The New Wine

Welcoming LGBTQIA People to the Wedding of the Lamb

By: Brian Karcher

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

"Break every chain. Break every chain. Break every chain." Those words will forever sing life into my soul. My newfound friend and LGBTQIA ally Tammi belted out this song with such power and majesty at the 2015 Reformation Project Cohort worship service! "There is power in the name of Jesus." Allyson Robinson, a Christian transwoman, preached a heartfelt sermon so moving I felt like the kingdom of God had already come to earth. James Brownson, Kathy Baldock and Matthew Vines each shared their eloquent, thoughtful and Scriptural lessons for how and why to welcome gay people to the church. "There’s an army rising up in the name of Jesus to break every chain, break every chain, break every chain." These are just a few of the amazing memories from my experience as a straight ally worshipping with gay, lesbian and transgender people. I could only stand and affirm: God is in this! For me, the Wedding Banquet is ready and the celebration with people from every race, tribe and gender has already begun. However, the scene is not so wonderful for many parts of the Christian church. For many gender and sexual minorities, the experience of church is much darker. There is conflict, division, pain, and exasperation. Are these marks of Christianity? If we are clothed with such linen, how can we have any claim to be Christ-like? There is a better way. This book attempts to articulate the deeper, more robust gospel truths surrounding the supposed conflict of same-sex marriage and authentic Christian faith.