Jennings Jr., Theodore W. Plato or Paul? The Origins of Western Homophobia. Cleveland: Pilgrim Press, 2009. 244p. $25.00. ISBN: 9780829818550.

Theodore Jennings’ Plato or Paul? argues that the commonly held belief that same sex relationships were readily accepted by the Greeks, while Paul and early Christianity were hostile toward them is simplistic. Jennings examines Greek texts from Plato, Hellenistic Christian writers, Paul, and post-Biblical writers, and he suggests a different view.

Jennings asserts that the pre-Christian Greeks were more homophobic than typically believed, and that common reading of Paul is merely interpreted as homophobic. He explains that Hellenistic homophobia is grafted into post-Pauline Christian theology, that it is not actually part of the early church, and as such, can be overcome without damage to Christianity: “It is not that we are homophobic because of the Bible; rather, we read the Bible as we do because we are influenced by homophobia.” While I read widely in religion and theology, I have not studied Greek; however, there is nothing to suggest that Jennings misuses or abuses the language analysis, which is crucial to his case.

Jennings’ argument is compelling and moving, and many believing members of the LGBT community will find in it solace and hope. I hope it is true; I want it to be true. But this book’s argument is ultimately unconvincing. Too many pages have phrases such as: “as seems plausible”; “may have been”; “sources suggest”; and “tends to confirm.” The book feels too tentative. That being said, an extensive review of Greek, Hellenistic, and post-Pauline theological writers’ evolving views of the Genesis story of Sodom is always useful.

This title is recommended for academic libraries collecting in Greek and Hellenistic classics, Christian texts and theology, sexuality and gender studies, and Western history through the sixth century CE.

Reviewed by Dave Combe
EP Foster Library
Ventura, CA