Fitzhenry & Whiteside Limited

Journal for the Study of The New Testament Booklist
"Fascinating. . . . A major contribution to continued theological enquiry into human sexuality."

Lianne Simon
— author of Confessions of a Teenage Hermaphrodite
"An essential read for anyone debating the place of sexual minorities within the church. Megan DeFranza proves herself both a serious Christian scholar and a friend of the intersexed — those of us born not entirely male or female. Her cautious recommendations for our inclusion should encourage both the conservative Christian, on account of her respect of Scripture, and the intersexed, for her acknowledging us as more than pawns in someone else's game."

Jenell Paris
— author of The End of Sexual Identity: Why Sex Is Too Important to Define Who We Are
"With meticulous theological scholarship that masterfully integrates social science, literature, and history, DeFranza considers what the intersex condition and intersex persons themselves offer to theological understandings of humanity and the image of God. DeFranza is a trustworthy guide for navigating sex, gender, and sexuality in a postmodern context, writing with prophetic clarity, scholarly insight, and human compassion. I could recommend that you read this book, but that wouldn't be nearly enough to glean its insights. Read it twice!"

Susannah Cornwall
— author of Sex and Uncertainty in the Body of Christ: Intersex Conditions and Christian Theology
"DeFranza's sensitive and pastorally aware work brings intersex into lively conversation with Roman Catholic and Evangelical texts on human sex and theological anthropology. She reminds us that aspects of sex difference and human nature will always remain mysterious, and that such mystery is theologically significant, even as she does crucial work to demystify an underexplored area pastorally and practically. An important book."

John R. Franke
— author of The Character of Theology: An Introduction to Its Nature, Task, and Purpose
"A meticulously researched, well-written, and illuminating study regarding the categories of male, female, and intersex in relation to the image of God. This groundbreaking volume deserves to be widely read and carefully considered by all who are wrestling with one of the central issues facing the church in our time."

Roy E. Ciampa
— Nida Institute for Biblical Scholarship
"Megan DeFranza has done the church a tremendous service in producing this fine contribution on an important but neglected aspect of theological anthropology."

Frank A. James III
— Biblical Theological Seminary, Philadelphia
"This book will take your breath away. Some will find it jarring, but good theological reflection ought to make us feel uncomfortable. Megan DeFranza takes us on a journey into the complex and sometimes harrowing domain of sexuality and anthropology and how Christians engage sex difference. . . . Reading DeFranza's book, I was entranced, intrigued, delighted, forced out of my comfort zone, and above all humbled."

Teri Merrick
— Azusa Pacific University
"DeFranza claims it is time for Christians, particularly those from more conservative traditions, to reflect on their theologies and communal practices from the perspective of intersex people, and she is right. The National Institutes of Health and the American Psychological Association have recently modified their treatment protocols in response to the testimony of intersex clients and what we are learning about sex and gender development from neurobiology. Here DeFranza lays the groundwork for similarly transforming our ecclesial institutions, but in a manner that holds fast to Scripture and the good contained in the traditions of the church."

Sojourners
"Sex Difference in Christian Theology is incredibly useful pastorally and fascinating theologically. . . . DeFranza speaks powerfully to current debates on what the image of God means and shows clearly how these complicated theological problems directly affect people's lives."

Christianity Today
"DeFranza's work should be commended for pushing conservative theologians to greater attentiveness toward difficult questions about the nature and boundaries of sexual identity."

Christian Century
"A theologically astute and compassionate guide."