An Excellent Resource for Christian and LGBT People
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Stranger Gate is one of the most inspirational books I have ever read, written with eloquence, conviction and an unerring sense of God's love and justice: Mel White is to be highly commended for this book. It is little wonder that Jerry Falwell, and the like, valued him as a 'Ghost-writer' in pursuit of their ministries. White, once one of the greatest allies of the Christian-right, and now an advesary seeking justice-in-love through Soulforce has written a book that everyone should read. It matters not if you are Christian, Gay, Straight, Bisexual, White, Black, or whatever, read this book. It tells a tragic but brilliantly written story of a man who lived a lie for years as writer, broadcaster and minister, who one day had to live the life that God had intended. In this book White traces his rise to fame in the Christian fundementalism in which he had been raised and for many years lived. The terrifying aspect of this journey is that zeal and conviction that is shown by all concerned: Falwell genuinely believes that he is doing God's will, as did, at one time, White also believe. Principally autobiographical, "Stranger at the Gate" is the story of the perfect family whose image was changed by circumstance that had brough Mel White to a life that had in part a lie that denied part of his fundamental identity: he was a gay-man married to a woman. Through his journey he explores the harrowing memories of counselling, and prayer warriors; his writing is moving and inspirational. The message is clear: this must not happen to anyone else.
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Jesus loves me this I know...
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For the 2nd night now, in maybe 15 years, I went to bed happy. Happy in who I was. Happy in God's acceptance and love for me. Thanks Mel for your book, your graphic and personal account of your life & that it is quite similar to mine (sadly). I only wish the book had some info for people outside the USA. Maybe next time?
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An awesome guide to fight the so-called religious leaders
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I love this book and it changed my life. From this book you'll learn that the Bible has been mistranslated and misused to attack different types of people throughout the century. Now the so-called regious leaders just love to focus on misusing the Bible to condemn the homosexuals because they fear that the truth, the light will eventually shine into their darkness. This book declares that it's time to fight back with the truth.
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A gripping real- life story with a vital message.
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I first became aware of this book via Philip Yancey's "What's So Amazing About Grace", in which he devotes a chapter to his friendship with Mel and the issues arising from that. Since several close Christian friends of mine have, over the last few years, revealed their homosexual orientation to me I have taken deep interest in the issue of homosexuality and also of the attitude of the church towards gay men and women. You can probably well believe me when I say that it has been almost impossible to find any CHristian viewpoint on the matter that does not take one of the two most extreme views - either that all aspects of homosexuality and homosexual behaviour should be accepted and that the classic Biblical texts have just been misinterpreted - or that every homosexual is an evil harbringer of doom to our depraved generation! Where has the objectivity gone?! Mel's story is by far the clearest and easiest to relate to of any that I have read from the "acceptance" side of the debate. I would strongly recommend that anyone with an honest desire to get to grips with the issue should read this book. It helped me to understand more fully the tremendous torment involved in growing up in a largely heterosexual world with a homosexual orientation - I identified with his struggles, since I have struggled with similar situations and issues in a heterosexual context. It is the first time that I have really been able to identify with and understand someone telling the story of their homosexuality. Even when speaking openly with my friends I found it difficult to understand their struggles properly. I would also recommend "Straight and Narrow?" by Thomas E. Schmidt for a compassionate look at homosexuality and evangelical Christianity from a more scholarly viewpoint - although he refers the stories of a number of friends and acquaintances, which helps keep it from being too detached.
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Tells the reader God loves the homosexual, too!
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A remarkable gentleman of God, stuggling with his identity. This man was a sermon writer for the big guys like Pat Roberston, Billy Graham, etc. Once Mel White realized he was living a lie about his identity, he shared lovingly the truth to his peers about his homosexuality. Unfortunately his peers were not as loving as he thought they would be. He was immediately rejected by the big guys too! His family, children and wife, dealt with his homosexuality but the fundamentalist that were his peer group wanted to pray for God to change that identity! What a poweful force! Reve Mel White inspires me. I have even heard him speak and he is awesome. Truly a man God would say "This is my son too!
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