The Queer Bible Commentary [Hardcover]

Deryn Guest (Editor), Robert Goss (Editor), Mona West (Editor), Thomas Bohache (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 30, 2006

The Queer Bible Commentary brings together the work of several scholars and pastors known for their interest in the areas of gender, sexuality and Biblical studies. Rather than a verse-by-verse analysis, typical of more traditional commentaries, contributors to this volume focus specifically upon those portions of the book that have particular relevance for readers interested in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues such as the construction of gender and sexuality, the reification of heterosexuality, the question of lesbian and gay ancestry within the Bible, the transgendered voices of the prophets, the use of the Bible in contemporary political, socio-economic and religious spheres and the impact upon lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities. Accordingly, the commentary raises new questions and re-directs more traditional questions in fresh and innovative ways, offering new angles of approach. This comprehensive, cutting-edge commentary is prefaced by an introductory essay by Ronald E Long. Contributors draw on feminist, queer, deconstructionist, utopian theories, the social sciences and historical-critical discourses. The focus is both how reading from lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender perspectives affect the reading and interpretation of biblical texts and how biblical texts have and do affect lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender communities. The commentary includes an extensive bibliography that directs the reader to a full range of literature relating to queer interpretation of scripture.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dr Deryn Guest is Lecturer in Biblical Hermeneutics at the University of Birmingham. Dr Robert E Goss, is Senior Pastor Theologian at the Metropolitan Community Churches in North Hollywood. Dr Mona West taught at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville from 1987-1992. Thomas Bohache is a Pastor in the Metropolitan Community Churches, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 859 pages
• Publisher: SCM Press (December 30, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0334040213
• ISBN-13: 978-0334040217
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 45 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #768,906 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Challening but far-fetched in places January 28, 2012

By Mr. D. P. Jay

Format:Hardcover

This book is heavy going in places but as it is written by many different authors, some chapters are easier than others.

I have been reading Old Testament criticism for about fifty-five years but someone coming to it new gets a very concise summary of the various debates. A lengthy introduction updates us on the `6 Bible bullets' against homosexuality. Scholars seem to turn over this debate endlessly and it is hard to keep up with it.
On the plus side, the book is very fair to the insights of Judaism and seeks to distance itself from supercessionism, for example in using the terms first and second testaments .
One of the best articles is that by Thomas Hanks, on the epistle to the Hebrews.

Marcella Althaus-Reid's article on Mark's Gospel is full of insight (I usually find her work impossible to comprehend) but is also inaccurate - she claims that the earliest manuscripts have no accounts of the resurrection. This is not true - they have no accounts of resurrection appearances but they do contain the empty tomb. Also, she refers to a meeting of the Lambeth Conference is 2003 - does she mean 2008?

Thomas Bohache's article on Colossians argues that it should be removed from the canon of scripture because it endorses, rather than challenges, the status quo of the Roman Empire. It's a pity that he didn't keep his reading up to date. Brian Walshe and Sylvia Keesmaat's Colossians Remixed: Subverting the Empire demonstrates in considerable detail that the exact opposite was the case.

Bohache also suggests that Barth, Bultmann and Rahner emphasize Christ's divinity at the expense of his divinity. He is woefully ignorant of their theology if he thinks that.

On the negative side, there is some special pleading. It seems like every biblical character is gay. This is a reading into the text, though there is a place for but reading playfully in the style of midrash. However, the chapter on the book of Revelation sees phallic symbols everywhere. Such far-fetched eisegesis is likely to put straight people off; the very people who ought to read this book.

4 of 8 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars As a Christian who is gay i think this is worse than nonsense February 26, 2012

By J. Fried

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I appreciate that various Christian "authorities" have used the bible as a weapon against women, African Americans, now LGBT people and others. My relationship with God is the most important thing in my life even though the rejection of LGBT people by the church is constant upon us. If this bible had simply provided good insight into a viewpoint that supported the inclusion, rather than the historical exclusion, of LGBT people, in God's plan for humanity i would have welcomed it. If it had provided insight into the tendency for biblical interpretation to "see" God through the lens of heterosexuality, i would have considered it. But this book is a complete rejection of God as creator and source of direction for humanity. It's implied argument appears to be, "if a bunch of middle eastern patriarchs can define a faith in a manner that subjugates everything to them, then we can redefine it in a new way that reflects 'us' and are equally justified in our approach." But this isn't even an attempt to reflect on our relationship with God, its an attempt to deny that relationship and reduce everything to little more than sexuality as a source of philosophy.

I wish i could give this book negative stars or at least a zero rating, and, i'm definitely unhappy that not only did i spend money on this thing, but the money went to the people who wrote it and the publishers.

As a Christian who is gay i don't think you should support this kind of effort.

4 of 9 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Queer Commentary for the Straight Community June 4, 2010

By D. L. Stoner

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Our culture is at a critical juncture; we are at a crossroad of fear and hope,welcoming or rejecting one another. "The Queer Bible Commentary" can be a healing balm for us today. As a Deacon in the United Methodist Church, I find it important to explore and use new theology, thought and practice in my ministry in order to (hopefully) move people toward God's Kingdom. "The Queer Bible Commentary" is a useful resource for that purpose. This book is not a typical commentary, as it does not provide verse by verse interpretation. In a perhaps unintended way this is a powerful and useful approach. Each contributor maintains the highest academic standards for their Biblical analysis. Contributors: I was pleased to see names I have happened upon before. The short bios were very useful and enlightning. A variety of church traditions is represented. A variety of theological approaches are used.
My congregation is entirely straight (as far as I know). I recently used "The Queer Bible Commentary" for my sermon -- more as a stepping off point, than directly quoting from it. I borrowed concepts. I did not couch these thoughts as either queer of straight in the sermon. one of my goals as a pastor is to help the congregation (and beyond) to "Love our neighbor". "The Queer Bible Commentary" is a terrific resource for that goal.