this is a good survey of the history of the biblical interpretations of homosexuality in the bible. horner does a fine job of laying out the historical background which formed certain prejudices, and explains them without being strident in his clearly pro-gay stance. the book is well-written (if abit dry) and i wish he had gone a bit deeper into tle literary aspects of the bible tales, but all in all, this is a worthy and totally non-lurid take. well worth the attention of any who are open to a differing viewpoint.

Over the number of years I have been involved in Homosexuality and the Bible workshops and/or classes, Horner brings forth some very enlightening and eye opening facts. Such as, Pauls writings, that some can and cannot be attributed to him and how he uses the list of vices called "game counters" and homosexuality is NOT on this list. Although Ruth and Naomi's relationship was not a physical one, however, it is truly a lesson in UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, which many of us as HUMANS are still learning. We still make the statement "I love you but..." As for those of us who are in clery and server the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexaul and Transgendered community, we should encourage them to read and study this book and continue to discover where we as LGBT people are in the bible.

Horner's book has serious drawbacks. (It begins with the statement that the Bible has been revered throughout the history of Western Civilization, which is obviously untrue. Imagine Socrates and Plato admiring a book they had never heard of!)

But he makes two major points which have never been rebutted, and they are critical.

First, Jonathan and David WERE in love. It says so, right there in the Bible. And it was a passionate affair.

Now, the fact that the early Jews wrote down this tale, and kept copying it, is a major indication that "homosexuality" in the early days of Judaism was not something which incurred the death penalty. The Ten Commandments don't bother to mention this "crime," either!

Second, Horner establishes the highly interesting fact that the "death penalty" clauses in Leviticus were borrowed from Zoroastrianism, during the Persian epoch of Israeli history. So these were a late addition, put in under Persian rule, and not original with the Jews.

This is very important information!