The Oxford Handbook of Theology, Sexuality, and Gender

Edited by Adrian Thatcher

Oxford Handbooks

Presents a comprehensive overview of the theological study of sexuality and gender
Features 41 essays from an international team of contributors drawing on the latest research in their field
Explores themes and topics such as methodological approaches, perspectives from other disciplines, reading and using scripture and tradition, conflicts within churches and the non-Christian religions, theology in relation to different expressions of sexuality, and contemporary issues
Provides interdisciplinary perspectives offering a challenging yet accessible reference guide for students and scholars from a wide range of disciplines

The Oxford Handbook of Theology, Sexuality, and Gender

Edited by Adrian Thatcher

Description

The Oxford Handbook of Theology, Sexuality, and Gender presents an unrivalled overview of the theological study of sexuality and gender. Not merely contentious and pervasive topics, sexuality and gender have escalated in importance within theology. Theologians increasingly agree that even the very doctrine of God cannot be contemplated without a prior grappling with each. Featuring 41 newly-commissioned essays, written by the foremost scholars in the discipline, this authoritative collection presents and develops the latest thinking in the area.

Divided into eight thematic sections, the Handbook explores key methodological approaches, concepts, and issues, as well as current controversies within various denominations. Selected essays draw on reason as a distinct source of theology, discussing evolutionary biology and behavioural genetics, psychology, anthropological research, philosophical research, and queer theory. It examines the history of in theologies of sexuality and gender, with close analysis of the Bible and the Christian tradition. The final section considers theology in relation to different expressions of sexual identities. This volume is an essential reference for students and scholars, which will also stimulate further research.

The Oxford Handbook of Theology, Sexuality, and Gender

Edited by Adrian Thatcher

Oxford Handbooks

1. Methods
1. Introduction, Adrian Thatcher
2. The Theological Study of Sexuality, Elizabeth Stuart
3. The Theological Study of Gender, Tina Beattie
4. Doctrine and Sexuality, Eugene Rogers
2. What Theologians Need to Know
5. Contributions from Biology, Neil Messer
6. Contributions from Psychology, Brendan Callaghan
7. Contributions from Anthropology, Simon Coleman and Anna Stewart
8. Contributions from Sociology, Marta Trzebiatowska
9. Contributions from Philosophy, Cynthia Nielsen and Michael Barnes Norton
10. Contributions from Queer Theory, Patrick S. Cheng
3. Sexuality and Gender in the Biblical World
11. Marriage and Sexual Relations in the World of the Hebrew Bible, Ken Stone
12. Marriage and Sexual Relations in the New Testament World, William Loader
13. Same-sex Relations in the Biblical World, Theodore Jennings
14. The Construction of Gender in the New Testament, Colleen Conway
4. Sexuality and Gender in Christian Tradition
15. Desire and the Body in the Patristic Period, Mathew Kuefler
16. Duns Scotus on the Female Body, Marilyn McCord Adams
17. Reproducing Medieval Christianity, Ruth Mazo Carras
18. Chaste Bodies, Salacious Thoughts, Dyan Elliott
19. Sex and Marriage in the Protestant Tradition, 1500 - 1900, John Witte, jr.
5. Controversies within the Church
20. Conflicts within the Roman Catholic Church, Linda Hogan
21. Conflicts within the Anglican Communion, Jane Shaw
22. Pentecostal Churches and Homosexuality, William Kay and Stephen Hunt
23. Theology and Practice in Evangelical Churches, Andrew Goddard
24. Conflicts within the Black Churches, Angelique Harris
6. Inter-religious Conversations
25. Judaism, Ronit Irshai
26. Islam, Asma Barlas
27. Hinduism, Madakranta Bose
28. Buddhism, Rita Gross
7. Concepts and Issues
29. Violence and Justice, Pamela Cooper-White
30. Pleasure, Margaret Kamitsuka
31. Desire and Love, Ola Sigurdson
32. HIV/ Aids, Mary Jo Iozzio
8. Sexual Theologies for All People
33. People Beginning Sexual Experience, Todd Salzmann and Michael Lawler
34. Wives and Husbands, Thomas Knieps Port Le-Roi
35. Families, Adrian Thatcher
36. Gay People, Gerard Loughlin
37. Lesbians, Lisa Isherwood
38. Bisexual People, Margaret Robinson
39. Intersex and Transgender People, Susannah Cornwall
40. Disabled People, Deborah Creamer
41. Friends and Friendship, Steve Summers

The Oxford Handbook of Theology, Sexuality, and Gender

Edited by Adrian Thatcher

Oxford Handbooks

Author Information

Adrian Thatcher is Visiting Professor in the Department of Theology and Religion at the University of Exeter. He was formerly Professorial Research Fellow at the University of Exeter (2004-2011), and Professor of Applied Theology at the University of St Mark and John, Plymouth (1995-2004). His publications include Redeeming Gender (OUP, 2016), Making Sense of Sex (SPCK, 2012), and God, Sex, and Gender (Wiley Blackwell, 2011).

Contributors:

Asma Barlas
Michael Barnes Norton
Mandakranta Bose
Tina Beattie
Brendan Callaghan
Patrick S. Cheng
Simon Coleman
Pamela Cooper-White
Colleen Conway
Susannah Cornwall
Deborah Creamer
Dyan Elliott
Andrew Goddard
Rita Gross
Angelique Harris
Linda Hogan
Stephen Hunt
Mary Jo Iozzio
Ronit Irshai
Lisa Isherwood
Theodore Jennings
Margaret Kamitsuka
William Kay
Thomas Knieps Port Le-Roi
Mathew Kuefler
Michael Lawler
William Loader
Gerard Loughlin
Ruth Mazo Carras
Marilyn McCord Adams
Neil Messer
Cynthia Nielsen
Margaret Robinson
Eugene Rogers
Todd Salzman
Jane Shaw
Ola Sigurdson
Anna Stewart
Ken Stone
Elizabeth Stuart
Steve Summers
Adrian Thatcher
Marta Trzebiatowska
John Witte, Jr.

The Oxford Handbook of Theology, Sexuality, and Gender

Edited by Adrian Thatcher

Oxford Handbooks

Reviews and Awards

"It captures the overall aim of this positive theology of sexuality and gender, one that seeks to make normative distinctions about sexuality and gender, but that is not simply founded on lifelong heterosexual marriage. The volume contains some of the best, most articulate advocates for such a destination."-- David Cloutier, Studies in Christian Ethics