Flame of Yahweh: Sexuality in the Old Testament

by Richard M. Davidson

Flame of Yahweh offers a thorough exploration of gender relationships and sexual activity in the Old Testament. Topics include sexuality in Eden, the elevation vs. the denigration of women, exclusivity vs. adultery and premarital sex, permanence vs. divorce and remarriage, intimacy vs. incest, and sexuality in the Song of Songs. Written from a theologically conservative perspective, Richard Davidson provides a meticulously researched work which makes extensive use of other Ancient Near Eastern documents on subjects ranging from homosexuality to gender relations. At the same time, the author offers clear explanations of terms and historical context that make the work accessible to the reader.

Genres: Theology, Old Testament, Biblical Studies, Nonfiction, Religion, Sexuality

844 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2007

About the author

Richard M. Davidson is an Old Testament scholar at Andrews University, Michigan, where he is currently the J. N. Andrews Professor of Old Testament Exegesis.

Davidson is best known for his major academic work Flame of Yahweh: A Theology of Sexuality in the Old Testament, published in 2007. The title is derived from the Biblical verse Song of Solomon 8:6c. He has been studying the topic of sexuality in the Old Testament since the early 1980s. Grenville Kent writes "Davidson is to be commended for an OT biblical theology of sexuality which is fearless, deep and comprehensive – almost encyclopaedic."

Librarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Richard M.^^Davidson

Reviews

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely profound and beautiful. Don't let the size of the book or the scholarly content scare you off. While it's a legitimate scholarly work the author proves he has the unique, among scholars that is, gift of actually being able to effectively communicate his findings to the lesser-educated reader. Take and plunge and read this book...you won't be disappointed!

[Kessia Reyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm already loving this book. Here's a sign that I love a book: It will keep me up until 3 in the morning. This is actually a book I'm assigned to read for a seminar class in Sexuality in the Old Testament. Normally when I have a school book in my hands, it's all-business style reading for me. No messing around. Get it done and move on. Not this one.

It's thorough, it's clear, and the author has clearly conversed with just about every academic author from every position. Fantastic. It satisfies so many parts of my melancholy self.

>> Now that I've finished the book, I can say that it was definitely a worthwhile read. Unless you're really motivated, you probably won't be reading this book cover to cover like I did (hey, it was assigned!), although I'm glad I did. It is a good book to have on reference when you're wondering about the Bible position on sex or a certain aspect of sexuality. Questions about rape in the Bible? Wondering about the Old Testament evidence about homosexuality? What's the deal with polygamy? And whoa! WHAT is going on the Song of Solomon?!

Definitely a good investment.

[Marcas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully comprehensive and Truthful.

[Sarah Hubbard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found this textbook comprehensive and very helpful in understanding Gods view of sexuality.

[Keith Darrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

We are in a fallen world and, more and more, a fallen culture. One of the ways that fall is being realized in our culture is through great sexual confusion. In light of that, this book is a great remedy, laying out the view of sexuality in the Old Testament and a nod to the New at the end. Davidson covers the sweep of Biblical sexuality, starting in the Garden and moving through the prophets. If you're a pastor or readily engaged with the culture over sexual issues, then you'll want this book as a resource.

There are a couple shortcomings to the book, like Davidson's egalitarianism (as a SDA he has to make the text egalitarian) and there were a couple spots where he allowed the OT context to be dictated by its cultural context and then in another he'd suggest that wasn't an issue. This, at times, can seem arbitrary.

All in all, this is a welcome book in defending creational view of sex, marriage, and relationships.

[Shaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is by far one of the best books I have read on Sexuality particularly in the Old Testament. Dr. Davidson masterfully weaves together the thoughts from the best minds in academia and sustains a level of critical and balanced reasoning throughout the chapters. Every last one. He has helped to change my archaic views of the Old Testament and crystallized my views of a God who cares for the disenfranchised, particularly the silent cries of women. I will never again preach the story of David and Bathsheba the same way again and I will always seek to go deeper into the passage to hear the voice of God.

[Sydney]

Official review in Louvain Studies forthcoming... (when I've finished it, that is).

[Sean Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best, most in-depth, overview of biblical sexuality i've come across.

[Jonathan Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent examination of sexual ethics from a Biblical point of view. This book truly lets the Bible and its context drive the discussion.