Suggestion: The Queer Bible Commentary

It will probably take a while to gain traction, but I think eventually it will prove useful to folk interested in a wide variety of perspectives, and it takes up quite a bit of shelf space:

The Queer Bible Commentary ed. Deryn Guest, Robert Goss, Mona West and Thomas Bohache:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Queer-Bible-Commentary-Deryn-Guest/dp/0334040213

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Comments

MJ. Smith

thanks for bringing this to our attention

Dan Francis

Great book I have in Hard Cover and in Kindle.... Has some amazing insights, I know not for everyone and I would imagine it might be hard getting it through pre-pub, but hey why not try!

-Dan

Suzanne Schwarz-Green

I would love that though not holding my breath. Looking at the resources included in the base packages which largely prove useless to me as a seminarian in a progressive seminary, I don't think Logos is ready for that and neither are the Users. though, really hope they would include it.

Rayner

I would love that though not holding my breath. Looking at the resources included in the base packages which largely prove useless to me as a seminarian in a progressive seminary, I don't think Logos is ready for that and neither are the Users. though, really hope they would include it.

If people don't suggest books to Faithlife, they will never see the light of day, and if Faithlife doesn't broaden its material, it will limit its market. I don't think this one will appear in too much of a hurry, but I have been suggesting entire university undergrad reading lists in the hope of increasing the uptake of theologians and seminarians to Logos/Verbum.

Suzanne Schwarz-Green

I understand and appreciate your efforts. I really do. I was given the software as a gift when I entered Seminary. At this point it is, to me, no more than a glorified Bible because the resources that came with it are too outdated and I am in no way able to purchase the books that would be useful such as a newer commentary set, the New Interpreters Dictionary, etc. How can Logos/Faithlife/Verbum at nearly 1K (with student discount) not include something as simply as Eerdman's Bible Dictionary? Because of that I have decided not to upgrade. Sad because of the amount of money that was spent on the software to begin with.

Graham Criddle

How can Logos/Faithlife/Verbum at nearly 1K (with student discount) not include something as simply as Eerdman's Bible Dictionary?

This dictionary is in Baptist Starter which costs $294.95 before academic discount

Rayner

I understand and appreciate your efforts. I really do. I was given the software as a gift when I entered Seminary. At this point it is, to me, no more than a glorified Bible because the resources that came with it are too outdated and I am in no way able to purchase the books that would be useful such as a newer commentary set, the New Interpreters Dictionary, etc. How can Logos/Faithlife/Verbum at nearly 1K (with student discount) not include something as simply as Eerdman's Bible Dictionary? Because of that I have decided not to upgrade. Sad because of the amount of money that was spent on the software to begin with.

It probably depends which package you were given as to how much use it is. I sort of took the view that it would only be of use if I invested, and that it's basically a long term investment. I always tended to prefer books to food and clothes and I don't have a partying lifestyle, so Logos is just my guilty pleasure. However, I don't think it would be possible to do that were I in seminary. It's very much a pre-seminary or an after-seminary investment, in my view. I think Logos could probably do themselves a lot of favours by providing a nearly free product for seminarians with resources tailored for individual curriculae on the basis that X% of students would probably then choose to continue to invest. (If they didn't, Logos could just cut their access. I don't think Logos would have /lost/ anything, so long as they didn't provide support.)

Dan Francis

I would love that though not holding my breath. Looking at the resources included in the base packages which largely prove useless to me as a seminarian in a progressive seminary, I don't think Logos is ready for that and neither are the Users. though, really hope they would include it.

If people don't suggest books to Faithlife, they will never see the light of day, and if Faithlife doesn't broaden its material, it will limit its market. I don't think this one will appear in too much of a hurry, but I have been suggesting entire university undergrad reading lists in the hope of increasing the uptake of theologians and seminarians to Logos/Verbum.

There are many progressive people using Logos and I would dare hazard to guess a number of Queer users (apologies to any LGBTIQ offened, I just prefer it as a most encompassing term). Sometimes even used to include Straight supporters. I know a large percentage of Logos users would only be interested in the more traditional interpretations but I feel even they might benefit their opinion and even argument reading the QBC. We have catholic & seventh day adventist works so I know there are numerous books that various people would think of as heretical and or dangerous, I look forward to the day FL can add every good work and not have a protest. Thankfully this recommendation has not led to any negative response which I will say I see as real positive sign, and shows people respect the fact that this is not a place for theological debate.

-Dan

Matthew C Jones

I look forward to the day FL can add every good work and not have a protest.

I still want Dracula.

Eric Seelye

if Faithlife doesn't broaden its material, it will limit its market.

Well, I have asked myself recently if perhaps Faithlife isn't spreading itself too thin, what with Noet and all, and so of course I have to disagree completely with this suggestion. Logos is a tool for the serious study of the Bible, and "The Queer Bible Commentary" is not a serious book, and in fact is an insult to any orthodox Christian.

MJ. Smith

Logos is a tool for the serious study of the Bible, and "The Queer Bible Commentary" is not a serious book, and in fact is an insult to any orthodox Christian.

I find the above statement to be erroneous and offensive. On the other hand, it you wish to suggest additional resources for Faithlife to carry to insure your views are also represented, I'll be glad to support you ... just remember that my support does not mean agreement. I'm actually very conservative but with a very curious streak.

Suzanne Schwarz-Green

And you say that on what authority? Sometimes it is not bad to put on a lens other than your own and maybe even read something that may apear uncomfortable. Also, the software and resources should only be for orthodox Christians? If you do not like the Queer Commentary, don't buy it if it becomes available - but to want to deprive others of a resource because of your own beliefs/agenda is simply wrong.

Matthew C Jones

"The Queer Bible Commentary" is not a serious book, and in fact is an insult to any orthodox Christian.

If you hope to reach the homosexual community with the gospel message you might find this commentary a serious tool to understand the teachings they have heard. I have many books in my Logos library that would be considered an affront to Orthodox Christianity by someone.

JoshInRI

More and more I understand why my Pastor has suggested I stick to The Bible and not scour commentaries.

Dan Francis

More and more I understand why my Pastor has suggested I stick to The Bible and not scour commentaries.

Commentaries are essential, even if you understand Greek and Hebrew greatly your understanding of the language is likely less than what a 5 year native speaker understands (I do not remember the scholar who stated that was). It is exceedingly important to understand how the passage has been treated historically in the church. They place it historically with background, bring out greek and hebrew hints that as stated above even some serious readers of the original language might miss, and yes often give applications and hints to daily life. The QBC is designed primarily for the Queer christian market. It is not bashing the Bible, it is not focusing on the 6 clobber passages as they are sometime called, it is about applying the Bible to ones life situation and how the Spirit is speaking to them. This is not a joke and indeed more than one of these authors have contributed to "serious" Biblical reference works. I remember some people refused to use the NIV (1984) because a lesbian was one of the stylists (no part involved in translation just in helping ensure the flow and it was understandable).

-Dan

JoshInRI

One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas"; still another,

"I follow Christ."

...as for "clobber" statements I find this one resonates for everyone:

"Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, for I am the LORD your God."
ESV

EastTN

The QBC is designed primarily for the Queer christian market ... it is about applying the Bible to ones life situation and how the Spirit is speaking to them.

That may naturally mean that it has limited appeal outside its particular target market.

This is not a joke and indeed more than one of these authors have contributed to "serious" Biblical reference works. I remember some people refused to use the NIV (1984) because a lesbian was one of the stylists (no part involved in translation just in helping ensure the flow and it was understandable).

Unlike the NIV, the QBC is positioned in a way that suggests it approaches Scripture from a particular perspective. That will make it more appealing to people who share that perspective, and less appealing to those who disagree with it. To use a completely different example, an Arminian may be perfectly comfortable using a Bible version that included Calvinist scholars on the translation team, but prefer a Wesleyan commentary to a Reformed one. I grant that the feelings may be stronger for many (on both sides) in this case, but the dynamic is the same.

Dan Francis

To use a completely different example, an Arminian may be perfectly comfortable using a Bible version that included Calvinist scholars on the translation team, but prefer a Wesleyan commentary to a Reformed one. I grant that the feelings may be stronger for many (on both sides) in this case, but the dynamic is the same.

I would agree with you.. I did not request this volume nor do I think we will see it in Logos or Vyrso anytime soon. I was not trying to suggest anyone should have this just that it is not a joke as one person stated. It also could be very useful to all who seek an olive branch to other groups (in this case a queer community, I am not saying this is some compilation of what "they" believe but do help the mindset and in the vast majority of places where it does not conflict with your theology a welcome starting point. I have done my best to stick to possible merits and not gone into theological debate which is to be anathema in these forums. Thankfully even when people have disagreed with this suggestion it has been mostly civil and I would like to thank everyone for that. I may not have been the original suggester of this work, but I known this easily could have gone down a bad road fast. My example of the NIV was to show that queer scholars contribute to many works, indeed Mel White was one of the favourite ghost writers for people like Billy Graham and Jerry Falwell, some of his books include: Billy Graham (Approaching Hoofbeats), Pat Robertson (America's Date with Destiny), and Jerry Falwell (Strength for the Journey and If I Should Die Before I Wake).

-Dan