Exchanging the Truth of God for a Lie

Exchanging the Truth of God for a Lie With over 20 years experience ministering to the gay Christian community, and as a gay man himself, Jeremy Marks is perhaps uniquely qualified to comment on the pastoral and theological issues surrounding homosexuality that vex the Church today. Drawing together his experience, his understanding and the testimonies of some of the numerous men and women he has helped, Jeremy Marks has written this ... Full description

I will begin by saying that I am a straight woman, not a gay man. But in this book I found so much to give me pause for thought, so many moments when I found myself nodding, and saying, "yes, yes, I needed to hear that". It's a wonderful book, full of wisdom and compassion, humility and humour, with messages for anyone who has an open heart and an open mind - messages of hope, of encouragement and of comradeship. Because strangely, that's what I really found in Jeremy's words - a deep sense of comradeship. As someone who has struggled, much less effectively than Jeremy, to find a way to try to live out what I believe was Christ's message, and to try to understand what is, to me, the huge discrepancy between the heart of that message, and, all too often, the teachings of a church dominated by bigotry and arrogance, Jeremy's story gave me hope, inspiration and encouragement. I'd recommend it to anyone. --wren "kt7oz" (Melbourne, Australia)

8 o 8 of 9 people found the following review helpful: An excellent, well written book that needs to be read!, 1 Aug 2008 By Mr. T. P. Cannon - See all my reviews "Exchanging the truth of God for a lie", by Jeremy Marks In this book Jeremy relates his own journey through 20 years of ministry with Courage (UK), a group he founded in February 1988 to offer support for people who experience a conflict between their faith and their sexuality. Initially Courage (UK)'s ministry was based on the theory that a change in sexual orientation could be achieved through prayer and fellowship. Alternatively, acceptance of lifelong celibacy might result. However, Jeremy soon became struck by the failure of this ministry (and others like it) to produce any long-term results that really stood up to scrutiny. Worse, psychological harm or other damaging effects could result. To continue with integrity Jeremy decided he had to change the direction of Courage (UK) to become an affirming ministry supporting people as they are rather than trying to change them. (This controversial decision in 2001 meant the withdrawal of much funding support from evangelical sources.) Jeremy relates with sincerity how he arrived at that conclusion. This is a book written by a man very much on the 'front lines' of this area of ministry, and his words portray not only sensitivity and compassion, but also a great love for the Gospel. Rather than attempt to put down the ministries of others, he always shows respect and Christian love for those who do not agree with him. Whatever your own views on this subject might happen to be, this is a book that is well worth reading. Tim Cannon. 7 of 8 people found the following review helpful: What a book!, 12 Aug 2008 By Mr. Keith C. Ineson (Cheshire, England) - See all my reviews What a book. This is a book that has needed writing for a long time. It has been written with integrity, compassion, spirituality and with the brain firmly in gear. I am sure that I will read it again and again. Long may Jeremy's ministry continue to grow and to provide hope for those who have been marginalised for so long. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews I was greatly moved by this book, and by Jeremy Marks' integrity. Marks raises important questions about attitudes to homosexuality, and the damage done when people are dishonest to themsleves about who they are. Reading it has moved me a lot closer to accepting the need for the Church to acknowledge committed faithful relationships of different sorts. It has also helped me rethink aspects of my own faith. Marks' change of heart came through his struggles to keep seeking God when God seemed not to bless what Marks had thought he had wanted him to do. But whilst his opinions about God's will changed dramatically, he did not lose his faith or his commitment to scripture. Hearing his experiences mi --Tim Cannon.

8 o 8 of 9 people found the following review helpful: An excellent, well written book that needs to be read!, 1 Aug 2008 By Mr. T. P. Cannon - See all my reviews "Exchanging the truth of God for a lie", by Jeremy Marks In this book Jeremy relates his own journey through 20 years of ministry with Courage (UK), a group he founded in February 1988 to offer support for people who experience a conflict between their faith and their sexuality. Initially Courage (UK)'s ministry was based on the theory that a change in sexual orientation could be achieved through prayer and fellowship. Alternatively, acceptance of lifelong celibacy might result. However, Jeremy soon became struck by the failure of this ministry (and others like it) to produce any long-term results that really stood up to scrutiny. Worse, psychological harm or other damaging effects could result. To continue with integrity Jeremy decided he had to change the direction of Courage (UK) to become an affirming ministry supporting people as they are rather than trying to change them. (This controversial decision in 2001 meant the withdrawal of much funding support from evangelical sources.) Jeremy relates with sincerity how he arrived at that conclusion. This is a book written by a man very much on the 'front lines' of this area of ministry, and his words portray not only sensitivity and compassion, but also a great love for the Gospel. Rather than attempt to put down the ministries of others, he always shows respect and Christian love for those who do not agree with him. Whatever your own views on this subject might happen to be, this is a book that is well worth reading. Tim Cannon. 7 of 8 people found the following review helpful: What a book!, 12 Aug 2008 By Mr. Keith C. Ineson (Cheshire, England) - See all my reviews What a book. This is a book that has needed writing for a long time. It has been written with integrity, compassion, spirituality and with the brain firmly in gear. I am sure that I will read it again and again. Long may Jeremy's ministry continue to grow and to provide hope for those who have been marginalised for so long. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews I was greatly moved by this book, and by Jeremy Marks' integrity. Marks raises important questions about attitudes to homosexuality, and the damage done when people are dishonest to themsleves about who they are. Reading it has moved me a lot closer to accepting the need for the Church to acknowledge committed faithful relationships of different sorts. It has also helped me rethink aspects of my own faith. Marks' change of heart came through his struggles to keep seeking God when God seemed not to bless what Marks had thought he had wanted him to do. But whilst his opinions about God's will changed dramatically, he did not lose his faith or his commitment to scripture. Hearing his experiences might help many Christians who need greater confidence of finding God in, and learning from, that which in human terms is not successful. Jeremy Marks (and his wife, Bren) have been very generous in sharing their story in this way. I hope it will make a difference to many who struggle in and with their faith. I hope it might also make a difference to the way we welcome all sorts of people into the Church. --Ms. J. H. Clare (England)

In this book Jeremy relates his own journey through 20 years of ministry with Courage (UK), a group he founded in February 1988 to offer support for people who experience a conflict between their faith and their sexuality. Initially Courage (UK)'s ministry was based on the theory that a change in sexual orientation could be achieved through prayer and fellowship. Alternatively, acceptance of lifelong celibacy might result. However, Jeremy soon became struck by the failure of this ministry (and others like it) to produce any long-term results that really stood up to scrutiny. Worse, psychological harm or other damaging effects could result. To continue with integrity Jeremy decided he had to change the direction of Courage (UK) to become an affirming ministry supporting people as they are rather than trying to change them. (This controversial decision in 2001 meant the withdrawal of much funding support from evangelical sources.) Jeremy relates with sincerity how he arrived at that conclusion. This is a book written by a man very much on the 'front lines' of this area of ministry, and his words portray not only sensitivity and compassion, but also a great love for the Gospel. Rather than attempt to put down the ministries of others, he always shows respect and Christian love for those who do not agree with him. Whatever your own views on this subject might happen to be, this is a book that is well worth reading. --Tim Cannon.