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

by Darrin W. Snyder Belousek

Publisher:

Baker Academic

, 2021

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 theological tradition, articulating a biblical-traditional theology of marriage for the contemporary church.

Key Features

• Demonstrates that the interpretation of Scripture affects whether the church should revise its doctrine of marriage for the sake of sanctioning same-sex union
• Explores what marriage means as presented in the biblical narrative and theological tradition
• Provides a distinctive approach to the same-sex-union debate by framing the issue as a matter of marriage

Contents

• Living in the Midst: A Personal Introduction

Part 1: Surveying the Situation: Where We Are

• Stand at the Crossroads: Taking a Bearing
• Where I Start: Approach and Assumptions

Part 2: Framing the Question: A Matter of Marriage

• A Great Mystery: Marriage in Scripture and Tradition
• From the Beginning: Jesus, Marriage, and Genesis
• Admiring Virginity, Honoring Marriage: Early Church Debate
• Coupled Together Otherwise: Alterations and Implications

Part 3: Evaluating the Case: Assessing Arguments for Marriage Innovation

• Hasn’t the Church Changed Before? Considering Historical Precedents
• Might Scripture Provide Support? Considering Biblical Warrants

Part 4: Seeking a Direction: Which Way to Walk

• Testing the Spirits: Considering Paths to Innovation
• It Seemed Good to the Holy Spirit: Guidance for Discernment
• Afterword, by Wesley Hill

Top Highlights

“Any traditionalist who would approve blessing of adulterous remarriage must accept the burden of argument at this juncture of the same-sex-union debate. Sanctioning adulterous remarriage carries implications for the doctrine of marriage parallel to those of sanctioning same-sex union. Discerning the question of same-sex union thus demands that traditionalists critically reexamine their views on divorce in light of the tradition on marriage that they seek to uphold.” (Page 160)

“Some disagreement about marriage depends to some degree on disagreement about Jesus” (Page 57)

“marriage is a divine creation not subject to human alteration” (Page 60)

Product Details

• Title: Marriage, Scripture, and the Church: Theological Discernment on the Question of Same-Sex Union
• Author: Darrin W. Snyder Belousek
• Publisher: Baker Academic
• Print Publication Date: 2021
• Logos Release Date: 2021
• Pages: 330
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Same-sex marriage › Religious aspects--Christianity; Marriage › Religious aspects--Christianity
• ISBNs: 9781493429141, 9781540961839, 9781540964403, 9781493429127, 1493429140, 1540961834, 154096440X, 1493429124
• Resource ID: LLS:MRRGSCRPTRCHRCH
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T01:37:03Z

About Darrin W. Snyder Belousek

Darrin W. Snyder Belousek is lecturer in philosophy and religion at Ohio Northern University. He received his PhD in biblical and theological studies from Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary. He is also the author of Good News: The Advent of Salvation in the Gospel of Luke.