Reviewed by: Lexi Aligarbes 

Bibliographic Citation: John Shore, Unfair: Christians and the LGBT Question. Lexington, KY: Unidentified Publisher, 2013. 208 pages. $12.99. ISBN: 9781490365886.

Content Warnings: no inclusion of trans voices.  

Unfair: Christians and the LGBTQ Question, is a timely book of voices from the LGBTQ+ community that brings the often forgotten human experience of queer-identifying people into the current debates of inclusion and affirmation of queer sexualities that are occurring within many Christian churches today. John Shore has compiled a book of letters and personal essays that illuminate how the continued discussions of sexuality have impacted individuals, their faith, their families, and various communities. However, to establish the foundation for the importance of this kind of published work, Shore begins the book by debunking some of the arguments utilized in the exclusion of LGBTQ+ people from the Church and begins to make a case that marginalizing queer sexualities goes against Biblical teachings. Shore argues that there is a false dichotomy between choosing to fully accept and affirm LGTBQ+ individuals and abandoning the Christian faith. Rather, what is needed is a careful reading of the Biblical texts that are so often used against queer individuals, to expose that this is a false choice. Further, this point is supported as Shore brings in the experience of LGBTQ+ people to demonstrate that one can be both queer and Christian. 

The book is divided into three different sections. After a short introduction, where Shore recalls the inspiration for the book, he constructs a brief essay on ten key points that are touched upon in debates about LGBTQ+ inclusion within Christian spaces. Each point that Shore raises is focused on debunking the arguments that perpetuate the notion that one cannot have a queer sexual identity and be a Christian at the same time. Within his short essay, “Taking God at His Word: The Bible and Homosexuality,” Shore spends the majority of his time deconstructing the use of the biblical passages used against LGTBQ+ people, commonly known as the clobber passages. His overarching position states that these clobber passages should be treated similarly to other Biblical texts, wherein reading these texts requires a process of more careful examination and greater contextual nuance than non-affirming readings allow. In terms of a Biblical examination of the debate, Shore argues that the Bible does not give a directive to ostracize individuals; thus, the treatment of members of the LGBTQ+ community within various churches is not Biblically grounded.  

Further, the passages used in the Bible that name homosexuality as sexually immoral are being unfairly applied to homosexual Christians and further are being taken out of context. The context that Shore argues is missing, specifically from the New Testament, are the predatory same-sex practices that were a part of Roman society. In discussing the book of Romans, Shore states that Paul was addressing homosexual activity that generally occurred in forced instances, between individuals of different social standings, that was outside of a committed marriage. He places his interpretation of the text in this category and argues that the Bible does not offer a moral, blanket understanding of sexual morality, especially between two committed same-sex partners. This conclusion is crystalized in the last point of Shore’s brief argumentative discussion that the greatest aspect of Christian faith is the call to love. Thus, the application of clobber passages against the LGBTQ+ community creates and reinforces the exclusion of a vulnerable population that does not model the loving ministry of Jesus.  

Although a discussion about Shore’s position in the debate between the LGBTQ+ community members and Christians is important for framing Shore’s intentions, the overwhelming bulk of the book consists of letters written by queer-identifying people, as well as another substantive section on further reflective essays penned by Shore. These letters have been collected across ages, genders, denominations, and geographical locations. Each letter ranges in the kind of relationship that their author has come to in regard to their faith and sexuality. Some letters conclude with a sense of peace, acceptance, and even celebration of being queer and Christian at the same time. Other letters are written by individuals who have not come to a resolution between their faith and sexual orientation. The diverse stories shared show the various ways people wrestle and hold in tension these identities. However, the common theme throughout all the letters is that the process of reconciling faith and sexuality did not come without feelings of pain and exclusion. These insights are similarly discussed in Shore’s concluding essays and reflections. Yet, to tie back into Shore’s opening points, each final essay that Shore has included comes back to the central theme that to be a queer Christian is not an oxymoron.  

Despite the central focus of the book being powerful queer testimonies, there are several considerations to be stated, especially if one intends to use this book as a teaching resource. In the brief tackling of arguments made against the affirmation of the LGBTQ+ community within church spaces, Shore states that neither the context of the Old Testament nor the context of the New Testament is sufficiently cited when trying to address the issue of sexuality Biblically in this current moment. Further, in his discussion of the few Old Testament passages that are brought forward in arguments against LGBTQ+ affirmation, Shore argues that reading the New Testament completely supersedes and discredits the Hebrew Bible teachings. However, this superseding interpretation of the relationship between the Old Testament and the New Testament is neither an adequate or fair argument as to why the Hebrew Bible passages should not be used to bring harm to queer-identifying individuals.  

Although Shore’s summary of common arguments is helpful in framing the importance of the book, the various testimonies from different queer Christians are more enlightening than his essay. Thus, the greatest merit of the text resides in the many voices of LGBTQ+ individuals who have come or are still working on reconciling their faith and sexuality. However, as intentional as Shore may have been in publishing experiences of queer sexualities, specifically the voices of gay, lesbian, and bisexual identifying persons, there are no transgender testimonies included. Although the title may refer to the LGBTQ question, the stories shared are more so focused on queer sexualities rather than queer gender identities. For these reasons, the surface-level interrogation of the Biblical texts and the still-limited selection of testimonies, this book can be best used as a starting point to frame potential dialogue questions. However, the stories recounted and shared can be an easy way for congregations or study groups to learn a fraction of the queer Christian experience and should not be discredited. 

The strengths of this book are not necessarily reflected in a detailed argument against the dichotomy between queer sexual identities and Christian faith. The accessibility of the book in terms of language and structure makes this an ideal read for many people. Christians who may be exploring their sexuality will be able to find familiar voices and struggles within the text. There are a number of letters written by younger Christians that could be most helpful for adolescents and young adults who find themselves asking questions about their sexuality for the first time. However, this does not exclude an older audience. In fact, the letters that Shore has chosen are powerful testimonies of experiences, some hopeful and others still with unresolved feelings of pain. For individuals who may not have any connection to the LGBTQ+ community, the stories shared can provide a small insight into what it feels like to live a queer embodiment. The approachable written testimonies, as well as the inclusion of biblical interrogation, work together in a way that would make this book a possible resource for an adult or young adult Christian education class. Apart from an introductory setting, this book will not provide the nuances needed for a full discussion about the queer Christian experience.