Theology of Eroticism

March 22–24, 2018

The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology
2501 Elliott Avenue, Seattle, WA, United States

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$450

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Theology of Eroticism is a graduate-level elective taught at The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology, where Dr. Dan Allender serves as Professor of Counseling Psychology and Founding President.

Enrollment for this course is open to the public, as space permits. To participate in the course, you must apply as an enrichment student.* The application is online, takes less than 10 minutes to complete, and requires a $50 application fee to submit. Learn more (or get started!) on The Seattle School’s website.

The registration price reflects The Seattle School’s enrichment tuition rate. If you are interested in receiving graduate-level credit for this course please apply as a non-degree seeking student and reference The Seattle School’s website for tuition information.

 

In a culture of on-demand eroticism and flippant sexuality, how can an ancient Biblical text possibly offer anything relevant? How does our understanding of God shape our views of sex? And what impact does this have on therapeutic practice?

Using the Song of Solomon as a frame, the Theology of Eroticism will explore the development of a biblical theology of sexual eroticism. Dr. Dan Allender and Dr. Tremper Longman, III will address the particular issues that arise in a sexually charged culture of devalued intimacy and pervasive eroticism. Ultimately, class participants will be led in developing strategies for exploring issues of sexuality and eroticism in a therapeutic context.

In this three-day class, Dr. Allender and Dr. Longman will examine the sexual ethic that distinguishes the Bible from other Ancient Near Eastern cultures, and they will trace the major factors that shaped the Church’s view of sexuality. This historical approach, combined with modern research trends and a consideration of the role of gender in the experience of eroticism, will help participants articulate their own core convictions on sexuality, as well as the ways that those convictions influence their practice.

Suggested Reading

God Loves Sex by Dr. Dan Allender and Dr. Tremper Longman, III
Song of Songs by Dr. Tremper Longman, III
The End of Sex: How Hookup Culture is Leaving a Generation Unhappy, Sexually Unfulfilled, and Confused about Intimacy by Donna Freitas