Taking a Chance on God

by McNeill, John J.

• ISBN13: 9780807079454
• ISBN10: 0807079456
• Edition: Reprint
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 1996-05-01
• Publisher: Beacon Press

Summary

Taking a Chance on God explores how lesbians and gay men can claim both a positive gay identity and a fulfilling life of Christian faith.

Author Biography

John J. McNeill has taught philosophy and theology at Fordham University, Union Theological Seminary, and other institutions.

Table of Contents

Preface to the 1996 Edition
Preface to the 1988 Edition
Growing Up in Our Faith: Spiritual Life and the Gay Experience	p. 1
Developing a Mature Faith Life	p. 3
The Challenge of Gay Atheism	p. 12
Pathological Religion and Healthy Religion	p. 16
Spiritual Maturity: A Challenge for Lesbian and Gay Christians	p. 22
Intimacy with God	p. 27
Dealing with Anger	p. 30
Liberation from Fear	p. 42
Lifting the Burden of Guilt, Shame, and Self-Hate	p. 54
Releasing God's Power	p. 75
Trusting in God	p. 77
Thanks Be to God	p. 81
Reconciliation and God's Presence	p. 84
The Gay Virtues	p. 91
The Spirit of Hospitality	p. 95
The Virtue of Compassion	p. 100
Celebrating Life	p. 109
The Freedom to Play	p. 111
This Is My Body	p. 121
Sex as Play	p. 129
The Relationship between Mary, the Mother of God, and the Gay and Lesbian Community	p. 137
Unto Dust You Shall Return	p. 145
The Christian Understanding of Death, Resurrection, and Time	p. 148
Reflections on Judgment	p. 159
Reflections on Mourning	p. 168
The Necessity of a Gay Spiritual Community	p. 177
The Role of a Gay Christian Community	p. 179
Conversion and the Gay Christian Community	p. 186
The Future of the Gay Christian Community	p. 193
Epilogue: A Liberation Spirituality Based on Gay and Lesbian Experience	p. 200
Notes	p. 207
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