Living Out Podcast

Ashleigh tells us about her favourite episode from our back catalogue. In the last of our series going through the missteps identified in The Plausibility Problem by Ed Shaw, we discussed whether suffering can and should be avoided. We shared our own painful experiences and examined why some argue that the suffering of celibate same-sex attracted Christians is a reason to abandon traditional biblical teaching on sexual ethics.We went on to show that suffering is a normal part of following Jesus, whether you're gay or straight, single or married. We looked at some of the reasons why God allows us to suffer and the joys and benefits that we receive precisely because we suffer.We also looked at practical things that help us when we're struggling and ways that we can use our pain to love and serve others.Resources mentioned and relatedThe Plausibility Problem Ed ShawThe Plausibility Problem: A Review Steve WardSupport to Grieve Anne WittonYou Only Live Once. Really? Adam CurtisKitchen Floors and Gethsemane Andy RobinsonWhat's Good About Struggling With Same-sex Attraction? Anne WittonChildlessness Anne WittonAnne and Abby on Their Community House Anne WittonSharing Life Together Anne WittonConfronting Christianity Rebecca McLaughlinDark Clouds, Deep Mercy Mark Vroegop

It can be so painful when we disagree with those we love about this. What do we do when a friend changes their mind on faith and sexuality, or when our church changes its position on same-sex marriage? Does 1 Corinthians 5 contain any wisdom that we can apply here? Ashleigh, Ed and Andrew talk it through.Resources mentioned and relatedHealthy Spirituality | Holiness and Church Discipline | James Lawrence | 1 Corinthians 5 The Art of Disagreeing: How to Keep Calm and Stay Friends in Hard Conversations by Gavin Ortlund Does the Bible Really Condemn Loving Same-Sex Relationships? (Engaging Objections #2), Living Out Podcast Why Can't Christians Agree to Disagree?, Sam Allberry How Important Is All This? (Explore Questions #6), Living Out Podcast How Can We Have Good Discussions With Christians Who Disagree With Us on Sexuality?, Andrew Goddard 

Can sexuality change? Should we seek to change it? Andrew, Ashleigh and Adam talk it through. Adam also shares his journey towards openness to dating a woman, despite his enduring experience of same-sex attraction.Resources mentioned and relatedResearch relating to sexual fluidity: What Does Heterosexuality Mean? Same-Sex Attraction, Behaviors, and Discomfort Among Self-identified Heterosexual Young Adults from Spain, Archives of Sexual Behaviour Lisa Diamond on sexual fluidity of men and women, Cornell University Individual fluidity of sexual identity in Stockholm County, 2010 to 2021, European Journal of Public Health Sexual Orientation Identity Mobility in the United Kingdom: A Research Note, Duke University Press Population Trends and Individual Fluidity of Sexual Identity Among Stockholm County Residents, JAMA Network Who Counts as Sexually Fluid? Comparing Four Different Types of Sexual Fluidity in Women, Archives of Sexual Behaviour Sexual Identity Fluidity Among Sexual Minorities: Gender Differences in Determinants of Fluidity and Health-Related Outcomes, Journal of Homosexuality Stories of mixed-orientation marriage:Sean’s storyKatherine: The Power and Beauty of Stories (Different Stories #3), Living Out PodcastPaul: Responding to Our Desires (Different Stories #5), Living Out Podcast Nat and Matt: Mixed-Orientation Marriage (Different Stories #9), Living Out PodcastOther resources:Resources on Conversion TherapyIs Same-sex Attraction Inherently Sinful? (Questions No One Wants To Answer #4), Living Out PodcastIs Exorcism Ever An Appropriate Response to Same-Sex Attraction?, Andy RobinsonBorn Again This Way by Rachel GilsonGay Girl, Good God by Jackie Hill PerryAn Impossible Marriage by Laurie & Matt KriegAnd if this series is raising more questions than it answers, ask us those questions here!

Ashleigh, Adam and Andy explore what real love is, and consider how we can align ourselves to Scripture’s truth in a world that preaches something different. We also think about the question, 'My friend is so much happier now that they’re in a same-sex relationship – isn't that a good thing?'Resources mentioned and related Does the Bible Affirm Same-Sex Relationships?: Examining 10 Claims about Scripture and Sexuality by Rebecca McLaughlin – in particular Chapter 10, 'A God of Love Can’t Be Against Relationships of Love'Friendship, Living Out Podcast seriesWhat Is It Teaching You?, Ashleigh Hull A Better Love edited by Ed Shaw Misstep 5 - 'Sex is where true intimacy is found' (The Plausibility Problem #5), Living Out Podcast And if this series is raising more questions than it answers, ask us those questions here! 

Is the Bible’s teaching unjust or unfair to same-sex attracted Christians like us? Andrew, Ed and Andy talk through the intellectual and the emotional sides of this, considering how this objection has looked for us personally as well as how we might respond to it.Resources mentioned and relatedDominion: The Making of the Western Mind by Tom Holland The Air We Breathe: How We All Came to Believe in Freedom, Kindness, Progress, and Equality by Glen Scrivener Purposeful Sexuality by Ed Shaw Explore Questions: Isn’t God Being Unfair?Isn’t God Being Unfair? (Explore Questions #4), Living Out Podcast Is Same-Sex Marriage An Issue of Equality?, Andrew Bunt And if this series is raising more questions than it answers, ask us those questions here! 

They debate whether traditional Christian sexual teaching does more harm than good, exploring harms like conversion therapy and shame in church culture. They discuss practical costs for friendships, overvaluing marriage, and how the ethic is sometimes misapplied. Statistical trends, historical examples, and whether a distinctive sexual ethic helps or hinders outreach are considered.

The team reflects on 2025, sharing personal gratitude moments and meaningful New Year celebrations. They discuss helpful habits, such as sea swimming and prayer routines, and highlight inspiring figures like Megan Phelps-Roper. A range of books and media that influenced their thinking is recommended, alongside personal bravery stories from the past year. Each host summarizes their faith journey in one word, revealing surprising self-discoveries and outlining hopes for 2026, including deeper prayer and new creative projects.

They tackle whether Scripture actually rules out loving same-sex sexual relationships. They parse key biblical texts, original language, and Creational arguments about marriage. They discuss if ancient prohibitions still bind today and how to read cultural context. They close with personal reflections and recommended resources for further reading.

Preston Sprinkle, a Christian author and speaker focused on faith, sexuality, and gender, joins Katherine Brown from the Evangelical Alliance to discuss the importance of engaging objections with love and respect. They explore how healthy disagreement can strengthen faith and foster meaningful conversations. Katherine shares her personal journey of doubt, while Preston emphasizes the value of curiosity and listening over winning arguments. Together, they highlight shared values and practical concerns, offering insights on navigating tough topics with compassion.

When people hear that Living Out - a group of same-sex attracted Christians - believe that sex is reserved for the marriage of a man and a woman, they tend to have questions...