My Defense: Responding to Charges that I Fully Affirm LGBTQ+ People

5 5 out of 5 stars | 35 ratings

Price: 0.99

Last update: 07-28-2024


About this item

Thomas Jay Oord has been handed charges and faces a trial for being fully LGBTQ+ affirming. This book offers the documents of his defense for that trial. It also features other documents, including his hearing defense.

At the heart of Oord’s argument is his belief that love should compel everyone to accept and affirm fully queer people. This means embracing LGBTQ+ identities, orientations, and healthy sexual behaviors.

Oord believes that love acts intentionally, in relationship with God and others, to promote overall well-being. While love seeks the good of all, it is especially attuned to the well-being of the marginalized, rejected, and harmed.

Every person who seeks to live a life of love – especially those in religions that claim to prioritize love – ought to embrace and include LGBTQ+ people fully. Churches that don’t fully affirm queer people are not loving as God calls them.

The price of this book has been purposely kept low so that buying it will not be difficult. My Defense deserves a wide audience; it has the potential to change the conversation… for good!

Top reviews from the United States

Mark Waters ([email protected])
5.0 out of 5 stars Reflections on Tom Oord’s Defense
Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2024
“My Defense” by Thomas Jay Oord not only exhibits compelling logic that debunks the denominational (Nazarene) charges against him for his affirmation of our Queer family. This brief essay articulates a theology of compassion in support of LGBTQIA+ folks who are frequently marginalized by a legalistic, self-righteous hijacking of the Christian faith.

He clearly demonstrates how the charges brought against him and the process of making the charges violate the Church of the Nazarene Manuel that his accusers claim to follow. Advance notice and due process were ignored until now along with the presumption of innocence. The integrity of clear and direct communication with Oord was rare.

The charge of teaching doctrines out of harmony with the teaching of the church confuses essential doctrine with the flexible guidance provided in any denominational manual, book of discipline, or canons about important but nonessential matters. These kinds of nonessential teachings either evolve over time or, in a manner of speaking, risk condemning healing on the sabbath or the maturation of teachings in line with “you have heard that it was said…but I say to you.” Jesus, a Jew, never opposed the Jewish faith. He opposed legalistic and judgmental religious leaders, the kinds of harmful leaders that exist in virtually every religion including Christianity, in this case in the Church of the Nazarene.

The other charge is conduct unbecoming a minister. As a Christian, religious scholar, and professor of religion outside of the Nazarene denomination, I cannot even make sense out of this charge. Oord rightfully and necessarily articulates a solid defense, given the absurdity and illogical nature of the charge. I will not give this charge the dignity of trying to make sense of it. The only possible way of construing it is to take a Westboro Baptist approach and claim that love is conduct unbecoming a minister.

I am grateful to Oord for his courage, love, and advocacy for marginalized people. I think if you read this brief document, you will be grateful too.
KDeiser
5.0 out of 5 stars A compelling removal of a veil
Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2024
Dr. Oord's strong defense against his chosen denomination is written in compelling, forthright language that both clergy and laypeople can understand. He remains respectful when his accusers are less so. He explains/defends his actions, which have all been powered by the love of God and the teachings of Christ rather than resistance against specific communities the church finds unworthy of inclusion. I appreciate the resources cited and the situations fully explained without remorse, proving he is honest and trustworthy. I am saddened to learn the denomination in which I was raised and faithfully attended for so many years seems so unwilling to consider, accept, and embrace this servant of Christ. I wish him every success as he faces the future. The Church of the Nazarene needs more members like Dr. Oord.
A Hopeful Reader
5.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful and Generous
Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2024
In this brief but potent book work Tom Oord offers an honest look at his decades long journey towards becoming an ally and advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community and his call for the denomination, the Church of the Nazarene to join in the same loving posture. The book is part autobiographical, part defense of the charges and includes an excellent bibliography which is worth the price alone. Throughout you can sense Tom's incredibly dignity-preserving love for both those whom he hopes will find an inclusive welcome into the CotN as well as to those who are vilifying him as well. I encourage all those who have a desire for the church be a place of love and hope to read this work and engage the conversation.
Phyllis Fox
5.0 out of 5 stars A compelling defense
Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2024
In this book, Dr. Oord eloquently outlines his defense to the charges brought against him by his denomination for conduct unbecoming of a minister and teaching doctrines out of harmony with the Church of the Nazarene.

Dr. Oord reminds us that love is the central theme of the Bible. God loves us, commands us to love one another, and that love should compel us to welcome all, especially those who earnestly seek a relationship with God.

Dr. Oord states his case logically and presents the evidence that reasonably shows that the charges brought upon him are false and an acquittal should be the response.
Terry L. Clees
5.0 out of 5 stars Well thought out defense
Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2024
I felt like this defense nailed all the sides of the Wesleyan Quadrilateral through the lenses of love. We often forget: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’" Love is paramount to Scripture and the way Jesus lived, but yet so difficult for those spending a lifetime in judgment of others.
D. Myers
5.0 out of 5 stars Thankful
Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2024
As a 4th generation Nazarene and an ordained elder in the denomination, I am thankful for Dr. Oord’s writing here. Whether or not fellow Nazarenes agree with Dr. Oord on LGBTQ+ inclusion in our denomination, we must agree that this is an incredibly important conversation that requires open engagement without the looming threat of charges against credentials. I am grateful to Dr. Oord for advancing this dialogue within the denomination.
CR
5.0 out of 5 stars Important to genuinely consider!
Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2024
I am not a theologian, yet, I appreciate Oord's thoughtful, scholarly and loving presentation. This is a conversation the church needs to be willing to engage in rather than cutting off and aiming to silence those who seek to love others freely. It is time to genuinely listen and consider how this denomination can embrace with holy love those who are so often outcast.
Bpags2
5.0 out of 5 stars Crucial book in the fight to fully affirm and include the Queer community in all Christian spaces
Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2024
Rev. Tom Oord succinctly outlines why an acquittal is the only reasonable finding for the COTN’s accusations that teaching queer affirmation and full inclusion is outside of a Christian doctrine that is supposed to emphasize love. This book/defense is essential for the entirety of the Christian Church, not just the COTN.
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Bpags2
5.0 out of 5 stars Crucial book in the fight to fully affirm and include the Queer community in all Christian spaces
Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2024
Rev. Tom Oord succinctly outlines why an acquittal is the only reasonable finding for the COTN’s accusations that teaching queer affirmation and full inclusion is outside of a Christian doctrine that is supposed to emphasize love. This book/defense is essential for the entirety of the Christian Church, not just the COTN.
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