The last 50 years have seen unprecedented changes in sexual and gender relationships. These include the easy availability of contraception, the separation of sexual experience from marriage and marriage from parenthood, more broken marriages, and legal provision for same-sex unions. Relationships between men and women have changed from a model of male dominance, towards a new model of male/female equality, and on to a new recognition of sexual and gender difference. These transformations have resulted in great benefits but they have also generated great uncertainties and unfulfilled expectations. They have sparked painful and on-going controversies in all the churches. God, Sex, and Gender is a clear and engaging introduction to these issues. It offers a consistent theological understanding which is contemporary, undogmatic, questioning, and relevant to readers' experience, interests and needs. Throughout the book, Thatcher connects theological ideas, with broader, secular thought. It fills a gap in the literature by linking together the diverse themes of sexuality, gender and Christian thought in one coherent volume. Its comprehensive and even-handed discussion of these issues will ensure it becomes a vital text in the field.
"Many of the critiques of God, Sex, and Genderoffered inthis review emerge from Thatcher's own lines ofinterrogation. In this and other ways, the book succeeds in drawingreaders into what is truly an exhilarating mode of reflection. Assuch, it offers a major contribution towards theological depth andcreativity in this important set of discourses, renewing the oftenreflexive ethics of sex and gender through witness to the Wordbecome flesh." (Studies in Christian Ethics, 16April 2014)
"Written as a text for post-secondary courses, this bookaims to provide "a comprehensive and consistent theologicalunderstanding of sexuality and gender, which is broad,contemporary, undogmatic, questioning, inclusive, and relevant toreaders' interests, needs, and experience"(xi)." (Studies in Religion, 1 September2013)"Adrian Thatcher's new book will be a rich resource for thosestudying and teaching sex, gender and sexuality in theologicalperspective ... The volume is a valuable one, which I hope willprompt readers to go and explore Thatcher's own extensive work formthe past, as well as the broader context of theological scholarshipon sexuality, gender and marriage within which it sits." (Theology,1 January 2012)
"Although designed as an introduction for theology students, thisis a really remarkable book covering a whole range of sensitivesubjects in a deeply humane fashion." (Network Review, 1 June 2011)
"Adrian Thatcher brings an unparalleled knowledge and understandingto the writing of this book. He knows what readers - both beginnersand seasoned - want and need in an introductory text. Theauthor is not only sensible and comprehensive, but also criticaland challenging, as well as discerning and wise, and above allaccessible. His book provides a truly excellent introduction to theprofound and often troubling questions raised by the gender andintimacies of our bodies in relationship to one another and toGod."
--Gerard Loughlin, Durham University
"Two things shine through this book: Adrian Thatcher'sscholarship and his humanity. This book will help readersunderstand how and why centuries of Christian teaching on sex andgender developed as it did, and offers a wealth of resources formeeting the challenges of today."
--Elaine Graham, University of Chester
"Written as a text for post-secondary courses, this bookaims to provide "a comprehensive and consistent theologicalunderstanding of sexuality and gender, which is broad,contemporary, undogmatic, questioning, inclusive, and relevant toreaders' interests, needs, and experience"(xi)." (Studies in Religion, 1 September2013)"Adrian Thatcher's new book will be a rich resource for thosestudying and teaching sex, gender and sexuality in theologicalperspective ... The volume is a valuable one, which I hope willprompt readers to go and explore Thatcher's own extensive work formthe past, as well as the broader context of theological scholarshipon sexuality, gender and marriage within which it sits." (Theology,1 January 2012)
"Although designed as an introduction for theology students, thisis a really remarkable book covering a whole range of sensitivesubjects in a deeply humane fashion." (Network Review, 1 June 2011)
"Adrian Thatcher brings an unparalleled knowledge and understandingto the writing of this book. He knows what readers - both beginnersand seasoned - want and need in an introductory text. Theauthor is not only sensible and comprehensive, but also criticaland challenging, as well as discerning and wise, and above allaccessible. His book provides a truly excellent introduction to theprofound and often troubling questions raised by the gender andintimacies of our bodies in relationship to one another and toGod."
--Gerard Loughlin, Durham University
"Two things shine through this book: Adrian Thatcher'sscholarship and his humanity. This book will help readersunderstand how and why centuries of Christian teaching on sex andgender developed as it did, and offers a wealth of resources formeeting the challenges of today."
--Elaine Graham, University of Chester