Product Description

Gagnon offers the most thorough analysis to date of the biblical texts relating to homosexuality. His strong and clearly articulated argument establishes that the Bible contains a unanimous witness defining same-sex intercourse as sin. He does so while rigorously engaging biblical scholars and historians who have written both for and against this understanding of same-sex intercourse. In addition, he demonstrates systematically why attempts to classify as irrelevant for our contemporary context the Bible's rejection of same-sex intercourse fail to do justice to the biblical texts. His conclusions are clear and compassionate, as he cautions readers on all sides of the debate against a truncated gospel, and challenges all to strive for a holistic view of the command to love God and neighbor.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #64289 in Books
• Published on: 2002-09
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 520 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780687022793
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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Review
"...In its learnedness, [Gagnon's] book will...be in the vanguard of its position and cannot be ignored...." -- Martti Nissinen, University of Helsinki, and author of Homoeroticism in the Biblical World (From the Jacket Flap)

"...the fullest and best presentation of the conservative position....expressing the case same-sex intercourse sympathetically and convincingly." -- I. Howard Marshall, Professor of New Testament, Emeritus, University of Aberdeen, Scotland (Blurb Inside Book)

"...the most thorough examination of the scriptural and theological...perspectives on same-sex relations....a tour de force." -- Marion L. Soards, Professor of New Testament, Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary (From Jacket Flap)

"Gagnon has offered a learned, judicious, and comprehensive examination of the biblical testimony....fair and compassionate...a major resource...." -- Brevard S. Childs, Sterling Professor of Divinity (Hebrew Bible), Emeritus, Yale Divinity School (From Inside Book)

"Gagnon's book is an extremely valuable contribution to the current debate....I recommend this book wholeheartedly." -- C. E. B. Cranfield, Professor of Theology (New Testament), Emeritus, University of Durham (From Inside Book)

"Gagnon's incisive logic, prudent judgment, and exhaustive research should make this book a dominant voice in the contemporary debate." -- Jerome Murphy-O'Connor, O.P., Professor of New Testament, Ecole Biblique, Jerusalem (From the Back Cover)

"I believe that this volume will become a classic in the ongoing discussion of the church's...response to homosexuality." -- Duane F. Watson, Professor of New Testament, Malone College (From Inside Book)

"I know of no comparable study of the texts and interpretive debates that surround homosexual behavior." -- Max L. Stackhouse, Stephen Colwell Professor of Christian Ethics, Princeton Theological Seminary (From the Jacket Flap)

"No Christian concerned with homosexuality can afford to ignore this book." -- John Barton, Oriel and Laing Professor of the Interpretation of Holy Scripture, University of Oxford (From the Back Cover)

"This is a brilliant, original, and highly important work,...indispensable even for those who disagree with the author." -- James Barr, Distinguished Professor of Hebrew Bible, Emeritus, Vanderbilt University (From the Back Cover)

From the Back Cover
"Gagnon offers the most thorough analysis to date of the biblical texts relating to homosexuality. His strong and clearly articulated argument establishes that the Bible contains a unanimous witness defining same-sex intercourse as sin. He does so while rigorously engaging biblical scholars and historians who have written both for and against this understanding of same-sex intercourse. In addition, he demonstrates systematically why attempts to classify as irrelevant for our contemporary context the Bible's rejection of same-sex intercourse fail to do justice to the biblical texts. His conclusions are clear and compassionate, as he cautions readers on all sides of the debate against a truncated gospel, and challenges all to strive for a holistic view of the command to love God and neighbor."

About the Author
Robert A. J. Gagnon is Associate Professor of New Testament at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (USA). He has published in numerous scholarly journals and is also co-author of: Homosexuality and the Bible: Two Views (Fortress Press, 2003).

Customer Reviews

Best Scholarly Study of Homosexuality and the Bible
Many churches today are discussing the question of whether homosexual sexual behavior is sinful, which requires an understanding of what the Bible says about it. Prof Gagnon has produced the most comprehensive examination of the Biblical evidence regarding homosexual behavior. His treatment is definitely on the conservative side, but he attempts to be fair to all viewpoints. This is easily the best book on the subject, but it is not an easy read. The most interesting aspect of Gagnon's approach is his comprehensive approach. He starts with Genesis and shows that the Jewish viewpoint is anchored in Genesis and the marriage of two complementary human beings -- male and female. Then he interprets the rest of the Bible in the light of Genesis. He does not limit himself to the 5 or 6 well-known passages in the Bible which are often discussed when the topic is homosexual behavior. Those who are conservative will find this book very helpful. Those who are liberal (on this topic) will find it the strongest case that can be made for the "opposing side."

An excellent, thorough study
Gagnon appears to have left few stones unturned in his analysis of this issue. He presents the most detailed and thorough exegetical case for the traditional Christian view on homosexuality that I have seen.

Yet what is interesting to me is that Gagnon's methodology is certainly not "conservative," but reflects mainstream, "liberal" historical-critical assumptions in his exegesis of texts. This is why so thoroughly a liberal scholar as James Barr, who wrote the anti-conservative polemic FUNDAMENTALISM, can nonetheless commend the book despite the "conservative" conclusions that the author reaches. Thus this is probably the best book for a theological conservative (such as this reviewer) to recommend to any theological "moderate" who is not yet completely decided on this issue. Gagnon is likely to gain a hearing where conservatives will not.

Theological conservatives too may read this work with profit, though they will have to forgive Gagnon's adoption of critical positions on matters of authorship and the like that we would find unacceptable. Fortunately such matters rarely affect the force of his argumention.

Solid refutation against the 'idol' of sexual tolerant Jesus
One reason that attracts me to buy this book is that I find a pro-gay scholar Martti Nissinen's recommendation in the preface, one among 15 praises from contemparory well-known biblical scholars. After reading it, I agree with Nissinen that "his book...cannot be ignored in future debate even by proponents of discordant views."

The major reward to me is his clarification of the attitude of Jesus towards homosexuality. Usually. pro-gay theology protrays Jesus as taking a tolerant and affirming stand towards homosexual acts because of His emphasis of love and embrace of social outcasts, especially His merciful attitude towards adulterous women and the prostitutes. Gagnon has convincingly pointed out that Jesus' attitude on sexual ethics is even far more rigorious than the Jews of his time, in Jesus' comments on divorce and re-interpretation of adultery. This shows that Jesus' sexual ethics is even more rigorous than OT in regard to sexual sin. That's why Jesus' forgiveness is often accompanied with "sin no more" ending! Jesus demonstrates God's love, but he is also the prophet carrying out the temple action and procaliming the seriousness of sexual sin, which demonstrate God's judgment and righteousness . Jesus does not overturn the OT law on sexual sin, in particular homosexual intercourse. On the contrary, Jesus further the Torah on sexual sin and set a higher standard against sexual sin (hardcover, p.196-228)

I hope that pro-gay Christians can be honest in facing the real attitude of Jesus against sexual sin instead of protraying a sexually tolerant Jesus, which actually turns out to be an idol, in justifying homosexual behavior that's hurting God's heart.