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| In the Eye of the Storm: Swept to the Center by God | 
 enlarge | Author: Gene Robinson
Publisher: Seabury Books
Category: Book
List Price: $25.00
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Avg. Customer Rating:  18 reviews
Sales Rank: 38048
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 192
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.9
ISBN: 1596270888
Dewey Decimal Number: 283.092
EAN: 9781596270886
ASIN: 1596270888
Publication Date: April 1, 2008
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| Customer Reviews:
 The Bishop's Tale June 9, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Robinson, Gene. "In the Eye of the Storm:: Swept to the Center by God", Seabury Books, 2008.
The Bishop's Tale
Amos Lassen
We knew that this book would be coming---after all, Gene Robinson's election to an Episcopal Bishopric was big news. Robinson moved into a stormy controversy when he consented to his election as the ninth Anglican bishop of the diocese of New Hampshire in 2003. He became the leader in the most controversial issue in Christianity today as an openly gay man.
I was expecting to get a bit of a personal look at Robinson in his book but in actuality there is very little. We do learn that he came from a poor, religious and uneducated family somewhere in rural Kentucky. We learn that he had been married and fathered two children, that he had a bout with alcoholism and we hear about his 20 year commitment with is present partner, Mark Andrews, but that is about it and we heard all of that on news reports. He is, after all, the first openly gay bishop and the media has caused him to become a larger-than-life figure, so it is only natural that we would want to know more about him.
There is a great deal that departs from the classic understandings of the doctrines of Christianity and how the Church has interpreted what the Bible says about sexuality. As we all know the Bible has quite a lot to say about many things that I do not necessarily agree with. It certainly justifies racism, slavery and the degradation of women. In the first section of the book is Robinson's defense of homosexuality according to his faith. There is not much new in his arguments, they are the ones we always hear. He claims that most of the Bible's teaching about homosexuality is non-traditional and has been misinterpreted. Robinson says that the Scriptures are not totally free from error. The Old and New Testaments are the word of God but they have been dictated to man and directed through human media.
Robinson's discussion of the vulnerability of sex is the most interesting aspect of the book and his claim that God wants to raise the oppressed gives hope to all.
I found the book to be a bit disjointed--twenty-three short chapters which are more like sermons; there is little if no transition between them. There is really nothing new here and the book only gains power at the end when Robinson writes that we need to live "in communion" with both those that agree and disagree. Have we not always known and done just that?
There is no question in my mind that Robinson has done a great deal for the entire gay community just by allowing himself to be who he is. I may not agree with what he says and I may not find his book to be what I wanted, but I do respect the man. He is fascinating and brave.
 Inspired words from someone all-too-human June 13, 2008
Bishop Robinson's memoir is highly inspiring. While he includes reviews of the transformative times of his life, he devotes a majority of this book to discussions regarding his church and social justice. He is an enlightened advocate for marriage equality - and human decency.
When I saw the Forward was written by Desmond Tutu, I knew that one of Jesus's disciples was sharing his life, beliefs, and values.
Wake up and smell the coffee! June 27, 2008
Outstanding reading. Bishop Robinson combines his knowledge of things biblical with compassion and wit; honesty and reverence. This mans gift of humaneness, logic and loving leadership are outstanding. To those dedicated but errant followers of the old way I say, "Wake up and smell the coffee." This is our chance to be part of a challenginly new and honestly loving rebirth of our church..
A "must read" for everyone June 30, 2008
Even if you're not Anglican/Episcopalian, or not even Christian this book is definately an important read. At it's heart is the real life experience of what it's like to be a person who has integrated sex, intimacy and love facing down institutions led by people who can't even imagine sex, intimacy and love together. Gene Robinson stumbles into an age old conflict in the church. Celebacy, amputating one's sexuality to achieve holiness vs. the idea that God (being love) is always present in the love between sexually bonded couples. Is Christianity an anti-sex cult that holds that love making can not exist in human sexuality and only reproduction can justify it? Or will Christians embrace the idea that God IS love and all love comes from God including sexual intimacy? Gene's story puts the reader in a very interesting place to view the question of whether making love is holy, God filled and inspired or whether it's vile, the enemy of holy love and only the possibility of reproduction make it acceptable for people trying to live good lives.
A wonderful Book! July 2, 2008
Bishop Robinson has written a book that is filled with faith, hope and joy! The day I recieved it, I read it cover to cover. I reread it 3 times before I lent it to my Mom.
He covers the subject of homophobic behavior by the Anglican Church and other's by reminding us, of Jesus's constant reminders "to love one another and to forgive each other, not 7x7,but 70x7".
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