Homoeroticism in the Biblical World: A Historical PerspectiveNissinen's award-winning book surveys attitudes in the ancient world toward homoeroticism, that is, erotic same-sex relations. Focusing on the Bible and its cultural environment-Mesopotamia, Greece, Rome, Israel-Nissinen concisely and readably introduces the relevant sources and their historical contexts in a readable way.Homoeroticism is examined as a part of gender identity, i.e., the interplay of sexual orientation, gender identification, gender roles, and sexual practice. In the patriarchal cultures of the biblical world, Nissinen shows, homoerotic practices were regarded as a role construction between the active and passive partners rather than as expressions of an orientation moderns call "homosexuality." Nissinen shows how this applies to the limited acceptance of homoerotic relationships in Greek and Roman culture, as well as to Israel's and the early church's condemnation of any same-sex erotic activity.For readers interested in the ancient world or contemporary debates, Nissinen's fascinating study shows why the ancient texts - both biblical and nonbiblical - are not appropriate for use as sources of direct analogy or argument in today's discussion. |
Other editions - View all
Homoeroticism in the Biblical World: A Historical Perspective Martti Nissinen No preview available - 2004 |
Homoeroticism in the Biblical World: A Historical Perspective Martti Nissinen No preview available - 1998 |
Common terms and phrases
according active partner Aeschines ancient sources aspect assinnu attitudes Bible biblical Boswell Brooten Cantarella 1992 castration century C.E. Christian cinaedi Common Era concept context creation cultural David and Jonathan Dover Enkidu erōmenos erotic eroticism eunuchs example expression female feminine gender identity gender roles Gilgameš goddess Gospel Greek Greenberg 1988 Hebrew Hellenistic heterosexual Holiness Code homo homoerotic homoerotic behavior homoerotic relations homoeroticism homosexual human Inanna intercourse interpretation Ištar Jesus Jewish Josephus kurgarrû lesbian Lilja lover male masculine means mentioned Mesopotamian modern moral nature omen Parpola passive partner passive role Paul Paul's pederastic relationship pederasty person Philo physical Plato Plutarch procreation prostitution rabbis rape refer regarded Richlin Roman same-sex interaction Sappho Scroggs Septuagint sexual acts sexual contact sexual orientation sexual role slave social society Sodom Sodomites story term Testament texts tion Torah trans transgression translation unnatural wife woman women word Yahwist