Deliberation Or Pugilism
Which Is The Better Way
To Find An Answer
Finally!!
A much needed book focused on what the Bible actually says and how a more informed reading should lead us away from the anti-woke doctrines of prominent Catholic politicians.
No, the book doesn’t focus on Catholics or Catholicism. In fact, I don’t remember the words Catholic or Catholicism mentioned at all in the book.
That bit is an add-on by me but an accurate one since Catholics have dominated the discussion regarding acceptable sexual/moral norms for centuries. It’s also true that several vociferous Catholics presently holding significant positions of power are pushing their doctrines on an unwilling public. A public that largely rejects these ideas.
Consider the fact that Ron DeSantis and Greg Abbott, both governors of two large influential states, both Catholics and both representing the more intolerable version of the Catholic Church. And both aggressively pushing a Republican Party first and anti-woke agenda more unbendingly, irrationally and demandingly than good sense, or the law, allows.
Their leadership is inquisition-like, only with a little less blood shed, as far as we can tell.
DeSantis’ strident form is easily understood once you learn how committed his family is to Catholicism. With an aunt who’s a nun and an uncle who’s a priest, how can he demonstrate an equal level of commitment other than by damning anything and anyone who oversteps the Church’s boundaries, all from high political office. Abbott can’t claim such pedigree so we can only attribute his asininity to a stubborn nature.
You may know this but the Supreme Court is also loaded with Catholics.
But I digress. Back to the book.
There were several reasons I enjoyed this book and hardily recommend it to others.
The Author Takes The Right Approach
Unclobber isn’t the first book to be written on the topic. It won’t be the last. But it does fit into a narrow field.
Some write from an evangelical point of few. Most in this group categorically deny affirmation and acceptance of the LGBTQ community. They argue from the Bible and suggest their interpretations best represent what the Bible teaches.
For the record, what the Bible says – the actual word for word statements – is not what the Bible teaches. I’m only throwing this out for consideration here. I won’t take up more space in this post but you can read more in 16 Reasons Leviticus 18 Doesn’t Deny Same-Sex Marriage.
Some write from a non-biblical perspective. They neither accept nor believe the Bible and therefore it offers no arguments for them either way. These folks generally don’t appreciate any analysis based on Scripture but if they are serious about the matter, they’ll need to work with biblically aligned folks since the Bible does influence many people along with the laws they want passed.
A third approach is a second version of evangelical but with a twist. The Bible is central and respected in this approach but popular interpretations are questioned. That’s the approach Colby takes in Unclobber.
He doesn’t disrespect popular interpretations. He doesn’t walk away in a huff. He doesn’t make sneering remarks toward those who disagree.
In the process of becoming a minister of the Gospel, he learned, accepted and adopted conservative beliefs. He had doubts about conservative interpretations but instead of agitating, he gradually, over time and quietly considered different angles on the topic and only after a lengthy period and at great cost to himself and his family did he make his ideas known, intentionally trying to avoid trouble.
I can’t say that all his ideas are original but his experience with the subject matter and his approach give the book a human appeal which is often lacking in technical writing.
His fight, if you could call it that, was anything but pugilistic. You have to respect his experience and his approach even if you disagree with his conclusions.
But there is a big difference between Colby and other evangelicals who’ve gone in the same direction.
His Arguments Respect The Bible
This one truth makes Colby’s book a breath of fresh air.
Colby, rather than dismiss the Bible, actually engages the text. I read two other books before his, both supposedly by evangelicals and both of which dismiss the texts of Scripture. Their conclusions were the same. You might think they are correct but their approach is intellectually lazy. If the Bible is a part of the discussion, it needs to have a place at the table.
Thankfully, Colby doesn’t deny the Bible, suggest errors in transmission or just chop and change at will for convenience. He incorporates original languages as needed and delves into cultural norms for the people to whom the text was written. The Bible addressed a very different world and rather than dismiss it, Colby factors that into the discussion.
Those details open up an expansive range of considerations that, when taken into account, have a direct influence on the outcome of the study.
Keep in mind that there’s no other book that requires careful, deliberate consideration more than the Bible and Unclobber illustrates how that is done. You haven’t engaged the text well by dismissing it which is a tempting and oft taken approach when dealing with LGBTQ issues.
Unclobber discusses each of the six significant passages used by conservatives to deny affirmation/inclusion of the LGBTQ community.
He Isn’t Gay
Another reason this book deserves attention is Colby doesn’t have a dog in this fight. He isn’t gay. He doesn’t have any immediate or extended family members who are gay and before his journey into the affirming/inclusion community, he had no gay friends. The closest he came to the gay community was as a child. He had an adult neighbor who happened to be lesbian and his introduction to her came before he was sexually aware.
In his childlike perception, she was a decent person who lived close by, and was respectful and respected, but also happened to be gay. Her image was untainted by dark sinister undertones and whispers of shame. As far as he knew, she was normal.
The Book Is Personal
Colby’s book lands somewhere between a treatise and an essay. You could say it’s biographical with plenty of technical detail to keep you thinking.
Colby tells his story, how he came to think what he does. In fact, a lot of the book is focused on Colby’s experience. It’s useful for anyone navigating the same gauntlet.
Rather than say this is what you should think about this subject, he explains where he was, describes the road on which he travelled and gives the markers for where he is now.
Technical writing can be quite dry. Add a few personal details (in Colby’s case quite a few) and you stay engaged.
From the conversations I’ve had with friends, Christian and non-Chritian alike, I know people are curious about this topic. If you want to stimulate your thinking, read Unclobber.
THINK!AboutIt
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