A hermeneutics of sexual identity: A challenge to conservative religious discourse

In this thesis the researcher explores the use of the bible as a normative text with regard to sexuality (especially homosexuality). It begins with a focus on the Genesis creation myth (Genesis chapters one and two), using Robert Gagnon’s gender complementarily argument against homosexuality. It is then argued that essential to understanding how to interpret the creation myth, a person can use a theory developed by Martin Noth, called Deuteronomistic History. This theory helps us to understand that the scriptures (particularly the books from Deuteronomy through to II Kings) were compiled by a group of Jewish priestly redactors (employing retrospective theology) to form part of a continuous narrative that can be said to include the book of Genesis. As such, using the Gadamerian concepts of finitude and effective history, they assert that the creation myth is historically situated, and thus cannot be uncritically applied to contemporary issues, such as homosexuality. Nevertheless it played a central role against the background of a politics of survival in the formation of a Jewish national and sexual identity.

Publisher: University of Johannesburg
Year of Publication: 2010
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