Contemporary Theological Approaches to Sexuality

Contemporary Theological Approaches to Sexuality provides a much-needed overview of the state of scholarship on Christian theological reflection on sexuality and sexual theology. Critically, it also intervenes in the cultural debate over sexuality by privileging feminist, queer, and other counter-normative perspectives. Comprising twenty-three chapters by a team of international contributors this volume is divided into four parts:

? Normativity and transgression

? Bodies

? Economies and violence

? Divinity.

Within these sections central issues, debates and problems are examined, including consideration of the complexities of Christian theology in regard to contemporary sexuality debates. Contemporary Theological Approaches to Sexuality is essential reading for students and researchers in the field of religion, sexuality, and Christianity.

Contents

Part I: Normativity and transgression

1. Normativity and Transgression- Lisa Isherwood & Dirk von der Horst




Part II: Bodies




2. Gender –AdrianThatcher





3. Transgender – Sharon A. Bong





4. A sexual communion of subjects- Anne Benvenuti





5. Neurotheologies and sexualities – Montserrat Escribano-Cárcel





6. Sexual renunciation in Christian history and theology – Sarah Moslener





7. Theeology: the "not necessarily Christian alternative" available to pre-Stonewall gay women – Marie Cartier





8. Music – Dirk von der Horst





9. Queering Desire- Robyn Henderson-Espinoza




Part III: Economies and Violence




10. Marriage – Lisa Isherwood





11. Just sex work: a liberation thological, Marxist economic, and global feminist analysis of sex in the sex trade – Thia Cooper and Kristian Braekkan





12. Christian theology, sexuality and globalization: shifting practices, revitalizing traditions – Heather Shipley





13. Rape culture and the politics of sainthood – Gina Messina-Dysert





14. Sexual abuse by clergy in the Catholic Church – Rosemary Radford Ruether





15. Reproductive rights and women's rights: justice in sexual relationships - Rosemary Radford Ruether





16. AIDS: deviancy, stigma, and grace: counter-theology from the genitals of the Body of Christ – Robert E. Shore-Goss





17. Queer incarnational bedfelloows: Christian theology and BDSM practices – Robert E. Shore-Goss




Part IV: Divinity




18. Love and desire – Gianluigi Gugliermetto





19. Sexuality in religious polemics – Dirk von der Horst





20. Sexuality and the 'person' of Christ – Lisa Isherwood





21. 
    
    

    More than a divine ménage à trois: friendship, polyamory, and the doctrine of the Trinity – Hugo Quero and Joseph N. Goh






22. Sacramental sex/uality – Alejandro S. Escalante





23. Virgin Mary, mother of God: from phallic fetish to fleshy womanhood? – Lisa Isherwood

Lisa Isherwood is Professor of Feminist Liberation Theologies and Director of the Institute for Theological Partnerships at the University of Winchester, UK.

Dirk von der Horst is Instructor of Religious Studies at Mount St. Mary's University, Los Angeles, USA.