The Savage Text: The Use and Abuse of the Bible

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. He claims they should be exposed, not least because they continue an anti–tradition in Christianity that has discriminated against many minorities, including people of color, slaves, women and children. He asks how Christians have been able to conduct, in public and on a global scale, arguments which have exposed so much hatred and misrepresentation that the very mission of the church has been severely compromised. The answer lies largely in particular attitudes towards the Bible and the misuse of biblical passages. Informed by wide–ranging debate, and drawing on numerous examples, this balanced book breaks new ground in the well–ploughed territories of sexual ethics and biblical interpretation. It unmasks this savage tradition and offers instead an alternative, faithful and peaceable reading of the Bible; one which is faithful to the Triune God and rooted in the early church. It is fascinating reading for anyone concerned about the future of Christianity.

Acknowledgments. Part I: What Is “The Savage Text”? 1. The “Savage Text”? The Bible as an Idol? The Manifesto of “The Savage Text” The Argument of the Book. 2. “Vile Affections”: The Bible and Homosexuality. Morality or Ideology? A Guidebook for Sexual Behavior? A Man Needs a Woman? When is Exegesis Homophobic? Part II: The Savage Text at Work. 3. “Cursed by Canaan!”: The Bible, Racism, and Slavery. The Bible and Racism. The Bible and Slavery. Reading the Bible after Slavery. 4. “The Great Day of Wrath”: The Bible and the End. “Man of War” or “Prince of Peace”? “Rapture” or Rupture? Great Tribulation or American Tribalism? 5. “Take Now Thy Son”: The Bible and Children. Jesus and Children. Putting Jesus First. 6. “Thou Shalt Not Suffer a Witch to Live”: The Bible, Jews, and Women. The Bible and Anti–Semitism. The Bible and Misogyny. Learning from the Legacy? Part III: Beyond the Text: Faith in the Triune God. 7. Faith in the Book or Faith in God? The Scripture Principle. Hooker and the Middle Way. “Lost Christianities” and New “Heresies” 8. On Not Being a “People of the Book” The Personalization of the Book. “Dis–solving” the Problem of Authority. Some Principles for a Peaceful Reading of the Bible. Conclusion. Glossary. Bibliography. Index of Scriptural Citations. General Index.

Adrian Thatcher is Professorial Research Fellow in Applied Theology at the University of Exeter, UK. He is the author of numerous books, including: Theology and Families (Wiley–Blackwell, 2007); The Guide to Christian Marriage and to Getting Married in Church (2003); Living Together and Christian Ethics (2002); Celebrating Christian Marriage (ed., 2001); Marriage after Modernity: Christian Marriage in Postmodern Times (1999); People of Passion (with Elizabeth Stuart, 1997); Liberating Sex: A Christian Sexual Theology (1993); and Truly a Person, Truly God (1990).

"[ The Savage Text ] is certainly a valuable—and sane—addition to modern Biblical scholarship." ( Tribunal , September 2009) "I have asked conservative Evangelicals whether they are open to the possibility that there could be more than one responsible Christian interpretation of the biblical texts that relate to homosexuality. Adrian Thatcher, in this passionate book, goes much further." ( Church Times , February 2009) "A very readable book, Adrian Thatcher presents a well–argued, clear and persuasive case for a peaceable interpretation of Scripture. ... His book deserves to be widely read, not least by all involved in decision–making at whatever level on questions relating to human sexuality." ( Methodist Recorder , February 2009) "[Thatcher] approaches the biblical texts under discussion from a range of viewpoints, thereby paying attention to the particular historical context in which these texts originated. With a healthy sense of irony, he distances himself from the misuse of the Bible without rejecting the Bible as such, and therefore his excellent work can only be recommended to Christians of any denomination." ( Journal for the Study of Marriage & Spirituality , 2009)