The Savage Text
The Use and Abuse of the Bible
1st Edition
Published on 19. September 2008
Book
Paperback/Softback
240 pages
978-1-4051-7016-1 (ISBN)
Description
Misuse of the Bible has made hatred holy. In this provocative book, Adrian Thatcher argues that debates on sexuality currently raging through the churches are the latest outbreak in a long line of savage interpretations of the Bible. Fascinating reading for anyone concerned about the future of Christianity.
A provocative book claiming that debates on sexuality currently raging through the churches are the latest outbreak in a long line of savage interpretations of the Bible
Argues that the Bible has been abused to convert the "good news" which it brings to the world, into one which has been used to discriminate against many groups, including children, women, Jews, people of color, slaves, heretics, and homosexuals
Asks how Christians have been able to conduct, in public and on a global scale, an argument that has exposed so much prejudice, fear and hatred
Offers an alternative, faithful and peaceable reading of the Bible, drawing on numerous examples throughout
Breaks new ground in debates about sexual ethics and biblical interpretation
A provocative book claiming that debates on sexuality currently raging through the churches are the latest outbreak in a long line of savage interpretations of the Bible
Argues that the Bible has been abused to convert the "good news" which it brings to the world, into one which has been used to discriminate against many groups, including children, women, Jews, people of color, slaves, heretics, and homosexuals
Asks how Christians have been able to conduct, in public and on a global scale, an argument that has exposed so much prejudice, fear and hatred
Offers an alternative, faithful and peaceable reading of the Bible, drawing on numerous examples throughout
Breaks new ground in debates about sexual ethics and biblical interpretation
Reviews / Votes
"[The Savage Text] is certainly a valuable-and sane-addition to modern Biblical scholarship." (Tribunal, September 2009) "I have asked conservative Evangelicals whether they are open to the possibility that there could be more than one responsible Christian interpretation of the biblical texts that relate to homosexuality. Adrian Thatcher, in this passionate book, goes much further." (Church Times, February 2009)"A very readable book, Adrian Thatcher presents a well-argued, clear and persuasive case for a peaceable interpretation of Scripture. ... His book deserves to be widely read, not least by all involved in decision-making at whatever level on questions relating to human sexuality." (Methodist Recorder, February 2009)
"[Thatcher] approaches the biblical texts under discussion from a range of viewpoints, thereby paying attention to the particular historical context in which these texts originated. With a healthy sense of irony, he distances himself from the misuse of the Bible without rejecting the Bible as such, and therefore his excellent work can only be recommended to Christians of any denomination." (Journal for the Study of Marriage & Spirituality, 2009)
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Hoboken
United Kingdom
Publishing group
John Wiley and Sons Ltd
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 153 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
363 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4051-7016-1 (9781405170161)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
01/2009
2nd Edition
Wiley-Blackwell
€30.99
Available for download
Book
09/2008
1st Edition
Wiley
€94.03
Article not available at the moment
Person
Adrian Thatcher??is Professorial Research Fellow in Applied Theology at the University of Exeter, UK. He is the author of numerous books, including:??Theology and Families??(Wiley-Blackwell, 2007);??The Guide to Christian Marriage and to Getting Married in Church??(2003);??Living Together and Christian Ethics??(2002);??Celebrating Christian Marriage??(ed., 2001);??Marriage after Modernity: Christian Marriage in Postmodern Times??(1999);??People of Passion??(with Elizabeth Stuart, 1997);??Liberating Sex: A Christian Sexual Theology??(1993); and??Truly a Person, Truly God??(1990).
Content
Acknowledgments ix
Part I What Is "The Savage Text"? 1
1 The "Savage Text"? 3
The Bible as an Idol? 3
The Manifesto of "The Savage Text" 9
The Argument of the Book 12
2 "Vile Affections": The Bible and Homosexuality 15
Morality or Ideology? 15
A Guidebook for Sexual Behavior? 24
A Man Needs a Woman? 28
When is Exegesis Homophobic? 34
Part II The Savage Text at Work 37
3 "Cursed Be Canaan!": The Bible, Racism, and Slavery 39
The Bible and Racism 39
The Bible and Slavery 47
Reading the Bible after Slavery 50
4 "The Great Day of Wrath": The Bible and the End 57
"Man of War" or "Prince of Peace"? 58
"Rapture" or Rupture? 64
5 "Take Now Thy Son": The Bible and Children 78
Jesus and Children 78
Putting Jesus First 93
6 "Thou Shalt Not Suffer a Witch to Live": The Bible, Jews, and Women 95
The Bible and Anti-Semitism 96
The Bible and Misogyny 100
Learning from the Legacy? 106
Part III Beyond the Text: Faith in the Triune God 111
7 Faith in the Book or Faith in God? 113
The Scripture Principle 114
Hooker and the Middle Way 124
"Lost Christianities" and New "Heresies" 132
8 On Not Being a "People of the Book" 137
The Personalization of the Book 138
"Dis-solving" the Problem of Authority 145
Some Principles for a Peaceful Reading of the Bible 152
Conclusion 167
Glossary 170
Notes 180
Bibliography 197
Index of Scriptural Citations 206
General Index 212
Part I What Is "The Savage Text"? 1
1 The "Savage Text"? 3
The Bible as an Idol? 3
The Manifesto of "The Savage Text" 9
The Argument of the Book 12
2 "Vile Affections": The Bible and Homosexuality 15
Morality or Ideology? 15
A Guidebook for Sexual Behavior? 24
A Man Needs a Woman? 28
When is Exegesis Homophobic? 34
Part II The Savage Text at Work 37
3 "Cursed Be Canaan!": The Bible, Racism, and Slavery 39
The Bible and Racism 39
The Bible and Slavery 47
Reading the Bible after Slavery 50
4 "The Great Day of Wrath": The Bible and the End 57
"Man of War" or "Prince of Peace"? 58
"Rapture" or Rupture? 64
5 "Take Now Thy Son": The Bible and Children 78
Jesus and Children 78
Putting Jesus First 93
6 "Thou Shalt Not Suffer a Witch to Live": The Bible, Jews, and Women 95
The Bible and Anti-Semitism 96
The Bible and Misogyny 100
Learning from the Legacy? 106
Part III Beyond the Text: Faith in the Triune God 111
7 Faith in the Book or Faith in God? 113
The Scripture Principle 114
Hooker and the Middle Way 124
"Lost Christianities" and New "Heresies" 132
8 On Not Being a "People of the Book" 137
The Personalization of the Book 138
"Dis-solving" the Problem of Authority 145
Some Principles for a Peaceful Reading of the Bible 152
Conclusion 167
Glossary 170
Notes 180
Bibliography 197
Index of Scriptural Citations 206
General Index 212