Defying the Darkness raises the question of suffering and the search for meaning in the midst of uncertainty. Authentic existence is threatened by several demons or fears of the other - including racism, sexism, and homophobia - and the violence and suffering they can prompt. The canon of readings, then, needs to be enlarged to encompass all persons, and J. Michael Clark draws on feminist, Native American spirituality, and gay-affirming texts.

Theological authority must reside, the author argues, not only in scripture but also in the lived experience of the community of faith - including those, such as gay men and lesbians, who have been marginalized. In such a community, theodicy can give way to ethics and hopefulness. This book forges an important new bond by showing how feminist theology and queer theory can inform and enrich each other.

Defying the Darkness is also a deeply personal text. Sharing his own experiences with suffering and death, the author shows that to live fully one needs to "acknowledge and yet defy tragedy." Throughout he expresses his personal hope that gay men and lesbians will come to live celebratory, embodied lives that reclaim their spirituality.