Product Description
This new revised edition, of the landmark 1988 text, includes updated text and notes throughout, taking advantage of recent studies of sexual ethics and, where appropriate, criticizing them. A new chapter engages the pre… More >>
Dirt, Greed, and Sex: Sexual Ethics in the New Testament and Their Implications for Today
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Well Countryman’s book had arrived on my doorstep and after opening it, my first positive observation was to see that it had a Scripture index, which would be a help in determining his view on significant Bible passages. I was glad too that Countryman provided in the two prefaces and his introduction his motivation for this book – i.e. “to encourag[e] discussion of sexuality between biblical scholars and ethicists.” I was also glad that he made clear his overarching conclusion from his biblical studies on sexuality, i.e. “biblical writers think primarily in terms of purity and of property.” And, I was also initially pleased when I read that Countryman (let me call him Bill for short) said in his preface that he “made every effort to read the texts as literally as possible.” I say “initially” because any preview of selected portions of Bill’s book will lead one to wonder if he has an obvious bias against the literal interpretation of texts.
I was also glad to see in Bill’s introduction that he gave his definitions for “the function of history”, for the “practical authority for Christian life”, for “morality” and for “ethics.” But I must candidly admit that I strongly disagree with his definitions of these terms and phrases! Each of Bill’s definitions alert the reader that, whatever discussions from Scripture that Bill will provide in the rest of the book, there is no intention to promote the Scripture as a source for moral authority for today.
First, Bill, it seems, thinks biblical history is written only to show what we should NOT do today. He uses terms like “its differentness and irretrievability.” But Paul said that biblical history was written for “warning” (1Cor. 10:6, 11 RSV) and “instruction” (Rom. 15:4 RSV) for all those who would profess to be followers of Jesus Christ. Second, Bill thinks the authority for Christian life is “in the ongoing Christian community rather than the Bible” – but Paul sees the highest authority for the Christian life is found in the Scriptures (2Tim. 3:15-17, 1Cor. 4:6). And finally, Bill defines morality and ethics from an evolutionary, postmodern mindset, not tying these terms to any divine standard, like the one when Jesus said – “If you love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15) I think I will stick with Paul and Jesus instead of Bill on these points. How about you?
Rating: 1 / 5
Father William M. Countryman is rapidly becoming one of my favorite authors on all thing Christian, along with his fellow Episcopalian, Bishop John Shelby Spong. Countryman is a thorough scholar and this is a superbly written book. Be sure to pick up Countryman’s other excellent books, particularly Gifted By Otherness. If you’re LGBT and struggling to reconcile faith with your life, this is the book for you. Countryman is an openly gay Episcopalian priest and scholar. You’ll love this book, it’s a real life changer.
Rating: 5 / 5
Countryman writes in a clear manner; it was pleasant to read as far as theology books go.
He views the Old Testament texts on sexual ethics through an interesting lens: one of purity and property law. This is problematic for several reasons, one of which is that the morality of the OT leaned on more than these laws. They also drew theological implications from the narratives. For instance from the narratives of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob they learned that trusting God is good. Particular to sexual ethics, guiding principles were also seen in the creation account. If the theology of these narratives were taken into account it would not happily mesh with Countryman’s conclusions.
While I disagree with most of Countryman’s conclusions, I am a more careful reader of the OT after reading his book. I found myself often saying “he has a point” and just lines later “that’s a big stretch.” He is creative, but creativity in historical and literary interpretation leads to surprising conclusions that flash and then often fade.
I recommend reading a book that covers the same ground from a historical Christian perspective. Though you may come to disagree, it will certainly nourish a deeper engagement with Countryman’s writings.
Rating: 4 / 5
… one can’t help but be interested or repulsed – and therein lies the challenge of this book! But let me start by saying that this is a revised edition of the now classic book (same title) that came out 20 years ago – back when Nelson Mandela was still in jail, CDs overtook vinyl sales for the first time, Ronald Reagan was still President (although George W. Bush won the election later that year), and the fall of the Berlin Wall had yet to happen. People on Amazon are still reviewing the earlier edition and their comments are still relevant, as the author’s conclusions have not changed significantly. Countryman argues that the various expressions of sexual morality presented in the Bible can be explained by the ethical principles of purity and property, whose antitheses are dirt and greed (hence the title). After examining how these principles are expressed in the Bible – and in particular the impact Jesus and Paul had on the way the early Christian communities rejected/reshaped them – Countryman explores the ways in which we might deal with issues of sexual morality today. His conclusions were deemed shocking 20 years ago – bestiality, erotica, homosexuality ought only be deemed `wrong’ if they are degrading to those involved, not in and of themselves. It is perhaps a sad state of affairs that even after twenty years, the subtitle to Countryman’s book – Sexual Ethics in the NT and Their Implications for Today – is just as relevant. Read this book – be freshly informed about the Bible – and be challenged regarding those things you might feel are `dirty.’
Rating: 5 / 5