Theological Reflections on Prostitution?
This is a call for theological help. There is a fair amount in the Bible about prostitution and, of course, prostitution is an ever-present issue in most societies so I am thinking that there must be some serious and helpful theological reflections out there on the issue. I have found articles by biblical scholars but have theologians got in on the act? Surely they must have but where?
Also - does anyone know any good historical studies on past Christian attitudes towards prostitution? I have good material on 19th C but not earlier.
I ask because I am writing something on the issue and I wish to move beyond biblical exegesis in my reflections.
I'm also interested in finding out about Christians who work with prostitutes.
But I have an end of Dec deadline so I need to be fast.
Also - does anyone know any good historical studies on past Christian attitudes towards prostitution? I have good material on 19th C but not earlier.
I ask because I am writing something on the issue and I wish to move beyond biblical exegesis in my reflections.
I'm also interested in finding out about Christians who work with prostitutes.
But I have an end of Dec deadline so I need to be fast.
Comments
how about Sex These Days, edited by Davies and Loughlin or Sex, Gender and Christian Ethics by Lisa Cahill (you can search this via google books), or Theology and Sexuality edited by Hayes, Porter and Tombs
I cannot find any articles on Prostitution in the back issues of "Theology and Sexuality" (which was a surprise) although no doubt many of the articles would have reflections of relevance. Not sure how sympathetic I'd be to all of it but it's certainly worth a read and a ponder.
I'll check out the other books. Thanks
Renew Foundation might go beyond your brief, but worth checking. A friend of mine is closely involved -- shoot me a note if you'd like email contact.
Do you know Sharon Moughtin-Mumby's Sexual and Marital metaphors in Hosea, Jeremiah, Isaiah, and Ezekiel (OUP, 2008)? It's already on Oxford Scholarship Online, if you have access to that.
Hope that helps.
David Reimer
FWIW.
Details are here: http://www.joannaleeds.org/
My Aunt, Terry Barham, works with former prostitutes in Zambia.
You can reach her at thebarhams[at]gmail[dot]com
Mention my name.
Michael Bell
This is all very helpful indeed and I will be following up on it.
Thanks so much
Robin
I worked with prostituted women and their children for 28 years through a ministry of the Presbyterian Church (the Mary Magdalene Project) in Southern California. I would be glad to answer questions.
(Rev.)Ann Hayman
I did have a meal with Rita Nakashima Brock once (in that I sat next to her at SST and had an interesting chat - she would not remember me). I don't think that we were on the same page theologically but I will hunt that one down.
http://www.ncapuk.org/
Dr Marion Carson at International Christian College in Glasgow has done extensive research and pastoral reflection on the areas of prostitution and human trafficking. She is a highly respected NT scholar, pastoral theologian and a trained counsellor. I'de contact her and ask for some guidance about wider sources and contemporary issues.
Thanks - yes, I had contacted Marion.
Robin