Homosexuality, Science, and the Plain Sense of Scripture

This volume is an excellent colloquy of scripture scholars who are concerned enough about the church to engage each other in a real dialogue about a very explosive topic. The various contributors approach the same Bible from different hermeneutical stances but do so with respect for their colleagues in the debate. No position on the issue comes off unscathed. There is something here to make everybody mad, no matter their stance. But there is also plenty in this book to inform all readers about what ‘those others’ really think. –James A. Sanders Claremont Graduate School This sterling set of essays offers many fresh insights, and it will certainly take its place among the very best of the recent volumes devoted to exploring how the church should view homosexuality. While the authors’ varying approaches and viewpoints demonstrate how intractable many of the issues remain, the book as a whole shows how much can be gained from the kind of informed and respectful dialogue that lies behind it–a dialogue to which this book in turn can significantly contribute. –Victor Paul Furnish Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University David Balch is to be congratulated for bringing together ten essays that elucidate the pros and cons of current Christian discussion on the questions of homosexuality. These well-reasoned and highly competent essays by major figures on both sides of the issue are not likely to solve the debate, let alone make it go away, but they will challenge partisans on both sides to rethink their positions once more. They also provide a stirring model of how the church can disagree with itself publicly and responsibly, passionately and respectfully. – Ralph W. Klein Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago