The Savage Text

Book excerpt: Misuse of the Bible has made hatred holy. In this provocative book,Adrian Thatcher argues that debates on sexuality currently ragingthrough the churches are the latest outbreak in a long line ofsavage interpretations of the Bible. Fascinating reading for anyoneconcerned about the future of Christianity. A provocative book claiming that debates on sexuality currentlyraging through the churches are the latest outbreak in a long lineof savage interpretations of the Bible Argues that the Bible has been abused to convert the“good news” which it brings to the world, into onewhich has been used to discriminate against many groups, includingchildren, women, Jews, people of color, slaves, heretics, andhomosexuals Asks how Christians have been able to conduct, in public and ona global scale, an argument that has exposed so much prejudice,fear and hatred Offers an alternative, faithful and peaceable reading of theBible, drawing on numerous examples throughout Breaks new ground in debates about sexual ethics and biblicalinterpretation