God and Sex, Part II

So I read this book last weekend. I found it very interesting. 

For the most part, it was remarkable for it's lack of impassioned rhetoric.  Despite it's provocative title, the subject is presented in a very matter of fact, academic way.  But I didn't find it dry or boring. 

The upshot of Mr. Coogan's position is that the Bible was written a long time ago, by many different authors and over a thousand years.  It was not "delivered to humanity as a complete book, written by God and shrink wrapped in a shipment from Amazon." 

The Bible is an "anthology, a selection of texts from ancient Israel, early Judaism and, for Christians, from the first hundred years or so of Christianity."  The texts or "books" of the Bible were written "over the course of many centuries, and, like all other books, ...reflect the presuppositions and prejudices, the ideas and ideals of their authors (almost entirely men) and of the societies in and for which they were written." 

Mr. Coogan walks us through many hot button modern topics concerning sex, including pre-marital sex, marriage, abortion, homosexuality, divorce, bestiality and prostitution.  He quotes some portions of the biblical text and points out that they are often unclear, incomplete and contradictory.  He also discusses the social and political framework of the societies from which they originated.  From his view, most of the "rules" about sex laid out in the Bible had more to do with money, social standing and power than morality.  He points out, quite rightly, I think, that the Bible didn't define marriage as a union between "One Man and One Woman" so much as it was a union between "One Man and Many Women."  He goes on to find absolute support for slavery and for putting those convicted of adultery to death, positions which have been abandoned by contemporary moralists who nevertheless cite the Bible in support for their position that homosexuality is wrong, because the Bible says so.  The Biblical writers' understanding of homosexuality, as well as adultery, slavery and gender roles, was that of their own times. 

Ultimately, Mr. Coogan concludes that the Bible has been flexible and adaptable to new situations which are vastly different from their original contexts and that we should rely on the overarching authority of the Bible in it's promotion of the fair and equitable treatment of others, which is the essence of the scripture. 

Overall, I thought this was a worthwhile and extremely helpful book, presented with respect and reverence.  It has helped my understanding of the Word and deepened my belief not only in the love of God but in my conviction that His love should extend to all who love Him and each other in His name.