Students At University Taught To ‘Queer’ The Bible
A gender studies professor at the University of Richmond in Virginia is teaching a course that examines the Bible through the lens of queer theory. The course, titled “Queer Bible,” encourages students to explore the Scriptures with a focus on LGBTQ+ perspectives, gender identity, and sexuality. According to the course description, students will delve into topics such as the intersection of gender, sexuality, and biblical interpretation, seeking to challenge traditional views of the text.
The course is led by Professor Rhiannon Graybill, a scholar of the Hebrew Bible and an expert in feminist and queer biblical interpretation. Graybill, who serves on the advisory board for women, gender, and sexuality studies at the university, has authored works that focus on themes like masculinity and sexual violence in biblical texts. Her recent publications include “Texts after Terror,” which reinterprets well-known stories in the Hebrew Bible that involve rape and sexual violence.
Graybill’s academic work often involves unconventional readings of biblical stories. In one of her articles, she analyzes a scene from 2 Kings, where she suggests that a moment between the prophet Elisha and a child might be interpreted as having sexual undertones. Her broader work challenges traditional understandings of biblical texts by integrating feminist and queer theory into her analysis.
The University of Richmond is not alone in offering courses that reinterpret religious texts through a queer lens. Institutions like Wellesley College and the University of Central Florida also provide similar courses or discussion groups, aiming to explore the intersection of queer theory and religious studies. These academic programs are part of a growing trend in higher education that seeks to reframe religious texts in ways that reflect diverse identities and experiences.