By Michael Coren, Dundurn Press, 2021. The author was born in Britain to a Jewish household, he became an evangelist and a Catholic. He moved to Canada, publishing and broadcasting on religion, favoured by the establishment, but then he began to see familiar sources in a different light. He doesn’t talk much about his change of heart, which once proclaimed resulted in his income streams being cut. He focuses on how Jesus challenged the orthodoxy of his age, he advocates that he would be the same today, railing against the perversion of his teachings. Jesus advocates universal love for all mankind, not just those causes that are convenient to adopt. That taken seriously Jesus’s teachings are revolutionary and transforming. That would probably get him killed (my thought). Coren is currently an Anglican deacon in Canada.
Overview
Coren’s ideas flow, they read as though he is presenting them to you in conversation, the book is short, full of discussion on the contextual relevance of sources favoured by Christian apologists. He is particularly forthright in identifying and criticising political movements and individuals (D Trump) who claim to uphold traditional laws or morals. He is adept at using the same sources, such as the Old Testament, to point out the selective nature of conservative arguments. That if a reference is made against same sex liaisons, shouldn’t the accompanying material be equally applicable. One such example is worthy of highlighting, see below.
Content
The book consists of only four chapters
1.Church, Community, the Divide and the Debate
2.Jesus Hates Commies – only according to conservative institutions who are against socialist values, in this respect he reflects the stance espoused by North American populations. Coren advocates Jesus would be appalled at the gap between the haves and have nots!
3.God made people Gay. he didn’t make them Gay hating. For me this was the most outstandingly constructed and compulsive part of the book. He outlines the traditional arguments with their biblical sources. By applying contextual criticism he reveals how these viewpoints should be heavily diluted in their intensity and be wary of their universal application throughout time and place. He adds the wisdom of Jesus to the counter narrative, highlighting that Jesus could, but never directly explores the issue. Interestingly, he illustrates two Old Testament stories that could be open to new interpretations concerning David & Saul, who loved each other beyond that of a man for a woman, along with the unusual relationship between Ruth and Naomi. Additionally, the healing of a Roman Centurions servant (slave) can be viewed with a new filter when practices between owners and their slaves is understood.
4.Life begins at …….Being really, really angry about Abortion. In this more than the previous chapters it is easy to understand how Coren’s previous audiences and supporters were shaken by his apparent 180 degree turn in ‘their’ estimation. It is worth stressing here that as in previous chapters, Coren’s interest is in humanising the debate, he readily recognises those who are contributing, he merely tags on his supplementary observations, the topic is under the spotlight, it’s not about him.
Conclusion
The value of Coren’s book lies in the arguments he makes in supporting LGBT and women’s rights against historical biblical assertions. Equally he questions the relevance of governments and populations who believe they are Christian. It isn’t necessary to believe in Christ to obtain value from his book, anyone who is knowledgeable or serious about following ‘The Way’ revealed by Jesus will lament how his admonitions are misrepresented. Coren is concerned that Christianity through it’s representation by political groups is fast making it irrelevant. I found his work to be a rallying call to defend Jesus from those who misappropriate him. I’m still trying to find ways to make that happen.
Excerpt
Leviticus 18:22 “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination”. There are various hermeneutic explorations to be made over this translation and contextual considerations. Additionally, I would ask, why wasn’t homosexuality part of the ten commandments, along with abortion, as there isn’t anything recent about either of them. If God can mention stealing, telling lies and coveting another’s goods, then surely the severity currently attributed to the contentious issues above would be worthy of mention? Also, shouldn’t God have said something about the issue of slavery, why wasn’t it considered as heinous historically? Herein lies one of Coren’s contentions over context. If conservative Christians are hot on homosexuality then shouldn’t they be equally serious about the simultaneous requirements of Leviticus. Coren highlights a letter drafted to a conservative talk show host who argues against gay rights on Old Testament rounds.
Dear Laura with reference to Lev 18:22 I refer to it, to simply remind anyone who tries to defend a homosexual lifestyle. However, reading other elements of God’s laws from the same source can you advise me on how to follow them.
Lev 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighbouring nations, a friend of mine claims this applies to Mexicans but not Canadians, Can you clarify why I can’t own Canadians?
Ex 21:7 I would like to sell my daughter into slavery. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price?
Lev 15:19-24 I know that I am not allowed contact with a woman while she is menstruating. The problem is how do I tell. I have tried asking, but most women take offence.
Lev 1:9 When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odour for The Lord – Problem is my neighbours, they are not pleased by it. Should I smite them?
Lev 11:6-8 says by touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, is it ok if I wear gloves playing football?
There are more of these but why spoil the book for you!
On a serious note, a more recent source in the New Testament forbids divorce, I mention it as it might be worth bringing up in any discussion on Gays, because if the opposing person has been divorced, committed adultery or fornicated perhaps it may disqualify them from the argument on the grounds that they might want to take the beam out of their eye before tackling someone elses mote. I believe Jesus offered some words of wisdom on the subject of judging others whilst drawing in the sand.