that existence precedes essence.3 Quite the abstraction, I know. But unpacking it is worth the effort. The lie espoused by contemporary culture is that our existence—the things we do, the experiences we have, the ensuing thoughts and feelings—defines who we are, our essence. In the case of Vaughan Roberts, this philosophy would suggest that because he experiences same-sex attraction, he is a homosexual. His experiences, thoughts, and feelings are seen as definitive. They all point to this identifying