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Inspiring, I was much impacted.

- cynthia reese (6 months ago)

About the Book


"Birth of a Vision" by Carlton Pearson is the story of his journey from a popular evangelical preacher to questioning traditional Christian beliefs and embracing inclusivity and love for all people. Pearson shares his personal struggles and spiritual awakening, providing insight into his controversial decision to leave his former church and start a new path based on acceptance and unity.

Christopher Yuan

Christopher Yuan Christopher Yuan teaches "Theology of Sexuality" at Moody Bible Institute -- but his journey of faith started in a prison cell. When Yuan came out as gay to his Chinese parents at 23, they gave him an ultimatum: choose us or them. So, he moved out. He started selling drugs while he was in dental school – was arrested and put in prison. During that time, his mother, Angela, was going to commit suicide, but instead of ending her life, she found new life as a born-again Christian. Her husband, Leon, also became a Christian. Christopher Yuan and his mother, Angela, who prayed and fasted for him for many years after she became a Christian. Christopher Yuan and his mother, Angela, who prayed and fasted for him for many years after she became a Christian. (Courtesy of Christopher Yuan) Angela prayed and fasted every Monday for seven years, and, at one point, she prayed and fasted 39 days straight for Christopher in her prayer closet. The faith-based novel, "War Room," was dedicated to her for her bold prayer: "Lord, do whatever it takes to bring this prodigal son to you." The parable of the prodigal son comes from the gospel of Luke, in which Jesus tells the story of a father with two sons, one who wasted his inheritance in a distant land and upon arrival back, instead of being cast away, the father embraced him and celebrated his coming home. Much to Yuan’s surprise, his parents didn’t reject him but loved him unconditionally. After being diagnosed with HIV, he found a Bible verse that changed his life. He started reading the Bible in prison and applied to Bible college. Again, to his surprise, he was accepted. He co-wrote his story with his mother, Angela, in the book: “Out of a Far Country: A Gay Son’s Journey to God. A Broken Mother’s Search for Hope.” In it, he wrote about a term he coined called “holy sexuality,” and he decided to expand on it because he got so many questions and had so many people reach out to him about it. In his new book, “Holy Sexuality and the Gospel: Sex, Desire, and Relationships Shaped by God’s Grand Story” Yuan tackles the tough questions on the intersection of the church and LGBTQ individuals. Rosaria Butterfield called it “the most important humanly composed book about biblical sexuality and godly living for our times.” Eric Metaxas and Randy Alcorn both praised the book. Today, Yuan, a professor-at-large continues to teach biblical studies at Moody Bible Institute, where he has taught for over 11 years and speaks at churches, colleges, and conferences around the world on faith and sexuality. Yuan said he doesn't identify as gay, ex-gay, or even straight. "My true identity," he adds, "is in Jesus Christ alone."

seeing the future with god’s eyes

A hunter in a little village set out early in the morning with his twelve year old son for hunting. As they walked, the hunter envisioned a dinner of wild rabbits and squirrels with his family, he thought of the proceed he could make from the sale of an antelope or deer, and the possibility of getting a favorite meat for his mother-in-law. He also thought about giving Johnny a fine hunting lesson, letting him hunt a delicacy for himself, and perhaps something for his school teacher. Little Johnny strolled along. There weren’t so many things on his mind as are on his father’s; just his small couch back home and the present cold weather. He stumbled on every pebble, became thirsty often, and gave many sermons on how tomorrow and the day after are preferable hunting days. God brought the children of Israel out of slavery in the land of Egypt. He turned water to blood. He sent frogs, lice, hail, thick darkness, and slew the Egyptian firstborn sons. He parted a mighty sea, rained manna from heaven, and brought water out of a rock. He gave them the promise of a fruitful territory, and a spectacle kingdom for the rest of the world. The children of Israel saw the signs, the wonders, and the great works of God. They were healthy, free from oppression, and lacked nothing. They saw the glory of the God of heaven with their bare eyes. They had the proofs and the promises given to no other nation on the earth. However, when Moses, their leader, was absent for a few days, they made themselves another god, a molten calf, in place of the true God whom they had just met and experienced. Later, they desired another captain that would lead them back to Egypt. Today, we have the word of God, the way of salvation, and the promise of eternal life. We have the gospel, which shows us our true spiritual condition and the mind of God. It tells of the unending sufferings of the soul that dies without Jesus. It tells of God’s saving plan, in sending His Son to die for the sins of the world. It tells of the great escape and the heavenly city that awaits the one who believes in Christ and accepts God’s offer of grace. It tells of the need to strengthen our souls with Scriptures and communion with God. Nevertheless, like Johnny and like the Israelites, we are carried away with the things of the moment. Money, relationships, pleasures of life, placement in society, and many such pursuits. But these things will end someday, leaving us feeling unwise for prioritizing them above our never-dying souls.

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