Marriage, Scripture, and the Church: Theological Discernment on the Question of Same-Sex Union

by Darrin W. Snyder Belousek, Wesley Hill

Overview

This book takes a distinctive approach to the same-sex-union debate by framing the issue as a matter of marriage. Darrin Snyder Belousek demonstrates that the interpretation of Scripture affects whether the church should revise its doctrine of marriage for the sake of sanctioning same-sex union. Engaging charitably yet critically with opposing viewpoints, he delves deeply into what marriage is, what it is for, and what it means as presented in the biblical narrative and the theological tradition, articulating a biblical-traditional theology of marriage for the contemporary church. Afterword by Wesley Hill.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781493429127
Publisher:	Baker Publishing Group
Publication date:	03/16/2021
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	352
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

Darrin W. Snyder Belousek (PhD, University of Notre Dame) teaches philosophy and religion at Ohio Northern University in Ada, Ohio, and has taught at various church-related colleges. He has served the church through the Mennonite Mission Network and is the author of several books.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix

Living in the Midst: A Personal Introduction xi

Part 1 Surveying the Situation: Where We Are

1 Stand at the Crossroads: Taking a Bearing 3

2 Where I Start: Approach and Assumptions 13

Part 2 Framing the Question: A Matter of Marriage

3 A Great Mystery: Marriage in Scripture and Tradition 29

4 From the Beginning: Jesus, Marriage, and Genesis 57

5 Admiring Virginity, Honoring Marriage: Early Church Debate 85

6 Coupled Together Otherwise: Alterations and- Implications 119

Part 3 Evaluating the Case: Assessing Arguments for Marriage Innovation

7 Hasn't the Church Changed Before? Considering Historical Precedents 169

8 Might Scripture Provide Support? Considering Biblical Warrants 219

Part 4 Seeking a Direction: Which Way to Walk

9 Testing the Spirits: Considering Paths to Innovation 257

10 It Seemed Good to the Holy Spirit: Guidance for Discernment 275

Afterword Wesley Hill 289

Bibliography 299

Index of Scripture and Ancient Christian Literature 319

Index of Subjects 327