Often our questions about being gay and Christian require more in-depth reading. Here are some of the best books on the shelves today:

Living In Sin? A Bishop Rethinks Human Sexuality; Spong, John Shelby; $10.00; Bishop Spong calls for a moral vision to empower the church with inclusive teachings about equal, loving, non-exploitative relationships.

Stranger At the Gate: One Man’s Struggle with Homophobia and the Religious Right; White, Mel; $23.00; This book provides a firsthand look at the workings of the religious right and how they use their power to create a campaign of hatred and fear against gays.

Taking a Chance on God; McNeill, John J.; $13.00; A book of spiritual advice for gays and lesbians that shows how scripture and tradition support the love between homosexuals. McNeill, the author of The Church and the Homosexual, reflects here on the joys and challenges of being a gay or lesbian Christian.

What the Bible Really Says About Homosexuality; Helminiak, Daniel; $9.95; Top scholars show that those who perceive Bible passages as condemning homosexuality are being misled by faulty translation and poor interpretation. Helminiak, a respected theologian and Roman Catholic priest, explains in a clear fashion the fascinating new insights of these scholars.