Review of Kevin DeYoung’s What does the Bible really teach about homosexuality?

Abstract

In his book, “What does the Bible really teach about homosexuality?” theologian Kevin DeYoung compares his own conservative biblical hermeneutics to those of contemporary revisionists as it relates to homosexuality throughout the Bible in the following: Sodom and Gomorrah, Leviticus and the Mosaic Law – covenant, Romans 1:18-27, 1 Corinthians 6 and 1 Timothy 1. In understanding these passages in the Bible, DeYoung concludes that homosexuality is immoral behavior, and that marriage should only be between one man and one woman. This contrasts with revisionists who argue that the homosexuality mentioned in the Bible was not the same as current same-sex relationships in committed contexts. The book is composed of two main parts. Although the book is written by a theologian, it is easy to read even in part 1 where DeYoung discusses his own biblical hermeneutics in simplest terms. Part 2 is objection handling which he does with graceful rebuttal. His conclusion is not about slamming those who might disagree with him (conservative vs. progressive), but rather exchanging potential discourse with grace while considering exegetical, historical, and theological conclusions. DeYoung includes an annotated bibliography of resources that are representative of his view, written in introductory, intermediate, and advanced levels.