Includes bibliographical references (pages 303-334) and index.
Contents:
Introduction: Why the Bible is not a sexual guidebook -- The Bible and the joy of sex: desire in and out of control -- Biblical marriage: there is no single view on marriage presented in the Bible -- The evil impulse: disordered and ordered desire -- Sexual politics: God's wife, cursing the Canaanites, and biblical sex crimes -- Strange flesh: the sons of God and the daughters of men -- Bodily parts: circumcision, semen, and the products of a woman's womb -- Conclusion: So I hear you have five husbands ...
Summary:
Bible scholar Jennifer Wright Knust addresses the big questions that dominate today's discussions and debates when it comes to sex and the Bible: Is premarital sex a sin? When, and in what contexts, is sexual desire appropriate? With whom can I legitimately have sex? Are same-sex relations permissible? In an era where the phrases, "the Bible says," and "God says," are so often exploited, it is time to consider what the Bible actually does-or does not-say about monogamy, polygamy, homosexuality, gender roles, and sex. Unprotected Texts directly and pointedly takes on widely shared misconceptions about sex, arguing that the Bible cannot-and should not-serve as a rulebook for sexual morality, despite popular claims to the contrary. From the Song of Songs' lyrical eroticism to the rigid sexual rules of Leviticus--and everything in between--Knust parses the Bible's contradictory, often surprising messages. Skillfully revealing the latest insights from critical scholarship, Knust provides a compassionate and liberating model for navigating these deeply personal issues that affect us all. --Book Jacket.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.