Queer theory is a field of critical theory that emerged in the early 1990s out of the fields of gay and lesbian studies and feminist studies. It is a kind of interpretation devoted to queer readings of texts. Heavily influenced by the work of Michel Foucault, queer theory builds both upon feminist challenges to the idea that gender is part of the essential self and upon gay/lesbian studies' close examination of the socially constructed nature of sexual acts and identities. Whereas gay/lesbian studies focused its inquiries into "natural" and "unnatural" behavior with respect to homosexual behavior, queer theory expands its focus to encompass any kind of sexual activity or identity that falls into perverted, normative and deviant categories.

Michael, This has been helpful especially since I had no idea what this meant. But I think the concept is key to understanding scripture attenuated through memory and culture banks. This discipline deepens my belief that the Bible in not the inerrant word of God, rather is filled with stories of human-divine interaction. And some of those memories are riddled with errors.

This is really helpful, thank you. I have never heard of redaction criticism so this was all new to me, especially since I am always trying to factor in historical culture, ethnos, etc while reading scripture. I love that the discipline acknowledges that the Gospel writers were people who were creative, hence when they wrote, it would be with their biases and passions. Thank you for informing us about this important methodology.