Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction: Thinking Eschatologically about Sexuality

Sex in Heaven?

Thinking Eschatologically about Sexual Ethics

An Outline of the Argument

PART 1

SEX IN HEAVEN

Chapter 1. General Resurrection of the Body

The 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 Heaven

Chapter 2. The New Testament about the General Resurrection of the Body

Jewish Background

Hellenistic Background

The New Testament and Resurrection: An Overview

1 Corinthians 15

Contemporary Interpretations

Chapter 3. The New Testament about Sex in Heaven

Empty Tomb and Appearance Stories

Teachings of Jesus on Marriage

Teachings of Jesus on Eunuchs and Celibacy

Conclusion

Chapter 4. Augustine and Other Early Christians on Sex in Heaven

Early Eschatological Speculations

Eschatological Speculations in Later Antiquity

Augustine of Hippo

Coulda? Woulda? Shoulda?

Chapter 5. Reimagining Sex in Heaven

An Emerging Theology of Desire

Made for Love: Human Desire Created and Stirred

Speculations about Sexual Desire and Delight in Heaven

PART 2

SEX ON EARTH

Chapter 6. Transforming Sex on Earth

Facing the Whole Truth about Sex

The Call to Reform Some Experiences of Sexual Desire

The Capacity to Reform Sexual Desire

Chapter 7. Cultivating Sexual Desire

Called to Cultivate Not Only Curtail Sexual Desire

Warrants for the Cultivation of Sexual Desire

Scientific Insights into No/Low Sexual Desire

Redefining Sexual Virtue

Chapter 8. Pornography and the Education of Sexual Desire

Schooling Sexual Desire

Internet Pornography

From Excarnation to Incarnation

Notes

Bibliography

Index