God, Sex, and Gender

Engagingly and clearly written by a highly respected theologian, God, Sex, and Gender is the first comprehensive introduction to a theology of both sexuality and gender available in a single volume.

• Makes a theological contribution to understanding the unprecedented changes in sexual and gender relationships of the last fifty years
• Discusses many topics including: sexual difference; sexual equality; gender and power; the nature of desire; the future of marriage in Christian sexual ethics; homosexuality and same-sex unions; the problems of sexual minorities; contraception in a time of HIV/AIDS; the separation of sexual experience from marriage; and offers new arguments for marriage and for chastity
• Offers a consistent and engaging introduction at the cutting edge of theological inquiry, which is contemporary, undogmatic, questioning, and relevant to readers' experience, interests, and needs
• Written lucidly and engagingly by an established and respected academic who has published widely in this area

Introduction – Or, a Welcome to My Readers ix

Part I Sex, Gender, and Theology 1

1 Sex: Sexuality, the Sexes, Having Sex 3

1.1 Sexuality 3

1.2 How Many Sexes are There? 6

1.3 Having Sex 14

2 Gender: Language, Power, and History 17

2.1 Gender 17

2.2 Gender, Language, and Power 23

2.3 Gender in the Time of Jesus 28

3 Theology: Sources and Applications 33

3.1 Explaining the Sources: Scripture, Tradition, Reason 33

3.2 Applying the Sources 40

3.3 Using the Sources Well 49

Part II Being Theological about Sex 55

4 Desiring 57

4.1 Learning from Lust 57

4.2 Desiring 62

4.3 Desiring God? 66

4.4 God Desiring Us? 69

5 Framing Sex: Must the Framework be Marriage? 76

5.1 The Traditional Framework: Celibacy or Marriage? 76

5.2 The Case against Marriage 79

5.3 Alternative Frameworks: Justice and Friendship? 87

5.4 A New Case for Marriage? 89

6 Covenants and Covenant-Makers 96

6.1 Beginning with God 96

6.2 God the Father – Maker of Covenants 100

6.3 Christ – The Bridegroom, Maker of a New Covenant 106

6.4 The Eucharist – Sharing in the New Covenant 111

Part III Being Theological about Gender 115

7 God: Beyond Male and Female 117

7.1 Does God Have [a] Sex? 118

7.2 Is God the Son a Man? 123

7.3 Mary – Mother of All the Living 127

7.4 Womankind in God’s Likeness? 131

8 ‘‘In Christ there is neither Male nor Female’’ 135

8.1 Sex in the Body of Christ 135

8.2 Gender in the Body of Christ 139

8.3 Masculinity in the Body of Christ 143

8.4 . . . Neither . . . Male nor Female . . .? 149

Part IV Being Theological about Same-Sex Love 155

9 The Bible and Same-Sex Love 157

9.1 What the Churches Teach 157

9.2 Same-Sex Relations in the Hebrew Bible 159

9.3 Same-Sex Relations in the New Testament 163

9.4 What Else Does the Bible ‘‘Say’’ about Same-Sex Relations? 168

9.5 Finding What We Want to Find? Evaluating Official Teaching 171

10 Tradition, Reason, and Same-Sex Love 175

10.1 Tradition and Same-Sex Love 175

10.2 Reason, Natural Law, and Same-Sex Love 180

10.3 Complementarity and Same-Sex Love 185

10.4 Experience and Same-Sex Love 188

Part V Learning to Love 191

11 Virginity, Celibacy, Chastity 193

11.1 Valuing Virginity? 193

11.2 Virginity ‘‘for the Sake of the Kingdom’’ 196

11.3 In Praise of Restraint 200

11.4 Commending Chastity 203

12 ‘‘Condilemmas’’: Sex and Contraception in the Time of HIV/AIDS 211

12.1 Contraception, Still a Theological Issue 211

12.2 Lambeth against Rome 214

12.3 Contraception and Natural Law 217

12.4 Sex and Love: An ‘‘Unbreakable Connection’’? 221

12.5 Moral Deficit Arguments 224

12.6 Condoms in the Time of HIV/AIDS 226

13 Marriage and the ‘‘States of Life’’ 234

13.1 Betrothal in the Bible 234

13.2 Betrothal and Tradition 237

13.3 Spousals, Nuptials, and States of Life 244

14 Inclusive Theology and Sexual Minorities 249

14.1 Sex 249

14.2 Gender 256

Index of Authors 259

Index of Biblical References 263

Index of Subjects 267

“Many of the critiques of God, Sex, and Genderoffered in this review emerge from Thatcher’s own lines of interrogation. In this and other ways, the book succeeds in drawing readers into what is truly an exhilarating mode of reflection. As such, it offers a major contribution towards theological depth and creativity in this important set of discourses, renewing the often reflexive ethics of sex and gender through witness to the Word become flesh.” (Studies in Christian Ethics, 16 April 2014)

“Written as a text for post-secondary courses, this book aims to provide “a comprehensive and consistent theological understanding of sexuality and gender, which is broad, contemporary, undogmatic, questioning, inclusive, and relevant to readers’ interests, needs, and experience” (xi).” (Studies in Religion, 1 September 2013)

"Adrian Thatcher's new book will be a rich resource for those studying and teaching sex, gender and sexuality in theological perspective ... The volume is a valuable one, which I hope will prompt readers to go and explore Thatcher's own extensive work form the past, as well as the broader context of theological scholarship on sexuality, gender and marriage within which it sits." (Theology, 1 January 2012)

"Although designed as an introduction for theology students, this is a really remarkable book covering a whole range of sensitive subjects in a deeply humane fashion." (Network Review, 1 June 2011)

Adrian Thatcher is currently Visiting Professor in Applied Theology at the University of Exeter, UK. He is the author of numerous books, including: The Savage Text: The Use and Abuse of the Bible (Wiley-Blackwell, 2008); Theology and Families (Wiley-Blackwell, 2007); The Guide to Christian Marriage and to Getting Married in Church (2003); Living Together and Christian Ethics (2002); and Celebrating Christian Marriage (ed., 2001). The last 50 years have seen unprecedented changes in sexual and gender relationships. These include the easy availability of contraception, the separation of sexual experience from marriage and marriage from parenthood, more broken marriages, and legal provision for same-sex unions. Relationships between men and women have changed from a model of male dominance, towards a new model of male/female equality, and on to a new recognition of sexual and gender difference. These transformations have resulted in great benefits but they have also generated great uncertainties and unfulfilled expectations. They have sparked painful and on-going controversies in all the churches. God, Sex, and Gender is a clear and engaging introduction to these issues. It offers a consistent theological understanding which is contemporary, undogmatic, questioning, and relevant to readers' experience, interests and needs.

Throughout the book, Thatcher connects theological ideas, with broader, secular thought. It fills a gap in the literature by linking together the diverse themes of sexuality, gender and Christian thought in one coherent volume. Its comprehensive and even-handed discussion of these issues will ensure it becomes a vital text in the field.

"Adrian Thatcher brings an unparalleled knowledge and understanding to the writing of this book. He knows what readers - both beginners and seasoned – want and need in an introductory text. The author is not only sensible and comprehensive, but also critical and challenging, as well as discerning and wise, and above all accessible. His book provides a truly excellent introduction to the profound and often troubling questions raised by the gender and intimacies of our bodies in relationship to one another and to God."
—Gerard Loughlin, Durham University

"Two things shine through this book: Adrian Thatcher's scholarship and his humanity. This book will help readers understand how and why centuries of Christian teaching on sex and gender developed as it did, and offers a wealth of resources for meeting the challenges of today."
—Elaine Graham, University of Chester