Theology And Families

This timely book, by one of the world's leading theologians in this field, makes a positive theological contribution to present intellectual and practical discussions about families and children. Explores the intellectual and practical debates about the changing nature of family forms, roles and relationships, and how Christian faith and theology can contribute to the thriving of families and children. Considers the causes and consequences of changes to families over recent decades. Utilizes the theological resources that are best equipped to deal with these changes and to shape ethical teaching, ethical practice, moral judgements, and public policies. Develops family-friendly readings of scripture, tradition and doctrine, and moves forward theological treatment of marriage, gender and children.

Adrian Thatcher is part-time Professorial Research Fellow at the University of Exeter, having previously been Professor of Applied Theology at the College of St Mark and St John in Plymouth. His numerous books include: The Daily Telegraph Guide to Christian Marriage (2003), Celebrating Christian Marriage (2002), Living Together and Christian Ethics (2002), Spirituality and the Curriculum (1999), Marriage After Modernity (1999) and (with Elizabeth Stuart) People of Passion – what the churches teach about sex (1997).

Preface	p. ix
Sources	p. 1
Beginning with Real Families and Children	p. 3
Family Forms	p. 3
Global Upheavals	p. 7
Theological Responses	p. 13
Theology and Families: Arguments and Themes	p. 21
The Bible in the Service of Families	p. 25
Families Then and Now	p. 25
The Bible and Critical Familism	p. 33
Family-Friendly Readings	p. 43
The Teaching of Jesus about Families and Children	p. 51
The Teaching of Jesus about Families	p. 51
The Teaching of Jesus about Children	p. 57
Parents, Children, and Priorities	p. 63
Loving Neighbors, Loving Children?	p. 71
Relations, Families, and the Triune God	p. 78
Relations and Families	p. 78
Love as a Relation	p. 82
Families and the Trinity	p. 88
The Gift of a Child	p. 95
Our Families and Ourselves in God's Image	p. 103
Families and Structural Sin	p. 108
Relations	p. 113
Spouses and Partners	p. 115
Do Families Need Marriages?	p. 115
Disputes about Evidence	p. 120
'Marital Values' and the Problem of Commitment	p. 133
Children, Parents, and Rights	p. 142
Where are the Children?	p. 143
The Defense of Children's Rights	p. 152
The Christ Child and the Rights of All Children	p. 159
God, Parents, and Children	p. 167
God the Father and Human Parenting	p. 167
God the Father: Revisionary Proposals	p. 172
Parenting, Divine and Human	p. 180
Parents, Children, and Sacrificial Love	p. 187
Open Families and Chosen Childlessness	p. 199
Extending Families	p. 200
Families and Neighborhoods	p. 206
Open Families and the Teaching of Jesus	p. 213
Choosing Childlessness	p. 217
Chosen Childlessness: an Appraisal	p. 227
Families and the "Domestic Church"	p. 231
Families and the "Domestic Church"	p. 232
Families and the Local Church	p. 240
The Churches and Pro-Family Policies	p. 249
Bibliography	p. 257
Index of Scriptural Citations	p. 270
Index of Names	p. 272
Index of Subjects	p. 276
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

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Theology And Families

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials