This book provides a literary analysis of New Testament texts on marriage, sex, family, and celibate ideals. It seeks to explore if, how, and eventually to what extent the New Testament favors sexual abstinence. The core of this study consequently consists of fresh perspectives on the issue of sexual abstinence in the New Testament through close readings of 1 Cor 7, Gal 3:28, Matt 19:10-12, and Mark 12:18-27/Matt 22:23-33/Luke 20:27-40, with a keen eye to the many ambassadors of abstinence in the textscharacters exhibiting sexual abstinence given a favorable characterization and function. As a comprehensive literary analysis of these texts from this perspective lacks precedent in contemporary biblical scholarship, the study is a valuable contribution to the ongoing scholarly debate on the biblical views on sex and marriage.

Cato Gulaker is Assistant Professor at Ansgar University College and Theological Seminary where he currently serves as Dean of Studies. He received his PhD from MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society. He is the author of Satan, the Heavenly Adversary of Man: A Narrative Analysis of the Function of Satan in the Book of Revelation.