Contemplating uncommon saints . . .
Christians are used to hearing about sexuality and gender in the context of debate or culture wars, but there’s more to the story. What about LGBTQ people who are faithfully following Jesus, building up the Church, and making a difference in the world? Sexual and gender minorities may be uncommon among the human race—a small percentage—but everyday they are using their gifts and leadership in response to God’s call on their lives. They are not an issue to debate, they are uncommon saints. And it’s all part of God’s plan.
About the author of Uncommon Saints
Karen R. Keen has taught in both academic and church settings. Raised from the cradle in the Baptist church, she grew up with a strong love for Scripture. An important aspect of her vocation is making biblical scholarship accessible to a popular audience. Karen loves to see God at work in people’s lives, whether using their spiritual gifts or discovering the wonder of Scripture again. She is the author of several books, including Scripture, Ethics, and the Possibility of Same-Sex Relationships (Eerdmans, 2018), The Word of a Humble God: The Origins Inspiration, and Interpretation of Scripture (Eerdmans, 2022), and she is co-editor of Christlike Acceptance Across Deep Difference: Constructive Conversations on Sexuality and Gender (Baker Academic, 2025). Karen holds a M.S. in counseling (education) from Western Oregon University, M.A. in exegetical theology from Western Seminary, and a Th.M. in biblical studies from Duke Divinity School. For more on Karen, see her main website karenkeen.com.
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