This ground-breaking work establishes a solid biblical and theological foundation on which a theology of the family can be constructed. It thus fills a critical lack in the current literature on the family. The wide range of sources, including Jewish, Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant, give this work a genuine ecumenical dimension. Biblical and Theological Foundations of the Family will become indispensable for anyone wanting to engage in serious study of the structure and meaning of the family and its place in the salvific will of God.
This updated edition of Köstenberger and Jones's landmark work tackles the latest debates and cultural challenges to God's plan for marriage and the family and urges a return to a biblical foundation.
WisdomBuilt Biblical Principles of Marriage combines wisdom from the Bible, clinical research, and personal experience to show couples how to build a great marriage, and provides congregational leaders a practical plan for helping the couples in their care. The result is an accessible, easy-to-follow book that may be used in couples classes, sermon series, seminars, or retreats. It also may be helpful in counseling and private conversations, or by the couples themselves. WisdomBuilt presents twelve principles for a joyful, fulfilling marriage. Taking a very practical approach, the author shows the reader what works and what doesn't, what's biblical and what isn't, what makes sense and what doesn't. Because it draws from the three sources of wisdom, it is part Bible study, part counseling, and part storytelling. Easy to read and follow, readers will find it to be the most interesting and helpful book on marriage they've ever seen. The theme verses for the book are Proverbs 24:3-4: "By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures." Putting the twelve principles into action, couples will experience joy, success, and fulfillment, paving the way for their marriage to last a lifetime.
WHEN IT COMES TO SAME-SEX RELATIONSHIPS, this book by Karen Keen contains the most thoughtful, balanced, biblically grounded discussion you’re likely to encounter anywhere. With pastoral sensitivity and respect for biblical authority, Keen breaks through current stalemates in the debate surrounding faith and sexual identity. The fresh, evenhanded reevaluation of Scripture, Christian tradition, theology, and science in Keen’s Scripture, Ethics, and the Possibility of Same-Sex Relationships will appeal to both traditionalist and progressive church leaders and parishioners, students of ethics and biblical studies, and gay and lesbian people who often feel painfully torn between faith and sexuality.
1. God is the first missionary. God was the first missionary. He spoke of judgment, but also of grace. Immediately after the Fall of man, when humanity’s history already appeared doomed, God did not leave things as they were. Rather, in his grace he himself came into the Garden of Eden to search for Adam and Eve and to ask, “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9). Like every good missionary, God was not deterred by the fact that humanity did not want to hear the good news. He proclaimed judgment to them, and then he proclaimed the coming redemption (Genesis 3:14–21). If a missionary is someone who brings the message of judgment and God’s gracious answer for that judgment to people, not all of whom want to hear it (John 1:11: “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him”), then God himself is and was the first missionary.” (Thesis 1)
The author gives encouragement and insight into life-changing action that will impact generations to come. Parents will be inspired to build faith and character in the heart of their kids. Topics covered include: the God-filled normal life, impacting a thousand generations, creating a home of unity, the noble calling of fatherhood and motherhood, the blessing of family worship, and discipline that disciples.
This text builds a foundational knowledge of theology while simultaneously developing major themes around the topics of marriage and family. The author speaks from the perspective of the sacramental theology of marriage but is always respectful of other faith traditions and the religiously diverse classroom. The book introduces, develops, and reinforces basic categories for thinking about the contemporary reality of marriage and family as grounded in the scriptural, historical, theological, ecclesial, and spiritual traditions of Christianity. Sensitive issues such as human sexuality and divorce are treated with a contextually grounded and moderate point of view. A meaningful correlation is made between the classical sources of Christianity and the lived experience of marriage. Included are discussion questions and a review guide at the end of each chapter. Appropriate as a primary text in undergraduate courses on the theology of the family, marriage and family, and ethics courses with a similar focus.
Everett L. Worthington Jr. offers a comprehensive manual for assisting couples over common rough spots and through serious problems in a manner that is compassionate, effective and brief.
The recent rulings on gay marriage and debates on family-related issues have placed marriage and family at the forefront of the public eye. More so than at any point in history, we are now confronted with the need to carefully define the meaning of marriage and family. Professor Andreas Köstenberger and ethics expert David W. Jones speak to the issues at hand and guide us through the fray. Presenting a Christian theology of marriage and parenting, they offer insight on issues such as: abortion contraception infertility adoption homosexuality divorce Marriage and Family: Biblical Essentials points the way to the spiritual solution to our culture's confusion: a return to, and rebuilding of, the biblical foundation of marriage and the family.