Quest

Natalie K. Watson

Sexuality and the Sacred: Sources for Theological Reflection, 2nd ed., Marvin M. Ellison and Kelly Brown Douglas (eds.), Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2010. ISBN 9780664233662. PB £26.99.

The publication of this book is no doubt a landmark: a completely new edition of what was a pioneering work when it was first published in 1994. The broad range of essays by established scholars reflects a conversation that has indeed grown, emerged and become infinitely more diverse than the contributors to the first edition could have imagined. Here we find well known names such as Carter Heyward, Beverly Wildung Harrison, James Nelson, Kwok Pui-Lan, Judith Plaskow, and indeed two of our own: the late Grace M. Jantzen reflecting on AIDS and Elizabeth Stuart, well known to many Quest members, writing about ‘Disruptive Bodies: Disability, Embodiment, and Sexuality’.

From a scholar’s point of view, there is much here to be considered or indeed enjoyed. Essays such as Dwight N. Hopkins ‘The Construction of the Black Male Body: Eroticism and Religion’ or Patrick S. Cheng’s ‘Sin and Grace for LGBT People Today’ are fascinating insights into the current diversity of the debate. Read more…