This volume is devoted to the receptions of and reflections on the story of Sodom and Gomorrah as told in Genesis 18 and 19. Two articles discuss intertextual reactions to the Sodom narrative within the Hebrew Bible. Five contributions examine readings and rewritings of the Sodom narrative in early Jewish, Christian and Islamic writings: Jubilees, the Dead Sea Scrolls, the New Testament (Revelation 11), Targumim and early Koran commentaries. Two articles focus on separate themes, the punishment of the Dead Sea and the prohibition on looking back. Finally, two articles that focus on Peter Damian and Proust's Sodome et Gomorrhe I describe the later reception of the sin of Sodom as homosexuality. A bibliography of recent works completes the volume.

Virtually every scholar on both sides of the same-sex discussion eventually addresses the account of Sodom found in Genesis 19. However, in recent years, scholars have tended to downplay the importance of this chapter in relation to this debate. This book challenges this trend and seeks to demonstrate how the account of Sodom plays a key role in our understanding of a God-ordained sexual ethic, especially in light of Genesis as Torah--instruction for both ancient Israel and for the Church.

Virtually every scholar on both sides of the same-sex discussion eventually addresses the account of Sodom found in Genesis 19. However, in recent years, scholars have tended to downplay the importance of this chapter in relation to this debate. This book challenges this trend and seeks to demonstrate how the account of Sodom plays a key role in our understanding of a God-ordained sexual ethic, especially in light of Genesis as Torah--instruction for both ancient Israel and for the Church.

In just a few short years, massive shifts in public opinion have radically reshaped society’s views on homosexuality. Feeling the pressure to forsake long-held beliefs about sex and marriage, some argue that Christians have historically misunderstood the Bible’s teaching on this issue. But does this approach do justice to what the Bible really teaches about homosexuality? In this timely book, award-winning author Kevin DeYoung challenges each of us—the skeptic, the seeker, the certain, and the confused—to take a humble look at God’s Word. Examining key biblical passages in both the Old and New Testaments and the Bible’s overarching teaching regarding sexuality, DeYoung responds to popular objections raised by Christians and non-Christians alike—offering readers an indispensable resource for thinking through one of the most pressing issues of our day.

Why did God destroy the cities of the Plain? What does the Bible really teach about the sin of Sodom and its destruction with Gomorrah and surrounding cities? Many Christians believe God rained down fire and brimstone on the ancient towns because its inhabitants were gay. But is there any evidence elsewhere in the Bible to support that homosexual behavior was prevalent in these places? This thesis closely studies the account of Sodom and Gomorrah to find out what the Bible really says about the past-and what it means for us today. In addition to accurately interpreting the Bible, it's crucial to understand the customs of the ancient world so that Scripture is set in its proper historical context. This guards against misinterpreting the text in the light of modern traditions, beliefs, and prejudices. The Sin of Sodom examines all the Scripture passages that mention Sodom to find out what they do-and don't-say about why God destroyed the ancient cities of the Plain. It also reviews history and the interpretations of Old Testament scholars and early Church leaders to reveal the evolution of their understanding over the centuries and how this affects the beliefs of today's Church. What was the sin of Sodom, and why did God destroy it? Read this book to discover what the Bible really says.

This volume presents an overview of Jewish, Christian and Islamic receptions of the Genesis 18-19 story of Sodom. The subjects range from inner-biblical reception, Dead Sea Scrolls, the Martyrdom of Pionius, and Koran commentaries, to Peter Damian and Marcel Proust.

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