Gay Bishop Speaks on Faith

Listen to my interview with Gene Robinson on www.KZUM.org, Saturday, May 16,  8-9 am Central.  (also available on iPhone)

Gene Robinson, In the Eye of the Storm: Swept to the Center by God

Gene Robinson came into the national – and indeed world-wide – spotlight when he was elected bishop by the Episcopal diocese of New Hampshire.  What made this action of a small, rural diocese noteworthy was the fact that Robinson is openly gay and partnered.  So he was caught up into the storm of controversy that was already howling in the global Anglican Communion. 

I read his book initially because of the media attention, because of the controversy.  I was surprised to find within its pages a witness of great depth.  Here is the faith testimony of a man who describes himself as “a simple country bishop and human being in training,” and who speand every Christmas Eve with the inmates of a women’s prison in New Hampshire.

Robinson begins by acknowledging “the elephant in the room,” addressing right off the question of homosexuality and the church.  He examines Biblical teachings about sexuality, understandings of marriage that have changed over the centuries and a theology of sexuality, marriage and morality thoroughly shaped by his life in the Episcopal Church.  Robinson challenges our society’s highly sexualized marketplace, and points to the Biblical teaching that sexuality is a good gift of God.  He upholds marriage as a sacred covenant, and demonstrates how that covenant can include faithful commitments of same-sex partners.

Robinson then turns to a summary of the Christian faith and life, outlining the Episcopal Church’s approach to evaluating faith and theology:  Scripture, tradition and reason.  If this sounds familiar to United Methodist readers, remember that both John and Charles Wesley were Anglican priests.

Along the way Robinson states his belief in the Resurrection and the power of Christ to overcome sin, death and fear.  He speaks powerfully of forgiveness, vocation, evangelism and trust.

Robinson writes to those outside the church to invite them in and to us within the church, challenging us to reach beyond our safe, comfortable religion to offer Christ to others.  He addresses politics, the AIDS epidemic, and internal discussions in his own Anglican Communion with compassion and grace, often relating poignat stories from his experience as a pastor. Indeed, as one might expect, his chapters often read like sermons arising from the soul of a pastor who speaks from his heart and cares deeply for his people.

After reading the book, I had the opportunity for an extended visit with Bishop Robinson.  The man I experienced in conversation, like the one I encountered on the page, was genuine and gracious, humble and eager to listen, even though I thought I was the one asking the questions.

I commend In the Eye of the Storm to readers, whatever their position on the issues he addresses, for I am convinced that by listening to each other’s stories we can hear Holy Spirit speaking to us today.