Sexuality and the Jesus Tradition

by William R. G. Loader

Publisher:

Eerdmans

, 2005

Overview

In Sexuality and the Jesus Tradition, William Loader examines passages dealing with sexuality in the gospels and other first-century literature. Loader explores perspectives on lust, marriage and divorce, and celibacy. Loader shows how, despite the passing of 2,000 years and massive social change, these ancient texts contain common issues that we still grapple with today.

Key Features

• Examines passages dealing with sexuality in the gospels
• Explores perspectives on lust, marriage and divorce, and celibacy

Contents

• Examining Key Texts
• Sexual Immorality: Attitudes, Actions and Assumptions
• The Sayings
• The Controversy
• John the Baptist and Herod Antipas
• Mark, Matthew and Luke on Resurrection Bliss
• Eunuchs for the Kingdom: Matthew 19:10–12
• Radical Discipleship, Family and Celibacy
• Jesus, John the Baptist, and Paul—the Celibacy Option
• Paul and Celibacy
• No “male and female”
• Virgins, Widows, and the Sacred

Praise for the Print Edition

Sexuality and the Jesus Tradition has a very fresh approach, which does not proceed only along the usual well-worn tracks associated with the subject matter. . . . A stimulating and challenging book, which deserves to be taken seriously.

—Themelios

The relationship of sexuality and biblical religion is a highly contentious minefield of exegetical opinions and pastoral solutions that is not for the faint of heart. But Loader blazes a clear path through the labyrinth of interpretations, a path that will command respect even from those who in the end disagree with this or that position.

—John P. Meier, William K. Warren Professor of Theology, University of Notre Dame

Loader’s study is eminently scholarly, with a wealth of detail in the footnotes, covering difficult exegetical questions and issues of cultural anthropology. The extraordinary feature of this book, however, is that, for all its scholarly depth and precision, it is also accessible to the ordinary lay reader. . . . This study is a ‘must’ for all those who wish to take seriously biblical understandings of sexuality yet wish to do so in a way that respects the ancient context out of which such teaching arises.

—Dorothy Lee, dean of the theological school and Frank Woods Distinguished Lecturer in Biblical Studies, Trinity College, University of Melbourne

Sexuality and the Jesus Tradition is essential reading both for students and scholars of the early church and for those wrestling with issues related to sexuality in the contemporary church.

—Judith Lieu, Lady Margaret’s Professor of Divinity, Robinson College, University of Cambridge

Product Details

• Title: Sexuality and the Jesus Tradition
• Author: William R. G. Loader
• Publisher: Eerdmans
• Print Publication Date: 2005
• Logos Release Date: 2014
• Pages: 296
• Era: era:Contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Sex › Biblical teaching; Sex › Religious aspects--Christianity
• ISBNs: 9780802828620, 0802828620
• Resource ID: LLS:SXLTYJSSTRDTN
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T03:15:25Z

About William R. G. Loader

William Loader is professor emeritus of New Testament at Murdoch University in Perth, Australia. He is the author of numerous books including Philo, Josephus, and the Testaments on Sexuality, The Pseudepigrapha on Sexuality, The Dead Sea Scrolls on Sexuality, and Enoch, Levi, and Jubilees on Sexuality.