Marriage, Scripture, and the Church

Snyder Belousek Darrin W.

Description

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.

Sujets

• Christian theology
• Gender studies

Informations

• Publié par: Baker Publishing Group
• Date de parution: 16 mars 2021
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781493429127
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

Cover
Endorsements
“This extraordinary book offers a comprehensive engagement with the current arguments favoring same-sex marriage from a Christian perspective. Snyder Belousek’s tone is balanced and charitable, and his judgments are well reasoned and persuasive. Ultimately, its greatest contribution may consist in recentering the eschatological marriage of God and creation in Christian theology and pastoral practice, thereby teaching all of us, of whatever sexual orientation or state of life, to conceive our vocations in a fresh and striking light. This is the one book on this topic that everyone should read.”
— Matthew Levering , Mundelein Seminary
“ Marriage, Scripture, and the Church is a must-read book. Snyder Belousek presents an irenic, wholistic, and refreshing reminder of marriage’s three facets—procreation, partnership, and prefiguring Christ and the church—and celibacy’s prefiguring of the resurrection age, which are not present in same-sex unions.”
— Aída Besançon Spencer , Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary; coeditor of Marriage at the Crossroads and Christian Egalitarian Leadership
“Would you like a well-written, carefully researched study of marriage in the Christian tradition, intended as the basis for contemporary discussions about sexual practices and longings? Snyder Belousek’s irenic study engages the reader from the start, without making heterosexual monogamy an idol and without denigrating those who struggle with the cogency of his presentation.”
— J. Andrew Dearman , Fuller Theological Seminary
“The account of biblical marriage advanced in this volume is remarkable. Snyder Belousek maintains fidelity toward Scripture while highlighting the need to frame our doctrines in ways that address all manner of contemporary challenges. In particular, he is equally honest about challenges that exist within traditionalist faith communities as he is about the challenge of doctrinal innovations that do not remain faithful to Scripture. For example, Snyder Belousek is intentional about framing his account of biblical marriage in ways that are compelling to sexual minorities who adhere to a traditionalist perspective on marriage. For some of these individuals it is not always clear that the historic Christian account of marriage is truly good for all people. Snyder Belousek takes this challenge seriously, and with abundant care he outlines a theology of marriage that is both biblically faithful and pastorally sensitive for all believers, whether gay or straight. I look forward to adding this volume to my short list of recommended resources on the topic of biblical marriage.”
— Nate Collins , president and founder of Revoice
“Those of us who write and teach about sexuality are well aware that there is a dearth of books offering a solid theological rationale for marriage. This is particularly true if what we are wanting is a current, well-written, thoroughly researched book, deeply rooted in scriptural teaching and the riches of the Christian tradition. And it is almost too much to hope for that this traditional view will be infused with the gospel, with the compassion, of Jesus Christ. Yet this is precisely what Snyder Belousek offers us in this wonderful book on marriage.”
— Mark Thiessen Nation , Eastern Mennonite Seminary
“Like no other book, Marriage, Scripture, and the Church brilliantly frames our current disagreements on sexuality in terms of the doctrine of marriage. It carefully guides the reader through Scripture, church history, doctrine, and current arguments to highlight the different rationales for changing our doctrine and the consequences of doing so. It offers a positive vision and model of how the church might discern God’s truth.”
— Andrew Goddard , Ridley Hall, Cambridge, and Westminster Theological Centre
“In the wide mix of books and articles on these interrelated topics, Marriage, Scripture, and the Church will make a much-needed contribution. Scholars from every position will need to take Darrin’s work into consideration. I highly recommend it.”
— Willard Swartley† , Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary
“Snyder Belousek deals with the question of same-sex union in a way that is not only judicious and fair but also generous and kind. His careful and thorough review of both Scripture and church tradition emphasizes the importance of understanding this issue within the context of a robust Christian theology of marriage.”
— Christina S. Hitchcock , University of Sioux Falls; author of The Significance of Singleness
“ Marriage, Scripture, and the Church is a significant step away from lobbing Bible verses at the opposition like grenades, where, after the dust settles, all that seems left are damaged psyches and broken relationships. Snyder Belousek offers a rigorous treatment of Christian Scripture, theology, and history in an effort to discern, along with the larger church, what marriage can be and not just what type of sexual activity is allowed or forbidden.”
— Dennis R. Edwards , North Park Theological Seminary
Title Page
Copyright Page
© 2021 by Darrin W. Snyder Belousek
Published by Baker Academic
a division of Baker Publishing Group
PO Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
www.bakeracademic.com
Ebook edition created 2021
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
ISBN 978-1-4934-2912-7
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations labeled KJV are from the King James Version of the Bible.
Scripture quotations labeled NET are from the NET Bible®, copyright © 1996–2016 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations labeled NETS are from A New English Translation of the Septuagint , © 2007 by the International Organization for Septuagint and Cognate Studies, Inc. Used by permission of Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations labeled NIV are from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations labeled NJPS are from the New Jewish Publication Society Version © 1985 by The Jewish Publication Society. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations labeled RSV are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1946, 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Dedication
Dedicated to the memory of Willard M. Swartley beloved teacher, mentor, brother
Contents
Cover i
Endorsements ii
Title Page iii
Copyright Page iv
Dedication v
Acknowledgments ix
Living in the Midst: A Personal Introduction xi
Part 1 | Surveying the Situation: Where We Are 1
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 27
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 167
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 255
9. Testing the Spirits: Considering Paths to Innovation 257
10. It Seemed Good to the Holy Spirit: Guidance for Discernment 275
Afterword by Wesley Hill 289
Bibliography 299
Index of Scripture and Ancient Christian Literature 319
Index of Subjects 327
Back Cover 331
Acknowledgments
At several stages during my study and writing, I have conversed or corresponded with, and sought counsel or received comments from, in personal meetings and by social media, various brothers and sisters. My thanks to Andrew Austin, Trevor Bechtel, Don Blosser, Neal Blough, Corben Boshart, David Cramer, Steve Dintaman, Alex Dye, Peter Erb, Berry Friesen, Ivan Friesen, Ted Grimsrud, Ryan Harker, Emily Hedrick, Randy Keeler, Gerald Mast, Harold Miller, Mark Thiessen Nation, Tim Otto, Ray Person, Gordon Preece, Christopher Roberts, John Roth, Mary Schertz, Gerald Schlabach, Rachel Stella, Isaac Villegas, and Phil Waite. Extra thanks to several persons who generously read and commented on the draft manuscript: Tim Erdel, Meghan Good, Wesley Hill, John Rempel, James Rissler, and Elmer Thiessen. Some of these sisters and brothers share my perspective in this matter; some do not. Nonetheless, by offering his or her conversation, comment, counsel, or correction, each one has participated in the mutual admonition that is essential to the integrity of the church as the body of Christ. Thanks to Robert Hosack at Baker Academic for seeing potential in my proposal and supporting publication of this book. Thanks to Wesley Hill, whose witness and writing have inspired many people and shaped my approach, for gracing this book with his afterword. Posthumous thanks to Willard Swartley, whose counsel and encouragement stimulated and sustained my writing of this book. Finally, special thanks to my wife, Paula, for her partnership in marriage, her pastoring of the church, and her patience with this book.
Some of the ideas in this book were first worked out in a short article publish