Love, Sex and Marriage: Insights from Judaism, Christianity and Islam

by Dan Cohn-Sherbok, George D. Chryssides, Dawoud El-Alami

Overview

In all three Abrahamic faiths, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, marriage is part of God's plan for humanity, as illustrated in the Hebrew Scriptures, the New Testament, and the Koran as well as the religious literature of these three traditions. It is viewed as a sacred bond as well as a means to personal fulfilment. It is more than a legal contract, rather an institution with cosmic significance, legitimized through divine authority. In Judaism, Christianity and Islam, the purpose of marriage is to build a home, create a family and thereby perpetuate society. Yet, despite the similarity of perception in the great monotheistic faiths, there are important differences. In this book three scholars outline sex law, betrothal and marriage, family life and the understanding of divorce in these traditions and discuss the differences between them in a student-friendly and accessible way.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780334044055
Publisher:	Hymns Ancient & Modern
Publication date:	08/31/2013
Edition description:	Study Guide
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Dan Cohn-Sherbok is Professor Emeritus of Judaism at the University of Wales and Honorary Professor at the University of Aberystwyth.

George D. Chryssides is Honorary Research Fellow in Contemporary Religion with the University of Birmingham.

Dawoud El-Alami is a Reader in and Director of Studies at the Al-Maktoum Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies in Dundee.

Table of Contents

The Authors vii

Introduction: The Historical Background xi

Part 1 Themes 1

1 Sex Law 3

2 Marriage 48

3 Family Life 91

4 Divorce 132

Part 2 Trialogue 175

5 Sex before Marriage 177

6 Marriage 184

7 Sex within Marriage 191

8 Homosexuality 198

9 Polygamy 205

10 Intermarriage 212

11 Abortion 219

12 Assisted Reproduction and Adoption 226

13 Family Life 233

14 Divorce 239

Glossary 245

Further Reading 251

Index 255

Editorial Reviews

An interesting book, which deals not just with sex law, marriage, family life, and divorce, but also such issues as polygamy, intermarriage, and divorce. Highly informative, at times it is also provocative, when such issues are raised such as ‘Are Christian marriages more stable’ or should we ‘celebrate’ divorce.

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