Gay Girl, Good God

Jackie Hill Perry has a way with words. I first heard her story on a podcast (“The Happy Hour” with Jamie Ivey) and was drawn to her voice (figuratively and literally) as well as what she was using her voice to confidently proclaim. While I am a half-white, half-Asian heterosexual and married female, I was convicted and encouraged by reading Jackie's story. She is honest but still seeks to convey she is sharing her story to provide an example of how good God is and as our Creator, He wants all of our hearts and minds - not just the bits and pieces we are okay with being exposed.

While I enjoyed reading her story and being reminded of the importance of acknowledging our sin leading to confession and repentance, it was the last few chapters that made quite an impact. She addresses same sex attraction for Christians on a practical level, punctuating how our society (and Christians included) are so quick to emphasize singleness as a curse and marriage as the ultimate means, rather than God Himself.

“Christ has simply come to make us right with God. And in making us right with God, He is satisfying us in God. Our sexuality is not our soul, marriage is not heaven, and singleness is not hell. So may we all preach the news that is good for a reason. For it proclaims to the world that Jesus has come so that all sinners, same-sex-attracted and opposite-sex-attracted, can be forgiven of their sins to love God and enjoy him forever.” (p. 190)

I really wasn't sure what to expect, but wow...this woman's heart for God really jumped off the page. I didn't know anything about Jackie Hill Perry, so I wasn't expecting the highly poetic prose. I really enjoyed her writing style.

Now, the book isn't a strict course of theological apologetics: this is Jackie's heartfelt testimony of what all God saved her from. She doesn't attempt to answer all the naysayers; she preaches Jesus and what His holiness and grace drew her out of. As a testimony of her salvation, this book is beautiful and well done. I agreed with all her theological points, something I find all too rarely. Well done, Jackie.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy. A positive review was not required.