The Widening of God's Mercy: Sexuality Within the Biblical Story

Christopher B. Hays (Author) Richard B. Hays (Author)

Description

A fresh, deeply biblical account of God's expanding grace and mercy, tracing how the Bible's narrative points to the full inclusion of LGBTQ people in Christian communities

Discussions of the Bible and human sexuality often focus on a scattered handful of specific passages. But arguments about this same set of verses have reached an impasse, two leading biblical scholars believe; these debates are missing the forest for the trees.

In this learned and beautifully written book, Richard and Christopher Hays explore a more expansive way of listening to the overarching story that scripture tells. They remind us of a dynamic and gracious God who is willing to change his mind, consistently broadening his grace to include more and more people. Those who were once outsiders find themselves surprisingly embraced within the people of God, while those who sought to enforce exclusive boundaries are challenged to rethink their understanding of God's ways.

The authors--a father and son--point out ongoing conversations within the Bible in which traditional rules, customs, and theologies are rethought. They argue that God has already gone on ahead of our debates and expanded his grace to people of different sexualities. If the Bible shows us a God who changes his mind, they say, perhaps today's Christians should do the same. The book begins with the authors' personal experiences of controversies over sexuality and closes with Richard Hays's epilogue reflecting on his own change of heart and mind.

Product Details

Price

$28.00 $26.04

Publisher

Yale University Press

Publish Date

September 10, 2024

Pages

288

Dimensions

5.8 X 8.7 X 1.1 inches | 0.95 pounds

Language

English

Type

Hardcover

EAN/UPC

9780300273427

BISAC Categories:

Biblical Studies - New Testament - General

Christian Living - Social Issues

Sexuality & Gender Studies

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About the Author

Christopher B. Hays is D. Wilson Moore Professor of Old Testament and Ancient Near Eastern Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary. He lives in Pasadena, CA. Richard B. Hays is George Washington Ivey Professor Emeritus of New Testament at Duke Divinity School. He lives in Nashville, TN.

Reviews

"The book addresses far more than sexuality; the bulk of it comprises a beautiful canonical portrayal of what God is like. Whether or not every reader is persuaded to affirm same-sex relationships, I'm hopeful all will be reminded of how great and merciful is our God. . . . [The Hayses have] provided a thoroughly biblical overview of God's merciful love that has compassion on our suffering."--Karen Keen, Baptist News Global

Listed in Englewood Review of Books' "Most Anticipated Books for Christian Readers," Fall 2024

"Christopher B. and Richard B. Hays, son and father, take us on a journey through the Bible, helping us gain a better perspective on God's mercy and how that mercy is extended to all of us, especially those who are sexual minorities. This is an important book for our time. As you read it, you will discover a vision of God that is truly inclusive. As such, we will hear a call to pursue the common good of all, including especially those who have been excluded and harmed by the church."--Robert D. Cornwall, Word & Way

"This book is an event of historic significance. Senior New Testament scholar Richard Hays here renounces his very widely quoted (and exploited) noninclusive treatment of human sexuality from thirty years ago. His son, Old Testament scholar Christopher Hays, here clearly and boldly embraces LGBT+ inclusion. Their case is made based on biblical materials, notably a trajectory-type vision emphasizing the ever-widening range of God's mercy across the canon. This book is an occasion for celebration."--David P. Gushee, Mercer University

"Quarrels regarding the Bible and human sexuality have ossified in recent decades, afflicting entire denominations and ostracizing many. In this remarkable book, Christopher Hays and Richard Hays combine intelligence, humility, and generosity in a conversation that is instructive both within and beyond communities of faith."--Beverly Roberts Gaventa, Princeton Theological Seminary

"Hays and Hays compellingly show how the Bible undermines its own constraints on God's limitless compassion. They move beyond the 'clobber passages' to a pervasive scriptural pattern that demands inclusion of those previously excluded by the Bible itself. As a gay Christian and biblical scholar, I enthusiastically welcome this book."--J. Blake Couey, Gustavus Adolphus College

"When the best interpreters reread the Scriptures with intellectual acumen and humility, as well as keen attention to the Spirit's call for reconciling love, both church and academy are strengthened. Praise God for this book."--Ellen F. Davis, Duke Divinity School

"In this insightful book, the authors argue that in the Bible, God shows an incredible openness to rethinking. It will have an impact on contemporary ecclesiastical reflections about sexuality."--Alphonso Groenewald, University of Pretoria

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