From Publishers Weekly
When Gene Robinson, an openly gay Episcopal priest, was elected bishop of New Hampshire in 2003, his election sparked ongoing debate and potential schism in the Anglican Church, both in America and around the world. Bates, religion correspondent for the Guardian (U.K.), pens a thoughtful guide to the current controversy. Focusing on England and (to a lesser extent) the U.S., Bates casts the current dispute in the context of the church's grappling with social change since the 1960s—the ordination of women, the acknowledgment of high divorce rates—and explores how different Anglicans interpret the Bible and come to divergent conclusions about homosexuality. But this is no dry survey of scriptural hermeneutics. It is also a work of first-rate journalism, introducing readers to many principal figures in the Anglican scene—the archbishop of Canterbury, conservative ministers, liberal bishops. Bates is unfailingly generous to liberal Anglicans, taking seriously and sympathetically the arguments in favor of full-fledged acceptance of homosexuality. Unfortunately, he is not so magnanimous to evangelicals, chiding them for refusing to consider that scriptural imperatives about sexuality might be outdated and inapplicable to "today's society." The book would be stronger, and would find a larger audience, if it were more evenhanded. But biases notwithstanding, Bates has given us a valuable, informative account of a timely issue. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.


From Booklist
Few issues are as divisive today as homosexuality and religion. Journalist Bates is balanced and measured in his report on how the November 2, 2003, consecration as an Episcopal bishop of openly gay V. Gene Robinson in New Hampshire has divided the larger Anglican community. There are more than 77 million Anglicans in 164 countries, ranging from the church's historic home in England to the U.S., where the Anglican Episcopal Church wields influence disproportionate to its 2.3 million members, to such far-flung corners as Nigeria, where the church is flourishing. Describing the Church of England's position on homosexuality as inconsistent and confused, Bates points out the hypocrisy surrounding much of the argument against fully accepting gays in the church. While presenting both traditional and alternative interpretations, he pointedly comments on biblical references to homosexuality and, with wit, insight, compassion, and common sense, surveys homosexuality and religion through the ages. His own opinion is that the debate is ultimately about not sexuality but control and authority, power and politics. Strong stuff. June Sawyers
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Book Description
The consecration of V. Gene Robinson as an openly gay bishop of New Hampshire has divided the Anglican Community, a historic pillar of Christianity embraced by seventy million people in 164 countries. Most Anglican groups outside the United States oppose the ordination of gay clergy. After Robinson's consecration, overseas bishops jointly announced that they were in a "state of impaired communion" with the 2.3 million-member US Branch of the Episcopal Church--a step short of declaring a full schism.

In A Church at War, journalist Stephen Bates assesses the current state and historical context of this fight. Including personal interviews with all chief players in the struggle, this is the only book to offer the full story of the Church's vicious row over homosexuality. Showing the strengths and weaknesses of the different positions, Bates takes the details of church politics and creates an engrossing and exciting narrative. As the threat of schism looms ever closer, this book, with its controversial yet fair look at the fight will be both illuminating and essential to all with an interest in the Church and its relationship with homosexuality.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

"The Anglican Communion is in turmoil. One of the great historic pillars of Christianity, embraced by 70 million people in 164 countries, faces the real and immediate possibility of collapse, as the prospect of schism looms ever closer. Yet why is gay sexuality the explosive issue that could rip the Anglicans apart, and put an end to a century-old and highly-prized international unity, when such contentious issues as the ordination of women, or discussions about union with other churches, failed to cause a spilt?" "In providing his answers, Stephen Bates shows that unity has been prized by some above integrity, and has been the cause of vicious infighting and internal politics. He discusses the milestones of the row: the Higton debate in the 1980s; Clause 28; the 1998 Lambeth Conference; Issues in Human Sexuality; the abortive appointment of Jeffrey John; the blessing of gay partnerships in Canada; and the election, and consecration of Canon Gene Robinson in New Hampshire. Interviews with leading figures on both sides of the divide - liberal and evangelical - in which they justify their positions on homosexuality, indicate just how bitter and divisive the dispute has become." A Church At War is the only book to assess the current state and historical context of the fight, the strengths and weaknesses of the protagonists' positions, and the tactics that they are employing to win the day. It offers insights into a power struggle between factions seemingly united only by their mutual antipathy, and conducted, paradoxically, in the name of true communion.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly