Bulletproof Faith

Bulletproof Faith: A Spiritual Survival Guide for Gay and Lesbian Christians has been named one of the best spiritual books of 2008 by Spirituality and Practice.

Check out the full list here.

Here’s a link to their earlier review of the book and a link to an excerpt they posted.

This is a nice little Christmas present! Thanks to the folks at Spirituality and Practice for this honor!

Carl McColman over at Anamchara has given Bulletproof Faith a thumbs up.

Here’s an excerpt:

I am writing this review of Bulletproof Faith as a heterosexually-married Christian, and I am speaking to the majority of Christians who do not identify as gay (for those gay and lesbian Christians who happen read this review, I trust you do not need my encouragement to buy and read this book). I think every Christian needs to read this book. I say this because I believe most “straight” Christians have no idea how much suffering their gay and lesbian friends and relatives suffer as they try to make their way in a faith that all too often is explicitly hostile to their very being.

Read the full review here.

Kathy Belge at About.com’s Lesbian Life section has posted an interview with me in two parts.

Part one is about the book.

Part two is on surviving the holidays.

Whew! What a day!

Wow, two great reviews in one day!

A friend once accused me of being a “piss-poor feminist” so I’m glad to get a good review from Feminist Review.

Here’s an excerpt:

Bulletproof Faith is an easy read, a loving read, actually. It is as much of a protective shield—coating the reader with images of a mysterious and perfect Creator—as it is an empowering how-to guide for healing from miscommunication, hate, and self-doubt. Chellew-Hodge’s work exudes confident and practical steps for those silenced and marginalized because of their sexual identity. She tackles how language is used to dehumanize the lives of the GLBTQ population, facing those who hate you, and the art of “surrendering” for true strength and peace. Chellew-Hodlge consistently advocates for trust, self-worth, and patience.

Read the whole piece here.

The folks at the United Church of Christ News bureau has written a very nice review of Bulletproof Faith. Check it out here:

Here’s an excerpt:

With much practical first-hand experience, recommended spiritual disciples and end-of-chapter spiritual survival tips, “Bulletproof Faith” entices readers beyond the verse quoting mentality of interpretive defense and toward cultivation of a positive – faith and experience based – proposition of GLBT rights.

“Bulletproof Faith” will not replace the many fine books aimed at biblical defense of GLBT issues. That isn’t its goal. Yet, it contains a good introduction to the biblical texts and provides enough information for those who want to given an answer, and a starting point for dialog, to those who question their backing of GLBT rights from a perspective of faith.

Check out the full review here.

Bill Tammeus of the Kansas City Star has reviewed Bulletproof Faith in his “Faith Matters” blog.

Here’s what he says:

* Bulletproof Faith: A Spiritual Survival Guide for Gay and Lesbian Christians, by Candace Chellew-Hodge. Nearly everyone knows that traditional Christianity has condemned homosexuality. Many of us would argue this has happened for bogus reasons related to a misreading of scripture. But clearly many gays and lesbians have felt themselves to be the target of hate and disgust. The author, a pastor in the United Church of Christ (one of the few denominations that will ordain gays and lesbians as clergy), offers ideas here that will help gay and lesbian Christians remain faithful and to stand their ground against this destructive prejudice.

He reviews a bunch of other great books as well, so check out the whole post.

Jerry Maneker has reviewed Bulletproof Faith over at his blog, and he likes it!

Here’s an excerpt:

Fortunately, this book that is one of a kind gives concrete methods by which GLBT people can both contend with personal and institutionalized homophobia and also lead happy lives while so doing! Rev. Chellew-Hodge uses her own considerable experiences, other eclectic sources, and her keen insights that puts into a healthy perspective essential psychological and spiritual coping mechanisms that is a breath of fresh air in dealing with the sufferings, heartbreaks, and anxieties attendant upon attacks by those who seek to both demean and distort both the Bible and the reality of GLBT people’s sexuality and very lives.

But wait, there’s more! Go read the whole thing!

The blog Religion Spiritual Book Recommendations has given Bulletproof Faith a thumbs up.

Go here to read it!

The Web site Spirituality and Practice has posted a great review of Bulletproof Faith on their Web site.

Here is an excerpt:

In this sane and spirited paperback, Chellew-Hodge presents a thoughtful and practical survival guide for those who are constantly under assault in a homophobic culture. To make it through, she advises, one needs to have a “bulletproof faith.” We know that we are in the good hands of a caring and compassionate Christian when she states in her acknowledgements: “To all my ‘enemies’ who condemn me, argue with me, and challenge me to delve deeper into my relationship with God and to develop a bulletproof faith I say, this book would have been impossible without you.”

Read the full review along with an excerpt over at their site.

The Free Times in Columbia, SC, has published an article on my new book, Bulletproof Faith.

Here’s an excerpt:

In her book, Chellew-Hodge outlines what she calls “spiritual self-defense.” She says it is important to discuss spirituality, but no one should feel the obligation to suffer insults, what she calls “verbal hit-and-runs.”

“We must be able to discern between the well-meaning person who hasn’t yet been educated in how to speak to us lovingly and the hateful bigot who doesn’t care about speaking lovingly,” she says.

She has gained a lot of practice in knowing one from the other. In 1996, Chellew-Hodge founded Whosoever, an online magazine for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Christians. She has been getting a lot of mail ever since. Some letters have been sent with genuine care and concern. Others have been sent with death threats.

Check the full article out here.