Lamentations and the Song of Songs

This latest volume in the Belief series considers two different types of writings and two very timely subjects--violence and sex within Scripture. Theologian Harvey Cox finds the book of Lamentations to be shockingly current. Drawing on a wide array of sources from poetry, novels, films, paintings, and photography to classical and contemporary theology, Cox offers a contemporary reading of Lamentations that is provocative and sure to stir numerous theological reflections and responses. The Song of Songs has historically been seen as pointing to Christ's love for the church and interpreted allegorically. Yet, it is unique in the canon for its use of erotic poetry, celebrating the human body and love in graphic terms. Stephanie Paulsell suggests that the Song still has profound meaning, teaching us to love "those depths of the other which are out of our reach."