Beyond Male and Female?

It is a privilege to be in dialogue with Sam Ashton. Here he directs his dialogic spirit to the topic of intersex and, more broadly, to how Christians -- including intersex Christians -- ought to think about the meaning of sexed bodiliness, Jesus's and ours. His treatments of the positions with which he disagrees show his gift for faithful listening, and his own constructive reflections and responses demonstrate his gift for theologizing in Christ. This is an exemplary and profound book in every way. * Matthew Levering, Mundelein Seminary, USA *
Entering into the passion of contemporary conversation with clarity and grace, Ashton’s Beyond Male and Female? provides ample resources for those who want to learn about intersexed persons from a rich theological perspective. This is the kind of careful exegetical and theological work, conducted through respectful conversation with a spectrum of scholars, which must be done for Christians to be able to enter the conversation neither ignorant and silent nor ignorant and abrasive. The pastoral work remains to be done in relationship with those for whom this is their reality, but Ashton provides a carefully laid argument to present the good of creation, and even more, the inestimable good when that creation is restoratively transformed in the consummation of Christ’s Kingdom. * Amy Peeler, Wheaton College, USA *
This is theological description carefully and discursively pursued. The patience and attention with which differently angled suggestions are brought under review, the persistence with which coherent description is pursued will make this work a seriously useful contribution, not least to those who wish to take the moral aspects of the question further. Good description is an essential foundation for practical reflection, and no one who thinks seriously will fail to learn something important from this example of it. * Oliver O'Donovan, University of Edinburgh, UK *
I read it through from cover to cover as a truly gripping exercise both in Biblical commentary and, at the same time, as a masterpiece and a model of respectful debate among colleagues. As a work of Bible commentary, it brought home to me the singular, awesome task of the exegete, as he or she scans the Scriptures for evidence of nothing less than, in Sam Ashton’s own words, “divine authorial intent.” Origen, Augustine and so many others would rejoice in this approach. In the midst of a dust storm of contemporary opinions, Ashton makes his own stance plain on every page. This certainty of touch will be a real gift to scholars and students alike. * Peter Brown, Princeton University, USA *