Lower Than the Angels
A History of Sex and Christianity
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Lower Than the Angels
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Narrated by:
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Diarmaid MacCulloch
About this listen
Brought to you by Penguin.
A major assessment of one of the most controversial topics in history
Few matters produce more public interest and public anxiety than sex and religion. Much of the political contention and division in societies across the world centres on sexual topics, and one-third of the global population is Christian in background or outlook. The issue goes to the heart of present-day religion.
The Bible observes that God made humanity ‘for a little while lower than the angels’. If humans are that close to angels, where lies the difference? Is it human sexuality and what we do with it? In a single lifetime, Christianity or historically Christian societies have witnessed one of the most extraordinary about-turns in attitudes to sex and gender in human history. There have followed revolutions in the place of women in society, a new place for same-sex love amid the spectrum of human emotions, and a public exploration of gender and trans identity. For many the new situation has brought exciting liberation – for others, fury and fear.
This book seeks to calm fears and encourage understanding through telling a three-thousand-year-long tale of Christians encountering sex, gender and the family, with noises off from their sacred texts. The message of Lower Than The Angels is simple, necessary and timely: to pay attention to the sheer glorious complexity and contradictions in the history of Christianity. The listener can decide from the story told here whether there is a single Christian theology of sex, or many contending voices in a symphony that is not at all complete. Oxford’s Emeritus Professor of the History of the Church introduces an epic of ordinary and extraordinary Christians trying to make sense of themselves and of humanity’s deepest desires, fears and hopes.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
©2024 Diarmaid MacCulloch (P)2024 Penguin AudioListeners also enjoyed...
What listeners say about Lower Than the Angels
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- ca5884400
- 26-09-24
Thoroughly researched history
Historical analysis highly enlightening. But why does he refer to pdf files that are not accessible through the App. Very disappointing and frustrating.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Dr D
- 09-10-24
Missing PDF
The book is brilliant and really well narrated by the author. However, it makes frequent references to visual elements in "the accompanying pdf" which has not been provided by Audible.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Stephen H
- 02-10-24
Great apart from the missing PDF
This is a remarkable book and read so well by the author. BUT there are many references to a PDF that accompanies the title. Sadly Audible insists there is no PDF even though there are dozens of references to it.
Not good enough, Audible.
This is an important work and I have learned a great deal from it
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Josie
- 03-10-24
As entertaining as it is insightful
Excellent performance of a scholarly and necessary book. Some wonderful verbal flourishes. Diarmaid MacCulloch is a national treasure!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Daniel Gover
- 21-10-24
Excellent - aside from missing PDF
Outstanding and impressive book, and superbly narrated. Only disappointment is the missing PDF, which is referred to repeatedly throughout.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Dj Mitchell
- 10-10-24
Lack of PDF in an otherwise excellent book
No PDF of illustrations even though the narrative constantly refers to one which is very infuriating
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