Vaughan Roberts is offering compassionate biblical wisdom on sexuality

On a topic often addressed without compassion, Vaughan Roberts offers a great deal, without compromise. His short book, Full of Grace and Truth (10Publishing) is largely drawn from his address to the Fourth Lausanne Congress in South Korea. It offers a clear, refreshing and thoughtful treatment of the gospel and sexuality in the global Church, and true to its title, it is both gracious and honest.

The content is rich, but not laborious to read, and time can be taken to mull over the deep revelations. Though it is short, it packs a punch. Roberts’ talk provides a reliable response to questions about sexuality that neither strays from the Bible’s words, nor ignores the lived reality of hundreds and thousands of people in the world today. For those curious about Christianity and its teachings on the topic, it is a faithful reflection and points to the gospel.

Because the talk was given at the Lausanne Congress which gathered some 5,000 leaders from more than 200 countries, the book is relevant for global readers, with Roberts acknowledging both the West and other parts of the world.

The book is just about 50 pages, but the content is significant. For such a widely-debated topic, Roberts’ few words carry much weight. Divided into three sections, the talk speaks to the human condition. It highlights that the question of sexuality isn’t an isolated issue, solved by a few sporadic scriptures, but it relates to the whole of biblical theology, and particularly its three essential themes: Creation, Fall and Redemption.

Under these three headings, he draws three main points: God’s design for sex and marriage, how awareness of the impact of the fall should make Christians humble and compassionate and how Christ’s saving work changes everything. A full understanding of these three points leads to a healthy gospel response to sexuality in the global church, which is principally to, says Roberts: “respond with Christ: Christ’s teaching (he affirmed God’s creation order), Christ’s example (he showed amazing love to sinners) and Christ’s welcome (he invited all to come to him in repentance and faith).”

Ultimately the solution is less about embracing morality and more about embracing Christ. Of his own experience of becoming a Christian, he writes: “it was not that I was gripped and excited by Christian morality. No! I was gripped and excited by Christ.”

Roberts shares his own experience of same-sex attraction

Many do not understand how the two can co-exist, but he states clearly the reality of it, referencing other Christians he has heard from over the years. He also mentions the deep pain many such people have experienced, through isolation, shame, identity battles, and the challenge of being faithful to Christ in this area. These insights open the eyes of the Christian who believes that issues with sex and gender only exist outside the Church, and that the only response to keep it ‘untainted’ is to condemn and exclude. This is a self-righteous attitude, and Roberts warns against it in the earlier section about the Fall, because all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory, in every area, including sex. ”If we know our own hearts,” he says, ”we dare not look down self-righteously on others, perhaps especially those who identify as LGBTQ+.” He points out that it isn’t a case of ‘us’ and ‘them’. Many people experiencing all kinds of sexual realities and brokenness are a part of ‘us’, belonging to church congregations and small groups, seeking to walk faithfully with God.

The book is clear and practical. Roberts’ time spent carefully considering his words, studying the Word, communing with Christ and experiencing real life with the other brothers and sisters in the faith has resulted in a book that is sensitive and helpful on a number of levels. It points us outwards to compassion for others, reminding us to see every other human, whatever their sexual orientation, as God’s creation and someone to be loved, not judged or treated as an issue. It reminds us that Christ died for everyone too, and our task is to offer this good news to all. It points us inwards to a humble view of ourselves, reminding us that we are all sinful and sexually broken, and must not look down at others. It reminds us that even in our sin, we are deeply loved and Christ has redeemed us.

And most importantly, it points us upwards to God. It reminds us of God’s perfect plan and design for creation in sex, marriage and life. It reminds us of Christ’s saving and redemptive work for us all, and of the Holy Spirit’s power to transform and draw us closer to Christ while we live in this fallen world.

Full of Grace and Truth: The gospel and sexuality in the global church  (10 Publishing) by Vaughn Roberts is out now