Sexual discourse: a topical approach.

Anderson, Tamara L.

Robertson, C. K. (2005).

Religion & Sexuality: Passionate Debates. New York, NY: Peter Lang Publishing. Paperback. vi + 255 pp. $29.95. ISBN. 0-8204-7424-X.

C. K. Robertson is Canon to the Ordinary in the Diocese of Arizona, Honorary Canon of the Diocese of Dares Salaam, Tanzania, and a Fellow of the Episcopal Church Foundation. Formerly a professor of ethics and communications, he holds a Ph.D. in theology from Durham University and serves on advisory boards for both The Protestant Hour/Day I and Film Clips, Inc. Dr. Robertson has written or edited several works, including Conflict in Corinth: Redefining the System (Peter Lang, 2001), Religion as Entertainment (Peter Lang, 2002), and Religion and Alcohol: Sobering Thoughts (Peter Lang, 2004). He currently lives in Phoenix with his wife Debbie and their children, David, Jonathan, and Abigail.

I had an immediate interest in reviewing this book upon reading the title and table of contents. My interest was further piqued when I realized that Robertson had organized an impressive group of scholars to address a subject matter that is often at best sorely misrepresented and at worst, unrepresented entirely in religious discourse.

This book is a refreshingly candid collection of various topics in the area of religion and sexuality. As the sub-title promises, these subjects represent passionate debates that cross all religions.

Robertson begins the book with a wonderful description of the experience of sex. This description creates in the reader an almost visceral reaction that cements the primitive, all encompassing, overwhelming reality that is the "sex act." This is done in such a skillful and fun way as to put the reader in a playful mood despite the seriousness of the topic. Throughout this book both Robertson and the other contributors consistently approach and present their chosen topics with this same sense of plain talk on serious matters.

Readers will benefit from the surprising attention to biblical exegesis employed by the authors, while enjoying each chapter as one does a highly interesting and suspenseful novel. The authors present knowledge readily applicable to teaching in the areas of psychology, theology, human sexuality, sociology and women's issues. Also, readers will benefit from the range of topics. In his chapter entitled, What is sex? Christians and Erotic Boundaries, B. J. Oropeza tackles such pertinent issues as whether or not oral sex is viewed as "having sex," masturbation, and Christian sexual ethics. In another relatively short chapter, Georgia A. Newman braves the subject of a woman's place in the bible and in the church. Newman states:

The "Catch-22" dilemma of a one-dimensional vixen-virgin dichotomy for
females is markedly absent in representations of men. Consider, for
example, King David-every bit as conniving as Delilah, as lustful as
Potiphars's wife, as murderous as Salome-yet lauded as "a man after
God's own heart" [I Samuel 13:14] ... A New Testament exemplum in the
Gospel of John tells of a Samaritan "woman at the well," a woman who has
been wed to five husbands and is living with another out of wedlock when
she encounters Jesus in a startling, life-changing moment. Despite her
redirected apostolic zeal, though (she is said to have told the whole
town of her experience), is this woman remembered as another "good
Samaritan?" Is she appreciated for her quick wit; her boldness in
speaking to a stranger; her willingness to argue a theological point;
her humility in recognizing the Messiah; her eagerness to speak the good
news; her decision to point the way for others? Would this woman, in
personality not so different from the Apostle Paul (formerly Saul, the
"Pharisee of Pharisees"), be accepted in clerical collar today?

Newman's queries resonate for women and are worthy of contemplation on the part of women and men.

Philip Culbertson provides one particularly poignant presentation in his chapter entitled, Mothers and Their Golden Sons: Exploring a Theology of Narcissism. Culbertson begins his chapter with a profound self-disclosure, which I felt, transcended its mere content to bring clarity to the human experience. It reminded me that there are a multitude of wounds and burdens we all carry with and about ourselves. I will not reveal the disclosure here and encourage the reader to seek it, and the entire chapter out for your own edification.

In the chapter entitled, Homosexuality in the Evolution of American Christianity, by Lesley A. Northup, the reader will find interesting historical and legal tidbits reflective of how myriad civilizations described, codified and punished homosexual acts. Regardless of the reader's personal convictions concerning same-sex erotic behavior, I believe this chapter will provide an, admittedly abbreviated, backdrop against which to understand the attitudes of the modern church regarding homosexual behaviors and practices. In her chapter Northup also explores other important topics such as The Ordination Issue, Clergy Sexual Abuse, and Same-Sex Unions.

Despite my earlier comment regarding the unexpected exegeses or "unpacking" of scripture, most chapters left me wanting more. Although this critique can be viewed in one light as a weakness of Robertson's book, I do not mean it as such. The various presentations stimulated my thinking while leaving me wanting intimate and lengthy dialog with each of the authors. I found this book to be a wonderful combination of helpful practical knowledge, scholarly discourse, and personal revelation. In conclusion, I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the intersection of sex and religion. I can only hope for a volume II.

Reviewed by TAMARA L. ANDERSON, PhD