Sexuality in Early Judaism and Christianity Collection (7 vols.)

by William R. G. Loader; Ibolya Balla

Publisher:

Eerdmans

, 2005–2013

Overview

The Sexuality in Early Judaism and Christianity Collection brings together seven works by William Loader, a leading expert on sexuality in early Judaism and early Christianity. In these volumes, Loader looks to ancient writings—including the works of Josephus, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the Gospels—to find their primary perspectives on sexuality and the cultural values of their era. Loader’s insightful study equips you to understand how Christianity’s sacred tradition defines healthy sexuality, and how these past teachings continue to guide us today.

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Key Features

• Contains seven works on sexuality in early Judaism and Christianity
• Analyzes past perspectives on healthy sexuality
• Provides applications for modern-day Christian living

Product Details

• Title: Sexuality in Early Judaism and Christianity Collection
• Author: William Loader
• Publisher: Eerdmans
• Volumes: 7
• Pages: 2,937

Individual Overviews

Philo, Josephus, and the Testaments on Sexuality: Attitudes towards Sexuality in the Writings of Philo and Josephus and in the Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs

• Author: William Loader
• Publisher: Eerdmans
• Publication Date: 2011
• Pages: 488

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

In this volume, William Loader examines three substantial and historically important sets of documents—the writings of Philo of Alexandria, the writings of Josephus, and the Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs. Challenging stereotypes of both Philo’s and Josephus’ perspectives on sexuality, Loader’s detailed analyses provide a comprehensive investigation of this subject.

Loader’s research is both detailed and comprehensive in matters related to sexual behavior in these texts. . . . A valuable resource for those interested in exploring sexual attitudes in Hellenistic Jewish literature.

—Review of Biblical Literature

Making Sense of Sex: Attitudes towards Sexuality in Early Jewish and Christian Literature

• Author: William Loader
• Publisher: Eerdmans
• Publication Date: 2013
• Pages: 176

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

In Making Sense of Sex: Attitudes towards Sexuality in Early Jewish and Christian Literature, William Loader examines writings from the Greco-Roman period, relating their perspectives on sex. Loader also engages with the academic discourse surrounding the writings, allowing for a thorough investigation of both the primary sources and the existing interpretations of the writings. Through supporting readers in their study of these ancient texts, Loader provides a basis for informed discussion of sexual issues today.

Here William Loader presents his main conclusions in a highly accessible format. The lucid prose, anchored with references to primary sources, makes it an indispensable resource for students, but scholars will also find much value in the concise overview. . . . Loader is clearly a worldwide leading expert on sexuality in early Judaism and early Christianity, and his command of the material is detectable on every page.

—Margaret Y. MacDonald, professor of New Testament, St. Francis Xavier University

The Pseudepigrapha on Sexuality: Attitudes towards Sexuality in Apocalypses, Testaments, Legends, Wisdom, and Related Literature

• Author: William Loader
• Publisher: Eerdmans
• Publication Date: 2011
• Pages: 584

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

In this volume, William Loader investigates a diverse collection of more than 40 Jewish apocryphal and pseudepigraphal writings and fragments composed between the third century BC and the end of the first century AD. Judith, Tobit, 2 Enoch, Susannah—these and many other writings reveal a complex amalgam of attitudes and mores related to sexuality in early Jewish culture. Loader analyzes each book or fragment in its own literary context and draws out significant trends and themes that run through the entire corpus, offering rich reflection on sexuality during that period.

This volume on Jewish Pseudepigrapha is a rich resource for anyone interested in the cultural sources of the positions on sexuality adopted by contemporary religious communities.

—Harold Attridge, Sterling Professor of Divinity, Yale Divinity School

The Dead Sea Scrolls on Sexuality: Attitudes towards Sexuality in Sectarian and Related Literature at Qumran

• Author: William Loader
• Publisher: Eerdmans
• Publication Date: 2009
• Pages: 458

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls brought to light the richest collection of early Jewish writings ever retrieved from the ancient world, including copies of biblical writings centuries older than other surviving manuscripts. The gradual publication of these writings unleashed a flurry of research and considerable speculation. One area of speculation concerns the understanding of sexuality in the ancient Jewish world. In The Dead Sea Scrolls on Sexuality, William Loader investigates the Temple Scroll; 4QMMT; the Damascus Document; and a number of legal, liturgical, wisdom, and exegetical documents. These texts treat a wide range of matters pertaining to sexuality, from ritual and cultic concerns to visions of human community and family in future expectation. Far from the common view that the writers of the Scrolls held a low view of sexuality and marriage, Loader concludes that most of these sources reflect an affirmative stance towards sex and marriage within a framework of clear boundaries marking out where sex did and did not belong.

An excellent, much-needed study. I especially appreciate Loader’s engagement with others’ research—a particular strength of the work—and his up-to-date bibliography. This book will generate lively discussion among Scrolls scholars.

—Kelley Coblentz Bautch, associate professor of religious studies, St. Edwards University

Enoch, Levi, and Jubilees on Sexuality: Attitudes towards Sexuality in the Early Enoch Literature, the Aramaic Levi Document, and the Book of Jubilees

• Author: William Loader
• Publisher: Eerdmans
• Publication Date: 2007
• Pages: 360

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

In Enoch, Levi, and Jubilees on Sexuality, William Loader first discusses the early Enoch literature relevant to the theme, and then examines the fragmentary Aramaic Levi Document as a whole. He finally considers Jubilees as a cumulative work, building on both the Enoch tradition and the instruction of Levi, and reveals a range of devices warning against sexual depravity. Loader’s aim throughout is to interpret the works from within, examining literary form, context, sequence, and tradition and redaction, reflecting engagement with current research in this area.

Loader’s monograph provides a significant and positive contribution to contemporary study of the Book of Jubilees. His focus on the role of sexuality in the thought-world of Jubilees synthesizes many important studies of Jubilees. He models the value of sustained attention to the vocabulary of sexuality—in Ethiopic, Latin, and Hebrew—and translation patterns, but also charts the sustained and often surprising aspects of sexuality in a number of key narratives . . .

—John C. Endres, professor of sacred Scripture (Old Testament), Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley

The New Testament on Sexuality

• Author: William Loader
• Publisher: Eerdmans
• Publication Date: 2012
• Pages: 575

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

In The New Testament on Sexuality, William Loader explores the relevant cultural contexts and looks at New Testament texts related to sexuality, highlighting both the warnings about sexual wrongdoing and the affirmations of sexual union. He deals with specific themes such as divorce, same-sex relations, women and men in leadership, and celibacy; individual behavior, gender roles and rules, preferences, and hopes also fall under the scope of his investigation. Broad-ranging and thorough, this book engages both the biblical texts and the diverse ways in which they have been interpreted.

The New Testament on Sexuality is essential reading for scholars and students alike. Throughout the book Loader reveals his mastery not only of the New Testament but also of Jewish and Greco-Roman sources. One finds detailed examination of some of the most difficult and highly contentious issues related to New Testament evidence, such as attitudes to virginity and same-sex intercourse, celibacy, slavery and sexuality, the relationship between sexuality and leadership, and sex in an alternate society. Loader displays an impressive command of the vast array of scholarly literature. . .This is a study that I will no doubt turn to time and time again, not only for its comprehensive analysis of texts but also for its many challenging and original insights.

—Margaret Y. MacDonald, professor of New Testament, St. Francis Xavier University

Sexuality and the Jesus Tradition

• Author: William Loader
• Publisher: Eerdmans
• Publication Date: 2005
• Pages: 296

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

In Sexuality and the Jesus Tradition, William Loader examines passages dealing with sexuality in the gospels and other first-century literature. Loader explores perspectives on lust, marriage and divorce, and celibacy. Loader shows how, despite the passing of 2,000 years and massive social change, these ancient texts contain common issues that we still grapple with today.

Sexuality and the Jesus Tradition has a very fresh approach, which does not proceed only along the usual well-worn tracks associated with the subject matter. . . . A stimulating and challenging book, which deserves to be taken seriously.

—Themelios

The relationship of sexuality and biblical religion is a highly contentious minefield of exegetical opinions and pastoral solutions that is not for the faint of heart. But Loader blazes a clear path through the labyrinth of interpretations, a path that will command respect even from those who in the end disagree with this or that position.

—John P. Meier, William K. Warren Professor of Theology, University of Notre Dame

Loader’s study is eminently scholarly, with a wealth of detail in the footnotes, covering difficult exegetical questions and issues of cultural anthropology. The extraordinary feature of this book, however, is that, for all its scholarly depth and precision, it is also accessible to the ordinary lay reader. . . . This study is a ‘must’ for all those who wish to take seriously biblical understandings of sexuality yet wish to do so in a way that respects the ancient context out of which such teaching arises.

—Dorothy Lee, dean of the theological school and Frank Woods Distinguished Lecturer in Biblical Studies, Trinity College, University of Melbourne

Sexuality and the Jesus Tradition is essential reading both for students and scholars of the early church and for those wrestling with issues related to sexuality in the contemporary church.

—Judith Lieu, Lady Margaret’s Professor of Divinity, Robinson College, University of Cambridge

About William Loader

William Loader is professor emeritus of New Testament at Murdoch University, Perth, Australia. In 2010, he completed a five-year Australian Research Council professional fellowship project: Attitudes towards Sexuality in Judaism and Christianity in the Hellenistic Greco-Roman Era. Loader is the author of numerous books, including Sexuality in the New Testament: Understanding the Key Texts