Sex on Earth as It Is in Heaven

Patricia Beattie Jung is Visiting Professor of Christian Ethics, Saint Paul School of Theology and coauthor (with Ralph F. Smith) of Heterosexism: An Ethical Challenge, also published by SUNY Press.

• Acknowledgments Introduction: Thinking Eschatologically about SexualitySex in Heaven? Thinking Eschatologically about Sexual Ethics An Outline of the Argument PART I. Sex In Heaven 1. General Resurrection of the BodyThe Nature of Bodily Resurrection Contemporary Christian Views of Death and the Hereafter Surviving Death as a Spirit Christian Ambivalence about the Body The Ambiguity of the Body and Resurrection Hope Theological Support for Hope in the Resurrection of the Body Deconstructing Denials of Sex in Heaven2. The New Testament about the General Resurrection of the BodyJewish Background Hellenistic Background The New Testament and Resurrection: An Overview 1 Corinthians 15 Contemporary Interpretations 3. The New Testament about Sex in HeavenEmpty Tomb and Appearance Stories Teachings of Jesus on Marriage Teachings of Jesus on Eunuchs and Celibacy Conclusion 4. Augustine and Other Early Christians on Sex in HeavenEarly Eschatological Speculations Eschatological Speculations in Later Antiquity Augustine of Hippo Coulda? Woulda? Shoulda? 5. Reimagining Sex in HeavenAn Emerging Theology of Desire Made for Love: Human Desire Created and Stirred Speculations about Sexual Desire and Delight in Heaven PART II. SEX ON EARTH 6. Transforming Sex on EarthFacing the Whole Truth about Sex The Call to Reform Some Experiences of Sexual Desire The Capacity to Reform Sexual Desire7. Cultivating Sexual DesireCalled to Cultivate Not Only Curtail Sexual Desire Warrants for the Cultivation of Sexual Desire Scientific Insights into No/Low Sexual Desire Redefining Sexual Virtue 8. Pornography and the Education of Sexual DesireSchooling Sexual Desire Internet Pornography From Excarnation to Incarnation Notes Bibliography Index

"…this rather densely packed tome has some interesting arguments and thoughts … its strength is in the questions it raises and encourages the reader to engage with." — Quest Bulletin"This book invites readers to consider more closely the historical, contemporary, and future relationships between sex and death, by recognizing the already intimate connection between the two … It is a welcome addition to libraries, accessible not only to scholars but likely best suited to late undergraduate students, graduate students, and seminarians." — Marriage, Families & Spirituality"[Jung's] discussions of sexual ethics are particularly strong in that they are based not only in Christian tradition, but also in extensive biological research, the social sciences, and contemporary theory. Jung manages all this while remaining clear and jargon-free, making the text accessible and readable to students at all levels." — Interpretation: A Journal of Bible and Theology"This book makes an important contribution to our thinking about sexual ethics." — Currents in Theology and Mission"Jung's volume advances efforts in Christian ethics to affirm sexual pleasure as a human good. The chapters on low sexual drive and pornography meet a need for sustained moral reflection on these topics. The eschatological perspective Jung adopts treats human embodiment seriously without limiting Christian sexual ethics to an ethics of responsible reproduction. The book deserves attention from scholars, students, and pastoral leaders." — Theological Studies"…intriguing, and occasionally amusing … Whether you want reminders of biblical texts, Church Fathers, Aquinas, Kant, Internet sources, or a small throng of current thinkers, this is a volume that will spark many a thought." — Reading Religion"Expansive in its overview and scope, Jung's book is a 'must-read' for undergraduate and graduate newcomers in the field of Christian sexual ethics. For those more seasoned, it is a powerful reminder that our work as theologians and disciples is ongoing." — Horizons"The book provides a valuable, alternative reading of Christian eschatological thinking about resurrected bodies and a sensitive, refreshing, and candid discussion about sexual delight." — Adrian Thatcher, author of God, Sex, and Gender: An Introduction