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BOOK REVIEW: "Exchanging the Truth of God for a Lie: One Man's Spiritual Journey to Find the Truth about Homosexuality and Same- Sex Relationships" by Jeremy Marks

By Alex Haiken
September 4, 2008

I just finished Jeremy Marks' new book 'Exchanging the Truth of God for a Lie: One Man's Spiritual Journey to Find the Truth about Homosexuality and Same-Sex Relationships' and highly recommend it to you. Though a small book, it is a treasure trove of the rich insights Jeremy has gained from his unique journey.

I've always known Jeremy to be a brilliant, kind, courageous and humble man with a high regard for Scripture and a true pastor's heart. But these attributes and more come across in spades as he recounts the evolution of 'Courage UK' -- initially founded as an Exodus-based 'ex-gay' ministry devoted to helping gay people "overcome" their homosexual orientation -- to its transformation 12 years later, and current status, as a Christian ministry where gay people can integrate their Christian faith and sexuality
and grow towards Christian maturity.

He takes his readers through his discovery that "the long-term consequences for many who took part in our discipleship programs were pretty depressing, near disastrous for some." This turned him back to God in prayer with seriousness and a level of urgency he had never experienced before; he sought God in a new and deeper way.

Unlike so many others, Jeremy knew he could not with integrity continue to proclaim the message of "healing" and "change" if God was not supporting it. Instead, he discovered, God was requiring a marked change of attitude, outlook and policy. As Jesus noted, new wine needs new wineskins (Matthew 9:17) and so Jeremy sought God for a biblically credible and creative way forward.

Jeremy shares his gradual discovery that attempting to change one's innate orientation is an "intoxicating fantasy." He became increasingly aware that 'ex-gay' ministries "were too afraid to assess honestly the fruit of their work and admit their staggering level of failure" and that "the semantics of the Exodus message have been regularly massaged to respond to each new wave of criticism." It never occurred to Jeremy in those early years "that our reading of Scripture was profoundly colored by our own cultural context and world view."

As one might imagine, his change of attitude and policy stirred huge controversy and Jeremy has paid forit dearly in loss of reputation and income. But he notes that in stark contrast to those trying to overcome their homosexuality, the gay Christians who embraced the possibility of a same-sex monogamous relationship greatly benefited. When people come to terms with who they are and are able to enjoy, or at least pursue, a committed relationship of mutual love, profound healing can occur. Jeremy observes, "This is far more effective than any ministry process I know of."

Jeremy also discovered that "to live as a man of God and as a follower of Christ means above all to live with personal integrity." He asks, "How can we begin to know the truth of God if we deny what intuitively and practically we know to be true of ourselves?"

The traditional interpretation of the "clobber passages" began to crumble like a house of cards for Jeremy as he realized there is a very wide spectrum of human experience between the extreme situation that Paul describes in Romans 1:18-32, depicting those who have turned their backs on God and resort to a depraved lifestyle, and those at the other end of the spectrum, who have turned to God and seek after Him with all their heart.

The book also has a foreword by Roy Clements.

To order a copy of the book, click here to download an order form. Orders may be placed by fax, e-mail or regular mail.

Evangelicals Concerned (EC) is a safe place for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Christians to reconcile and integrate their faith and sexuality. As a non-denominational community, EC encourages spiritual growth for anyone on their journey of faith through conferences, local groups, bible studies, and educational resources.

Read more on our fellowship in About Us.