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Christian Publisher Drops Author after He Comes Out as Gay

Carrie Dedrick

Christian publisher Destiny Image has cancelled a book deal with an author after he refused to sign the company’s statement of faith regarding homosexuality. 

Christian Today reports Evangelical writer Brandan Robertson refused to sign the following statement: "Destiny Image accepts the Holy Scriptures as the infallible word of God and answers all questions concerning life and godliness. We do not condone, encourage, or accept the homosexual lifestyle. Destiny Image renounces this lifestyle as ungodly and completely contrary to the Kingdom of God."

Robertson, a gay Christian, had previously landed the deal for his book Nomad: Not-So-Religious Thoughts On Faith, Doubt, and the Journey In Between. 

Destiny Image chief executive Don Nori told Time magazine,"There is nothing significant to report. We did not reject or refuse. As with all books, a publisher decides what is financially viable. We released the book back to the author with our sincere prayers for his success. This occurrence happens every season."

After receiving the email that his book deal had been cancelled, Robertson wrote in his Revangelical blog, "As soon as I read those words, a knot formed in my stomach. My heart began to race. I have received emails like this before from leaders at my Bible College and churches I had been a part of. I immediately knew that the problem was going to be with my support of LGBTQ equality and inclusion in the Church."

He continued, "There is a major problem within Evangelical Christianity. And that problem is that many leaders within Evangelicalism have decided that the Gospel is not truly good news for everyone. For LGBTQ people, the Gospel is not that you are loved, forgiven, and accepted just as you are. Instead, the message is 'get straight', be celibate, or be damned. For LGBTQ allies, the Gospel isn't about grace; it's about theological conformity. If you disagree on this one issue, the unforgivable sin, you are literally banned. From church, from school, from publishing, from heaven."

Publication date: February 24, 2015