The Reformation
Southwestern Journal of Theology
Volume 60, No. 1 – Fall 2017
Managing Editor: W. Madison Grace II
Born This Way? Homosexuality, Science, and the Scriptures. By J. Alan Branch. Wooster: Weaver, 2016. 177 pages. Softcover, $14.99.
Current discussions about homosexuality often delve into the fields of science and psychology. For many Christians these discussions reach far beyond their expertise, and they are left with few lines of argumentation other than to say they do not believe the research. Some believers are savvy enough to know the current state of psychological and scientific research about homosexuality, but using it in an informal discussion is difficult. For that reason, it is important to have a resource that summarizes and critiques the current state of research in these areas. J. Alan Branch’s Born This Way? serves as just this type of resource.
Branch serves as Professor of Christian Ethics at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri. He has researched the medical, scientific, and psychological explanations for homosexuality extensively, and this book is a summary of much of that work. In this volume, he attempts to give Christians insight into the ongoing work in these fields. As the overarching thesis of the book, Branch states, “A review of the research will show that, while there are some genetic or biological factors that correlate with a higher incidence of same-sex attraction and homosexual behavior, as of yet there is no proof of genetic or biological causation for homosexuality” (2).
The book opens with a discussion of three major players in the psychological research about homosexuality—Sigmund Freud, Alfred Kinsey, and the American Psychiatric Association (APA). Freud’s psychoanalytic approach provided a modern explanation for homosexual attraction and behavior. Branch summarizes his four contributions as the result of inhibitions in sexual development, an innate characteristic, an inability to change sexual orientation, and an emphasis on sexualized children (13). The work of Freud then set the stage for the future work of Kinsey and the APA. Following the development of Freud’s perspective, Branch moves on to discuss the work of Kinsey, who developed the influential Kinsey Scale that has been used to measure the level of homosexual impulse. Finally, Branch follows the shift in attitude of the APA as it moved from classifying homosexuality as a disease to accepting it as a normal pattern of behavior.
After reviewing the psychological research about homosexuality, Branch moves on to discuss the scientific research. He covers the scientific developments in brain plasticity, prenatal hormones, homosexual twin studies, and DNA research. Each of these areas of research contributes to the common argument that individuals are born with homosexual desires. After discussing these topics, Branch then offers a biblical evaluation so that Christians can know how to respond to these arguments.
Branch’s work is helpful for those who desire an extensive look at the science and psychology of the debate about homosexuality. He describes the research in great detail and makes perceptive observations about its limitations. For example, in the chapter about DNA research he demonstrates that no clear discovery has been made regarding a homosexual gene. Branch writes, “Science has not discovered a gene which causes homosexuality. What some researchers have claimed to discover are regions of the human genome which may contain genes which influence the manner in which male homosexual orientation develops.” (105). This serves as an example of how Branch proposes that Christians respond to these arguments in the culture.
While Branch’s use of scientific research is helpful, the detail with which he describes some of the studies can get tedious for the non-specialist. Clearly, Branch wants to prepare his readers to answer as many questions as possible, but some of his readers may find themselves slightly overwhelmed. Despite this fact, the book is still a useful tool for Christians who want to engage the scientific arguments.
In the end, Born This Way? proves to be a helpful book for those seriously engaged in debates about the scientific aspects of homosexuality. Branch gives Christians the evidence they need to refute some of the common arguments that lack clear scientific evidence. This book succeeds in its goal of dispelling the rumor that homosexuality is biologically caused.
