Richard M. Davidson (1) (1946–)

Insightful and profound, Flame of Yahweh is potentially transformative for the third Christian millennium. The book is a tome (874 pages) comprehensively setting forth the "biblical foundations for understanding human sexuality." It is the culmination of the author's twenty-five years of in-depth research into the panoply of Old and New Testament Scripture regarding the various manifestations of human sexuality. Davidson has developed and expanded a comprehensive exposition of heterosexual show more monogamy--"God's original design for sexuality and marriage in the relationship between Adam and Eve...as a pattern for all future sexual relationships." Flame of Yahweh provides a normative and epistemological grounding on several ontological/anthropological subjects.

Note: This work is built upon the presupposition of biblical inerrancy of the 66 books of the Bible--God's exclusively-written revelation to mankind. If readers of this review are unclear as to what that means or the nature of the epistemological claims, please read Professor Ronald H. Nash's excellent primer, The Word of God and the Mind of Man.

Both evangelical and conservative, Professor Davidson provides insight from the original languages (Hebrew, Greek, etc.), from the biblical Canon (Bible), and from ancient Near-Eastern source literature. The book includes and contrasts various alternative theological perspectives (liberal, feminist, postmodern, etc.). Looking back millennia, Davidson's gleaned insights are often profound.

Section 1 (80 pages) provides teleological insight into sexuality in the Garden of Eden. Section 2 (462 pages) covers sexuality outside Eden. Section 3, (87 pages) entitled “Return to Eden,” is an in-depth commentary on the OT book: Song of Songs. Section 1 (Chapters 1 & 2) entitled Sexuality in Eden: The Divine Design (Genesis 1-3) are worth the price of the entire book!!

Despite my 50+ as a serious student of Scripture, Flame of Yahweh has given me a deeper understanding of ancient Near Eastern culture as well as extended glimpses into the ontological mysteries of sexuality as God originally designed it. An indispensable resource for counselors and pastors/teachers. For anyone wanting or needing a graduate-level, serious in-depth theological, ontological, linguistic, and philosophical exploration of sexuality, this is it! show less