In A Big, Fabulous Bible, The Queen James Bible and Its Queering of Scripture, Shannon Constantine presents a compelling analysis of the groundbreaking and controversial biblical text. Constantine’s review delves into how the “Queen James Bible” seeks to create a more inclusive religious space by altering specific verses to be more accepting of queer identity. This is not simply a critique of the original text but a deep exploration of the theological and social implications of its reinterpretation.
Constantine examines the motivations behind the project, highlighting the desire to provide a scriptural foundation for LGBTQ+ Christians who have long felt alienated by traditional interpretations. She thoughtfully discusses the arguments for and against such a “queering of scripture,” addressing concerns about textual integrity while celebrating the empowerment it offers to marginalized communities.
The review is a balanced and insightful look at a modern effort to reconcile faith with identity, positioning the “Queen James Bible” as a significant cultural artifact in the ongoing dialogue between religion and the LGBTQ+ community. The Queen James Bible was published in late 2012 under the authorship of “God” and is promoted by LGBTQ evangelical Christians. It has an introduction, but otherwise the text is not annotated, and there are no scholarly notes throughout the volume.
This book won’t be of much value to the typical scholar, but for offering clearer renderings of the so-called “clobber passages,” this version could be useful to the Queer Christian who is familiar with the King James Version, not a cultural artifact in the ongoing dialogue between religion and the LGBTQ+ community.
