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The Bible and Sexuality: A Course Reader
Sexuality is one of the most important theological topics in the church today. Ministry leaders, parishioners, and family members are increasingly grappling with questions on what it means to live out a Christian sexual ethic in the 21st century. The Bible and A Course Reader is an anthology of essays originally incorporated into a course taught by biblical scholar and author, Karen R. Keen. Keen covers both descriptive and normative ethics, examining what the biblical authors believed about sexuality and how that relates to Christian faith and practice now.
This accessible and concise book will appeal to anyone who wants to understand the sexual ethics of the biblical authors in their socio-historical context, as well as how Scripture informs our ethics today. As a course reader, it is a helpful resource for college teachers and Bible study group leaders who want to guide students through an engaging discussion on sex and the Bible. A distinctive of the book is equipping learners to think through their overarching ethical framework and methods of biblical interpretation.
Praise for the class from former
"Karen is a gifted teacher and Bible scholar. I would highly recommend this course to anyone who wishes to deepen their understanding of the Bible and sexuality." - Rev. Dr. Michael Norrie, chaplain
"Karen's facilitation skills created a brave and compassionate learning environment that invited honest questioning and conversation. At a time when people can feel overwhelmed, intimidated, and alienated by conversations regarding Scripture, ethics, and sexuality, Karen's course offers a refreshing and stretching environment to explore one's beliefs in the context of a charitable learning community." - Lee Kosa, lead pastor at Cedar Park Church
"Iron can't sharpen iron in isolation and Karen creates safe and knowledgeable space for such a dialogue. I would highly recommend this class." - Gil Vollmering, Jr., church elder and parent of a gay son.
This accessible and concise book will appeal to anyone who wants to understand the sexual ethics of the biblical authors in their socio-historical context, as well as how Scripture informs our ethics today. As a course reader, it is a helpful resource for college teachers and Bible study group leaders who want to guide students through an engaging discussion on sex and the Bible. A distinctive of the book is equipping learners to think through their overarching ethical framework and methods of biblical interpretation.
Praise for the class from former
"Karen is a gifted teacher and Bible scholar. I would highly recommend this course to anyone who wishes to deepen their understanding of the Bible and sexuality." - Rev. Dr. Michael Norrie, chaplain
"Karen's facilitation skills created a brave and compassionate learning environment that invited honest questioning and conversation. At a time when people can feel overwhelmed, intimidated, and alienated by conversations regarding Scripture, ethics, and sexuality, Karen's course offers a refreshing and stretching environment to explore one's beliefs in the context of a charitable learning community." - Lee Kosa, lead pastor at Cedar Park Church
"Iron can't sharpen iron in isolation and Karen creates safe and knowledgeable space for such a dialogue. I would highly recommend this class." - Gil Vollmering, Jr., church elder and parent of a gay son.
- GenresTheology
120 pages, Paperback
First published March 27, 2020
27 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
Karen R. Keen
5 books22 followersKaren R. Keen is a biblical scholar, author, and spiritual care provider at The Redwood Center for Spiritual Care and Education. She has taught in both academic and church settings. Her passion is making scholarship accessible to a broad audience. She believes that loving God with our whole mind (as well as our heart) is crucial for the Christian life and the common good. Keen earned her Th.M. in biblical studies from Duke University, M.A. in exegetical theology from Western Seminary, and M.S. in education (counseling) from Western Oregon University.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 12, 2021
For anyone looking for a book on Christian sexual ethics that both advocates a faithful monogamy within marriage and for same-sex relationships, I encourage you to check out this book. You can find my full review here: https://englewoodreview.org/karen-kee...
June 15, 2020
Are you someone who wants to orient your life around the wisdom of Scripture? Are you disillusioned by the way Christians have often used the Bible in ways that have resulted in many people experiencing shame around their sexual selves? (Think purity culture and the exclusion of gay relationships) Do you long for an honest and grace-filled Biblical sexual ethic? If so, I highly recommend this book.
The Bible and Sexuality: A Course Reader, is a concise, well organized set of essays that bring together insights from academic biblical studies, church history and Keen’s own life experience. Some of the essays could be expanded into whole books, but few of us have the attention span or time for that! Keen condenses principles on the nature of Scripture, the context the Ancient Near East, and hermeneutics into a form that is digestible, approachable and relatable. While Keen is transparent about her own convictions, this book is more about tracing the discussions that have been had around the Bible and sexuality for centuries in order to empower the reader to participate more thoughtfully in that ongoing conversation. She does a great job of presenting multiple viewpoints while also commenting on the strengths and weaknesses of those viewpoints. Designed as a course reader, I can easily imagine these essays providing a fantastic foundation for discussion in a class, Sunday School or, small group discussion setting.
What I love about Keen’s writing is that, while it is clear and almost matter-of-fact, it is also filled with grace and compassion. From her essays on Biblical hermeneutics to the essays on her own personal dating experience, Keen writes as one who has seriously wrestled with questions of Christian sexual ethics. But at the same time, she recognizes that it isn’t the be-all and end-all of the Christian life. I find it rare and refreshing to read a Christian writer who maintains that covenant (i.e. marriage) is the best context for sex but also believes that it is ok to learn some things through trial and error. Keen models an alternative to the often subconscious belief many of us have internalized that sexual “mistakes” are shameful and result in permanent personal damage. I think Keen’s compassion for the human situation and her experience with God’s grace enable her to detangle shame and sex from one another.
I highly recommend this book!
The Bible and Sexuality: A Course Reader, is a concise, well organized set of essays that bring together insights from academic biblical studies, church history and Keen’s own life experience. Some of the essays could be expanded into whole books, but few of us have the attention span or time for that! Keen condenses principles on the nature of Scripture, the context the Ancient Near East, and hermeneutics into a form that is digestible, approachable and relatable. While Keen is transparent about her own convictions, this book is more about tracing the discussions that have been had around the Bible and sexuality for centuries in order to empower the reader to participate more thoughtfully in that ongoing conversation. She does a great job of presenting multiple viewpoints while also commenting on the strengths and weaknesses of those viewpoints. Designed as a course reader, I can easily imagine these essays providing a fantastic foundation for discussion in a class, Sunday School or, small group discussion setting.
What I love about Keen’s writing is that, while it is clear and almost matter-of-fact, it is also filled with grace and compassion. From her essays on Biblical hermeneutics to the essays on her own personal dating experience, Keen writes as one who has seriously wrestled with questions of Christian sexual ethics. But at the same time, she recognizes that it isn’t the be-all and end-all of the Christian life. I find it rare and refreshing to read a Christian writer who maintains that covenant (i.e. marriage) is the best context for sex but also believes that it is ok to learn some things through trial and error. Keen models an alternative to the often subconscious belief many of us have internalized that sexual “mistakes” are shameful and result in permanent personal damage. I think Keen’s compassion for the human situation and her experience with God’s grace enable her to detangle shame and sex from one another.
I highly recommend this book!
December 23, 2021
Keen organizes the best and most salient biblical concepts, principles, and practices on sex and sexuality in a way that's robust, grounded, concise, and accessible.
She traces how and why the sex ethic of the Jewish community develops and shifts over time, noting important distinctions between the First and Second Temple periods.
Notably avoids both the "the Bible has one consistent, univocal view on sex and sexuality" view, as well as the "the Bible is hopelessly fragmented and cacophonous on this issue" view.
Extracts enduring sex-ethic building blocks (i.e., principles, values) which remain consistent across Scripture, and starts you down the path of applying those principles to our contemporary context.
She traces how and why the sex ethic of the Jewish community develops and shifts over time, noting important distinctions between the First and Second Temple periods.
Notably avoids both the "the Bible has one consistent, univocal view on sex and sexuality" view, as well as the "the Bible is hopelessly fragmented and cacophonous on this issue" view.
Extracts enduring sex-ethic building blocks (i.e., principles, values) which remain consistent across Scripture, and starts you down the path of applying those principles to our contemporary context.
July 24, 2020
A well-written affirming perspective.
November 3, 2020
Very thoughtful
Want to read
November 28, 2024rec: P Danielle
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews