d recommend this to anyone who has found themselves in a struggle about their faith and sexual identity. The author is honest, compassionate and able to present his personal story and insights of his own journey while also providing a framework for those walking in similar paths full of grace and hope wherever they are. It is also helpful for those who don’t struggle with sexual identity. I found several sections of the author’s insights and perspectives to bring me into the beautiful truths about God’s goodness and mysteries again towards humanity.

How being loved for who we are brings life

Greg describes in beautifully accessible language his journey to be known, to be loved, and to give back that love as he wrestled through what it meant for him to be both gay and Christian. He shines a spotlight on the depth of relationship that is possible when we are fully known to each other, fully loved by each other while being first and foremost passionately in love with Jesus.

Greg and I have reached very different conclusions about what it looks like to love Jesus passionately as LGBTQ believers. Greg pursuing celibacy and me finding a biblical ground for same sex marriage. Yet I found myself nodding vigorously and spontaneously shouting “Yes!,” time after time as he described the depth and joy of relationship that is possible when love is allowed to lead. Relationships that drive out loneliness whether single or married. Relationships that are rich with connection and meaning and soul-stirring moments of vulnerability.

I loved his conclusion to press forward in this conversation by encouraging individuals to lean into their love for Jesus, to wrestle with the Bible, to listen for the Spirit, and to reach their own conclusion about what it means to passionately follow Jesus no matter where he leads.

Differing conclusions aside, I feel privileged to share this journey of following Jesus with Greg where love for Jesus translates daily into love for people.

Grace T
Married, Transgender, Christian