I was recently sitting in a trendy cafe, reading my review copy of Making Sense of Sex. It was a somewhat embarrassing moment, sat in public view reading a book about sex and early Jewish and Christian literature. I was convinced that those around me were thinking ‘what a lunatic’ as everyone knows the Christian position on sex; that is: somewhere between vehemently and slightly opposed. For many of us within the Christian tradition, this opposition sits in direct contrast to our understanding and experience of the God of life.
There is very little reliable information about how the early Jewish and Christian communities understood sexuality. The debates that have raged in our churches have been ideologically driven; using scripture to prove our point, whichever side of the debate we are on. William embarked on a five-year research project with the aim of listening to the early Jewish and Christian communities understanding of sexuality.
This book is a distillation of his five-year research project. William invites the church to engage what was said two thousand years ago, with a view to enabling more informed choices and perspectives on what it means to be a responsible sexual being today. This is an excellent volume for any lay-theologian, and congregational members, wishing to listen to these ancient communities.
Richard Telfer