Many books on the Christian doctrine of atonement have been published in recent years. Some point out the difficulties of traditional atonement theories; others attempt a revision of one of the classical three types; others attempt to combine aspects of these types. Jennings attempts something new: by approaching the question of the meaning of the cross through close attention to the biblical passages that serve as the basis of any reflection on the cross of Jesus and an engagement with patristic as well as contemporary discussion. The result is an alternative theology of the cross that grounds the message concerning the cross in the socio-political reality in which it was historically located and points to the way in which this message bears upon contemporary social and ecclesial reality. Jennings's truly fresh understanding for Christians of the meaning of Jesus' death specifically grounds the cross in the concrete political confrontation within which it occurred, relates the message about the cross to the practice of Jesus (thus keeping in relationship the gospels and the theology of Paul), and shows how the cross bears on overcoming of human division and sin, reconciliation to God, and new forms of social reality in the community of the crucified.

Transforming Atonement: A Political Theology of the Cross

Religion & Spirituality

Jennings, Jr. Theodore W.

Christian Books & Bibles

Fortress Press

Reading Derrida / Thinking Paul: On Justice (Cultural Memory in the Present)

This book explores the interweaving of several of Derrida’s characteristic concerns with themes that Paul explores in Romans. It argues that the central concern of Romans is with the question of justice, a justice that must be thought outside of law on the basis of grace or gift. The many perplexities that arise from thus trying to think justice outside of law are clarified by reading Derrida on such themes as justice and law, gift and exchange, duty and debt, hospitality, cosmopolitanism, and pardon. This interweaving of Paul and Derrida shows that Paul may be read as a thinker who wrestles with real problems that are of concern to anyone who thinks. It also shows that Derrida, far from being the enemy of theological reflection, is himself a necessary companion to the thinking of the biblical theologian. Against the grain of what passes for common wisdom this book argues that both Derrida and Paul are indispensable guides to a new way of thinking about justice.

Literature & Fiction

History & Criticism

Stanford University Press

Outlaw Justice: The Messianic Politics of Paul (Cultural Memory in the Present)

This book offers a close reading of Romans that treats Paul as a radical political thinker by showing the relationship between Paul's perspective and that of secular political theorists. Turning to both ancient political philosophers (Plato, Aristotle, and Cicero) and contemporary post-Marxists (Agamben, Badiou, Derrida, and Žižek), Jennings presents Romans as a sustained argument for a new sort of political thinking concerned with the possibility and constitution of just socialities. Reading Romans as an essay on messianic politics in conversation with ancient and postmodern political theory challenges the stereotype of Paul as a reactionary theologian who "invented" Christianity and demonstrates his importance for all, regardless of religious affiliation or academic guild, who dream and work for a society based on respect, rather than domination, division, and death. In the current context of unjust global empires constituted by avarice, arrogance, and violence, Jennings finds in Paul a stunning vision for creating just societies outside the law.

Politics & Social Sciences

Philosophy

The very suggestion that there may be homoeroticism in Hebrew narrative may seem odd given the supposition that the religion and culture of ancient Israel resolutely opposed same sex erotic relationships. The apparent prohibition of homosexuality in Leviticus and the story of Sodom from Genesis have been made to speak for the whole Hebrew Bible. The oddity of this situation has not been lost on some interpreters who have recognized that the story of Sodom tells us no more about attitudes toward what we call homosexuality than the story of the rape of Dina tells us about attitudes toward heterosexuality.
Prof. Jennings says that the well-known eroticism of the Hebrew Bible is not confined to heterosexuality but also includes an astonishing diversity of material that lends itself to homoerotic interpretation. 
In Part one, Jennings examines saga materials associated with David. It is no innovation to detect in the David and Jonathan's relationship at least the outline of a remarkable love story between two men. What becomes clear, however, is that the tale is far more complex than this since it involves Saul and is set within a context of a warrior society that takes for granted that male heroes will be accompanied by younger or lower status males. Thus the complex erotic connections between David and Saul and David and Jonathan play out against the backdrop of a context of "heroes and pals." 
The second type of same sex relationship explored has to do with shamanistic forms of eroticism in which the sacral power of the holy man is both a product of same sex relationship and expressed through same sex practice. This section deals with Samuel and Saul and Elijah and Elisha. These are not warriors but persons whose sacral power is also erotic power that may find expression in erotic practices with persons of the same sex.
The third type of same sex relationship discusses we now call transgendered persons, especially males, and their erotic relationship to (other) males. Here the book explores the transgendering of Israel by several prophets who use this device to explore the adultery and promiscuity that they wish to attribute to Israel, as well as the story of Joseph.

Jacob's Wound: Homoerotic Narrative in the Literature of Ancient Israel

Continuum

"At last, a commentary that dares to imagine Mark was addressed to us! Jennings' social, economical, political, and personal commentary matches the nature of Mark's own efforts to shock readers out of their religious and cultural frames of reference and to embrace the radical realm of justice ushered in by Jesus' proclamation of the reign of God. Ted Jennings uses every Markan story as an opportunity to preach the radical gospel of God's international dominion of justice. His commentary allows Mark to shake us out of our specious efforts to secure ourselves and to confront us with the radical call to live for the poor, oppressed, and the marginalized. Preachers, students, biblical scholars and theologians will want to read this book." - David M. Rhoads, Professor of New Testament Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago

The Insurrection of the Crucified: The “Gospel of Mark” as Theological Manifesto

Chicago Theological Seminary dba Exploration Press

An Ethic of Queer Sex is intended to create a more inclusive appreciation of marginalized sexual practices. By pursuing these issues, the author hopes to contribute to a more just and holistic sexual ethic that overcomes the erotophobia at the base of the homophobia that often governs discussions of sexuality in religion and politics.

An Ethic of Queer Sex: Principles and Improvisations

Exploration Press

In this compelling work, Ted Jennings offers a theology based on the direct application of worship to the real world and on a refocusing of attention on the central actions of the church's life: the confession and forgiveness of sins.

The Liturgy of Liberation: The Confession and Forgiveness of Sins

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Books by Jennings, Jr. Theodore W.