Description
Was the stripping and exposure of Jesus a form of sexual abuse? If so, why does such a reading of Jesus' suffering matter? The combined impact of the #MeToo movement and a further wave of global revelations on church sexual abuse have given renewed significance to recent work naming Jesus as a victim of sexual abuse. Timely and provocative "When did we see you naked?" presents the arguments for reading Christ as an abuse victim, as well as exploring how the position might be critiqued, and what implications and applications it might offer to the Church.
About the Author
Dr Jayme R. Reaves is a public theologian and Co-ordinator at the Centre for Encountering the Bible at Sarum College, UK. Originally from the American South, she has worked in post-conflict former Yugoslavia and Northern Ireland and focuses on bridging the gap between theology, peacemaking, and reconciliation David Tombs is Director of the Centre for Theology and Public Issues at the University of Otago. His article with Katie Edwards "#HimToo - why Jesus should be recognised as a victim of sexual violence" for The Conversation received over 20,000 views in two days and generated media coverage around the world Dr Rocio Figueroa is a Peruvian Theologian, Lecturer in Systematic Theology at Good Shepherd College in Auckland and an External Researcher at the Centre for Theology and Public Issues at Otago University, New Zealand. She has previously lectured and worked in Peru, Italy, and Mexico. She worked in the Holy See as head for the Women's section in the Pontifical Council for the Laity.
Reviews
"This volume takes forward a new conversation on the crucified Jesus-a political prisoner sentenced to death by the powers that be and subjected to sexual abuse during the process of captivity and execution. It offers a highly creative and sophisticated enquiry that draws on social and cultural contexts and perspectives from throughout the world. Altogether an excellent example of ideological criticism today." -- Fernando F. Segovia, Vanderbilt University, USA
This remarkable collection of essays reveals how profoundly the authors have been affected by the idea of Jesus as a victim of sexual abuse. The depth and seriousness of the contributions, the mix of theological and personal reflection, and the excitingly unpredictable variety of response, points to the revelatory quality of what is being discussed. It is a tribute to an idea whose time has come. -- Linda Woodhead, Lancaster University, UK
"The issues around the suffering of Jesus, its meaning and its implications for contemporary church practices are complex, difficult and vitally important. There are certain aspects of Jesus's suffering that are rarely talked about, partly because sometimes they are not noticed, and partly because when they are noticed they are deeply uncomfortable. This book brings together an important group of scholars who have noticed something that we should all pay attention to. This book is an important contribution to a vital area of theology and Christian practice." -- John Swinton, University of Aberdeen, UK
This startling book provides an array of voices, theological disciplines, themes and insights into the significance of human bodies and how they are treated. This text is a reminder that the ways in which we relate to bodies and the peoples they represent is not neutral or objective. Indeed, in using the phrase 'When did we see you naked' the editors of this fine book are challenging us with one of the most declamatory statements of the whole Bible - failure to see the bodies of those who are suffering is the critical failure to see the risen Christ amongst God's suffering people. This book is simply a must read! -- Anthony G. Reddie, Oxford University, UK
'The collection of essays in this volume, appealing in both form and content, invites us to strip bare conventional hetero-patriarchal norms of what constitutes sexual abuse. The bold hermeneutical meanderings in the essays, make solidarity between text and context possible. The volume will certainly inspire courageous and challenging conversations which are likely to unravel normative assumptions about the sacred and the sexual.' -- Sarojini Nadar, University of the Western Cape, South Africa
Book Information
ISBN 9780334060321
Author Jayme Reaves
Format Paperback
Page Count 256
Imprint SCM Press
Publisher SCM Press
About the Author
Dr Jayme R. Reaves is a public theologian and Co-ordinator at the Centre for Encountering the Bible at Sarum College, UK. Originally from the American South, she has worked in post-conflict former Yugoslavia and Northern Ireland and focuses on bridging the gap between theology, peacemaking, and reconciliation David Tombs is Director of the Centre for Theology and Public Issues at the University of Otago. His article with Katie Edwards "#HimToo - why Jesus should be recognised as a victim of sexual violence" for The Conversation received over 20,000 views in two days and generated media coverage around the world Dr Rocio Figueroa is a Peruvian Theologian, Lecturer in Systematic Theology at Good Shepherd College in Auckland and an External Researcher at the Centre for Theology and Public Issues at Otago University, New Zealand. She has previously lectured and worked in Peru, Italy, and Mexico. She worked in the Holy See as head for the Women's section in the Pontifical Council for the Laity.
Reviews
"This volume takes forward a new conversation on the crucified Jesus-a political prisoner sentenced to death by the powers that be and subjected to sexual abuse during the process of captivity and execution. It offers a highly creative and sophisticated enquiry that draws on social and cultural contexts and perspectives from throughout the world. Altogether an excellent example of ideological criticism today." -- Fernando F. Segovia, Vanderbilt University, USA
This remarkable collection of essays reveals how profoundly the authors have been affected by the idea of Jesus as a victim of sexual abuse. The depth and seriousness of the contributions, the mix of theological and personal reflection, and the excitingly unpredictable variety of response, points to the revelatory quality of what is being discussed. It is a tribute to an idea whose time has come. -- Linda Woodhead, Lancaster University, UK
"The issues around the suffering of Jesus, its meaning and its implications for contemporary church practices are complex, difficult and vitally important. There are certain aspects of Jesus's suffering that are rarely talked about, partly because sometimes they are not noticed, and partly because when they are noticed they are deeply uncomfortable. This book brings together an important group of scholars who have noticed something that we should all pay attention to. This book is an important contribution to a vital area of theology and Christian practice." -- John Swinton, University of Aberdeen, UK
This startling book provides an array of voices, theological disciplines, themes and insights into the significance of human bodies and how they are treated. This text is a reminder that the ways in which we relate to bodies and the peoples they represent is not neutral or objective. Indeed, in using the phrase 'When did we see you naked' the editors of this fine book are challenging us with one of the most declamatory statements of the whole Bible - failure to see the bodies of those who are suffering is the critical failure to see the risen Christ amongst God's suffering people. This book is simply a must read! -- Anthony G. Reddie, Oxford University, UK
'The collection of essays in this volume, appealing in both form and content, invites us to strip bare conventional hetero-patriarchal norms of what constitutes sexual abuse. The bold hermeneutical meanderings in the essays, make solidarity between text and context possible. The volume will certainly inspire courageous and challenging conversations which are likely to unravel normative assumptions about the sacred and the sexual.' -- Sarojini Nadar, University of the Western Cape, South Africa
Book Information
ISBN 9780334060321
Author Jayme Reaves
Format Paperback
Page Count 256
Imprint SCM Press
Publisher SCM Press
