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Christians who are confused by the homosexuality debate raging in the US are looking for resources that are based solidly on a deep study of what Scripture says about the issue. In People to Be Loved, Preston Sprinkle challenges those on all sides of the debate to consider what the Bible says and how we should approach the topic of homosexuality in light of it.In a manner that appeals to a scholarly and lay-audience alike, Preston takes on difficult questions such as how should the church treat people struggling with same-sex attraction? Is same-sex attraction a product of biological or societal factors or both? How should the church think about larger cultural issues, such as gay marriage and gay pride? How (or if) Christians should do business with LGBT persons and supportive companies?Simply saying that the Bible condemns homosexuality is not accurate, nor is it enough to end the debate. Those holding a traditional view still struggle to reconcile the Bible's prohibition of same-sex attraction with the message of radical, unconditional grace. This book meets that need. Read more
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Top Amazon Reviews
Format: Kindle
Preston Sprinkle presents an academic, scholarly and biblically objective discussion of homosexuality and the non affirming view. I appreciated his breakdown of terms,the compelling posture of love towards the lgtb community, and his challenge towards the church to do better. I am sure I will pull this book frequently from my library.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2026 by Amy
Format: Kindle
Preston Sprinkle has written a unique book on homosexuality where he says it's not just an issue and frankly raises up a point that we often lose sight of. People are people. Whatever person you're arguing against, they are a person. This is something both sides need to learn. Traditionalists like myself can often see just the issue and be tempted to think the worst about homosexuals that we meet, when in reality many homosexuals, like many heterosexuals, are wonderful people. Of course, just like heterosexuals, some are jerks. How you view your sexuality is not a determiner of your demeanor. Meanwhile, those on the left need to realize that the homosexuals are persons as well. In what way do they often act otherwise? It's too easy to assume that if someone is a homosexual, that that entails their identity so that if you say homosexual practice is wrong, you are treating the person as if they are not a person, and this is simply false. Sprinkle wrote this book wanting us to see not just the issue but the person. He starts by talking about being on a plane and sharing with some people who ask what project he's working on and he says it's a book on homosexuality. The husband shakes his head saying there is no debate and the Bible is very clear. Sprinkle does want to say there is a huge debate in academia, but instead he asks where the Bible is clear. Unfortunately, the man has no idea where the Bible verses are that speak about homosexual practice. Too many Christians could be like that today. Sprinkle also does introduce with too many stories of homosexuals who have committed suicide and have been bullied for their being homosexual. Naturally, we should all condemn this sort of behavior. He also writes about those who leave the church. Interestingly, they don't leave because they're told same-sex behavior is wrong. They leave because of how they're treated. The main walk away he wants you to get is that homosexuality is not about an abstract issue. It is about an issue that concerns people to be loved. In this, many of Sprinkle's stories hit hard. He does open this by a look at the Scriptures themselves. He comes down on the side of the traditionalists, who he describes as non-affirming. He also addresses many of the issues such as if someone is born with a sexual orientation and if change is possible of an orientation. He points out that too many of us have this idea that if you have to live your life without sex that it is absolutely unlivable. Sprinkle also wants us to know that homosexuality does not define someone's life. Still, while I agree that most homosexuals are fine people and there are other sins to focus on, I do think there are some people that while they are still people to be loved, there needs to be more on how to respond to them. Do some people get turned away from the church because there are many Christians who are aggressive and unloving to them? Yes. Of course. There are also homosexuals who are also aggressive and speak about their lifestyles. What about situations such as the book [I]After The Ball[/I] written as a coercive propaganda material to change the hearts and minds of Americans, which was a brilliant success by all standards. There are in fact people who want to be aggressive in their homosexuality and label us as intolerant bigoted homophobes if we disagree. Then there are issues many people have with the transgender talk today about men sharing bathrooms with women. Do we love those people who are hurting and open to discussions? Of course. We are also to love the aggressive ones, but shouldn't our approach be different? I did not really find Sprinkle's book addressing how to deal with this. We could say Christians seem to always be talking about homosexuality, but that's also because our culture is always talking about homosexuality. We are talking about what everyone is talking about and giving our viewpoints. While few Christians will ever meet a leader in this movement, they are online and they will meet them and they will meet heterosexual supporters of the homosexual movement who are like them in their responses. There is a problem with Christians of course treating homosexuals horribly, but how are Christians to respond when homosexuals do likewise? While I know Sprinkle is for non-violence, as am I and I do not think this needs to be physical, I don't think this means we just lie down and let homosexuals walk all over us. Still, I have to say that Sprinkle's book is a breath of fresh air. If I could recommend one book on the popular level, it would be this one. Sprinkle gives you good academic research and then he gives an excellent application. Sprinkle reminds us that every time we discuss homosexuality, we are also discussing homosexual persons. These are people to be loved. No. These are people who are loved by Jesus. The question is, are we going to love like Jesus did also? We do not affirm the sin, but we do love the person. In Christ, Nick Peters Deeper Waters Christian Ministries
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Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2016 by Kindle Customer
Format: Paperback
I honestly believe that every Christian—especially pastors/elders/church leaders—must read this book. Perhaps you've read one or two books on this topic (or, like me, you've read many books on this topic) and consequently you think there's no need to read any other. Think again! You need to read this book—NEED to. Here are three reasons why: 1)People to Be Loved As the title and subtitle convey, Preston Sprinkle offers a much-needed clarion call to Christians to stop treating homosexuality as a face-less issue to be debated. This book is about people created in God's image who urgently need to experience the love of Christ through His body here on earth: the Church. Such love is "felt" in every word of this book as Preston wrestles with Scripture and opposing views. As he writes, it's clear that he has actual gay friends in mind, for he has made many. In fact, Preston exhorts you to make gay friends too! He also urges Christians to stop using careless clichés like "God made Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve." This statement is not funny, nor does it logically support the traditional view of marriage. Furthermore, stop using the word gay pejoratively (i.e. "That's so gay!"), and stop treating gay people like abominations—they're people to be befriended and loved! Within your church congregation, I'm positive there are both teens and adults who refuse to reveal their same-sex attraction because they fear being shunned & ostracized. Shame on us(!) for not being a safe, loving church where such things can be openly discussed. I wholeheartedly believe that this book will help move the church in the right direction. 2)Faithful Exegesis Preston exemplifies faithful exegesis. His concern isn't to align Scripture with tradition, but rather to submit to God's Word "even if it critiques and offends [your tradition]" (pg. 90). As such, his explanation of certain passages (i.e. Sodom & Gomorrah in Genesis 19) might be new to you. Nevertheless, you will see that his conclusions are the result of serious wrestling with the text and a determination to faithfully explain the authorial intent. In combination with Preston's conviction that gay people are people to be loved, his exegesis leads him to write three chapters in which he contemplates important questions: Does God make people gay? Can someone be both gay and Christian? What does Christian faithfulness look like in mixed-orientation marriages, in celibacy, in singleness, and more! The answers to these questions are too important to neglect. 3) Clear & Concise Although I would have liked longer explanations, that wasn't Preston's purpose. What we get, instead, is a clear & concise book. Some chapters are a bit weightier, as Preston seeks to explain his understanding of the Greek meaning of words, etc. Yet this book isn't a chore to read; it's more like listening to a dear friend as we chat over a coffee or beer. Conclusion The pages of People to Be Loved ought to be stained by the dirt & oil of your fingers (albeit not more stained than the pages of your copy of God's Word). Carefully "listen" to Preston and heed his words, because I'm positive there are hurting teens and adults in your church who need people like Preston in their lives. P.S. Preston emphasizes "agape love" in this book. I think such an emphasis is misleading, as it assumes that other forms of love (i.e. phile) are inferior. On the contrary, I don't see anywhere in Scripture where "agape" love ought to be preferred.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2016 by Josué Manriquez
Format: Kindle
This book was insightful. I agree with Sprinkle's conclusions, though I didn't always appreciate the logic he used to come to his conclusions. I think overall the book is a decent contribution to the discussion on homosexuality and LGBT relationships -- a much, much needed discussion. I do wish, however, that there had been a greater emphasis on the practical side of application, that is, how to "love one another" on a personal and day-to-day basis. Many situations, questions, issues, and conversations are raised in this book which are helpful to broaden our general understanding of the many facets involved in this major contemporary issue. I'm glad I read this book, but it left me wanting (as perhaps it should). I want to read more, study more, and learn how to love people better. I think this is a great book to start a conversation on.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2020 by KW
Format: Paperback
While it sounds like a shallow compliment to call this book entertaining, I'm still calling it that. Because I've read three books now, and the best ones are approachable, humble, treat gay people as people who are loved by God who happen to be gay, and are well researched. One of the books was so dry it brought me to tears. So this book was a relief. I felt like we were chatting over coffee in the back room. I suppose my stance matters, so I'll share. I'm on a journey through this whole gay marriage and the church thing. Right now I'm on a trajectory from non-affirming, to reexamining, toward affirming now. Now I am preparing to share this stuff with others. So I'm outlining my own set of affirming vs non affirming observations/conclusions/interpretations for each of the passages, and this book will be my non-affirming set. I believe that Christians and churches in general are great at making outsiders feel welcome, whether they are divorcees, felons, minorities, women, children, goths, slobs, or whatever. They don't even bat an eye to hoarders of wealth or gluttons. But if you're gay, God help you. It's become a line in the sand at so many churches. And the basic argument is, "Isn't the Bible clear on this?" I've even had an acquaintance that I respect say that he knows all about the subject, but thinks that reading a book about it is unnecessary. "The Bible is all I need." Well, whatever your position, you should read this book. It's entertaining, at least. :)
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Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2016 by Happy Husband, Happy Wife
Format: Paperback
Sexuality is a complicated issue in Christianity. It does not matter if you are discussing heterosexuality or same-sex attraction, it seems like Christians have a difficult time discussing sexuality in any form. I have read plenty of books and articles by Christian authors and non-Christian authors alike. I have read plenty of items that support affirming views of same-sex attraction and of course, I have seen a lot of literature that maintains non-affirming views. I have read purely scientific viewpoints, spiritual viewpoints, and even some works that do a mixture of both. People to be Loved by Preston Sprinkle is a different kind of book. Yes, it addresses the issue of same-sex attraction. Yes, it does choose a side. Yes, it does provoke criticisms and praises. But it does it all with an aroma of humility that you rarely find today. Sprinkle does a thorough job presenting his viewpoint. It is intelligent, well-researched, and perfectly cited. I know many people will read this book and adamantly disagree with Sprinkle, but the great thing is Sprinkle invites the differences with humility. He understands that he is only one man, and that his future research may lead him somewhere else in the future, but at this time he holds one viewpoint. This is what makes his book refreshing; it is not an indictment on Christians who think differently or a damnation towards others. It is a call to deep thinking, but more importantly, it is a call to deeper love. No matter where you fall on the side of the debate, loving other is not up for debate. Jesus did not put any condition on His love, nor should you.
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Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2016 by Reid McCormick
Format: Paperback
Thank you to GA for sending me People to Be Loved: Why Homosexuality is Not Just an Issue by Preston Sprinkle, along with a copy of The Great Lakes Catechism. Sprinkle’s book is not just a book that looks at “those” Scriptures and comes to a conclusion. Though he does look at them – in the original languages and considers the words in extra-biblical writing – and he comes to various conclusions about them – for example, the sin of Sodom is not homosexuality – not is it being unhospitable – and the reason we know it is not is due to the fact that other Scriptures tell us what the sins of Sodom are. The author looks at the varying interpretations of the hot-button texts from non-affirming and affirming positions and considers where the truth lies with each of them. He does so with compassion and grace – acknowledging truth on both sides of the aisle as it is warranted. He also looks at the meaning and import of the “otherness” of our first parents in the history of Creation, how homosexuality was viewed in Judaism and Roman culture, and Jesus’ view of sexuality. And he explains that – biblically – if we are not condemning the sins that are included in the hot-button passages – such as lying in I Timothy 1:10 – with equal fervor – then we are hypocrites (cf. 126). In the second half of the book, he considers the evidence for homosexuality being genetic and what that would mean with regards to these passages, where someone can be gay and Christian – along with the issue of marriage and celibacy, faithfulness, and being single in the church. He turns to application and considers five things that ought to be done in light of his discussion – which is peppered with stories of real people. As he looks at what the church much do, there is the nailing down of the fact that the biggest issue is not whether or not a person is same-sex attracted, but whether they have received Jesus as God as Savior and are seeking to live a holy life in response to His salvation of them. In the appendix, he considers five affirming interpretations of Romans 1 and explains why he doesn’t believe they hold up. People to Be Loved helps us to move from just checking the “sin” or “not sin” box and shoving people aside to learning to love like Jesus – not dismissing sin, but loving all people, as all people are created in the Image of God, and all people are in need of the Savior’s salvation. If you’re not hardened on your position on homosexuality, this is a wonderful resource to take time to think through the Scripture, its interpretation, and what it means to be a Christian in the world. [This review appears on my blog, Amazon.com, and Goodreads.com.]
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Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2019 by Peter Butler Jr.
Format: Kindle
People to Be Loved changed my life. In my quest to love my dear LGBTQ friends and family while also honoring my Christian faith, I have found hope, encouragement and freedom to love like Jesus. The book is well written, and Dr. Sprinkle slugs through mounds of historical research and Biblical exegesis. At times the reading is tedious and mentally exhausting - not unlike our human relationships when we choose the hard work of seeking to understand and truly empathizing with one another. Perhaps what I love most is Preston's posture of humility, openness to discussion, and desire for true relationship even when beliefs differ in the most sacred areas of our lives. Please read this book with the same openness, thoughtfulness and desire for truth and grace.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2018 by sayitaintso