Queer Theology: Rethinking the Western Body

Queer Theology makes an important contribution to public debate about Christianity and sex. This remarkable collection of essays reconceptualizes the body and its desires, enlarging the meaning of sexuality for the good of the churches. Written by some of the most able and insightful of Anglo–American scholars, established and up–coming, and from a variety of academic and religious backgrounds, the book shows how western bodies are queerer than often thought, and that the same is true of the God who elicits and tutors their desires.

Notes on Contributors. Preface. Introduction: The End of Sex: Gerard Loughlin (University of Durham). Part I: Queer Lives . 1 Subjectivity and Belief: Kathy Rudy (Duke University). 2 The Gay Thing: Following the Still Small Voice: James Alison (writer). Part II: Queer Church. 3 Sacramental Flesh: Elizabeth Stuart (University of Winchester). 4 There Is No Sexual Difference: Graham Ward (University of Manchester). 5 Fecundity: Sex and Social Reproduction: David Matzko McCarthy (Mount St Mary’s University). Part III: Queer Origins . 6 Eros and Emergence: Catherine Pickstock (Cambridge University). 7 Omphalos: Gerard Loughlin (University of Durham). Part IV: Queer/ing Tradition . 8 Against Rabbinic Sexuality: Textual Reasoning and the Jewish Theology of Sex: Daniel Boyarin (University of California at Berkeley). 9 Queer Father: Gregory of Nyssa and the Subversion of Identity: Virginia Burrus (Drew University). 10 Queering the Beguines: Mechthild of Magdeburg, Hadewijch of Anvers, Marguerite Porete: Amy Hollywood (Harvard Divinity School). 11 Bodies Demand Language: Thomas Aquinas: Eugene F. Rogers Jr (University of North Carolina at Greensboro). 12 Love’s Urgent Longings: St John of the Cross: Christopher Hinkle (doctoral student at Harvard Divinity School). 13 A Queer Theology: Hans Urs von Balthasar: Rachel Muers (University of Exeter). Part V: Queer/ing Modernity . 14 Reformed and Enlightened Church: Jane Shaw (New College, Oxford). 15 Sex and Secularization: Linda Woodhead (Lancaster University). 16 “Promising Ashes”: A Queer Language of Life: Grace M. Jantzen (University of Manchester). 17 Antimarriage: Paul Fletcher (Lancaster University). Part VI: Queer Orthodoxy. 18 Queer Trinity: Gavin D’Costa (University of Bristol). 19 God’s Body: Mark D. Jordan (Emory University). 20 Queen of Heaven: Tina Beattie (University of Surrey Roehampton). 21 Desirous Saints: David Matzko McCarthy (Mount St Mary’s University). Bibliography. Index of Biblical References. General Index

Gerard Loughlin is Professor of Theology and Religion at the University of Durham. His previous publications include Telling God’s Story: Bible, Church and Narrative Theology (1996) and Alien Sex: The Body and Desire in Cinema and Theology (Blackwell, 2004). He is a co–editor of the Journal Theology and Sexuality .

“That being said, I would still recommend this book, because it makes a valuable contribution to an important and timely discussion.”  ( INTAMS review – Journal for the Study of Marriage & Spirituality, 18 January 2012) "Queer Theology manages to maintain both coherence and a consistently high level of theory, debate and reflection throughout. While it will certainly become indispensable for those working in theologies of gender, the body and sexuality, its broad catholicity and the intellectual accomplishment of its contributors make it attractive reading for theologians of all stripes." ( Theology , March 2009) “A broad and valuable resource … .It] considers “real world” implications … .Mov[ing] toward loving and nourishing notions of God and world.” ( Religious Studies Review )