Gay bishop takes on sacred cows in a new book

I was persuaded to write this book because it would allow me to talk about my real passion: the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the good news that we are loved by the God who created us and, through our redemption by Jesus on the cross, that we are set free to love one another and the world in God’s Name. That liberation is for gay and lesbian people, of course, who are children of God and whose souls are just as important to save as other souls. But that liberation is also for every single one of God’s children. It might surprise readers (I hope it will) to learn just how “orthodox” I am. Perhaps both my supporters and my critics will be surprised at just how theologically conservative I am. Just because I favor taking a second look at what Holy Scripture actually says — and doesn’t say — about homosexuality as we understand it today, it doesn’t follow that I believe everything in scripture is up for grabs. I have listened long and hard to my conservative brothers and sisters in Christ when they express their fears that those of us who favor the full inclusion and participation of gay and lesbian people in the life and leadership of the Episcopal Church also favor the deconstruction of orthodox doctrines such as the Trinity and the divinity of Christ. The fear that inclusion of lgbt folk in the church is but a precursor to an all-out attack on the long-held orthodox doctrines of the church may be our greatest stumbling block to full inclusion. My hope is that this book will speak to those fears in a way that sets the acceptance of gay and lesbian Christians within the larger context of orthodox belief.

My life as a bishop, spending most of my time doing the myriad yet unremarkable things a bishop does, would not normally permit me the time to write a book. I’ve been, however, enabled to do so because of two enormous blessings: a sabbatical leave given to me by my beloved diocese and an editor, Nancy Fitzgerald, who helped me shape this book. I am grateful for this opportunity to share my passion for the Gospel in this broader context. First and foremost, this book is dedicated to the glory of God, who continues to bring Easters out of the Good Fridays of my life. If this book points to me, rather than to God, it would be better if I’d never written it.

This book is dedicated to the people of my diocese. The privilege of having been called by them to serve as their bishop is indescribable. I’ve never received a greater honor from brother and sister Christians, and to be so honored by the people I had already served for twenty-eight years is a profoundly humbling experience. I can never hope to live up to that great calling, but I am committed, for as long as I have, to being as faithful as I can be to it. In some small way, I hope this book will reveal to the world why the people of the Diocese of New Hampshire might have seen me as fit material for the episcopate, not, as has often been assumed, that the diocese was trying to make a political statement, but rather that they sought a known companion on the journey of faith to lead them into the future.

This book is dedicated to my parents, Victor and Imogene Robinson, who have loved me “no matter what.” Coming to know that their son is gay was a terrible and almost unbearable shock to them more than twenty years ago. The journey they’ve made to acceptance is nothing short of miraculous — and is yet another testimony to the God of love, about whom I first learned from them.

This book is dedicated to my daughters, Jamee and Ella, whose love has been as steady and true as any father could ever hope for. Their love, humor, and devotion have sustained and nurtured me all along the way. And it is in the hope for a better world for my granddaughters, Morgan and Megan, that I do this work.

Lastly, and most deeply, this book is dedicated to my partner, Mark. Little did either of us know twenty years ago where our life together would lead, but I am eternally grateful for his willingness to make the trip. Because he is a private person, such a life in the spotlight is Mark’s idea of a nightmare — and yet he has been not only willing, but fully supportive of this journey, which has changed both our lives. Along with me, he too has found a new ministry in God’s name. Our home is a safe harbor, and his quiet steadiness and faithful support is my anchor in the storm.

Reprinted with permission of Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright © Reed Business Information. All rights reserved.

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