Karen R. Keen

For 500 years the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises have spiritually nourished people across the globe. Developed by Ignatius of Loyola in the 16th century, the Exercises focus on the life of Jesus, our God-given purpose, and spiritual discernment to make everyday decisions guided by the Holy Spirit. This 36-weeks adaptation of the Exercises offers daily options for prayer, Scripture reading, and reflection. The retreat follows Ignatius's intent closely, while still being accessible. Important Ignatian concepts, like inner freedom, are clearly explained. This is an opportunity to be shaped by the story of "God with us." The world offers many narratives, but not all lead to life. What fills your imagination is what you become. In the Spiritual Exercises you allow Jesus to saturate your reality and invite you into a life of purpose.

Sexuality is one of the most important theological topics in the church today. Ministry leaders, parishioners, and family members are increasingly grappling with questions on what it means to live out a Christian sexual ethic in the 21st century. The Bible and Sexuality: A Course Reader is an anthology of essays originally incorporated into a course taught by biblical scholar and author, Karen R. Keen. Keen covers both descriptive and normative ethics, examining what the biblical authors believed about sexuality and how that relates to Christian faith and practice now. This accessible and concise book will appeal to anyone who wants to understand the sexual ethics of the biblical authors in their socio-historical context, as well as how Scripture informs our ethics today. As a course reader, it is a helpful resource for college teachers and Bible study group leaders who want to guide students through an engaging discussion on sex and the Bible. A distinctive of the book is equipping learners to think through their overarching ethical framework and methods of biblical interpretation. Praise for the class from former participants: "Karen is a gifted teacher and Bible scholar. I would highly recommend this course to anyone who wishes to deepen their understanding of the Bible and sexuality." - Rev. Dr. Michael Norrie, chaplain"Karen's facilitation skills created a brave and compassionate learning environment that invited honest questioning and conversation. At a time when people can feel overwhelmed, intimidated, and alienated by conversations regarding Scripture, ethics, and sexuality, Karen's course offers a refreshing and stretching environment to explore one's beliefs in the context of a charitable learning community." - Lee Kosa, lead pastor at Cedar Park Church"Iron can't sharpen iron in isolation and Karen creates safe and knowledgeable space for such a dialogue. I would highly recommend this class." - Gil Vollmering, Jr., church elder and parent of a gay son.

"When it comes to same-sex relationships, there is one thing we cannot forget-people," says Karen Keen. In this cogent book Keen breaks through the current stalemate in the debate surrounding faith and sexual identity by presenting fresh evidence from Scripture, Christian tradition, theology, and science. With pastoral sensitivity and respect for biblical authority, Scripture, Ethics, and the Possibility of Same-Sex Relationships derives from Scripture itself a principled and consistent way of applying biblical teaching to this difficult topic. Keen helpfully casts biblical insights in the context of how the church has responded to gays and lesbians throughout history. Keen's evenhanded reevaluation will appeal to both traditionalist and progressive church leaders and parishioners, students of ethics and biblical studies, and gay and lesbian people who often feel painfully torn between faith and sexuality.