Sex in the Garden
Consensual Encounters Gone Bad
- Biblical Studies & Commentaries
- Ethics, Culture & Social Issues
- Publisher: Wipf and Stock
- Published: 2019
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Publisher's Description
In the #MeToo times in which we live, there are few hard and fast rules that govern personal encounters and sexual liaisons. Consent, so long as it is neither coerced nor forced, dictates all. Astute students of the Bible will see this aspect of our current social milieu reflected in the book of Genesis. Genesis is not a book about laws. There are no "thou shall" or "thou shall not" commandments given over by God to humanity. Instead, its narrative depicts the cultures of its time as operating on personal choices and personal freedoms. And from the first sexual tryst in the garden of Eden to the attempted seduction of Joseph by the wife of Potiphar, these consensual encounters tend to end badly. The cautionary nature of these tales underscores the continued relevance of Genesis for our times.
Endorsements (3)
“Using the ancient text of Genesis, the authors engage in a dialogue with some of the contemporary challenges of sexual expressions exacerbated by hyper-individualism. Selected biblical narratives guide the reader into thoughtful reflections, challenging the behavioral relativism often directed to sex and sexuality. I commend this book to those seeking a counter-narrative based on a freshly interpreted biblical perspective.”
“With tender loving care, the authors of Sex in the Garden display an explicit adult-level reading of the book of Genesis to analyze a range of sexual behaviors not normally covered in polite discussions of sacred Scripture—either with adults or children. . . . I recommend the book for all those interested in what the Bible has to say about sex.”
“Behold! In your hands is an inspired and inspiring twenty-first-century iteration of the prophetic mission to be a ‘light unto the nations.’ Rabbis Broyde and Travis challenge the situational ethics of our time through the lens of classical Judaism by arguing persuasively that Genesis presents a template for individuals to use when making real life decisions.”
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