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Informationen zum Autor Adrian Thatcher is Professorial Research Fellow in Applied Theology at the University of Exeter, UK. He is the author of numerous books, including: Theology and Families (Wiley-Blackwell, 2007); The Guide to Christian Marriage and to Getting Married in Church (2003); Living Together and Christian Ethics (2002); Celebrating Christian Marriage (ed., 2001); Marriage after Modernity: Christian Marriage in Postmodern Times (1999); People of Passion (with Elizabeth Stuart, 1997); Liberating Sex: A Christian Sexual Theology (1993); and Truly a Person, Truly God (1990). Klappentext Misuse of the Bible has made hatred holy. In this provocative book, Adrian Thatcher argues that debates on sexuality currently raging through the churches are the latest outbreak in a long line of savage interpretations of the Bible. He claims they should be exposed, not least because they continue an anti-tradition in Christianity that has discriminated against many minorities, including people of color, slaves, women and children. He asks how Christians have been able to conduct, in public and on a global scale, arguments which have exposed so much hatred and misrepresentation that the very mission of the church has been severely compromised. The answer lies largely in particular attitudes towards the Bible and the misuse of biblical passages. Informed by wide-ranging debate, and drawing on numerous examples, this balanced book breaks new ground in the well-ploughed territories of sexual ethics and biblical interpretation. It unmasks this savage tradition and offers instead an alternative, faithful and peaceable reading of the Bible; one which is faithful to the Triune God and rooted in the early church. It is fascinating reading for anyone concerned about the future of Christianity. Zusammenfassung Misuse of the Bible has made hatred holy. In this provocative book! Adrian Thatcher argues that debates on sexuality currently raging through the churches are the latest outbreak in a long line of savage interpretations of the Bible. Fascinating reading for anyone concerned about the future of Christianity. Inhaltsverzeichnis Acknowledgments ix Part I What Is "The Savage Text"? 1 1 The "Savage Text"? 3 The Bible as an Idol? 3 The Manifesto of "The Savage Text" 9 The Argument of the Book 12 2 "Vile Affections": The Bible and Homosexuality 15 Morality or Ideology? 15 A Guidebook for Sexual Behavior? 24 A Man Needs a Woman? 28 When is Exegesis Homophobic? 34 Part II The Savage Text at Work 37 3 "Cursed Be Canaan!": The Bible, Racism, and Slavery 39 The Bible and Racism 39 The Bible and Slavery 47 Reading the Bible after Slavery 50 4 "The Great Day of Wrath":The Bible and the End 57 "Man of War" or "Prince of Peace"? 58 "Rapture" or Rupture? 64 5 "Take Now Thy Son": The Bible and Children 78 Jesus and Children 78 Putting Jesus First 93 6 "Thou Shalt Not Suffer a Witch to Live":The Bible, Jews, and Women 95 The Bible and Anti-Semitism 96 The Bible and Misogyny 100 Learning from the Legacy? 106 Part III Beyond the Text: Faith in the Triune God 111 7 Faith in the Book or Faith in God? 113 The Scripture Principle 114 Hooker and the Middle Way 124 "Lost Christianities" and New "Heresies" 132 8 On Not Being a "People of the Book" 137 The Personalization of the Book 138 "Dis-solving" the Problem of Authority 145 Some Principles for a Peaceful Reading of the Bible 152 Conclusion 167 Glossary 170 Notes 180 Bibliography 197 Index of Scriptural Citations 206 General Index 212
