HORNER: Jonathan Loved David

Homosexuality in Biblical Times

Westminster Press

1978

This little book is justly renowned as a classic in the field of queer readings of Scripture.  The title is explicit, referring to the homoerotic elements in the biblical story of Jonathan and David, but it also covers wider ground, from  the cultural context of Middle Eastern sexuality in Biblical times, to discussion of the New Testament, with a reading of St Paul on love, and a discussion of   the sexuality of Jesus.

 

In this thoughtful introduction to a sensitive topic, Dr Horner considers all the references to homosexuality in  the Bible – the stories of Sodom and Gibeah, David and Jonathan,  Ruth and Naomi, and passages from Deuteronomy, Leviticus, Romans, Corinthians, and I Timothy. He includes an important discussion of the words and actions of Christ in their biblical and historical context, to determine what conclusions can validly be inferred about Jesus and sexuality.

 

“A fine example of a truly critical but respectful approach to the Holy Scripture.  All texts dealing with with homosexual practice are examined in their original context to determine the exact extent of the biblical statements.”

-Insight

 

“A good biblical history of the practice of homosexuality.  I would recommend this book for anyone endeavouring to understand this heated issue.  It is a provocative tool for the kind of thinking necessary to resolve the issue in the individual Christian’s mind.”

-The Disciple

 

From Amazon user reviews:

"Jonathan Loved David" by Thomas M. Horner is one of the early books dealing with homosexuality in the Bible and it still maintains its place as a good survey of the history of homosexuality in the Holy Books. We learn from Horner that it was the historical background that brought about the early admonitions of same-sex relations.

-NaDine Rawls

 

Over the number of years I have been involved in Homosexuality and the Bible workshops and/or classes, Horner brings forth some very enlightening and eye opening facts. Such as, Pauls writings, that some can and cannot be attributed to him and how he uses the list of vices called "game counters" and homosexuality is NOT on this list. Although Ruth and Naomi's relationship was not a physical one, however, it is truly a lesson in UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, which many of us as HUMANS are still learning. We still make the statement "I love you but..." As for those of us who are in clery and server the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexaul and Transgendered community, we should encourage them to read and study this book and continue to discover where we as LGBT people are in the bible.

-Amos Lassen

Contents:

1. The Middle Eastern Background
2. David and Jonathan
3. Ruth and Naomi
4. The Men of Sodom and Gibeah
5. The “Dogs” or Homosexual “Holy Men”
6. “All These Abominations”
7. Paul – and First Corinthians 6:9 – 10
8. More references – and Paul on Love
9. Jesus and Sexuality

• Notes
• Further Reading
• Index of Biblical References
• Index of Subjects