Big Questions: Human Sexuality (BS8040L)

Content

In this unit students will consider how the Scriptures of Old and New Testaments represent living traditions rather than mere inert texts and continue to inform issues in the world. In particular, this unit will explore how Christian communities, including Lutheran communities, have understood and used the Scriptures to inform questions of human sexuality and how a biblical meta-narrative with Christ at its centre can still inform a response to contemporary issues arising from these questions.

Learning outcomes

Pedagogy

Engagement with online learning materials, including audio/video, tasks, forums and asynchronous discussion with lecturer

Indicative Bibliography

• Anderson, Cheryl. Ancient laws and contemporary controversies: the need for inclusive interpretation. Oxford University Press, 2009.
• Balch, David L., ed. Homosexuality, science and the ‘plain sense’ of scripture. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2000.
• Childs, James M., ed. Faithful conversation: Christian perspectives on homosexuality. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress, 2003.
• Cornwall, Susannah. Intersex, theology and the Bible: troubling bodies in church, text and society. New York: Palgrave, Macmillan, 2015.
• DeFranza, Megan K. Intersex and imago: sex, gender and sexuality in postmodern theological anthropology. Marquette University Publications, 2009.
• Edgar, Brian, and Gordon Preece, eds. Whose homosexuality? Which authority? Homosexual practice, marriage, ordination and the church. Interface 9. Adelaide, SA: ATF Press, 2006.
• Isherwood, Lisa, and Marcella Althaus-Reid. Trans/formations (controversies in contextual theology. SCM Press, 2009.
• Loader, William. The New Testament on sexuality. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2012.
• Martin, Dale B. Sex and the single Savior: gender and sexuality in biblical interpretation. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2006.
• Via, Dan Otto, and Robert A. J. Gagnon.* Homosexuality and the Bible: two views*. Philadelphia, PA: Fortress Press, 2003.
• Wright, Nigel G. M, ed. Five uneasy pieces: essays on scripture and sexuality. Introduced by Michael Kirby. Adelaide, SA: ATF Press, 2011. (The five contributors are members of the Australian Anglican communion.) [Available as e-book from the ALC Library]

Assessment