Modern-Day Saint: Jackie Hill Perry
We’ve been doing our series this year on “saints”. I’ve stated before that we hear about the Catholic church having their saints and many non-Catholic churches having their missionaries. This series is focused on stories of great Christian leaders throughout history - whether present time or times long ago.
Today, I wanted to focus on someone who has personally impacted me with her words and explanation of theology. That person is Jackie Hill Perry. If you have not read her book, I highly suggest reading “Gay Girl, Good God”. This book has been a blessing to many people’s lives.
To summarize Jackie’s story, she grew up as a girl who identified as homosexual. That means she was attracted to other girls. In addition, she felt like she didn’t fit stereotypical “girl” labels. Jackie radically found Jesus’ love - and you have to read the full story to hear all of those details.
The big difference with Jackie’s story is the way that she talks about identity. She does not say that she radically was not attracted to females or got married to fix her identity. Jackie emphasizes how she found her identity in Christ. She discusses how emotions and feelings do not create identity. Rather, we identify under a holy God and His rules. We surrender our sexuality to Him.
Historically, the church has been a place that has created interesting narratives around sexuality. The options were pretty narrow, and many times, not pointing to Christ. One main option was permanent celibacy. You have this attraction - therefore, you are called to serve God at an unhealthy level and ministry is the answer. Another option was marrying someone of the opposite gender because that would cure you. The problem is that neither of these options pointed back to God and the Bible in a healthy way.
I truly believe the church has become apologetic in this. Jackie is helping shape a new conversation. When we surrender to Christ, we surrender all areas of our life to Christ - our sexuality and everything else. THAT is the only thing that can save you. Rather than focusing on someone’s sexual attraction or sexual disobedience to God, point them back to Christ and following Him.
Today, Jackie is married to a wonderful man that she does ministry alongside. She doesn’t do it because that makes her Christian. You can read her story and learn the incredible story of how she married her best friend. Follow her Instagram and see how she is raising her children. Listen to her podcast and hear how she learned what is Godly femininity - as opposed to what is cultural traditions. There are a lot of arguments with people agreeing or disagreeing with what Jackie has to say.
All I know is what I have read from her books and her podcast. Those conversations have allowed me to take a step back in conversations about sexuality and simply point people back to Jesus. It has helped me shape my own views of marriage and sexuality. Marriage was meant to be a man and a women - multiplying the earth and growing Christ’s Kingdom together. Sexuality should stem from the intimacy of marriage - not whomever you are attracted to. Jackie gives a good reminder that both marriage and sex need to be put back in their proper place - UNDER our God’s rule and our relationship with Him.