Both Feet Firmly Planted in Midair: My Spiritual Journey

John J. McNeill

Westminster John Knox Press, Jan 1, 1998 - Biography & Autobiography - 184 pages

With the publication of his groundbreaking The Church and Homosexuality in 1976, John McNeill placed himself in the vanguard of scholars who were challenging long-held assumptions about the Bible and homosexuality. Through his continued scholarship, spiritual reflection, and untiring activism, McNeill has brought hope and affirmation to thousands of gay and lesbian Christians. Both Feet Firmly Planted in Midair is McNeill's autobiography.

What people are saying

Both feet firmly planted in midair: my spiritual journey

User Review  - Not Available - Book Verdict

This is a searingly honest account of a priest's struggle to embrace his homosexual identity while helping others find healing within the framework of God's love. McNeill, ordained as a Jesuit in 1959 ...

Contents

• Why Buffalo?: 1
• The Battlin Sharkeys: 6
• Coming of Age: 14
• Prisoner of War: 21
• Vocation: 42
• Ordination: 48
• The Quest: 53
• Discovering Gay Love: 59
• Triumphant Return?: 63
• Search and Discovery: 68
• Extracting the Truth: 72
• Launching Gay Ministry: 79
• The Church and the Homosexual: 84
• Imprimi Potest: 89
• The Media Response: 92
• Trouble Trouble Trouble: 97
• Healing Ministry: 102
• Support of My Jesuit Brothers and My Peers: 105
• My Discernment of Spirits: 116
• Expulsion: 127
• Where Will I Be Buried?: 133
• Our Home in the Country: 135
• Taking a Chance on God: 138
• The Italian Tour: 144
• Support from Metropolitan Community Church: 147
• The Trilogy Is Complete: 150
• Sister Sheila: 158
• The Saging: 162
• Toward Spiritual Maturity: 164
• My Spiritual Life Today: 171
• Praise to Charlie: 177
• Annotated Bibliography of the Publications: 179

About the author

John J. McNeill has done a great deal of work on the subject of spirituality and gay and lesbian issues as both an author and a lecturer. He is the author of The Church and the Homosexual; Taking a Chance on God: Liberating Theology for Gays and Lesbians, Their Lovers, Friends, and Families; and Freedom, Glorious Freedom: The Spiritual Journey to Fullness of Life for Gays, Lesbians, and Everybody Else.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Both Feet Firmly Planted in Midair: My Spiritual Journey
• Author: John J. McNeill
• Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press, 1998
• ISBN: 0664258085, 9780664258085
• Length: 184 pages
• Subjects: Biography & Autobiography / General; Biography & Autobiography / Religious