Jonathan Loved David: Homosexuality in Biblical Times [Paperback]

Tom M. Horner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1978

In this thoughtful exploration of a sensitive issue, Tom Horner considers all the references to homosexuality in the Bible--the stories of Sodom and Gibeah, David and Jonathan, Ruth and Naomi, and passages from Deuteronomy, Leviticus, Romans, I Corinthians, and I Timothy. He includes an important discussion of the words and actions of Christ in their biblical and historical context, to determine what conclusions can validly be inferred about Jesus and sexuality.

This book contains suggestions for further reading and a complete list of biblical references to homosexuality. Teachers, students, and anyone open to reconsidering homosexuality in the light of the Scriptures will profit from this clearly written work.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Tom M. Horner is an Episcopalian priest who holds degrees from the Duke University Divinity School and Columbia University. He has taught courses in religion at The College of Mount St. Vincent in Riverdale, New York.

Product Details

• Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press; 1st edition (January 1, 1978)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0664241859
• ISBN-13: 978-0664241858
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,227,177 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a well done scholarly approach, December 27, 2001

By 

Jonathan Lapin "fletcher rabbit" (Brooklyn, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jonathan Loved David: Homosexuality in Biblical Times (Paperback)

this is a good survey of the history of the biblical interpretations of homosexuality in the bible. horner does a fine job of laying out the historical background which formed certain prejudices, and explains them without being strident in his clearly pro-gay stance. the book is well-written (if abit dry) and i wish he had gone a bit deeper into tle literary aspects of the bible tales, but all in all, this is a worthy and totally non-lurid take. well worth the attention of any who are open to a differing viewpoint.

16 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Enlightening, October 17, 2001

By 

NaDine Rawls (Greenbelt, MD United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jonathan Loved David: Homosexuality in Biblical Times (Paperback)

Over the number of years I have been involved in Homosexuality and the Bible workshops and/or classes, Horner brings forth some very enlightening and eye opening facts. Such as, Pauls writings, that some can and cannot be attributed to him and how he uses the list of vices called "game counters" and homosexuality is NOT on this list. Although Ruth and Naomi's relationship was not a physical one, however, it is truly a lesson in UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, which many of us as HUMANS are still learning. We still make the statement "I love you but..." As for those of us who are in clery and server the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexaul and Transgendered community, we should encourage them to read and study this book and continue to discover where we as LGBT people are in the bible.

9 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars WHy do Christians keep spewing such hatred?, May 29, 2006

By 

Sarah "Book lover" (UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jonathan Loved David: Homosexuality in Biblical Times (Paperback)

W. Peters "B&W Rules" has very little compassion, and has evidently from their review not read the book. Their review is a searing attack on people who have the courage to think about issues, rather than blindly condemn them.

This book is an attempt to sympathetically review the evidence in the Bible for mentions and portrayals of homosexuality - whether you agree or disagree, you cannot deny that the author has tried to really think about the topic, rather than just twist teh facts to fit their own bigoted views.

I would suggest that, if you take an interest in studying the Bible and sexuality, you buy this book. If you choose to take a line and stick to it and rebuff all rational discussion with "Jesus loves you", as does W. Peters "B&W Rules" (who has done the same in all their previous reviews, by the way), don't read it. Go picket the Da Vinci Code, but don't bother people who can learn nothing from you.