Sex in the ancient world

Common Christian thought about attitudes to sexuality, relationships and women is based on codes of conduct described in scriptures written two millennia ago. At first glance, these readings portray sexual morality as clearcut with definite boundaries of right and wrong.

But according to Theology researcher, Professor Bill Loader, an expert in the field of ancient ethics and law in the world of the Bible, the situation is much more complicated and demands that we investigate these scriptures more carefully in their historical context.

“The period from the 3rd century BCE to the 1st century CE was immensely significant for the development of western thought about sexuality,” said Professor Loader. “It was a period of great diversity marked by the confluence and, in part, collision of two cultures, Greek and Hebrew. In this melting pot of different philosophies from Hellenistic and Jewish cultures many movements were born, including Christianity. They reflect the competing and the coalescing values of the time.

“Some early Jewish and Christian writings, for instance, took up streams of thought within Hellenistic philosophy, which suggested that sexual intercourse should serve only procreation rather than pleasure. Some saw all strong passions as inappropriate. Women’s sexuality, in particular, was seen as a threat and women were often blamed for men’s irresponsible actions.

“However, the ancient Jews generally had much more positive attitudes towards sexuality. Jesus’ teachings also placed greater emphasis on men taking responsibility for their behaviour and especially for their attitudes. This created space for women to be themselves and affirmed their sexuality. But this was generally not sustained amid the social and intellectual pressures of the time.

“A pro-sexuality stand is deeply rooted in ancient Israel’s Hebrew scriptures, which affirmed both man and women and their coming together in physical union as God’s good creation. When, however, such scriptures were translated into Greek, subtle changes brought the stories of creation much more into line with Greek attitudes such as we find in Plato. The result was an account that was easily read along the lines that women were a second inferior creation, whose flaw is their sexuality. When read in a world becoming suspicious of sexuality, such texts could become the basis for fear, guilt, and discrimination.”

One of Professor Loader’s forthcoming books, The Septuagint, Sexuality and the New Testament, argues the case in detail. Another, Sexuality and the Jesus Tradition, investigates the stance of Jesus’ teachings within the cross-cultural turbulence of his times.

“Some of these attitudes have powerfully shaped western society and continue to play a role today in contexts of abuse and of confusion about sexual mores, both within and beyond religious communities. They continue to have their human cost,” Professor Loader claimed.

“Hopefully one of the benefits of revisiting these texts, beside the important task of engaging a past era and its thought, is that we will be able to come to a better understanding of what has made us the way we are and of how we can change, where we need to, in order to become a healthier society.”