God, Sex, and Gender
An Introduction
1. Auflage April 2011
288 Seiten, Hardcover
Wiley & Sons Ltd
ISBN:
978-1-4051-9369-6
John Wiley & Sons
Engagingly and clearly written by a highly respected theologian,
God, Sex, and Gender is the first comprehensive introduction
to a theology of both sexuality and gender available in a single
volume.
* Makes a theological contribution to understanding the
unprecedented changes in sexual and gender relationships of the
last fifty years
* Discusses many topics including: sexual difference; sexual
equality; gender and power; the nature of desire; the future of
marriage in Christian sexual ethics; homosexuality and same-sex
unions; the problems of sexual minorities; contraception in a time
of HIV/AIDS; the separation of sexual experience from marriage; and
offers new arguments for marriage and for chastity
* Offers a consistent and engaging introduction at the cutting
edge of theological inquiry, which is contemporary, undogmatic,
questioning, and relevant to readers' experience, interests, and
needs
* Written lucidly and engagingly by an established and respected
academic who has published widely in this area
Introduction - Or, a Welcome to My Readers ix
Part I Sex, Gender, and Theology 1
1 Sex: Sexuality, the Sexes, Having Sex 3
1.1 Sexuality 3
1.2 How Many Sexes are There? 6
1.3 Having Sex 14
2 Gender: Language, Power, and History 17
2.1 Gender 17
2.2 Gender, Language, and Power 23
2.3 Gender in the Time of Jesus 28
3 Theology: Sources and Applications 33
3.1 Explaining the Sources: Scripture, Tradition, Reason 33
3.2 Applying the Sources 40
3.3 Using the Sources Well 49
Part II Being Theological about Sex 55
4 Desiring 57
4.1 Learning from Lust 57
4.2 Desiring 62
4.3 Desiring God? 66
4.4 God Desiring Us? 69
5 Framing Sex: Must the Framework be Marriage? 76
5.1 The Traditional Framework: Celibacy or Marriage? 76
5.2 The Case against Marriage 79
5.3 Alternative Frameworks: Justice and Friendship? 87
5.4 A New Case for Marriage? 89
6 Covenants and Covenant-Makers 96
6.1 Beginning with God 96
6.2 God the Father - Maker of Covenants 100
6.3 Christ - The Bridegroom, Maker of a New Covenant 106
6.4 The Eucharist - Sharing in the New Covenant 111
Part III Being Theological about Gender 115
7 God: Beyond Male and Female 117
7.1 Does God Have [a] Sex? 118
7.2 Is God the Son a Man? 123
7.3 Mary - Mother of All the Living 127
7.4 Womankind in God's Likeness? 131
8 ''In Christ there is neither Male nor Female'' 135
8.1 Sex in the Body of Christ 135
8.2 Gender in the Body of Christ 139
8.3 Masculinity in the Body of Christ 143
8.4 . . . Neither . . . Male nor Female . . .? 149
Part IV Being Theological about Same-Sex Love 155
9 The Bible and Same-Sex Love 157
9.1 What the Churches Teach 157
9.2 Same-Sex Relations in the Hebrew Bible 159
9.3 Same-Sex Relations in the New Testament 163
9.4 What Else Does the Bible ''Say'' about Same-Sex Relations? 168
9.5 Finding What We Want to Find? Evaluating Official Teaching 171
10 Tradition, Reason, and Same-Sex Love 175
10.1 Tradition and Same-Sex Love 175
10.2 Reason, Natural Law, and Same-Sex Love 180
10.3 Complementarity and Same-Sex Love 185
10.4 Experience and Same-Sex Love 188
Part V Learning to Love 191
11 Virginity, Celibacy, Chastity 193
11.1 Valuing Virginity? 193
11.2 Virginity ''for the Sake of the Kingdom'' 196
11.3 In Praise of Restraint 200
11.4 Commending Chastity 203
12 ''Condilemmas'': Sex and Contraception in the Time of HIV/AIDS 211
12.1 Contraception, Still a Theological Issue 211
12.2 Lambeth against Rome 214
12.3 Contraception and Natural Law 217
12.4 Sex and Love: An ''Unbreakable Connection''? 221
12.5 Moral Deficit Arguments 224
12.6 Condoms in the Time of HIV/AIDS 226
13 Marriage and the ''States of Life'' 234
13.1 Betrothal in the Bible 234
13.2 Betrothal and Tradition 237
13.3 Spousals, Nuptials, and States of Life 244
14 Inclusive Theology and Sexual Minorities 249
14.1 Sex 249
14.2 Gender 256
Index of Authors 259
Index of Biblical References 263
Index of Subjects 267
Part I Sex, Gender, and Theology 1
1 Sex: Sexuality, the Sexes, Having Sex 3
1.1 Sexuality 3
1.2 How Many Sexes are There? 6
1.3 Having Sex 14
2 Gender: Language, Power, and History 17
2.1 Gender 17
2.2 Gender, Language, and Power 23
2.3 Gender in the Time of Jesus 28
3 Theology: Sources and Applications 33
3.1 Explaining the Sources: Scripture, Tradition, Reason 33
3.2 Applying the Sources 40
3.3 Using the Sources Well 49
Part II Being Theological about Sex 55
4 Desiring 57
4.1 Learning from Lust 57
4.2 Desiring 62
4.3 Desiring God? 66
4.4 God Desiring Us? 69
5 Framing Sex: Must the Framework be Marriage? 76
5.1 The Traditional Framework: Celibacy or Marriage? 76
5.2 The Case against Marriage 79
5.3 Alternative Frameworks: Justice and Friendship? 87
5.4 A New Case for Marriage? 89
6 Covenants and Covenant-Makers 96
6.1 Beginning with God 96
6.2 God the Father - Maker of Covenants 100
6.3 Christ - The Bridegroom, Maker of a New Covenant 106
6.4 The Eucharist - Sharing in the New Covenant 111
Part III Being Theological about Gender 115
7 God: Beyond Male and Female 117
7.1 Does God Have [a] Sex? 118
7.2 Is God the Son a Man? 123
7.3 Mary - Mother of All the Living 127
7.4 Womankind in God's Likeness? 131
8 ''In Christ there is neither Male nor Female'' 135
8.1 Sex in the Body of Christ 135
8.2 Gender in the Body of Christ 139
8.3 Masculinity in the Body of Christ 143
8.4 . . . Neither . . . Male nor Female . . .? 149
Part IV Being Theological about Same-Sex Love 155
9 The Bible and Same-Sex Love 157
9.1 What the Churches Teach 157
9.2 Same-Sex Relations in the Hebrew Bible 159
9.3 Same-Sex Relations in the New Testament 163
9.4 What Else Does the Bible ''Say'' about Same-Sex Relations? 168
9.5 Finding What We Want to Find? Evaluating Official Teaching 171
10 Tradition, Reason, and Same-Sex Love 175
10.1 Tradition and Same-Sex Love 175
10.2 Reason, Natural Law, and Same-Sex Love 180
10.3 Complementarity and Same-Sex Love 185
10.4 Experience and Same-Sex Love 188
Part V Learning to Love 191
11 Virginity, Celibacy, Chastity 193
11.1 Valuing Virginity? 193
11.2 Virginity ''for the Sake of the Kingdom'' 196
11.3 In Praise of Restraint 200
11.4 Commending Chastity 203
12 ''Condilemmas'': Sex and Contraception in the Time of HIV/AIDS 211
12.1 Contraception, Still a Theological Issue 211
12.2 Lambeth against Rome 214
12.3 Contraception and Natural Law 217
12.4 Sex and Love: An ''Unbreakable Connection''? 221
12.5 Moral Deficit Arguments 224
12.6 Condoms in the Time of HIV/AIDS 226
13 Marriage and the ''States of Life'' 234
13.1 Betrothal in the Bible 234
13.2 Betrothal and Tradition 237
13.3 Spousals, Nuptials, and States of Life 244
14 Inclusive Theology and Sexual Minorities 249
14.1 Sex 249
14.2 Gender 256
Index of Authors 259
Index of Biblical References 263
Index of Subjects 267
"Many of the critiques of God, Sex, and Genderoffered in
this review emerge from Thatcher's own lines of
interrogation. In this and other ways, the book succeeds in drawing
readers into what is truly an exhilarating mode of reflection. As
such, it offers a major contribution towards theological depth and
creativity in this important set of discourses, renewing the often
reflexive ethics of sex and gender through witness to the Word
become flesh." (Studies in Christian Ethics, 16
April 2014)
"Written as a text for post-secondary courses, this book
aims to provide "a comprehensive and consistent theological
understanding of sexuality and gender, which is broad,
contemporary, undogmatic, questioning, inclusive, and relevant to
readers' interests, needs, and experience"
(xi)." (Studies in Religion, 1 September
2013)
"Adrian Thatcher's new book will be a rich resource for those
studying and teaching sex, gender and sexuality in theological
perspective ... The volume is a valuable one, which I hope will
prompt readers to go and explore Thatcher's own extensive work form
the past, as well as the broader context of theological scholarship
on sexuality, gender and marriage within which it sits." (Theology,
1 January 2012)
"Although designed as an introduction for theology students, this
is a really remarkable book covering a whole range of sensitive
subjects in a deeply humane fashion." (Network Review, 1 June 2011)
"Adrian Thatcher brings an unparalleled knowledge and understanding
to the writing of this book. He knows what readers - both beginners
and seasoned - want and need in an introductory text. The
author is not only sensible and comprehensive, but also critical
and challenging, as well as discerning and wise, and above all
accessible. His book provides a truly excellent introduction to the
profound and often troubling questions raised by the gender and
intimacies of our bodies in relationship to one another and to
God."
--Gerard Loughlin, Durham University
"Two things shine through this book: Adrian Thatcher's
scholarship and his humanity. This book will help readers
understand how and why centuries of Christian teaching on sex and
gender developed as it did, and offers a wealth of resources for
meeting the challenges of today."
--Elaine Graham, University of Chester
this review emerge from Thatcher's own lines of
interrogation. In this and other ways, the book succeeds in drawing
readers into what is truly an exhilarating mode of reflection. As
such, it offers a major contribution towards theological depth and
creativity in this important set of discourses, renewing the often
reflexive ethics of sex and gender through witness to the Word
become flesh." (Studies in Christian Ethics, 16
April 2014)
"Written as a text for post-secondary courses, this book
aims to provide "a comprehensive and consistent theological
understanding of sexuality and gender, which is broad,
contemporary, undogmatic, questioning, inclusive, and relevant to
readers' interests, needs, and experience"
(xi)." (Studies in Religion, 1 September
2013)
"Adrian Thatcher's new book will be a rich resource for those
studying and teaching sex, gender and sexuality in theological
perspective ... The volume is a valuable one, which I hope will
prompt readers to go and explore Thatcher's own extensive work form
the past, as well as the broader context of theological scholarship
on sexuality, gender and marriage within which it sits." (Theology,
1 January 2012)
"Although designed as an introduction for theology students, this
is a really remarkable book covering a whole range of sensitive
subjects in a deeply humane fashion." (Network Review, 1 June 2011)
"Adrian Thatcher brings an unparalleled knowledge and understanding
to the writing of this book. He knows what readers - both beginners
and seasoned - want and need in an introductory text. The
author is not only sensible and comprehensive, but also critical
and challenging, as well as discerning and wise, and above all
accessible. His book provides a truly excellent introduction to the
profound and often troubling questions raised by the gender and
intimacies of our bodies in relationship to one another and to
God."
--Gerard Loughlin, Durham University
"Two things shine through this book: Adrian Thatcher's
scholarship and his humanity. This book will help readers
understand how and why centuries of Christian teaching on sex and
gender developed as it did, and offers a wealth of resources for
meeting the challenges of today."
--Elaine Graham, University of Chester
Adrian Thatcher is currently Visiting Professor in Applied Theology at the University of Exeter, UK. He is the author of numerous books, including: The Savage Text: The Use and Abuse of the Bible (Wiley-Blackwell, 2008); Theology and Families (Wiley-Blackwell, 2007); The Guide to Christian Marriage and to Getting Married in Church (2003); Living Together and Christian Ethics (2002); and Celebrating Christian Marriage (ed., 2001).
