Flame of Yahweh: Sexuality in the Old Testament
Since the first time I read the book review, I have wanted this book. Here is a review from Amazon.
This book is a serious academic work (844 pages) to set forth the "biblical foundations for understanding human sexuality." It is the culmination of the author's twenty-five years of in-depth research into the panoply of Old and New Testament Scripture regarding the various manifestations of human sexuality. In the process, Davidson develops the most comprehensive presentation I've ever encountered regarding heterosexual monogamy--"God's original design for sexuality and marriage in the relationship between Adam and Eve...as a pattern for all future sexual relationships."
Note: This work is built upon the presupposition of biblical inerrancy of the 66 books of Bible--God's *exclusive written* revelation to mankind. If readers of this review are unclear as to what that means or the nature of the epistemological claims, please read Professor Ronald H. Nash's excellent primer, The Word of God and the Mind of Man.
Both scholarly and conservative, Professor Davidson provides insight from the original languages (Hebrew, Greek, etc.), from the biblical Canon, and from ancient Near-Eastern source documents. The book includes and contrasts various alternative theological perspectives (liberal, feminist, postmodern, etc.). Looking back millennia, Davidson's gleaned insights are often profound.
Section 1 (Chapters 1 & 2) entitled Sexuality in Eden: The Divine Design (Genesis 1-3) are worth the price of the entire book!!
Despite my many years as a serious student of Scripture, Flame of Yahweh has given me a deeper understanding of ancient Near Eastern culture as well as extended glimpses into the ontological mysteries of sexuality as God originally designed it. An indispensable resource for counselors and pastor/teachers. For anyone wanting or needing a graduate level, serious in-depth theological, ontological, linguistic, and philosophical exploration of sexuality, this is it!
https://www.logos.com/product/39617/flame-of-yahweh-sexuality-in-the-old-testament
Mission: To serve God as He desires.
Comments
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Lynden, I'm bumping your thread for you.
The reason is the curious silence, not necessarily on the sensitive word in your thread title, or the subject in general, but rather the tremendous damage one can observe in the church today surrounding the subject.
I used myself as a sample (very statistical): I guess from the various ministers of the Word that I've known through the years, between 15 and 20% flamed out. My absolute favorite minister, that I hope to see in heaven, didn't flame out but lost the respect of his peers because he chose to forgive.
Some were absolutely spectacular. One showed up in the Baptist Press (well regarded pastor; I was amazed). A few weeks back we missed a funeral of a dear lady who was a pastor's wife. She survived but her kids sought suicide and one never saw her mother again. Her husband never made it through the ordeal.
I read Christian marriages are indistinguishable from non-Christian in terms of their divorce rate. I can not understand how that can be. (Maybe it's not?).
Talking to ladies at church, apparently they're expert on which other ladies have their eye on the pastor (not ours), and apparently if there's a 'pastor's wife' it's not a major impediment (much less Biblical teaching).
Our pastor teaches almost in tears, mentioning images on PCs these days; I asked him why he gets so upset. He said due to marriage counceling.
But camels are certainly an important issue, I'd say.
"If myth is ideology in narrative form, then scholarship is myth with footnotes." B. Lincolm 1999.
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Is a very interesting review of this book. I likely won't purchase it but it appears Davidson has wrote quite a through book.
-Dan
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Thank you for your sobering reflections, Denise.
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Denise said:
I read Christian marriages are indistinguishable from non-Christian in terms of their divorce rate. I can not understand how that can be. (Maybe it's not?).
To put your mind at ease: it is not true. Barna, Pew, and others have weighed in on this errant report - everything drastically changes once you calculate for a few variables such as "having a real life changing encounter with Jesus" - the divorce rate drops. Add in something like: "Since I became a Christian" and the divorce rate drops again.
I'm grossly over-summarizing the research that google will show you, but I just want to put your mind at ease on this one.
Sarcasm is my love language. Obviously I love you. 0 -
Yes, you're definitely correct.
When they tested students for willingness to cheat, the populations were not distinguishable. But when they narrowed down to individual belief, those taking eternal punishment seriously managed to view cheating more seriously.
"If myth is ideology in narrative form, then scholarship is myth with footnotes." B. Lincolm 1999.
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Peace, Lynden! Thanks for the review! I am right now in the midst of ordering! I appreciate your information -- and also, Dan! - the information you shared! *smile* Thank you both!
Philippians 4: 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand..........
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