Queering the Ethiopian eunuch
Book Description
In this thought-provoking exploration of biblical interpretation, Sean D. Burke examines one of Christianity's most enigmatic figures: the Ethiopian eunuch from the Book of Acts. Through careful scholarly analysis, Burke reveals how this mysterious character has been understood in vastly different ways throughout Christian history, raising fundamental questions about identity, belonging, and spiritual transformation.
The author investigates the complex layers of meaning surrounding this biblical figure, exploring whether eunuchs in ancient times were castrated harem guardians or trusted court officials who may have retained their physical integrity. Burke delves into the puzzling question of the Ethiopian's religious and social status, examining whether he was Jewish or Gentile, enslaved or free, and why Luke's Gospel refers to him as a "man" when contemporary sources described eunuchs as "unmanned" beings.
Drawing on insights from queer theory and biblical criticism, Burke demonstrates how eunuchs carried specific cultural associations related to gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, and social class in the ancient world. He argues that Luke deliberately crafted this character to challenge his readers' assumptions and expectations, presenting a figure who transcends conventional boundaries.
This innovative study offers readers a fresh perspective on how early Christian communities understood inclusion, transformation, and the radical potential of spiritual awakening. Burke's work invites contemporary readers to reconsider their own assumptions about identity and belonging within religious contexts.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Short (< 200 pages) (~5 hours)
📄 Length: 195 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Religious aspects
- ✓ Explore Queer theory
- ✓ Explore Criticism, interpretation
- ✓ Study Bible from spiritual perspective
- ✓ Explore Apocryphal Acts of the Apostles
- ✓ Explore In the Bible
- ✓ Explore Homosexuality in the Bible
- ✓ Explore Criticism and interpretation
