In the Eye of the Storm

Swept to the Center by God

Gene Robinson

Mar/2016, 192 Pages, PAPERBACK, 6 x 9

ISBN-13: 9781596272811

$24.95

$24.95

Gene Robinson is bishop of the tiny, rural Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire, but he's at the center of a storm of controversy raging in the Episcopal Church and throughout the worldwide Anglican Communion involving homosexuality, the priesthood, and the future of the Communion. This book offers an honest, thoughtful portrait of Robinson, the faith that has informed his life, and the controversy that continues to rock his Church.

NPR's Fresh Air with Terry Gross Interview

Gene Robinson was the ninth bishop (2003-2013) of the Diocese of New Hampshire in The Episcopal Church. A graduate of the University of the South, Sewanee, he served as parish priest, retreat center director, and Canon to the Ordinary before his election to the episcopate. Since his retirement, he has continued an active speaking and writing schedule and serves as Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress in Washington, DC. He is the father of two grown daughters and grandfather of two.

“Gene Robinson is the most controversial Christian in the world, yet if you did not know one thing about him—his sexuality—you would think him no different from thousands of other ministers, priests, pastors, or indeed bishops and archbishops. And he's not—merely more open and candid than they dare to be. Whether you agree with Bishop Robinson or not, his beliefs are important for all to know. In this book he shows there is much more about him and his faith than the single issue of sexual orientation.”
—Stephen Bates, religious affairs correspondent for the Guardian newspaper, London, 2000-2007, and British religious writer of the year in 2005 and 2006
 
“In this wonderful and wise book, the message of Christianity becomes shockingly real and amazingly positive yet truly challenging. Bishop Robinson is so articulately simple because he so clearly embodies his own message.”
—Judith Light, actress
 
“Those who vilify and those who glorify Bishop Gene Robinson solely because of his sexuality need to read this book. Bishop Robinson’s powerful witness to God’s mission of reconciliation in Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit challenges us all to go beyond the confines of single identity politics by seeing ourselves as both oppressor and oppressed, enslaved and free, sinful and forgiven.”
—The Rev. Ian T. Douglas, Ph.D., Angus Dun Professor of Mission and World Christianity, Episcopal Divinity School, Cambridge, Massachusetts
 
“This book is part of a new reality: Gene Robinson has become a recognizable global icon. Here is his testament of truth. He speaks from the heart about many issues and emerges as honest, highly readable, down-to-earth and courageous. Clearly he's also a symbolic person, perhaps already an archetype. I am deeply grateful for his vulnerability and authenticity.”
—Malcolm Boyd
 
“This is Gene Robinson’s own story, told with simplicity and humility and revealing his passionate faith. He recounts how his experience has made him particularly close to vulnerable groups, such as the inmates of a women’s prison, and how we all need one another for our very salvation. This honest account will encourage anyone seriously committed to the message of Jesus, and shows him deeply committed within the Anglican Communion even to those who vilify him.”
—Richard Harries (Lord Harries of Pentregarth), former Bishop of Oxford and Hon Professor of Theology, King’s College, London
 
“Bishop Robinson takes the reader on a rare and inspirational journey into the heart and soul of a deeply spiritual being. In authentic and prosaic style, the book provides a prophetic vision of God’s love for all humankind. The author’s open vulnerability to and knowledge of the love of God is alive in these pages. I was touched and inspired by this book.”
—Bonnie Anderson, D.D., President, The House of Deputies
 
“This book eloquently reaffirms the simple truth that God's love protects ALL OF US in the eye of any storm. It also chronicles how God's love continues to melt away prejudice, intolerance and hatred in today's world.”
—Dick Gephardt, former U.S. Representative from Missouri, House Majority Leader from 1995 to 2003
 
“A fast, facile read—but beneath Bishop Robinson’s simple words lie a depth of un-probed truths that reveal real causes of the Anglican Communion’s deep divisions, the difficult path to reconciliation and the challenge of our call to Christian discipleship in the global village.”
—Barbara C. Harris, Bishop Suffragan Massachusetts (Ret.)
 
“Gene Robinson’s message of hope, justice, and reconciliation is broader than one topic, more powerful than one issue. Gene shows us how to be not just effective advocates for a cause, but good citizens of this world on our way to the next.”
—Harry Knox, Director, Religion and Faith Program, Human Rights Campaign Foundation
 
“This book’s dramatic expression of Gene’s commitment to gay and lesbian inclusion within the Church is central to its theme. While acknowledging the pain and loneliness of this struggle, he gives thanks that in the Incarnation and Resurrection God’s will is being made known to the reconciliation of a broken Anglican Communion.”
—Edmond Browning, 24th Presiding Bishop, Episcopal Church USA
 
“Long before Gene Robinson was an international icon, many of us had the good fortune of receiving fortification for our journeys by so generously sharing with us his journey.  Founded on the bedrock of durably infectious and joyful faith, a devotional relationship with Scripture, healthy church leadership, prophetic peace and justice pioneering, Gene was an unofficial bishop to many before the Spirit ever whispered his name to the diocese of New Hampshire. In this book Gene has illuminatingly drawn the contours of his animating faith. Here he reveals the secrets of that unbelievably calm centeredness from which emanates his courage, tenacity, effervescence, and that holy love he expresses for all—even for his detractors. This is nothing short of sacred reading—lectio divina.”
—Rev. Ed Bacon, Rector, Pasadena, California
 
“Gene Robinson is no revolutionary: he upholds marriage as a sacred covenant, but knows the same covenant theology can include same-sex partnerships too. For living this truth he has been scapegoated—not for being the first gay bishop, but the first honest one. By God’s grace he has stayed strong, still trying to love his enemies into friends. One day the Church will understand what it owes him.” 
—The Very Rev. Jeffrey John, Dean, St. Alban’s Cathedral, England
 
“In this book, Bishop Robinson offers us an account of both his belief in and understanding of the gospel. It is honest, compelling and accessible. We can see the wide ranging perspective of his theology. His commitment to the redeeming love of God permeates every facet of his life; his family, the church, the outcast and those who condemn him. He is truly a remarkable man. Here is the opportunity to know him in his own words.”
—The Right Reverend Jane Holmes Dixon, Senior Advisor for Inter Religious Affairs, The Interfaith Alliance
 
“Those who know Gene Robinson will relish this book. Those who don't know him will find here a Christian overflowing with life, insight, commitment, and passion.”
—Marcus Borg, bestselling author of The Heart of Christianity
 
“An astonishing book, written straight from the eye of the cultural storm and, more importantly, straight from the heart, of a man of great faith who finds his own church willing to fracture itself over the misguided exclusion of people who, like him, are gay.  A clarion call to the Anglican Church and to all Christians to reconnect with the essence of their faith- the example of a radically inclusive love that embraces us all.”  
–Bradley Whitford, actor
 
"This is a book for our time, and Bishop Robinson asks his readers pointedly, 'Do we have the will to be the family God wills us to be?' Only time will tell."
The Living Church, July 20, 2008
 
"...charming book. This book goes beyond sex to Christian theology."
Publishers Weekly
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$24.95

Keywords

  • autobiography
  • memoir
  • LGBT
  • bishops

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