Jackie Hill Perry wrote the book for Christians looking for ways to understand and love the gay community. Also, ‘Gay Girl, Good God‘ was written to encourage believers who are attracted to the same sex. Finally, Jackie Hill wanted to address the misconception that salvation for a gay person meant an instant change to heterosexuality.
When Jackie Hill was born, the inhabitants of St. Louis were not very open to sexual liberation. For this reason, the author’s lifestyle was exposed to judgment by society and even the Church.
Publication History
‘Gay Girl, Good God’ was published during the contemporary period. After writing for various Christian ministry organizations, Jackie Hill Perry released her book ‘Gay Girl, Good God’ on September 3, 2018. Before she wrote this autobiographical book, she was famous for her spoken word presentation of literary works that include: ‘A Poem About Weed,’ ‘Jig-a-Boo,’ and ‘My Life as a Stud’ at the Passion 4 Christ Movement. She is also known as a hip-hop artist and a poet.
This compelling book that made use of powerful imagery to pass the message of God’s love continues to receive criticism from the LGBT community. Although Jackie’s views have Biblical verses that back them up, her work is termed “misleading and flawed.” ‘Gay Girl, Good God’ intends to appeal to people who were in search of wholeness. Published by Ben Publishing Group, it preaches the good news of Jesus Christ.
Jackie Hill Perry’s Context
Also, the author of ‘Holier Than Thou’ and the Bible Study Book titled ‘Jude,’ Jackie Hill, creates literary pieces that attract Christians who thirst for a better relationship with the Lord. As a talented rapper and teacher, Jackie Hill Perry chose to write ‘Gay Girl, Good God ‘ because she believes testimonies are not to be kept. In her opinion, when God snatches one from a bad situation, He is expecting credit. This is so that more people will learn to trust in Him.
‘Gay Girl, Good God ‘ was the first of Jackie Hill’s books to be published and was written out of love for the gay community. It is important to note that while Jackie’s intentions were good, she did not expect every reader to embrace her opinions. She expected to have readers who find it impossible to refer to homosexuality as a thing of the past. Hence, after ‘Gay Girl, Good God ‘ was published, Jackie looked forward to being criticized.
Personally, however, she declares that homosexuality is an immovable identity only when the heart is unwilling to bow. Jackie Hill holds opinions that are seen as counterculture but encourage the commandments of the Lord. She also warns against confusing ‘Gay Girl, Good God ‘ with the scriptures themselves. The book is a telling of her story that was impacted by the scriptures.
Jackie is desperate to have the LGBT community know God. Also, her love for the Church makes her desperate to have the Church show people the way God is, not the way they want or expect him to be. To her, being gay is not a sin. What is sinful is to engage in homosexuality. A Christian who has been identified as gay is to remain single and not date based on their sexual preference.
Cultural Context
Although homosexuality is becoming increasingly popular in the world today, a lot of people are not yet receptive to it. Jackie Hill explains in an interview that in the same way, an average little girl may have affection toward little boys, she felt that attraction for both boys and girls at a young age. At 19, she understood that being born again meant she had to set aside all her worldly pleasures. Even though God was mainly interested in her heart being for Him, her sexuality was an aspect He also wanted to touch.
With the publishing of this book, Jackie intends to extract empathy and patience from the Church. Not patience that accepts sin, but one that understands the struggle of being sexually attracted to the same sex. Jackie says that despite being hard for heterosexual Christians to relate to the fight against homosexuality, they all can understand the struggle against any form of worldly pleasure.
The author finally warns against preaching the “heterosexual gospel.” In place of that, those who struggle to follow Christ should be encouraged because Jesus did not die only to save sinners but to keep the saints. ‘Gay Girl, Good God ‘ shares the life experience of Jackie Hill that improves from chasing her desire for women to laying down those desires to pursue God.
Legacy
‘Gay Girl, Good God’ meets a need in the LGBT community. People who need to hear the gospel of Christ from someone who relates to their sexual orientation are drawn to the book. It is also a unique story that helps the Church love and understands people who are sexually and emotionally attracted to the same sex. Making use of themes that are courageously written and speak on the grace of God, salvation, and faith, Jackie is able to appeal to the reader’s yearning heart.
FAQS
Is ‘Gay Girl, Good God’ a work of fiction?
No, it is not. It is an autobiographical book about Jackie Hill Perry. In the book, the author gives a short, but expressive account of her life. The reader is taken through Jackie’s life activities first as a sinner, then as a believer. The struggles with sin, identity, and faith in God are highlighted in this book.
What is the major argument against ‘Gay Girl, Good God’?
The major argument against this book is that sexuality is God-given, so being gay or engaging in homosexuality is not a sin. Although ‘Gay Girl, Good God’ does not criticize people attracted to the same sex, it boldly states that engaging in any same-sex relationship is a sin. Jackie Hill Perry expects Christians who are gay to remain single.
Was ‘Gay Girl, Good God‘ written to change people’s sexual orientation?
No, it was not. Jackie Hill Perry wrote the book to Christians looking for ways to understand and love the gay community. Also, ‘Gay Girl, Good God’ was written to encourage believers who are attracted to the same sex. Finally, Jackie Hill wanted to address the misconception that salvation for a gay person meant instant change to heterosexuality.
What is the Legacy of ‘Gay Girl, Good God’?
Jackie Hill Perry’s ‘Gay Girl, Good God’ meets a need in the LGBT community. Gay Christians are drawn to this book because of how much the author’s experiences are relatable. Jackie Hill Perry is able to appeal to the reader’s yearning heart with her views about Christianity, love, salvation, and faith.
What is Jackie Hill Perry’s view on homosexuality?
Jackie Hill Perry believes that homosexuality is an immovable identity only when the heart is unwilling to bow. Although she does not judge gay Christians, she does not support engaging in same-sex relationships. She believes that when a life is submitted to God, He will touch every aspect of that life. To Jackie Hill Perry, homosexuality is not the natural sexuality of Christians.
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