The Gay Rights Movement wants you to think that sexuality is the most inherent, important,

central reality of personhood that exists. One of the things Ken Smith did for me was he made me think about one key question, Rosaria.

Is being a lesbian who you are, or is it how you are? That is an important question, Rosaria, is being a lesbian who you are or is it how you are?

That is an important question, and it's important question for Christians to think about.

See, if you actually think that gay and lesbian is who your neighbors are, then I can really

see why it would be very difficult for you to share the gospel.

But if you actually look at this biblically,

homosexuality is never who someone is. Welcome to the Crossby podcast, a show where we sit down with

authors each week for thoughtful interviews about the Bible, theology, church history, and the

Christian life. I'm Matt Tully, and today I'm talking with Rosaria Butterfield.

Rosaria is an author, a speaker, a pastor's wife, and a former professor of English and women's

studies at Syracuse University. She's the author of The Secret Thoughts of an unlikely convert,

and the gospel comes with a house key with Crossway. In our special extended conversation today,

Rosaria and I discuss how God used the simple, everyday hospitality of one pastor and his wife

to introduce her to his word and ultimately the gospel.

She also shares her thoughts on what it might look like for Christians to lovingly engage

their LGBTQ neighbors and friends in a way that is both winsome and faithful to Scripture.

Let's get started.

Rosaria, thank you for joining us today on the Crossway podcast.

Oh, Matt, it's my absolute pleasure. Thank you so much for inviting me to join you.

So many of our listeners are probably at least somewhat familiar with your own story, your own personal journey to faith in Christ.

But for those who aren't, could you just briefly share a little bit about how God drew you to himself?

...