Marriage: Its Foundation, Theology, and Mission in a Changing World
Overview
It can be difficult to know how to respond to a culture that is becoming more and more antagonistic to biblical beliefs about marriage. And this is a topic worth getting right. Marriage was given to us as a picture of the triune God in relationship with his people, which means what we believe about marriage is indissolubly tied to what we believe about God and his creating and saving purposes. Therefore, it is more important now than ever that we think theologically and carefully about what marriage is and how we live faithfully in it.
Marriage: Its Foundation, Theology, and Mission in a Changing World is the much-needed work on marriage for this generation and the next. Rooted in a scriptural understanding of marriage, it thoughtfully engages the issues surrounding marriage being debated today and lays the groundwork for the crucial conversations of our day. Each section contains chapters from trusted theologians as well as experienced practitioners who work with couples daily. Rediscover the beauty of God's design for marriage and be strengthened to stand firm amidst any challenges the world may bring
Key Features
- Presents a valuable collection of the theology and practice of marriage
- Includes a diverse set of contributors
- Emphasizes a Scriptural perspective on marriage for the contemporary world
Contents
- Section 1: Foundation
- The Importance of Beginning the Conversation by Curt Hamner and John Trent
- The Trinity, the Incarnation, and the Meaning of Marriage and Sex by John C. Clark and Marcus Peter Johnson
- The Revelation of God’s Commitment by Erik Thoennes
- Continuing Insight: Loving Like Jesus in Our Marriage by Darryl DelHousaye
- Continuing Insight: Marriage and Music in the Early Chapters of Genesis by James F. Coakley
- The Foundational Language of Marriage in Scripture by Darrell Bock
- Continuing Insight: Cohabitation in Biblical and Theological Perspective by David L. Woodall
- The Choice and High Calling of Marriage and Singleness by Craig Blomberg
- Continuing Insight: Keys to Premarital Training by Greg Smalley
- Section 2: Description
- The Language of “Embodied” Differences in Marriage by Gregg R. Allison and Jason E. Kanz
- Continuing Insight: Understanding Why “Embodiment” Matters by Beth Felker Jones
- The Beauty and Design of Marriage: An Image for the Church and Its Gospel Curt Hamner and Rebekah J. Byrd
- Continuing Insight: Marriage—God’s Design by Timothy R. Jennings
- The Dance of Gender in New Covenant Marriage by Eric L. Johnson
- Continuing Insight: Uncomfortable Love by Brett McCracken
- Reclaiming Holy Sexuality by Juli Slattery
- Continuing Insight: Shaking Souls by Mike Mason
- Section 3: Challenges
- From Shame to Wholeness James S. Spiegel and Amy E. Spiegel
- Continuing Insight: “Waiting” to Move toward Forgiveness by Deborah Gorton
- Reclaiming Beauty Amidst Brokenness Andrew J. Schmutzer
- Continuing Insight: Shame: Creating/Finding a Healing Marriage by M. Ashley Schmutzer
- When Marriage Falls Short of the Christian Ideal
- Continuing Insight: Self-Protective Façade in Marriage by Tony Wheeler
- Continuing Insight: A Social Sacrament by Jared Pingleton
- Divorce and Remarriage by William A. Heth
- Continuing Insight: Pastoral Considerations by Chuck Hannaford
- Continuing Insight: Ministry, Remarriage, and God’s Redeeming Power for the Next Generation by Ron L. Deal
- Section 4: Marriage and Community in the Body of Christ
- Marriage and Community in the Body of Christ by Donna Thoennes
- Continuing Insight: The Church’s Mission to Enrich and Restore Marriages by John McGee
- A Philosophical Affirmation of Marriage from Natural Law by Sean McDowell
- Continuing Insight: Christian Suffering and the Same-Sex Attracted by L. Eugene Burrus
- Continuing Insight: Why Marriage: Celebrating the Christian View by Chris Brooks
- Marriage and the Mission of God by Mark S. Young and Priscilla R. Young
- Continuing Insight: God’s Ordained Vehicle by James Spencer
- For a Time We Cannot See by Crawford W. Loritts Jr.
- The Importance of Continuing the Conversation by Curt Hamner and John Trent
Product Details
- Title: Marriage: Its Foundation, Theology, and Mission in a Changing World
- Editors: Curt Hamner, John Trent, Rebekah J. Byrd, Eric L. Johnson, Erik Thoennes
- Publisher: Moody
- Publication Date: 2018
- Pages: 448
- Christian Group: Evangelicals
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Topic: Theology
About the Editors
Curt Hamnet is a pastor and cofounder along with his wife, Rhonda of Between Two Trees, a marriage ministry designed to resource couples and communities with tools to pursue God's design for marriage. Curt is also the founder of Bed and Breakfast with Purpose Retreats, and is a mentor with The Master's Program (a three-year marketplace leadership coaching ministry). Together Curt and Rhonda speak throughout the US and around the world helping couples enrich their marriages. They host DreamMaster Retreats for second half couples working together on vision and strategic plans for the years after career and family. Curt is a graduate of Dallas Seminary and served with Chuck Swindoll at the church they pastored in Fullerton, CA. The Hamners have three adult children and five grandchildren. They live in the mountains of southern California.
John Trent, Ph.D., is President and Founder of StrongFamilies.com, a ministry committed to building strong relationships in these stressful times. Dr. Trent’s main focus includes writing and speaking at retreats, conferences, business settings, churches, and seminars across the country. In addition to building family teams, Dr. Trent regularly speaks to corporate America on team-building, recruiting and retaining outstanding employees. He has authored and co-authored more than a dozen books for both adults and children, including Love For All Seasons, The Language of Love, and The Blessing. In addition to writing books, Dr. Trent has written numerous articles for both professional and popular publications. He and his wife, Cynthia, live in Scottsdale, Arizona and have two grown daughters.
Rebekah J. Byrd obtained a Master's Degree in Historical Theology from Wheaton Graduate School in 2016. She has a BA in Bible and Theology from Moody Bible Institute and was trained as a Spiritual Director at North Park Seminary. Her ministry experience spans from youth ministry to small groups, discipleship and connection ministry. She currently works with Dr. John Trent at Moody Bible Institute. She is learning to be an advocate for her children with special needs and enjoys serving her local church. Becky has been married to her husband, Steve, for 19 years and has four children. In her spare time she enjoys connecting with people, reading, photography, writing and exploring the awesome city of Chicago.
Eric L. Johnson (PhD, Michigan State University) trained as an academic psychologist and is the Lawrence and Charlotte Hoover Professor of Pastoral Care at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He is the author of Foundations for Soul Care; coeditor of God Under Fire and Christianity and Psychology: Four Views; and associate editor of the Journal of Psychology and Theology. He serves on the executive board at the Institute for Christian Psychology.
Erik Thoennes (Ph.D., Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) is Professor and Chair of the Theology Department at Biola University and is a pastor at Grace Evangelical Free Church in La Mirada, CA. He was voted Professor of the Year twice, and was awarded the Faculty Excellence Award by his colleagues at Biola University. He is the author of Life's Biggest Questions: What the Bible Says About the Things That Matter Most and Biblical and Theological Studies: A Student's Guide. Erik and his wife Donna have four children: Caroline, Paige, Samuel, and Isaac.