This book is a comprehensive compilation of articles written by emerging scholar-saints from various states across India. It addresses pressing contemporary issues such as homosexuality, women's menstruation, rape, pornography, live-in relationships, masturbation, prostitution, and sex education. These topics are of significant societal relevance and the insights provided are particularly beneficial for fostering awareness and understanding within the Christian Church Through thoughtful exploration and diverse perspectives, this book aims to engage readers in meaningful discussions about these critical subjects.
Joel Christian, the editor of this book, holds a Bachelor of Divinity from Union Biblical Seminary and has completed the residential requirements for Masters of Theology in the New Testament Department from Senate of Serampore University. Joel has a profound zeal for studying the New Testament's use of the Old Testament and possesses a strong interest in the biblical languages of Greek and Hebrew.
In addition to his academic pursuits, Joel is dedicated to his ministerial duties and is currently a member of the Gujarat Regional Conference of the Methodist Church in India. He is married to Anuja, who supports him in his ministry and scholarly endeavours. Joel's unique blend of academic rigour and pastoral experience brings a deep and nuanced perspective to the compilation of articles in this book.
Human sexuality, deeply woven into our identities and relationships, takes on an additional layer of complexity within the framework of Christianity This book delves into this very intersection, presenting a collection of articles that explore various facets of human sexuality through the lens of Christian faith.
The articles within this volume represent a tapestry of diverse perspectives, engaging with scripture, historical interpretations, theological considerations, and contemporary social and cultural contexts. Some delve into specific Biblical passages, analysing their meaning and implications for sexual ethics and practices. Others explore broader theological concepts like love, intimacy, gender identity, and their connection to contemporary challenges surrounding human sexuality.
This compilation is the work of over fourteen scholars and theologians who have dedicated themselves to this project. The contributors have employed various footnoting styles, with most adhering to the SBL format and a few utilizing the Chicago style. Their expertise spans diverse academic areas, including biblical studies, Christian ministry, and mission studies.
Readers will encounter a range of viewpoints, some challenging traditional interpretations while others offer fresh insights grounded in scripture. Ultimately, the book aims to provide a platform for a nuanced and multifaceted exploration of human sexuality within the Christian faith. It is hoped that this collection serves as a valuable resource for pastors, scholars, theologians, and any individual seeking to deepen their understanding of this crucial aspect of human experience in the context of their Christian faith.
'Love beyond borders: Christian Ministry, Missiology and the Biblical Wisdom on Sexuality" is a collection of various articles under the broader theme of human sexuality addressed by South Asian authors. Human sexuality is usually a taboo subject in South Asia as we live in a shame and honour culture.
It is in this kind of a context that the writers of these various articles have boldly addressed some of the issues that people face from a biblical perspective. Attempting such an effort itself is a mark of the keen interest in these scholars to make the bible relevant for our times.
It is also good to see that the authors are bringing in a South Asian perspective on the whole gamut of human sexuality. These scholars are rooted in their context and are therefore able to address these issues in a contextual and relevant manner.
I would like to congratulate Joel Christian and his team of budding authors to take up this challenge and address them with scholarly rigour and integrity. The book offers fresh insights into human sexuality and may challenge traditional views.
Genesis 1 comes to its first climax with the creation of a God-like humanity (its second climax is God's ceasing work). The verses are allusive over wherein the God-likeness consists (Indeed, much is allusive in Gen 1 3, not least over matters to do with sexuality, and we have tended to build too much doctrine and ethics on these chapters too easily and need to be a bit more reticent in our handling of them). There is no suggestion that humanity's God-likeness consists in its reasoning power or spiritual nature. Insofar as the context offers any guidance, it consists in (or perhaps rather implies) humanity's being put in control of other creatures (1:26) and in its being created male and female (1:27), only this second gloss on "God-likeness" is mentioned when the formula reappears later (5:1-2). Humanity is present only in this combination of male and female, and thus the God-likeness of humanity is present only in the combination. In this context, 'adam does not refer to the male; it is a word like "mankind" or "humanity" or homo sapiens'. It is then further defined as "male and female." There is about humanity both a unity and a plurality, both a unity and a diversity. Genesis I thus immediately subverts the suggestion that the male is the "natural" human being, the female being a deviant type Only man and woman together make real humanity. Together they hear God's word, receiving God's blessing and commission to multiply as families, to exercise power in the world, and to enjoy its produce. Genesis indicates no differentiation of role in the fulfillment of this commission, nor any internal hierarchy within humanity.
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