The Bible and Homosexual Practice: Texts and Hermeneutics | 
 enlarge | Author: Robert A. J. Gagnon
Publisher: Abingdon Press
Category: Book
List Price: $41.00
Buy New: $24.95
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Rating:  17 reviews
Sales Rank: 60492
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 520
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.6
Dimensions (in): 9 x 6 x 1.2
ISBN: 0687022797
Dewey Decimal Number: 220
EAN: 9780687022793
ASIN: 0687022797
Publication Date: September 2002
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Product Description
Gagnon offers the most thorough analysis to date of the biblical texts relating to homosexuality. His strong and clearly articulated argument establishes that the Bible contains a unanimous witness defining same-sex intercourse as sin. He does so while rigorously engaging biblical scholars and historians who have written both for and against this understanding of same-sex intercourse. In addition, he demonstrates systematically why attempts to classify as irrelevant for our contemporary context the Bible's rejection of same-sex intercourse fail to do justice to the biblical texts. His conclusions are clear and compassionate, as he cautions readers on all sides of the debate against a truncated gospel, and challenges all to strive for a holistic view of the command to love God and neighbor.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 12 more reviews...
 Excellent in-depth study! May 17, 2008
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
Gagnon has produced the type of book this topic deserves. So much is written about this topic that is biased by an a priori positive or negative attitude towards homosexuality, that it is refreshing to see a really thorough study of the topic at hand. Gagnon is clear about his opinions, no doubt about that, but these are well separated from his exposition of the texts. It is the well-balanced nature of his arguments, the thoroughness of the exegesis and the completeness of his discussion that have set the standards of discussing "What does the Bible say about homosexuality?".
Loving Truth April 13, 2007
4 out of 6 found this review helpful
This book is complete in looking at the Biblical texts dealing with the subject of homosexuality. This is a must for orthodox Christians to read in order to be informed in the debate. Well worth the effort to read this book!
Biblilcal View of Sexuality January 18, 2007
3 out of 16 found this review helpful
I have not read the book yet. However, I respect the Christian position of the author, and admire his scholarship, and articulate presentation of similar treatments of subjects dealing with homosexuality.
I expect the present book to meet to manifest the same qualities. (Rev/Dr.) James O. Maner
A Biblical Philologist's View September 7, 2005
16 out of 33 found this review helpful
This is a magisterial book.
It has been criticized by one reviewer in this space for its interpretation of the Greek word porneia as having a much broader reference, in the Gospels and elsewhere in the New Testament, than the classical meaning. Gagnon's argument is sound, and based on modern biblical philology of the porn group of cognates. To understand the development, one has to know the Septuagint and Old Greek books, and the Hebrew which underlies them. Gagnon is following me and other biblical Hellenists. We translate the noun "unchastity", and think of it as covering sins of thought, word and deed.
Perhaps the most important implication of this is that we do know that Jesus said something about same-sex physical relations, and that it was adverse.
(...)
 Objective, well written, but missing something crucial April 5, 2005
34 out of 68 found this review helpful
It is very obvious that Gagnon is passionate about people, and his beliefs. I offer my sincere thanks for the time and effort he put into the research, and constructing the text. It helps to put a lot of things in perspective. It is also quite evident that he was curtious and respectful (tactful) throughout this book.
As a gay person, though, I must add that he is missing a very crucial thing: love. Gagnon's not responsible for omitting this piece of information because he is not a homosexual. I state with great respect that no one can truly know what it means to be homosexual unless they, themselves are homosexual.
A great deal of the text is written using the phrase "same-sex intercourse". This phrase appears over and over again, as if this is the only thing that homosexuals are capable or desire. This is also a crucial point in today's almost war-like environment between evangelicals and liberals. Especially with talk of the US converting to a Theocracy.
I can state adamantly that I love Jahova (God), and Jesus, and I can 'feel' that they love me as well. I am a very conservative man, and I live my life the way that I feel God wants me to. Sex is at the bottom of the list of priorities, and I don't feel that I give it more due than any other person involved in a committed relationship. Love, honor, respect for my mate, integrity, monogamy, etc., are all very important duties for which I hold in the highest regard. My partner and I are married in the way one should be-the way it was designed to be-only we happen to be of the same sex. That is truly the only thing that is different-other than the obvious-that we cannot have children. There are many heterosexual couples that are also unable to conceive, and yet many sterile couples are able to enjoy a full intimate relationship.
No one will ever be able to truly understand the complexity of a gay person's life unless they live it. Heterosexuals attempting to analyze our lives, our motives, our morales and ethics will always fail. It is truly a subjective matter by the philosophical definition.
This book helped me to see the viewpoint of an inteligent and objetive clergy, and for that I am extremely grateful and respectful. Read this book, and take it for what it is; no more, and no less. You WILL gain knowledge, and if you work hard, wisdom.
In the end, I believe we are all going to be judged for what we've done and why. No one is going to stand in front of us and accept punishment on our behalf. God gave each of us a brain, and the ability to reason. We are therefore challenged to increase our knowledge of both the bible, and deductive reasoning, for each to decide what is best for ourselves.
From here I am heading off to study Virtue Ethic theory and Natural Law theory. It seems like the next best step to understanding Jesus, the nature God created for us, and our existence.
God bless all.
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