Diarmaid MacCulloch's 'Lower than the angels' is a comprehensive and scholarly exploration of sex and Christianity, spanning from Ancient Greece to modern times. The book is dense and extensive, offering a readable yet complex analysis that encourages readers to engage deeply with the subject matter.
Diarmaid MacCulloch's 'Lower than the angels' is a monumental work that delves into the intricate history of sex and Christianity. The book is not a light read, but it provides a valuable contribution to ongoing debates. MacCulloch's approach is thorough and objective, presenting a contemporary viewpoint on historical and cultural attitudes towards sex within Christianity. The book's extensive scope and detailed analysis make it a formidable resource, though it might benefit from a more concise summary to reach a wider audience. The absence of clear conclusions at the end of each section leaves readers to draw their own interpretations, which can be both engaging and challenging. Overall, the book is a significant addition to the discourse on sexuality and the Church, urging readers to appreciate the complexity and contradictions within Christian history.
Quick quotes
the historian’s reminder of things forgotten is hardly ever welcome in the religious sphere
It’s an important work. As MacCulloch says, “In the last half-century sex and gender have rapidly become more instrumental in internal church conflict than at virtually any time over the last two millennia of Christian life…Churches have found it agonizingly hard to react coherently to questions they had not previously asked, let alone answered.
Undoubtedly readers will feel better informed on closing this text and the book is a welcome addition to the debate of sexuality today and how the Church can better address and clarify its position and arguments.