Books by author: Ken Stone (www.gaychurch.org)

In spite of the explosion of interest in lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender studies and queer theory, there have been few attempts to present biblical exegesis in the light of these perspectives. This volume is a collection of essays, not on the well-worn biblical passages about homosexuality, but exploring and explaining how ‘queer’ reading makes a difference to biblical exegesis. As with feminism, theoretical questions arise such as whether these sorts of readings are characterized by certain questions or can only legitimately be done by gay or lesbian readers.

The essays, by scholars from a range of backgrounds and a variety of interests--Jewish, Christian, agnostic, male, female, heterosexual, gay, and lesbian--concentrate on individual passages and books, but the volume also contains, and is intended to offer, theoretical reflections. It ends with three ‘critical responses’ from scholars with interdisciplinary interests, commenting on the place of queer readings of the Bible in broader contexts. Here is a unique and indispensable resource for anyone interested in contemporary issues of Bible interpretation or in queer theory generally.