“‘Making History’ Queerly: Touches across Time through a Biblical Behind”

Abstract

Historical approaches to sexuality, in and outside of biblical studies, have tended to stress either continuities or ruptures. Yet, such approaches set a series of limits for tracing and assessing dynamics of gender, sexuality, and embodiment, where one might tap into a more resistant or disruptive strain in queer theory. A more thorough engagement with thinkers (queer and feminist) like Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick and Judith Butler will indicate that there might be a third way to explore issues of origin, continuity, and difference in biblical argumentation. With help from queer thinkers reflecting on other eras, then, this third kind of approach can explore the many senses of “making history” by remaining invested in, but not particularly bound to historiography. The utility of such methodological reflections will be briefly demonstrated by suggesting different interpretive strategies and results for interpreting passionately-cited biblical literature like Paul’s letter to the Romans.

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