God, Marriage, and Family : Rebuilding the Biblical Foundation

by Kostenberger, Andreas J.

• ISBN13: 9781581345803
• ISBN10: 1581345801
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-11-11
• Publisher: Good News Pub

Summary

We live in a time of crisis regarding marriage and the family, and only by a return to the biblical foundation can these institutions be rebuilt. To provide an integrated, biblical treatment of the full range of marriage and family issues, the authors of God, Marriage, and Family examine what Scripture says about God's purposes for humans in their marriage and family interactions. Their examination covers the special issues stemming from marriage, childrearing, singleness, homosexuality, and divorce and remarriage. With study questions and points for further discussion, this book is a comprehensive yet concise resource for anyone seeking a Scriptural response to our culture's complex challenges to God's intentions for marriage and family. Book jacket.

Author Biography

Andreas J. Kostenberger serves as Professor of New Testament and Director of Ph.D./Th.M. Studies at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary David W. Jones is Assistant Professor of Christian Ethics at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

Table of Contents

Charts and Lists	16	(1)
Foreword	17	(2)
Daniel L. Akin
Preface	19	(6)
The Current Cultural Crisis: Rebuilding the Foundation	25	(6)
The Current Confusion over Marriage and the Family
The Lack of Biblical, Integrative Literature on Marriage and the Family
The Contribution of This Book: Biblical and Integrative
Leaving and Cleaving: Marriage in the Old Testament	31	(30)
Rooted in Creation (Genesis 1--3)
Created in God's Image to Rule the Earth for God
The Man's Ultimate Responsibility for the Marriage and the Wife's Role as His ``Suitable Helper''
The Fall of Humanity and Its Consequences
Summary
Developments in the History of Israel (Pentateuch, Historical and Prophetic Books)
Marital Roles in Ancient Israel
The Role and Responsibilities of Husbands Toward Their Wives
The Role and Responsibilities of Wives Toward Their Husbands
Violations of Various Components of God's Ideal for Marriage in Ancient Israel
Polygamy
Divorce
Adultery
Homosexuality
Sterility
Dilution of Gender Distinctions
Summary of Developments in the History of Israel
Glimpses of the Ideal (Wisdom Literature)
The Excellent Wife (Proverbs 31)
The Beauty of Sex in Marriage (The Song of Solomon)
Insights From Old Testament Marriages
Adam and Eve
Abraham and Sarah
Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Rachel
Samson and Delilah
Ruth and Boaz
Hannah and Elkanah
David and His Wives
Solomon's Foreign Wives
Ahab and Jezebel
Esther and Ahasuerus
Summary
Conclusion
No Longer Two, but One: Marriage in the New Testament	61	(20)
No Longer Two, but One: Jesus' High View of Marriage
Submission and Sensitivity: Peter's Message to Husbands and Wives (1 Pet. 3:1-7)
All Things Under One Head: Paul's Vision for Marriage
Fulfilling One's Marital Obligations (1 Cor. 7:2-5)
Marriage an Honorable State (1 Tim. 2:15; 4:1-4)
The Roles of Husband and Wife (Eph. 5:21-33)
Summary and Application
Insights from New Testament Marriages
The Gospels
The Book of Acts
Ananias and Sapphira
Aquila and Priscilla
The Rest of the New Testament and Conclusion
Conclusion
The Nature of Marriage: Sacrament, Contract, or Covenant?	81	(12)
Marriage as a Sacrament
Marriage as a Contract
Marriage as a Covenant
Conclusion
The Ties that Bind: Family in the Old Testament	93	(16)
The Ancient Israelite Conception of Family
The Role and Responsibilities of Fathers
The Role and Responsibilities of Mothers
Procreation
The Role and Responsibilities of Children
The Importance of Teaching Children About God
Passing on the Message (Pentateuch, Historical Books, and Psalms)
Train up a Child (The Book of Proverbs)
Insights from Old Testament Family Relationships
Conclusion
The Christian Family: Family in the New Testament	109	(20)
The Example and Teaching of Jesus
First-century Palestine and Jesus' Example
Jesus' Teaching on the Family and Discipleship
Children in the Ministry of Jesus
Paul's Teaching on the Role of Fathers, Mothers, and Children
The Ancient Household and ``Household Codes''
Children in Paul's Teaching
Fathers and the Importance of Fatherhood in Paul's Teaching
Mothers and the Importance of Motherhood in Paul's Teaching
The Importance of Older Women Mentoring Younger Women
Older Women
Younger Women
Insights from New Testament Family Relationships
Implications
Conclusion
To Have or Not to Have Children: Special Issues Related to the Family (Part 1)	129	(24)
Childlessness and Modern Medical Ethics
Abortion
Contraception (by Mark Liederbach)
The Question of the Legitimacy of Contraception in General Morally Permissible and Impermissible Forms of Contraception
Acceptable Forms of Birth Control
Unacceptable Forms of Birth Control
Methods Requiring Special Mention and Extra Care
Artificial Reproductive Technologies (by Mark Liederbach)
The Challenge of Infertility
Description of Methods
Principles of Evaluation
Adoption
Conclusion
Requiring the Wisdom of Solomon: Special Issues Related to the Family (Part 2)	153	(20)
Parenting in Today's World
Which Method?
Single Parenting
Physical Discipline
Cultivating Masculinity and Femininity
Principles of Parental Discipline
Conclusion
Marriage and the Family and Spiritual Warfare
A Struggle from the Beginning
A Battle for the Mind
The Devil's Toolbox: Sexual Temptation, Anger, and Insensitivity
How to Fight the Battle: Three Important Lessons
Implications
Family Ways
Conclusion
Undivided Devotion to the Lord: The Divine Gift of Singleness	173	(28)
Singleness in the Old Testament
Singleness in the New Testament
Singleness in the Early Church
Summary
Issues Related to Singleness
Singleness and Ministry
Cohabitation and Premarital Sex
Courtship and Dating
Biblical Teaching on Singleness Addressed to Particular Groups
Young Men
Young Women
Widows or Widowers
Single Parents
Divorcees
Practical Implications
Conclusion
Abandoning Natural Relations: The Biblical Verdict on Homosexuality	201	(26)
Homosexuality and the Integrated Nature of Marriage and the Family
Homosexuality in the Old Testament
Sodom and Gomorrah
The Levitical Holiness Code
Homosexuality in the New Testament
The Letter to the Romans
First Corinthians
First Timothy
Conclusion
The Biblical Verdict on Homosexuality
Practical Implications
Separating What God Has Joined Together: Divorce and Remarriage	227	(32)
The Old Testament Background
Jesus' Teaching on Divorce
Restoring God's Original Design for Marriage
The Disciples' Reaction
The ``Exception Clause'': ``Except for Porneia''
The ``Divorce and Remarriage for Adultery or Sexual Immorality' View Jesus vs. Hillel and Shammai
Why the Exception?
Arguments Advanced Against the ''Divorce and Remarriage for Adultery or Sexual Immorality`` View
Response
More Restrictive Views: Divorce Only in Case of Breaking the Betrothal, Incest, Etc.
Arguments Advanced Against the ''Betrothal`` View Response
Summary
Paul's Teaching on Divorce
The Corinthian Context: Divorce for Desertion by Unbelieving Spouce
Jesus' and Paul's Teachings on Remarriage
Survey of Relevant Passages
The Current Discussion
Summary
Conclusion
Pastoral Implications
Parting Principles
Faithful Husbands: Qualifications for Church Leadership	259	(12)
The Requirement of Marital Faithfulness
The Meaning of the Phrase Mias Gynaikas Andra Implications
Church Officers and the Issue of Divorce
Requirements Pertaining to Church Leaders' Children
Singleness and Church Leadership
Conclusion
Uniting All Things in Him: Concluding Synthesis	271	(6)
Summary of Findings
Conclusion
For Further Study: Helpful Resources	277	(24)
Personal and Group Study Guide	301	(30)
Answers to Discussion Questions	331	(22)
Notes	353	(64)
Author Index	417	(10)
Subject Index	427	(4)
Scripture Index	431	(16)
Extrabiblical References Index	447