Inspirational Resources
Articles
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Coming Out As Sacrament,
Mona West -
Homosexuality - Not A Sin, Not A Sickness,
Don Eastman -
Our Story Too - Reading the Bible with New Eyes, Nancy Wilson
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Queer Spirituality, Mona West
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The Bible and Homosexuality, Mona West
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The Power of the Bible, Mona West
The Bible and Homosexuality
What the Bible Really Says about Homosexuality, by Daniel A Helminiak.
The author summarizes the findings of leading Biblical scholars, like John Boswell and L. William Countrymen, into an easy-to-read, objective analysis of biblical passages dealing with homosexuality. A great book to share with religious friends and relatives who are convinced the Bible condemns homosexuality.
The Children Are Free: Reexamining the Biblical Evidence on Same-Sex Relationships, by Rev. Jeff Miner and John Tyler Connoley.
Written by a MCC pastor and a layperson, this book is an easy to understand examination of biblical arguments on same sex relationships, both in light of modern biblical scholarship and the overarching teachings of the bible. Another great book to share with friends and relatives who believe that the Bible condemns homosexuality.
Christianity, Social Tolerance, and Homosexuality: Gay People in Western Europe from the Beginning of the Christian Era to the Fourteenth Century, by John Boswell.
One of the seminal scholarly works on attitudes and teachings on homosexuality in the early church. Using ancient church documents and histories, Boswell uncovers the LGBTQ-positive voices in the early church.
The Church and the Homosexual, by Father John J. McNeill.
Originally developed as a discussion draft within the Catholic Church (and subsequently banned), this book examines biblical teachings on homosexuality in light of modern scholarship, making a well-reasoned and compelling argument that homosexuality is not a sin.
Spirituality, Spiritual Living, & Devotionals
A Hidden Wholeness: The Journey Toward and Undivided Life, Parker J. Palmer
A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose, Eckhart Tolle
A Return to Love: Reflection on the Principles of 'A Course in Miracles', Marianne Williamson
Almost Everything: Notes on Hope, Anne Lamott
Amazing Peace: A Celebration, Maya Angelou
Coaching Change: Breaking Down Resistance, Building Up Hope, Thomas G. Bandy
Doorways to the Soul: 52 Wisdom Tales from Around the World, Edited by Elisha Davy Pearmain
For Those Who Can't Believe: Overcoming Obstacles to Faith, Harold M. Schulweis
God is a Verb Kabbalah and the Practice of Mystical Judaism, Rabbi David A. Cooper
Good Grief, Granger E. Westberg
Hallelujah Anyway: Rediscovering Mercy, Anne Lamott
Holy Envy: Find God in the Faith of Others, Barbara Brown
Jesus and Buddha: The Parallel Sayings, Edited by Marcus Borg
Jesus and Lao Tzu: The Parallel Saying, Edited by Martin Aronson
Jesus and Nonviolence: A Third Way, Walter Wink
Job and the Mystery of Suffering: Spiritual Reflection, Richard Rohr
Ladder of Angels, Madaleine L'Engle
Leaving Church: A Memoir of Faith, Barbara Brown
Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation, Parker J. Palmer
Life Lessons, Elisabeth Kübler-Ross and David Kessler
Life Together, Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Live Your Dash: Make Every Moment Matter, Linda Ellis
Living Buddha, Living Christ, Thich Nhat Hanh
Living Your Strengths: Discover Your God-Given Talents and Inspire Your Community, Albert L. Wiseman, Donald O. Clifton, and Curt Liesveld
Naked Spirtuality: A Life with God in 12 Simple Words, Brian D. McLaren
One Hand Clapping: Zen Stories for All Ages, Rafe Martin
Pastrix: The Cranky Beautiful Faith of a Sinner, Nadia Bolz-Weber
Practicing the Presence of God, Brother Lawrence
Start Where You Are: A Guide to Compassionate Living, Pema Chödrön
Taosim and the Arts of China, Stephen Little
The Book of Joy, Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu
The Four Agreements: A Toltec Wisdom Book, Don Miguel Ruiz
The Magdalene Gospel: Meeting Women Who Followed Jesus, Mary Ellen Ashcroft
The Power of Now, Eckhart Tolle
The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming, Henri J.M. Nouwen
The Road to Peace, Henri J.M. Nouwen
When Bad Things Happen to Good People, Rabbi Harold S. Kushner
When Moses Meets Aaron, Gil Rendle
When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advise for Difficult Times, Pema Chödrön
With or Without God, Gretta Vosper
LGTBQIA+, Sexuality, & Gender
10 Spiritual Lessons for Successful Living for Gays and Lesbians (and everyone else), by Rev. Troy D. Perry, Founder of Metropolitan Community Churches.
A Desired Past: A Short History of Same-Sex Love in America, Leila J. Rupp
A Time to Build: Creating Sexually Healthy Faith Communities, Rev. Debra W. Haffner
Coming Out of Shame: Transforming Gay and Lesbian Lives, Gershen Kaufman and Lev Raphael
God and the Rhetoric of Sexuality, Phyllis Trible
Our Selves, Our Souls and Bodies: Sexuality and the Household of God, Editor Charles Hefling
Queer America: A People's GLBT History of the 20th Century, Vicki L. Eaklor
Stand By Me: The Forgotten History of Gay Liberation, Jim Downs
Stranger at the Gate: To Be Gay and Christian in America, Mel White
Taking a Chance on God, by Father John J. McNeill. Geared for the LGBTQ community, this book brings a gay perspective to fundamental Christian questions: How can we understand suffering and death? How can we overcome fear, anger, and guilt? What does it mean to love God? What gifts do we bring to the body of Christ?
The Consequence of Sex, Stories by Robert C. Reinhart
The Sexuality of Imperfection: Storytelling and the Journey to Wholeness, Ernest Kurtz and Katherone Ketcham
The Velvet Rage: Overcoming the Pain of Growing Up Gay in a Straight Man's World, Alan Downs
Transgender History, Susan Stryker
Two Flutes Playing: A Spiritual Journey book for Gay Men, Andrew Ramer
You Can Go Home Again: Reconnecting with Your Family, Monica McGoldrick
Social Justice
Freaks and Revelations, a Novel by David Wills Hurwin
G-Dog and the Home Boys: Father Greg Boyle and the Gangs of East Los Angeles, Updated and Expanded Edition by Celeste Fremon
The Invention of Wings, by Sue Monk Kidd. Fabulous novel about two oppressed women, one as a slave and the other a radical abolotionist in the early 1800s, striving for physical and spiritual freedom.
Justice in a Global Economy: Strategies for Home, Community and World, Pamela K Brubaker, Rebecca Todd Peters, Laura A. Stivers
Learning to be White: Money, Place, and God in America, Thandeka
Proverbs of Ashes: Violence, Redemptive Suffering, and the Search for What Saves Us, Rita Nakashima Brock
Soul Work: Anti-Racist Theologies in Dialogue by Unitarian Universalist Association, Edited by Marjorie Bowens-Wheatley and Nancy Palmer Jones
Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America, Dr. Ibram X. Kendi
Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion, Father Gregory Boyle
Toxic Charity: How Churches and Charities Hurt Those They Help, Robert A. Lupton
Trials of Hope and Terror: Testimonies on Immigration, Miguel A. de la Torre
Undocumented: How Immigration Became Illegal, Aviva Chomsky
The Red Tent, by Anita Diamant. A deeply moving novel that tells the stories we know from the Hebrew scriptures through the eyes and hearts of the women in the book of Genesis.
Novels
A Wrinkle in Time, Madaleine L'Engle
The Book of Joy, Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu
The Heaven of Animals, Nancy Tillman
Holy Envy: Finding god in the Faith of Others, Barbara Brown Taylor
The Invention of Wings, by Sue Monk Kidd. Fabulous novel about two oppressed women, one a slave and the other a radical abolitionist in the early 1800s, striving for physical and spiritual freedom.
Ladder of Angels, Madaleine L'Engle
Leaving Church: A Memoir of Faith, Barbara Brown Taylor
Pastrix: The Cranky Beautiful Faith of a Sinner and Saint, Nadia Bolz-Weber
Practicing the Presence of God, Brother Lawrence
The Red Tent, by Anita Diamant. A deeply moving novel that tells the stories we know from the Hebrew scriptures through the eyes and hearts of the women in the book of Genesis.
Stranger at the Gate: To Be Gay and Christian in America, Mel White
Church Administration & Leadership
History and Biblical Scholarship
Constantine’s Sword, by James Carroll. A huge work of historical research that reveals the heinous history of anti-Semitism in the Church, and how Judaism and Christianity forever parted ways.
The Politics of Jesus, by Obery Hendricks, Jr. A no-holds-barred analysis of the true revolutionary nature of Jesus’ teachings and how they have been corrupted.
The Rapture Exposed, by Barbara Rossing. Afraid of the book of Revelation? Fear no more! This book is an awesome exploration of the message of hope, justice and peace that is at the heart of the last book in the New Testament.
Stand By Me, by Jim Downs. A book about the forgotten history of gay liberation; it includes an examination of the largest massacre of gay people in American history before Pulse, and the impact of that event on MCC.
When Jesus Came to Harvard, by Harvey Cox. A Harvard professor and his students wrestle together with the moral impact of Jesus’ teachings in the 21st century.
