The Graced Body: Toward a Theology of Human Sexuality

This thesis develops a theme that is often missing from theological anthropology: the place and value of human sexuality. It contends that sexual love”whether expressed in monogamous other-sex or same-sex unions”can be an embodiment of grace and therefore can and should be recognised as, and expected to be, an occasion of holiness. Human sexuality and sexual union are included in the love of God, come from the love of God, and are a consequence of the love of God. Through engaging with theologians as diverse as Karl Barth, Jurgen Moltmann, Rowan Williams, Grace Jantzen, Graham Ward, Eugene F. Rogers Jr., Gerard Loughlin, Sarah Coakley and James Alison, the thesis tells the story of successive revelation that sets out to link the Trinity, theological anthropology, Christology, and pneumatology to enable a fresh valuing of the human body and human sexual relationships. The approach is inclusive and looks toward the church's blessing of same-sex unions and the ordination of gay and lesbian Christians living in monogamous unions. The Graced Body is the unifying theme of the thesis and refers to the personal and the ecclesial dimensions of Christian life.