William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, a prominent evangelical publisher since its founding in 1911, has posted a reading list of books for Christians to consider for LGBTQ Pride Month.
For over a century, Eerdmans has been an important institution within the broader evangelical movement, publishing both academic and popular works in Christian theology, biblical studies, religious history, social and cultural issues, and spirituality.
Through the years, Eerdmans has published works by prominent voices such as C.S. Lewis, N.T. Wright, Karl Barth, Mark Noll, and David Bebbington.
“June is Pride Month, and you’ve probably seen countless businesses touting their rainbow flags, multi-colored logos or raising their support in different ways. Yet, there is still such disunity and unrest on this topic, among people of faith especially,” Eerdmans said in a blog post on June 3. “We find ourselves at a time again where we should be willing to listen and seek to understand those in the LGBTQ+ community who are simply fighting to be seen and heard, cared for and loved.”
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“This month, as an Eerdmans reading community, we hope you’ll take time to listen,” the post continued. “Check out some of our upcoming and previously published books that give a voice to wonderful stories of life, love, rocky relationships, and what the Bible has to say about it all.”
The list includes six books, one of which is currently available for preorder. That title, “In the Margins: A Transgender Man’s Journey with Scripture” by Shannon T.L. Kearns, will release in August of this year and reflects “on well-known biblical narratives—such as Jacob wrestling with the divine, Rahab and the Israelite spies, Ezekiel and the dry bones, and the transfiguration of Jesus.”
“In each chapter, Shannon shows how stories have helped him make sense of his own identity, and how those same stories can unlock the transformative power of faith for those willing to listen with an open mind and stand alongside him in the in-between,” the book’s description says.
Other titles on the list include “Affirming: A Memoir of Faith, Sexuality, and Staying in the Church” by Sally Gary and “Scripture, Ethics, and the Possibility of Same-Sex Relationships” by Karen R. Keen.
Eerdmans tweeted a link to the blog post on Friday but deleted it after receiving a barrage of online criticism.
“Wherever you stand or whatever you think you know, #PrideMonth is an important time to take a step back, listen to real stories, and seek to understand,” the now-deleted tweet said.
