E-Book Overview
What is the Bible's stance on such controversial issues as homosexuality and polygamy? What does it have to say about sexual behaviors that some would deem perverted or criminal? Is sex always wrong if it is not used to create life?Ellens answers these and other questions in a book that argues that our understanding of what the Bible has to say about sex is frequently misguided. He corrects our impressions with a look at the Scriptures themselves, considers what they might have meant to people in the past, and reflects on how we understand, or misunderstand, them today. Focusing on early interpretations and contemporary misconceptions, Ellens guides readers through what the Bible actually says, showing how these messages have been interpreted in different contexts, and suggesting new ways of reading and translating them for use in our own lives. Readers hoping to reach a better understanding of the Bible's views on sexual practices and sexuality in general will find their questions answered here.What does the story of Adam and Eve reveal about sex and sexuality? What does the Old Testament say about sex and how might we interpret that in our own lives today? How does the New Testament say we should behave in our sexuality and our lives? What lessons can we learn from a closer examination of the Bible and its teachings on human love, marriage, and sexuality? These are among the many questions Ellens answers in an effort to help us all come to a better understanding of the gift of sexuality and its attendant behaviors in our lives. In non-judgmental prose, he elucidates the Bible and our understanding of its teaching on these and related issues.
E-Book Content
SEX IN THE BIBLE: A New Consideration J. Harold Ellens Foreword by Donald Capps Preface by Wayne G. Rollins PRAEGER Sex in the Bible Recent Titles in Psychology, Religion, and Spirituality J. Harold Ellens. Series Editor Married to an Opposite: Making Personality Differences Work for You Ron Shackelford Sin against the Innocents: Sexual Abuse by Priests and the Role of the Catholic Church Thomas G. Plante, editor Seeing the Compassionate Life: The Moral Crisis for Psychotherapy and Society Carl Goldberg and Virginia Crespo Psychology and the Bible: A New Way to Read the Scriptures, 4 Volumes J. Harold Ellens and Wayne E. Rollins, editors SEX IN THE BIBLE A New Consideration J. Harold Ellens Foreword by Donald Capps Preface by Wayne G. Rollins Psychology, Religion, and Spirituality Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Ellens, J. Harold, 1932– Sex in the Bible : a new consideration / by J. Harold Ellens. p. cm.—(Psychology, Religion, and Spirituality, ISSN 1546–8070) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0–275–98767–1 1. Sex—Biblical teaching. I. Title. BS680.S5E45 2006 220.8’3067—dc22 2005036341 British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data is available. Copyright © 2006 by J. Harold Ellens All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, by any process or technique, without the express written consent of the publisher. Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2005036341 ISBN: 0–275–98767–1 ISSN: 1546–8070 First published in 2006 Praeger Publishers, 88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881 An imprint of Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc. www.praeger.com Printed in the United States of America ∞ TM The paper used in this book complies with the Permanent Paper Standard issued by the National Information Standards Organization (Z39.48–1984). 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 To my four daughters: Deborah, the erudite Hebrew Bible scholar and teacher; Jacqueline, the creative artist and entrepreneur; Rebecca, the psycho-spiritual therapist and teacher; and Brenda, the ingenious