Gilson writes with straightforward and clear prose, balancing grace and truth. Her clear-eyed, nuanced approach and wise insights will help anyone in the church to see more of the goodness of God in the sexual ethic of Scripture. Born Again This Way will also help ordinary Christians gain a better understanding of this complicated subject. Ultimately, Gilson’s book is such a blessing, because her story corresponds to every Christian’s story. Our culture defines us by how we’re born; Gilson shows us what really matters is being reborn.

Years ago, while living as a gay man (before my radical conversion to Christianity), I briefly dated an exceptionally talented and prolific Hollywood producer. He recently made a deal with a major Hollywood studio worth an extraordinary amount of money. When asked by a journalist what he planned on doing with all that money, he responded that he would use it to promote LGBTQ heroes and heroines. His efforts will, of course, further blind and confuse not only the general public, but also the church on one of the most challenging issues of our time. And that’s just one person.

Rachel Gilson, however, will not be one of the heroines he champions.

In her debut book, Born Again This Way: Coming Out, Coming to Faith, and What Comes Next, Gilson explores the culturally contentious subject of homosexuality through a Christian lens. Given the excessive numbers of stories that embrace and celebrate homosexuality, Gilson’s story occupies an important place, offering clear truths in a confused world.

Gilson’s story runs counter to the dominant cultural narrative that homosexual behavior is righteous and good. As someone who experiences same-sex attraction, she fell into a romantic relationship with another girl while in high school. At the time, she thought Christianity was stupid and cruel. After all, didn’t Christians hate gay people?

Things shifted dramatically during her freshman year at Yale, though, when that relationship abruptly ended and left Gilson devastated. Through an unlikely source—a lecture on René Descartes—Gilson began her search for the truth. While secretly reading a (stolen) copy of C. S. Lewis’s Mere Christianity, she repented and came to Christ. Though her same-sex attraction hasn’t vanished, she believes Jesus is worthy of obedient trust. She’s willing to take up her cross and follow his teaching on sexuality.

Though Gilson’s same-sex attraction hasn’t vanished, she believes Jesus is worthy of obedient trust. She’s willing to take up her cross and follow his teaching on sexuality.

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