Same-Sex Marriage: A Thoughtful Approach to God's Design for Marriage

by Sean McDowell, John Stonestreet

Overview

Same-sex marriage is here, presenting unique challenges and opportunities. How do those who follow Christ faithfully answer the standard talking points for same-sex marriage? And how can they best articulate the case for one-man, one-woman marriage in everyday conversation?

Sean McDowell and John Stonestreet believe a thoughtful approach to God's design for marriage is the answer to both questions. The key is not a contentious attitude towards those who believe in same-sex marriage, but a winsome perspective that is faithful to Christ, committed to truth, and shaped by a love for God and others. Christians need to know that because Christ has risen, there is no such thing as "all hope is lost." They are still called to engage culture even if they are viewed as wrong, illegal and intolerant.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780801018343
Publisher:	Baker Publishing Group
Publication date:	07/28/2014
Series:	Thoughtful Response
Pages:	176
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Sean McDowell (PhD, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is a gifted communicator with a passion for reaching the younger generation with the gospel message. A professor at Biola University in the apologetics program, Sean is the author or coauthor of fifteen books, including The Apologetics Study Bible for Students. He travels widely, speaking at camps, churches, universities, and conferences.

John Stonestreet is a speaker and fellow of the Chuck Colson Center for Christian Worldview, as well as the co-host with Eric Metaxas of Breakpoint, the Christian worldview radio program founded by Chuck Colson. John is a sought-after speaker at conferences, colleges, and churches on the subjects of theology, apologetics, and faith and culture. He holds degrees from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and Bryan College and is the coauthor of Making Sense of Your World.

Table of Contents

Dedication 8

Introduction 9

Part 1 What Marriage is and Why it Matters: The issue of same-sex marriage is a major shift for our society and presents a major challenge to Christians who embrace a biblical view of sex and marriage.

1 What Just Happened to Our Culture? 17

2 Beyond the Noise, Beyond the Heat: Starting at the Right Place 24

3 What Is Marriage? Part One: What God Thinks 35

4 What Is Marriage? Part Two: Leaving God Out of It 43

5 What Is Marriage? Part Three: The Tale of Two Definitions 55

6 The "Cosmological" Shift: How Same-Sex Marriage Got Here 65

Part 2 What We Can Do for Marriage

7 This Is No Time for Escape and Christianity is No Excuse 79

8 Learning from the Past: A Movement Worth Examining 90

9 First Things First: The Call to Repentance 99

10 The Church and Same-Sex Marriage: A To-Do List 113

11 Giving Marriage Back to the World: Suggestions for the Long Haul 123

12 So, What Now? Guidance for Everyday Questions 137

Appendix A What Followers of Jesus Who Struggle with Ongoing Same-Sex Attraction Need from the Church 153

Appendix B Answering Common Questions and Slogans About Same-Sex Marriage 157

Endnotes 161

About the Authors 175