Theology And Families

by Thatcher, Adrian

• ISBN13: 9781405152747
• ISBN10: 1405152745
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2007-01-23
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Summary

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.

Author Biography

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).

Table of Contents

Preface

SOURCES

Beginning With Real Families and Children

Family Forms

Global Upheavals

Theological Responses

Theology and Families: Arguments and Themes

The Bible in the Service of Families

Families Then and Now

The Bible and Critical Familism

Family-Friendly Readings

The Teaching of Jesus About Families and Children

The Teaching of Jesus about Families

The Teaching of Jesus about Children

Parents, Children and Priorities

Loving Neighbours, Loving Children?

Relations, Families and the Triune God

Relations and Families

Love as a Relation

Families and the Trinity

The Gift of a Child

Our Families and Ourselves in God's Image

Families and Structural Sin

Relations

Spouses and Partners

Do Families Need Marriages?

Disputes about evidence

'Marital Values' and the Problem of Commitment

Children, Parents and Rights

Where are the Children?

The Defence of Children's Rights

The Christ Child and the Rights of all Children

God, Parents and Children

God the Father and Human Parenting

God the Father: Revisionary Proposals

Parenting, Divine and Human

Parents, Children and Sacrificial Love

Open Families: Choosing To Be Childless

Extending Families

Families and Neighbourhoods

Open Families and the Teaching of Jesus

Choosing Childlessness

Chosen Childlessness: an Appraisal

Families and the 'Domestic Church'

Families and the 'Domestic Church'.Families and the Local Church

The Churches and Pro-Family Policies

Bibliography

Index

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.