Space at the Table

Space at the Table presents the story of Brad Harper, an evangelical Christian professor, and his son Drew Harper, who came out as gay in his teenage years. Their dual narrative traces their journey of maintaining their relationship despite profound differences in beliefs and worldviews. The book follows their parallel experiences through Drew's coming out process, his departure from evangelical Christianity, and the subsequent years of working to preserve their father-son bond. Brad and Drew alternate chapters, each sharing their perspective on pivotal moments and ongoing challenges. Through personal stories and reflections, they examine how families can stay connected across deep ideological divides while remaining true to their convictions. The account spans multiple years and locations, following Drew's path to San Francisco and Brad's evolution as both a parent and religious scholar. At its core, this work explores themes of unconditional love, the tension between faith and sexuality, and the possibility of genuine dialogue across seemingly insurmountable differences. It stands as a document of how complex relationships can survive and even strengthen through conflict and change.

Readers appreciate the honest father-son dialogue about faith and sexuality, with many noting it helped them navigate similar family conversations. The dual perspectives and vulnerable storytelling style resonated with both conservative Christians and LGBTQ+ readers. Positive reviews highlight: - Balanced treatment of both viewpoints without demonizing either side - Practical advice for maintaining relationships despite differences - Personal anecdotes that humanize the discussion Common criticisms: - Too much focus on personal narrative vs theological discussion - Some readers wanted more concrete resolution - A few felt it leaned too heavily toward affirming theology Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (279 ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (167 reviews) Sample reader quote: "This book helped me understand my gay son better and gave me tools to keep our relationship strong while staying true to my beliefs." - Amazon reviewer Another reader notes: "The writing can meander at times, but the raw honesty makes up for it." - Goodreads review

Torn by Justin Lee A gay Christian man shares his journey of reconciling faith and sexuality while maintaining relationships with his conservative evangelical family.

Love Is an Orientation by Andrew Marin A straight evangelical pastor moves to a gay neighborhood to bridge the divide between Christian and LGBTQ+ communities through listening and relationship-building.

Does Jesus Really Love Me? by Jeff Chu A gay Christian journalist travels across America to document diverse perspectives on faith, sexuality, and belonging in Christian communities.

Us versus Us by Andrew Marin Research-based examination reveals the deep connections between the LGBTQ+ community and religious institutions, highlighting paths toward healing and understanding.

God and the Gay Christian by Matthew Vines A young gay Christian presents Biblical scholarship and personal experience to explore LGBTQ+ inclusion within traditional Christian faith.

🔹 The book is co-written by father and son: Brad Harper, an evangelical Christian professor, and Drew Harper, who came out as gay during his college years. 🔹 The title "Space at the Table" was inspired by the authors' belief that genuine dialogue requires making room for different perspectives, even when views deeply conflict. 🔹 Drew Harper worked as a professional ballet dancer in New York City before becoming a writer and contributing to conversations about faith and sexuality. 🔹 The book emerged from real conversations between father and son over a decade, as they navigated their relationship after Drew's coming out. 🔹 Brad Harper teaches at Multnomah University and has used this book in his theology classes to foster discussions about Christianity and LGBTQ+ relationships.