Celebrating Christian Marriage

by Thatcher, Adrian

• ISBN13: 9780567088208
• ISBN10: 0567088200
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-04-30
• Publisher: Bloomsbury T&T Clark

Summary

The interest in marriage and the future of marriage is urgent and increasing. This collection of expert research, analysis and discussion may be the most significant ever assembled on this subject. There are contributions from different continents and cultures; from Roman Catholic, Protestant, Anglican and Orthodox traditions; from theologians and many other professionals - including historians, social theorists, sex therapists, lawyers, psychiatrists and demographers - all in conversation with the idea of Christian marriage.There are introductions to each topical section by Adrian Thatcher: Marriage at the Start of the Millennium, Beginning Marriage, Love and Marriage, The Marriage Relationship, Children and Marriage, Single-Sex Marriage, Ending Marriage - Roman Catholic Perspectives, Ending Marriage - Anglican Perspectives.

Table of Contents

Introduction	ix
Adrian Thatcher
Contributors	xiii
Acknowledgements	xx
Part 1 Marriage at the Start of the New Millennium
Introduction	1	(2)
The World Situation of Families: Marriage Reformation as a Cultural Work	3	(18)
Don Browning
Marriage, and the Second Demographic Transition in Europe: A Review	21	(20)
Duncan Dormor
Part 2 Beginning Marriage
Introduction	39	(2)
The Case for Betrothal	41	(14)
Reg Harcus
Living Together before Marriage: The Theological and Pastoral Opportunities	55	(16)
Adrian Thatcher
An Holistic, Parish-based Marriage-Ministry	71	(18)
Philip Newman
Part 3 Love and Marriage
Introduction	85	(4)
Water into Wine, and Eros into Agape: Marriage in the Orthodox Church	89	(16)
Stavros S. Fotiou
Marriage and the Church: Theological Reflections on an Underrated Relationship	105	(14)
Thomas Knieps-Port le Roi
Sacred Love: Religion, Marriage and L'amour, fou	119	(28)
Philip A. Mellor
Part 4 The Marriage Relationship
Introduction	143	(4)
The Marriage Education Movement: A Theological Analysis	147	(16)
John Wall
Factors which Contribute to Marital Difficulties	163	(12)
Jack Dominian
The So-called `Male Mid-life Crisis' and Marriage	175	(11)
George Lotter
Lifetime as a Virtue: Changes in Marriage over Time	186	(15)
Aldegonde Brenninkmeijer-Werhahn
Marriage: Haven or Hell? Twin Souls and Broken Bones	201	(22)
Lisa Isherwood
Part 5 Children and Marriage
Introduction	219	(4)
Obligation or Option? Marriage, Voluntary Childlessness and the Church	223	(17)
Helen Stanton
Welcome the Pied Piper	240	(15)
Jon Davies
Part 6 Single-Sex Marriage
Introduction	251	(4)
Is Lesbian or Gay Marriage an Oxymoron? A Critical Review of the Contemporary Debate	255	(29)
Elizabeth Stuart
Single-Sex Marriage? A Rite for Blessing Friendship in Traditional Christianity	284	(27)
Alan Bray
Part 7 Ending Marriage: Roman Catholic Perspectives
Introduction	307	(4)
Marriage Nullity in the Catholic Church: Not Every Wedding Produces a Marriage	311	(14)
Paul Robbins
Theology and Reality: Impasse or New Horizons?	325	(16)
Cathy Molloy
Faithful and Free: Marriage in the Catholic Church	341	(14)
Timothy J. Buckley
Marriage, Divorce and Personal Commitments	355	(24)
Margaret A. Farley
Part 8 Ending Marriage: Anglican Perspectives
Introduction	373	(6)
Marriage, Marriage after Divorce and the Church of England: Seeking Coherent Teaching and Consistent Practice	379	(13)
Michael Scott-Joynt
Contract or Communion? A Dilemma for the Church of England	392	(11)
Timothy J. Woods
The Christian Claims of the English Law of Marriage	403	(18)
C. C. A. Pearce
Mystical Union: Legal and Theological Perspectives on Marriage	421	(19)
Jacqueline Humphreys
Simon J. Taylor
Idolatry and Pragmatism: The Sanctity of Marriage and the Mothers' Union 1876-1976	440	(15)
Cordelia Moyse
Why Was Jesus a Pastor to the Divorced? The Social Background to Mark 10 and Matthew 19	455	(14)
Greg Forster
Index of Authors	469	(8)
Index of Subjects	477