Customer Reviews

Take Back the Word: A Queer Reading of the Bible

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The articles included in this book open space around Bible passages that for me were packed tight, even smothered, by the preaching and teaching of my childhood. Opening space for alternative readings allows the scriptures to breath and live again. The book does not hold forth a new dogma--a new absolute way to read the scripture. It does not replace one fundamentalism with another. The book is based on the premise that to read is always to interpret. Our reading is always influenced by who we are, when and where we live, and many other factors that affect our perspective. The authors acknowledge that they are reading the Bible passages as queers--as gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people. In essense, the book asks again and again, what if we look at it this way? It opens possibilities. The book addresses the Garden of Eden, Exodus, Ruth, Jexable, Nehemiah, Jonah, Mary of Magdela, Lazurus, and many other people, stories, and passages. Some of the chapters are down to earth, others more scholarly. If a more open reading of the Bible is of interest to you, this book is for you.

I was saddened after reading this collection of articles. These authors display some of the most dreadful examples of eisegesis I have ever seen. Throughtout history people of all stripes have attempted to use Scripture to justify their view or cause and this is yet another example.

An honest objective study of history, Biblical languages, along with a simple reading of the words of Scripture prove this book to be nothing more than wishful thinking on the part of another group who earnestly seeks legitimacy from Christianity.