John Neil Alexander - Bishop of Atlanta
| |  |
This Far By Grace: A Bishop's Journey Through Questions About Homosexuality
This book is available for purchase online from
Cowley Publications. (Paperback 85 pages)
and on CD read by Bishop Alexander from the
Episcopal Media Center (Audio Book. Compact Disc. 4 hours.)
In this thoughtful and timely book, Bishop Alexander explores his journey through the theological, scriptural, and pastoral aspects of the questions surrounding homosexuality and the Christian faith. Writing in the weeks after the General Convention of the Episcopal Church approved the appointment of the church's first openly gay bishop, Bishop Alexander offers a personal view of his changing outlook -- from exclusion to acceptance -- on this important issue. He also offers thought-provoking perspectives on scripture and tradition.
Editorial Reviews
Professor Peter J. Gomes, Harvard University
"There could not be a more timely or useful book than this for a church in turmoil."
R. Alan Kimbrough, Dayton, Ohio
The Living Church – February 22, 2004
The Rt. Rev. J. Neil Alexander, Bishop of Atlanta, calls this work an autobiographical story. Fortunately, his voices as accomplished scholar, teacher, and pastor surface intermittently as well in his highly readable personal reflections on homosexuality, written after the 2003 General Convention.
Having served on a sometimes contentious diocesan sexuality task force in 2001-02, I found Bishop Alexander’s reflections reassuring: firmly grounded in scripture and prayer, wide ranging, undogmatic, and refreshingly focused on what holds us together in “pragmatic Episcopal life” (prayer, scripture, sacraments, fellowship and service) and nurtures our growth in grace, faith, and love, despite our differences and despite the widely disparate places where we find ourselves in our inescapably individual journeys.
Bishop Alexander’s reflections should prove a valuable resource for Episcopalians committed to continuing conversations on homosexuality that can foster honesty, healing, and health in the Church.
Reviewer: R. E. Van Keuren "Bob Van Keuren" (Atlanta GA USA)
Bishop Alexander is a gifted theologian and pastor and he is also my diocesan bishop here in Atlanta, and I know him as a good and decent man. For that reason I would be expected to read his book on this most important subject. I am gratified to be able to say this short book is one of the most cogent and well-reasoned I have ever read on the subject of gays and lesbians and the place they should have in the Church. Some might assume that since Bishop Alexander voted to confirm Bishop Gene Robinson of New Hampshire that he must be a "liberal" and that's that. As This Far By Grace indicates, his current position that gay people and their relationships can indeed be channels of grace is one he came to gradually and over time.... It could be read by itself, or in combination with "To Set Our Hope On Christ," the US Episcopal Church's theological justification for ordination of gays to holy orders and for placing positive value on gay relationships. Together they set forth a strong case that justice for gays and lesbians is indeed what the Spirit is now saying to the Church.
