Sex Texts from the Bible: Selections Annotated & Explained (SkyLight Illuminations) [Paperback]

Teresa J. Hornsby (Author), Amy-Jill Levine (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2007 | Series: SkyLight Illuminations

A fresh look at the Bible reveals a richness of insight about sex and sexuality

For some people, the Bible's perspectives on sex may seem too one-dimensional or antiquated to apply to modern-day life. Others may hold up the Bible as the ultimate moral guideline when it comes to sex and human sexuality. A close reading of the Bible reveals that while its rules and lessons about sex and sexuality may not be applicable to all people at all times, this sacred scripture does offer surprising insight into our modern sexual lives.

This intriguing guide demystifies the Bible, synthesizing basic historical, theological, literary and linguistic ideas about the Bible's texts with our modern attitudes about sex. Thoughtful new translation and provocative commentary bridge the divide between biblical authority and our present-day views on gender roles, marriage, sexual orientation, virginity, lust and sexual pleasure. Drawing from Hebrew and Christian scripture, it examines the ways that the language of religion and the language of sex intersect.

Now you can discover what the Bible says about sex with no previous background in theology or religious history. This SkyLight Illuminations edition offers insightful and engaging commentary that explains the historical context and religious worldviews of those who wrote the Bible as well as the role their perspectives play in current social debates. You will be encouraged to form your own opinion about what the Bible has to say about sex and gain a deeper understanding of your own sexuality.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Comprehensive yet accessible. By providing details about translation and context, Hornsby demonstrates how sex and holiness are intertwined." -- Alice Hunt, associate dean for academic affairs and assistant professor of Hebrew Bible, Vanderbilt University Divinity School

About the Author

Teresa J. Hornsby is associate professor of religion at Drury University and is the director of Drury's Women and Gender Studies Program. A popular teacher, speaker and media consultant, she has published a wide variety of articles, essays and reviews on gender, sex and sexuality-related issues in biblical studies and religious life.

Amy-Jill Levine is E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Professor of New Testament Studies and director of the Carpenter Program in Religion, Gender and Sexuality at the divinity school and graduate department of religion, Vanderbilt University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 173 pages
• Publisher: Skylight Paths Publishing (March 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594732175
• ISBN-13: 978-1594732171
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #310,149 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Very disappointing, September 1, 2009

By 

John Lambert - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sex Texts from the Bible: Selections Annotated & Explained (SkyLight Illuminations) (Paperback)

This book lists many Bible passages referring to sex, and many that may be referring to sex, but the commentary is extremely brief, and appears to be primarily unsubstantiated personal opinion. E.g., "The individual human body was a symbol for the whole community. The genitals were the community's doors and windows. When a man penetrates a woman, he is literally entering her and figuratively coming into the community." This opinion is not explained, rather, this conjecture is supposed to be the explanation. There are no citations, and no references. The very limited commentary in this book is based on English translations, and not the original Hebrew or Greek.

3 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent collection of Biblical knowledge, July 12, 2010

By 

#$%@ "Dragonfly" (San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sex Texts from the Bible: Selections Annotated & Explained (SkyLight Illuminations) (Paperback)

Most people spend their life reading a Bible that has been twisted throughout time by erroneous translations and interpolations. When you see the horrors committed by scribes during translations and interpolations you begin to understand why this World has gone wrong.

The Bible is a book full of violence, war, rape, incest and the whole works, people read it and forget that those are not the original words nor it is a book to be used as a Life Guide or as a Self-Help Book.

It is time to have a true translation of the Bible and that we start seen the Bible as a book full of inconsistencies and not as the purported word of God.

Reading this book gives an unusual understanding of the "Good Book".

9 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Put a pistol in your pocket, July 29, 2008

By 

Peter C. Simpson "Wharf Rat" (Clarksburg, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sex Texts from the Bible: Selections Annotated & Explained (SkyLight Illuminations) (Paperback)

If you've been irritated by conservative religious types using bible verses out of context to support their hateful attitudes towards sexual conduct that they don't agree with, you must have this book. It is the definitive source of info showing the bible's discussion of sex in full context, with excellent commentary. You will mow them down when they bash gays, sodomites and others who like sex. Ausgeseischnet!!