Bob Fife was raised in a small Ontario town by a Christian mother and an unbelieving father. The tensions made for a dysfunctional home and an uneasy life. But nothing prepared Bob for being sexually molested by an older boy he trusted--or what happened in his heart afterward. Out is the story of Bob's descent into homosexual practices and out again. His fascinating journey takes readers from the confusion of his teen years, to his marriage and fatherhood, to his discovery and embrace of the flamboyant Toronto gay scene. He describes abandoning his young family in order to fulfill his same-sex desires, taking him to London, Amsterdam, Berlin, Barcelona, Provincetown, Key West, and San Francisco. Over a decade later, an unexpected visit from his college-aged son caused Bob to confront the consequences of his indulgences and begin to seek change.
Today, Bob has been out of his gay lifestyle for over twenty years. He has reconnected with the church, built and maintained healthy, nonsexual relationships, and healed his relationship with his son. For those who want a way to deal with their same-sex attractions, not celebrate them, Bob's story points a way to grace and redemption.
My review:
There are a lot more books around today about homosexuality from a Christian standpoint, than there were when I first started reading them. Since the issue is different in so many people, no book is alike, and not everyone's experiences are the same.
The author of this book led a very promiscuous sexual lifestyle, which is sadly not the exception to the rule for most gay men, but it is also not indicative of every gay male.
There are various theories on what causes and/or triggers same-sex attractions, and Bob Fife went through some of those things that many people believe help in that regard. He starts his story when he was a young boy, and takes it up to the present. He isn't graphic, but he is totally honest and open about what his life was like living as a gay male in the gay community.
It is an interesting read. As a guy who deals with the same issue, most of what I read wasn't new to me, yet it is always interesting to read another person's story and perspective. For anyone dealing with same-sex attractions on any level, this book offers hope that God can deliver and is sufficient. For people who do not deal with same-sex attractions, it is a fascinating look into the life of a man who lived for his sexual desires for years, yet was saved from it by a loving God.
I personally thought the book was written in a slightly disjointed style, but not so much that it was difficult to read. It was an easy, interesting, and very encouraging read that I highly recommend.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
About the author:
Bob Fife was raised in a small Ontario town by a Christian mother and an unbelieving father. The tensions made for a dysfunctional home and an uneasy life.But nothing prepared Fife for being sexually molested by an older boy he trusted --- or what happened in his heart afterward. Fife's book, Out, is the story of his descent into homosexual practices and out again.
Fife is an Ontario-businessman and has been out of the gay lifestyle for more than twenty years. Now reconnected with the church, he hopes his story points a way to grace and redemption. Today he devotes his time to mentoring men and women who are looking for alternative ways to deal with same-sex attraction.
"Out" is available from Kregel Publishing.
Thanks to Kregel for the review copy.
