June 17, 2013

Out of a Far Country: A Gay Son's Journey to God. A Broken Mother's Search for Hope. (Paperback)

I had heard of Christopher's life and the book that he and his mother wrote after I read Wesley Hill's excellent book, Washed and Waiting. I'm not sure, but I believe that after learning about Christopher, it was then that I searched and found video clips of him speaking on Youtube. I was impressed by the presentation Christopher made as an intelligent and obviously, spiritually changed person. There seemed nothing artificial about Christopher. He didn't propose to convince that some miracle had or would change his same-gender attraction, but he was obviously changed by the Holy Spirit to identify himself with his Saviour. He had set his priorities in order with his relationship to God as first. I decided, despite the piles of books I'm presently reading, to buy the book and read it. Coming from where he reports in his autobiography (with Angela Yuan, his mother) I doubt he could still follow the life he had before and either present himself as he does in the video clips or write the book. Having known many homosexuals in work (therapeutic) that I did and having attended conferences supposedly meant to sell that the "bent" gender attraction could change, I saw instead in Christopher a true follower of His Lord who desired, in the years left him (having been diagnosed as HIV+) to serve his Lord and reach out to many with the new life offered by Jesus Christ. The absence of pretence in Christopher should interest any who having become tired of identifying themselves on the basis of their sexuality or become tired of suffering the battles with the reality of their sexuality, may desire to experience what freedom God has provided before we join Him in Eternity. I'd highly recommend this book not only to any who know the struggles and recognise them as struggles and to those whose work is intended to help persons who've given up the play-acting that all is well as a homosexual, but also to any parent of a child (even an adult) who lives with homosexuality. Of course, this may be refuted by those who see homosexuality as "normal" and something that is a matter of "pride" (apparently mistaking the definition of what pride is about)--I cannot see how anyone can remain so deluded. We shall not experience perfection in this life and we shall deal with trials that continue. Christopher would seem to me to be one guy with exceptional integrity; however, as we have not come into perfection yet, if he sometimes is tempted or attracted by men, he is after all, as those who follow the Saviour, still "a work in progress." Neither temptation nor such attraction is sin, and even sin can still be forgiven by the sacrifice of the Lord.

This story of a family in crisis is a rare treat. Written in journal form, mother and son cover over seven years of amazing grace at work under the darkest of conditions. We all need to have our hearts refreshed and encouraged by such raw and riveting accounts of God's sovereign love and mercy saving a proud controlling Asian mother, a detached workaholic dentist father, revitalizing a dead marriage, and rescuing a hopelessly addicted son who failed out of dental school. We are in a culture war that is destroying our people who have been feed lies upon lies seeing homosexuality celebrated in the media, and who see it as harmless sexual alternative . This book blows the doors of these modern cultural delusions about sexual sins. Here is a clear call to "holy sexuality" as God created it to be enjoyed in a marriage of a man and woman have a godly fear of Him and know His loving grace.

Out of a Far Country is a book that each person should pick up and read--and it is an easy read, too! In a world where there is so much debate and argument about homosexuality, this book provides a biblical view on homosexuality in the stories of Christopher Yuan and his mother Angela. Christopher, a man with a gay background, provides an unbiased, truthful account of his life story. There are some graphic details, but their stories give a glimpse into the world of a gay man and his mother, and give a connection point with those who have a homosexual lifestyle. I really do think that each person should pick up this book and read it, no matter where he or she stands with regards to homosexuality.

I have bought this book for several friends who are dealing with children struggling with a variety of issues, and all have found it so helpful. It is well written and reflects the struggles of both mom and son with honesty and love. The mom's faith is such a wonderful example of perseverance and God's mercy and love.

I loved the way this book told the story from the mother and the son's perspective. It gives you a better understanding of the gay lifestyle and the hope of redemption through Jesus Christ.