This book helps a reader obtain some insight as to how a disciple of Jesus is called to live out his or her existance as a sexual being.

Conducting a thorough examination of sexual ethics in the New Testament, this work argues that the New Testament writers did not construct a new sexual ethic from the ground up, but took over existing cultural patterns and refocused them, pushing some elements from the centre to the periphery. This suggests a pattern of ethics for contemporary life. Discussing biblical notions of purity and property, which dominate ethical ideas in the New Testament, the author characterizes sex as one of the rich blessings of creation, "to be received with delight and thanksgiving". Countryman's generous and eirenic views on sexual matters, based as they are on solid biblical research, are a welcome intervention in an area which unfortunately, in Christian circles, tends still to be dominated by conservatism and misinformation, rather than by liberal principle.

WHEN IT COMES TO SAME-SEX RELATIONSHIPS, this book by Karen Keen contains the most thoughtful, balanced, biblically grounded discussion you’re likely to encounter anywhere. With pastoral sensitivity and respect for biblical authority, Keen breaks through current stalemates in the debate surrounding faith and sexual identity. The fresh, evenhanded reevaluation of Scripture, Christian tradition, theology, and science in Keen’s Scripture, Ethics, and the Possibility of Same-Sex Relationships will appeal to both traditionalist and progressive church leaders and parishioners, students of ethics and biblical studies, and gay and lesbian people who often feel painfully torn between faith and sexuality.

This is the fifth and final installment of William Loader's authoritative, acclaimed series on attitudes toward sexuality in the ancient world. Sexual themes are never far beneath the surface where there are human beings. This was certainly the case for Christians in the first-century world. Some began in a strongly Jewish context and worked out their faith in dialogue with their scriptural heritage. Others had to work out their sexual ethics in a world strongly influenced by Greco-Roman ideals and practices. In The New Testament on Sexuality William Loader explores the relevant cultural contexts and looks at New Testament texts related to sexuality, highlighting both the warnings about sexual wrongdoing and the affirmations of sexual union. He deals with specific themes such as divorce, same-sex relations, women and men in leadership, and celibacy; individual behavior, gender roles and rules, preferences, and hopes also fall under the scope of his investigation. Broad-ranging and thorough, this book engages both the biblical texts and the diverse ways in which they have been interpreted.

What the Bible "Really" says About Sex, and what many people think the Bible says about sex are two different things. Although the Bible clearly condemns immoral sexual behaviour, to go beyond what the Bible clearly teaches is legalism. Words like "adultery", "fornication", and "lust" do not mean the same things today that they meant in biblical times. We've also lost sight of the reasons behind the rules. What the Bible "Really" says about Sex makes a compelling biblical case for "responsible non-monogamy", also known as "polyamory". It also grapples with other difficult ethical questions concerning nudity, prostitution, pornography, homosexuality, situation ethics, polygamy, the sin of Adam and Eve, procreation, marriage, safe sex, love, sex after the resurrection, and family values. Tom Gruber gets to the crux of the matter with laser-sharp clarity. Gruber writes in a style that a layman can easily understand, a skeptic cannot easily refute, and a scholar cannot easily dispute. This highly-controversial book is a must read for all open-minded individuals seeking an accurate understanding of What the Bible "Really" says About Sex.

Loader looks at hotly contested New Testament passages on sexuality and offers a fair and balanced treatment of what scholars say about them. He also offers an analysis of why interpreters say what they say, and demonstrates how texts may be interpreted specifically to support a preformed opinion. Written in straightforward, non-technical language, this classroom text is also ideal for Bible study groups.

Examines the sexual beliefs and practices of different religions, cultures, genders, and relationships to propose a modern-day framework on the topic that is more focused on love rather than sex.