Living Out Podcast

'If it makes you happy, it must be right' is a prevalent view in our culture. In this episode, the team critique this assumption. They share honestly some of the pain involved in following Jesus as same-sex attracted Christians and look at why following Jesus' example of costly obedience to God is truly life-giving.They also question whether we're actually good at determining what makes us happy and expose the ways that rejecting God's good design actually leads to greater unhappiness and unfulfillment.Resources mentioned and relatedThe Plausibility Problem Ed ShawThe Plausibility Problem: A Review Steve WardKitchen Floors and Gethsemane Andy RobinsonThe Lesbian Urge to Merge Anne WittonWhy I Won’t Settle for Less Than God’s Best Anne WittonWhere Joy and Grief Meet Anne WittonWhat's Good About Struggling With Same-sex Attraction? Anne Witton 

In this episode we discuss whether our sexualities are something we're born with or whether our childhood development and cultural influences play a part on shaping our desires.We also talk about some of the damage that can be done if we follow all our innate desires, and discuss the doctrine of original sin and what that means for us.  And we point to the goodness of God in helping us understand what's best for us.Resources mentioned and relatedThe Plausibility Problem Ed ShawThe Plausibility Problem: A Review Steve WardWhy Are Some People Same-sex Attracted? Ed ShawBorn This Way. Really? Adam CurtisStubbornness and Same-Sex Attraction Ed ShawLive No Lies John Mark ComerStraight Expectations Julie BindelLisa Diamond research on sexual fluidityOriginal Sin Alan JacobsOh Who Is That Young Sinner A. E. Housman

We continue our exploration of Ed Shaw's book, The Plausibility Problem by looking at what family really means for a Christian. We look at how Jesus defines family and why that's good news for single, celibate people.We also talk about practical steps we can take to live as family and share our lives with one another in a meaningful way.Resources mentioned and relatedThe Plausibility Problem Ed ShawThe Plausibility Problem: A Review Steve WardWhat Does Jesus Teach About Nuclear Family? Andrew BuntSingles Need Family Time Too Andrew BuntWhy I Need My Single Friends Alison BoltonOn Scandalous Housing Arrangements Gregory ColesSharing Life Together Anne WittonThe Dishwasher Test Andrew BuntThe Gospel Comes With a House Key Rosaria Butterfield7 Myths About Singleness Sam Allberry7 Myths About Singleness: A Review Andrew Bunt 

In this series, the team and guests take a tour of Ed Shaw's book, The Plausibility Problem, looking at the misstep he identifies in each chapter. This first episode explores the question of whether our identity is our sexuality.We discuss what part sexuality plays in shaping our identity, how we can find an identity rooted in Christ and how we can balance the reality of our struggles with sin with our status as children of God.Resources mentioned and relatedThe Plausibility Problem Ed ShawThe Plausibility Problem: A Review Steve WardShould I Call Myself Gay? (Questions No One Wants To Answer #2)The Christian Debate Over Sexual Identity: Orientation And Labelling Sam AllberryIt’s Not My Identity, But It Is My Story Anne WittonIs My Sexuality Who I Am? Andrew BuntFinding Your Best Identity Andrew BuntFinding Your Best Identity: A Review Alicia Barwick Meet the Authors #23 - Andrew BuntThe Joy of Pets Anne WittonGentle and Lowly Dane OrtlundDeeper Dane Ortlund

This bonus compilation episode features 13 guests from our second Meet The Authors series answering a series of five questions.They talk about what they'd say to their younger selves, recommend some resources, discuss what churches have done to help them, share what's been good about being same-sex attracted and / or single, and give some top tips for deepening healthy intimacy in friendship.Resources mentionedEmbodied Preston SprinklePeople To Be Loved Preston SprinkleSingle Gay Christian Greg ColesThe Plausibility Problem Ed ShawWhy Does God Care Who I Sleep With? Sam AllberryLonging For Intimacy Amy RiordanLiving In A Gray World Preston SprinkleIs God Anti-Gay? Sam AllberryGay Girl, Good God Jackie Hill PerryWashed and Waiting Wesley HillBreaking The Marriage Idol Kutter CallawayThe Returns Of Love Alex DavidsonPosture ShiftGuiding Families Of LGBT Loved Ones Bill Henson The Life You Never Expected Andrew and Rachel WilsonFinding Your Best Identity Andrew BuntJourney UKWhat Does The Bible Really Teach About Homosexuality? Kevin DeYoungYou can read reviews of many of these resources on the Living Out website here.

Andy shares the biblical hope and truth that keeps him going as a same-sex attracted Christian. He also talks about his experience as a single pastor and how that's uniquely equipped him to support others.In the second half of the show, we explore Andy's writing about exorcism. He explains that the response to Satan’s normal attacks on the believer isn’t exorcism. We need to be alert to spiritual attack whilst being careful that we don't demonise those whose particular battle is gay temptation. We also discuss his blog series on good pastoral support for same-sex attracted Christians and the value of listening and not making assumptions.Resources mentionedExorcism? Andy RobinsonWhat Does Good Pastoral Support Look Like? (Part 1) Andy RobinsonWhat Does Good Pastoral Support Look Like? (Part 2) Andy RobinsonWhat Does Good Pastoral Support Look Like? (Part 3) Andy RobinsonAll Andy's Living Out content Subscribe to the Living Out podcast

Anne shares her story of growing up gay and coming to faith in Christ at university. She talks about what has been good and what has been hard about being a same-sex attracted Christian, and what it is about God that keeps her going.We discuss her writing about what it means to be a truly inclusive church, why it's important that straight allies listen to all LGBT voices and how we can fully support friends in the grief and pain of coming out of a gay relationship.Resources mentionedWhat's Good About Struggling With Same-sex Attraction? Anne WittonWhat Does it Mean to be a Truly Inclusive Church? Anne WittonStraight Allies: Please Listen to All LGBT Voices Anne WittonSupport to Grieve Anne WittonAll Anne's Living Out contentThe Living Out Church Audit

As a single, same-sex attracted man, Stuart shares how he finds his needs for intimacy are met in godly friendships and church community.We also talk about how we can honour God in celibacy and find it emotionally and spiritually satisfying, and we discover what everyone's favourite Christmas carols are.Resources mentioned and relatedTrue Friendship: A Review Stuart FergusonA War of Loves: A Review Stuart FergusonSecurely Single courseJourney UK

In our Christmas special, the team tell their best (or worst) cracker jokes, reveal their favourite Christmas presents and talk about desserts, Christmas traditions and favourite books, TV and films.We also discuss how we can overcome the difficulties of being single at Christmas and cope with sexual temptation and difficult family relationships. And we share the aspect of the Christmas message that gives us most encouragement in our faith.Plus there's a look back at 2022 in stats and a discussion of what we're most looking forward to in 2023.Resources mentionedWhen the Prince Did Come Andy RobinsonDeeper Dane OrtlundWhy We Sleep Matthew WalkerThe Box of Delights BBC TV seriesThe Box of Delights John MasefieldDinner For OneMorecambe and WiseColumbo

Andrew talks about the relevance of 1 Corinthians to our contemporary culture and the importance of grounding sexual ethics in the bigger picture of marriage, the gospel and God's creation plan for human flourishing.We also discuss how to engage with people who disagree with us on sexual ethics and how to teach well on sexuality as a church leader, with the need for it to be rooted in honouring singleness and church as family.Resources mentioned and relatedThe True Sexual Revolution Andrew WilsonSexuality and the Gospel Andrew WilsonThis is About That Ed Shaw1 Corinthians For You Andrew Wilson