Andrew Goddard and Don Horrocks (eds)

• Evangelical Alliance, 2012
• £7.00 Pb 144pp
• ISBN 9780957244801

This very useful resource is an update of the EA's 1998 report Faith Hope and Homosexuality (FHH). It will be of value to CMF members as well as the target audience of church leaders, not least for its extensive bibliography (which includes CMF publications). It aims to provide a contemporary theological and sociological commentary on ten affirmations restated from the original twelve of FHH. The final half of the book comprises nine case scenarios, all illustrating graphically the practical issues arising from the tensions between the affirmations, encouraging 'evangelical congregations to welcome and accept sexually active lesbians and gay men' and stating the belief that 'both habitual homosexual activity without repentance and public promotion of such activity are inconsistent with church membership' (p103).

One of the case discussions is on Oliver and William, a gay couple in a civil partnership, who have an adopted handicapped child. Oliver has recently made a profession of faith and the couple want to have a dedication service for their child. The book does not duck the issue on advising how the authors believe a church leader should respond.

Trevor Stammers is Programme Director in Bioethics and Medical Law, St Mary's University College, London.