Patriarchs, Prophets and Other Villains takes as a starting point the hermeneutics of suspicion. The book illustrates the way in which texts and interpretations have been manipulated for the purpose of power and control. Through careful-counter readings it challenges the ways in which the female divine has been pushed back by relentless male interpretation and misrepresentation. The essays range across liberation theology and queer theory to sexual hospitality and the 'Song of Songs' as a challenge to hetero-patriarchy. The book provides an accessible resource for any student interested in the ways in which narrow readings of Scripture can become a power base for hierarchies of exclusion.

Introduction 1. Asherah, The Tree of Life and the Menorah Asphodel Long 2. The Road Not Taken: The Rejection of Goddesses in Judaism and Christianity Carol Christ 3. Dealing with a Jealous God: Letting go of Monotheism and "Doing" Sacrality Ruth Mantin 4. The Torafaction of Wisdom in Ben Sira Dominique Olney 5. Sarah - Villain or Patriarchal Pawn Sarah Rogers 6. Huldah's Scroll: a Pagan Reading Graham Harvey 7. You Seduced Me, You Overpowered Me and You Prevailed: Religious Experience and Homoerotic Sadomasochism in Jeremiah Ken Stone 8. The Monstrosity of David Janet Wootton 9. Searching for a Queer Sophia Wisdom: The Post-Colonial Rahab Marcella Althaus-Reid 10. Taste & See: A Midrash on Genesis 3:6 & 3:12 Daniel E Cohen 11. Eat Friend, Drink. Be Drunk on Love [Song of Songs 5:2]. A Reflection Lisa Isherwood 12. Sexual Hospitality in the Hebrew Bible: Patriarchal Lineage of matriarchal Rebellion? Thalia Gur Klein 13. Culture Clash in Sodom: Patriarchal Tales of Heroes, Villains and Manipulations Renato Lings