“But God,
Who I Believe. What I Believe. Why I Believe.
GOD
I believe that there is only one God. I believe that God eternally exists as one essence in three distinct persons—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, each of whom is fully God, yet there is one God. God is perfectly triune, overflowing in love, identical in attributes, distinct in persons, united in one will, and interwoven in all divine behavior. All divine action is from the Father, through the Son, and by the power of the Holy Spirit.
THE BIBLE
I believe God reveals Himself-through Scripture. I believe that the Bible is the Word breathed out by God and written by human authors by the power of the Holy Spirit to declare the love of God. I believe the entirety of the Bible is true, inerrant, inspired, authoritative, and sufficient. The Bible is God’s book about Himself. Scripture is the only infallible rule of Christian faith and practice. The Holy Bible is salvific in nature and is believed and understood by the power of the Holy Spirit.
THE FATHER
I believe in God the Father almighty, maker of Heaven and earth. I believe that the Father has no origin and yet He is the origin of all things. The Father initiates salvation and is the source of all divine behavior. There is order and unity of will and action in the Godhead as the Father sends the Son and the Holy Spirit to humanity. All things are from the Father, through the Son, by the Holy Spirit.
THE SON
I believe Jesus Christ is the eternally existent and eternally begotten Son of God. I believe God has revealed Himself through the incarnation of the Son and that Jesus Christ is both fully God and fully human. He is the image of the invisible God, the exact imprint of the Father, and equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit in essence. Jesus Christ came to represent God on earth, live in perfect covenantal obedience to the law of God, provide a model for redeemed humanity, and also bear the covenantal curse on behalf of disobedient humanity as the only perfect sacrifice. Jesus Christ conquered death, rose from the dead, ascended to heaven, and sits enthroned at the right hand of the Father. By grace through faith, everyone who believes in the name of Jesus Christ as Lord will receive eternal life.
THE HOLY SPIRIT
I believe the Holy Spirit is eternally sent by the Father and the Son, is of their exact same essence, and applies salvation. The Holy Spirit accomplishes the work of faith, repentance, adoption, regeneration, illumination, sanctification, perseverance, and empowers believers for Christian living. The Holy Spirit does nothing on His own and is entirely self-deferential for He only magnifies the Son, who always points to the Father. The Spirit of God only speaks and teaches according to the words of Jesus Christ.
GOD’S DESIGN
I believe that God created humankind in His image to glorify Him forever and to rule and reign over creation. I believe that the triune God has revealed Himself to all of humanity and continues to reveal Himself through His image bearers and all created things. I believe that God made Adam and that it was not good that he was alone, so God created Eve to become one with him and that the union was very good. I believe God designed men and women to flourish together.
MARRIAGE & SEX
I believe God designed sex to be enjoyed only between one man and one woman only in the context of marriage. I believe that homosexuality and same-sex attraction are conditions of the Fall, distortions of God’s image, a hindrance to communion with God, and do not glorify God. I believe that the power of God is sufficient for holy living and that one day soon, Jesus Christ will return and restore all things.
“For by Him all things were created, in Heaven and on earth, visible and invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—
all things were created through Him and for Him.”
Colossians 1:16
Endorsements for GETTING OUT
Matt & Lauren Chandler
Lead Pastor, The Village Church
“Carly bravely shares her raw yet hopeful story of Jesus’ relentless pursuit of her heart, what she’s learned in the middle of it, and what she hopes for others who find themselves in a similar place.”
Ellen Mary Dykas
Women’s Ministry Coordinator, Harvest USA
“For thirteen years I’ve discipled women who need help walking in freedom from unholy same-sex relationships, and all that is usually involved: misplaced hopes, emotional dependency, idolatrous desires, and pain. Getting Out is simply one of the best books I’ve read on this topic because of three things Carly does so beautifully: she’s transparent about the real-deal of this experience as a winsome storyteller, she weaves in discipleship wisdom for the woman who struggles, and finally, this book is completely saturated with Jesus and God’s word! God helped her get out and has brought her into a spacious place of freedom, joy, and obedience. Read this book and you’ll find a caring sister to guide you on your path.”
Jared C. & Becky Wilson
Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministry at Spurgeon College
Author in Residence at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary“Carly’s story and her honest reflections on it makes for an insightful and penetrating look at the complexities of deception and their only real antidote- the riches of God’s grace.”
Bonnie Scasta
Women’s Ministry Director
Living Hope Ministries“Getting Out provides HOPE for those struggling with their sexuality within the Christian community. This beautiful story of redemption shows how God pursues his children wherever they are to bring them back to Him. Not only will Carly’s story encourage you if you have questions about your own same sex attractions, but also if you know and love someone that is wrestling with their sexuality. Above all, this work displays the truth of the Gospel and its power to transform lives regardless of what a person may be struggling with.”
Elizabeth Woodson
Bible Teacher and Minister
The Village Church Institute“Getting Out is a book that is written with honesty, courage, and compassion. Combining her life journey with biblical wisdom, Carly Hope reminds us that freedom is found only in Jesus Christ. With practical and detailed insight, Carly explains how the gospel shapes our sexuality. Her gracious candor gives readers a deep understanding of God’s love for them and the beauty of finding their identity in Him. As image-bearers we exist to bring glory to God with the fullness of our being, and this book charts a course to help readers reach that goal.”
Jason Thompson
Executive Director
Portland Fellowship“Getting Out is a much-needed book that speaks both Christ’s love and biblical truth to women struggling with same-sex attractions and emotional dependency. Although written for women, this biblically grounded book will educate pastors and church leaders and speak to the heart of hurting parents, family, and friends whose loved ones have embraced a homosexual identity.”
