Queering the Church

The Theological and Ecclesial Potential of Failure

Penelope Cowell Doe

• Publisher: SCM Press
• Year: 2024
• Print ISBN: 9780334065623
• eBook ISBN: 9780334065630
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Christian Church

Church dialogues, including official reports and debates within the General Synod, operate under the premise that canonical authority can shape a viable theology and coherent ecclesiastical and liturgical practices. In a groundbreaking departure from conventional methodologies, Queering the Church offers a rigorous examination of the hermeneutical frameworks that inform discussions on homosexuality within ecclesiastical governance. Drawing inspiration from Halberstam's concept of the 'queer art of failure, ' Doe advocates for a fundamental shift—a move away from entrenched institutionalized debates toward a more inclusive, deconstructive discourse. Rather than perpetuating cycles of authoritative rhetoric, Doe proposes a transformative realignment—one that challenges traditional power dynamics and fosters a more equitable theological dialogue. Provocative and timely, this book promises to illuminate new avenues toward a nuanced comprehension of church discourse.

Table of contents

• title page
• Copyright information
• Contents
• Preface
• Acknowledgements
• Introduction
• 1. The Hermeneutic Lenses of Church Discourses
• 2. The Authorized Afterlife of the Pilling Report
• 3. The Unauthorized Afterlife of the Pilling Report
• 4. Queering Hermeneutics
• 5. Church Discourses and ‘The Queer Art of Failure’1
• Bibliography