The Savage Text

Misuse of the Bible has made hatred holy. In this provocative book, Adrian Thatcher argues that debates on sexuality currently raging through the churches are the latest outbreak in a long line of savage interpretations of the Bible. Fascinating reading for anyone concerned about the future of Christianity. A provocative book claiming that debates on sexuality currently raging through the churches are the latest outbreak in a long line of savage interpretations of the Bible Argues that the Bible has been abused to convert the good news which it brings to the world, into one which has been used to discriminate against many groups, including children, women, Jews, people of color, slaves, heretics, and homosexuals Asks how Christians have been able to conduct, in public and on a global scale, an argument that has exposed so much prejudice, fear and hatred Offers an alternative, faithful and peaceable reading of the Bible, drawing on numerous examples throughout Breaks new ground in debates about sexual ethics and biblical interpretation

Misuse of the Bible has made hatred holy. In this provocative bookAdrian Thatcher argues that debates on sexuality currently ragingthrough the churches are the latest outbreak in a long line ofsavage interpretations of the Bible. Fascinating reading for anyoneconcerned about the future of Christianity.* A provocative book claiming that debates on sexuality currentlyraging through the churches are the latest outbreak in a long lineof savage interpretations of the Bible* Argues that the Bible has been abused to convert the"good news" which it brings to the world, into onewhich has been used to discriminate against many groups, includingchildren, women, Jews, people of color, slaves, heretics, andhomosexuals* Asks how Christians have been able to conduct, in public and ona global scale, an argument that has exposed so much prejudicefear and hatred* Offers an alternative, faithful and peaceable reading of theBible, drawing on numerous examples throughout* Breaks new ground in debates about sexual ethics and biblicalinterpretation

Acknowledgments ixPart I What Is "The Savage Text"? 11 The "Savage Text"? 3The Bible as an Idol? 3The Manifesto of "The Savage Text" 9The Argument of the Book 122 "Vile Affections": The Bible and Homosexuality 15Morality or Ideology? 15A Guidebook for Sexual Behavior? 24A Man Needs a Woman? 28When is Exegesis Homophobic? 34Part II The Savage Text at Work 373 "Cursed Be Canaan!": The Bible, Racism, and Slavery 39The Bible and Racism 39The Bible and Slavery 47Reading the Bible after Slavery 504 "The Great Day of Wrath": The Bible and the End 57"Man of War" or "Prince of Peace"? 58"Rapture" or Rupture? 645 "Take Now Thy Son": The Bible and Children 78Jesus and Children 78Putting Jesus First 936 "Thou Shalt Not Suffer a Witch to Live": The Bible, Jews, and Women 95The Bible and Anti-Semitism 96The Bible and Misogyny 100Learning from the Legacy? 106Part III Beyond the Text: Faith in the Triune God 1117 Faith in the Book or Faith in God? 113The Scripture Principle 114Hooker and the Middle Way 124"Lost Christianities" and New "Heresies" 1328 On Not Being a "People of the Book" 137The Personalization of the Book 138"Dis-solving" the Problem of Authority 145Some Principles for a Peaceful Reading of the Bible 152Conclusion 167Glossary 170Notes 180Bibliography 197Index of Scriptural Citations 206General Index 212