The Seduction of the Church: How the Concern to Create Gender-Neutral Language in Bible and Song Is Being Misused to Betray Members' Faith

ABBREVIATED FOR THE COVER. Full synopsis has been copied over for use on the web. JT -------------------------- The importance of the use of gender-inclusive language in todays world is generally accepted especially in the religious domain. In The Seduction of the Church Doubles demonstrates in a popular treatment free of technical jargon how this important activity is being misused to redefine the Christian faith. Discussing some key theological concepts in the biblical narrative and in modern hymnody Prof. Doubles points to the cumulative effect of changes in language on the expression and even content of the Christian faith. Well researched and convincingly presented the author argues that discontinuity between the language of beliefs and the language of Bible hymns and liturgies invites feelings of discomfort and frustration among church members. It is a book to be read carefully and taken seriously. --Paul J. Achtemeier Jackson Professor Emeritus of Biblical Interpretation Union Theological Seminary Virgina We all know that contemporary culture has challenged the traditional wisdom of the church in many ways. It is important for us to assess however the question of what has been lost and what has been gained. While this is crucial it is not easy. Doubles skillfully picks his way through this minefield with many surprising results. The outcome is an easily read straight forward assessment that may be at one time both the most hated and the most praised book of the year. --Richard A. Ray Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Presbyterian Heritage Center Provocative as well as enlightening The Seduction of the Church is a well-researched well-constructed study that should be required reading for all church professionals--ministers educators and musicians--and students of theology. --Anna White Hill Director of Music First Presbyterian Church Hartsville South Carolina Attempting to exorcise the demon of sexism from its Bible and hymns leaders in the mainline Protestant church do not seem to care that seven more may have entered in. But Malcolm Doubles cares and he calls them out by name. He says what few have dared to say namely that weve been trading our rich theological inheritance and language of faith for a poor mess of pottage. --Richard Burnett Professor of Systematic Theology Erskine Theological Seminary Malcolm C. Doubles is Visiting Professor of Religious Studies at St. Andrews Presbyterian College a position he assumed after thirty-three years at Coker College twenty-one as Provost and Dean of Faculty. He was a member of the team that translated and revised the latest edition of Emil Schurers Geschichte des Judischen Volkes im Zeitalter Jesu Christi (1973-1987) and is the author of The Sources of the Pentateuch Displayed (2000) A Century Plus: A History of Sonoco Products Company (2005) and In Quest of Excellence: A History of Coker College on its Centennial (2008).